Hey there!  Have you painted your nails some combination of red, white, and blue yet?  Do you have your once-a-year firework earrings ready to go?  We are coming up on one of my favorite holidays.  Fourth of July signals visions of long evenings at the oceanside eating Twizzlers and snacking on colossal, bright yellow bags of Lays.  This July we get a weekend, one day of work and then a holiday. It makes Monday feel a little out of place but I'm ready to roll with it. 

I will be making the most cliche, 1950s-esc dessert today to kick off the festivities.  It's definitely not "on-brand" with this European-inspired life I like to live, but there's something about that tri-colored stratification of pretzels, cream cheese, and strawberry-studded gelatin that calls to my heart.  I can and will eat the whole pan. No joke.  And, since we aren't going anywhere this weekend and Mr. Pedantic doesn't eat strawberries...I probably will.  I will make my own whipped cream though, Cool Whip is not allowed in this house. 

Thoughts on sweet corn ice cream?  I'm down.  Dominique is my culinary hero.  

I am also whipping up some pretty fab popsicles today that I'll hopefully be sharing in time for your Independence Day festivities.  Stay tuned. 

I just made a batch of my favorite ravioli yesterday and popped them in the freezer as per Mr. Pedantic's request. It's one of his favorite weeknight dinners, and I love how fast they cook up.  Serve them with a bright, caesar salad and call it a day. Summer livin'. 

I would gladly trade you a flag cake for these lime & coconut trifles. They are so good and SO easy!!  

What are you jammin' to this summer?  I'm waffling between the La La Land soundtrack (obviously) and the Disney Hits station on Spotify.  Keepin' it classy. 

I'm about two years late to the party, but I just discovered that Reese (apparently we are on a first name basis) has a clothing line and I love just about everything from it, especially this Cherry Orchard skirt.  I have fallen down a rabbit hole with fruit-themed clothing this summer.  

I tried a sample of Starbuck's prickly pear frappuccino and I'm so over it.  It tastes exactly like every other pink drink they sell - fake raspberry.  I'm over it and, frankly, pretty much over the brand in general. 

Speaking of how millennials are ruining the world... Why is everything neon these days?  Can we just have our prosecco sans the built-in instagram filter?

I saw this adorable bottle stopper while we were road tripping a couple weeks back and I am really wishing I had bought it.  I suffer from something we will call "not-buyers remorse." 

Wishing you all the most wonderful celebrations!

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie