“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” ~Sam Keen
Very rarely in life is one actually required to just sit down and relax. July in Louisiana, however, may be one of those times. As crazy hot as it gets here, resting under an umbrella and spending an afternoon sipping a tall, cool drink of something colorful is just plain common sense. Here are a few “no sweat” ideas to keep your summer entertaining simple, cool and fun. With a little help from Cuisinart, you can easily impress guests with homemade ice cream (we cheated with some from the local Kleinpeter Farms Dairy, made with real Ponchatoula strawberries), frozen yogurt or even a delicious sorbet for dessert.
Likewise, make a quick summer bar with a tray full of colorful glasses and lots of fresh- squeezed lime juice for the perfect antidote to all things hot — the margarita!
shady shelter
Clockwise: Rainbow-striped umbrella and solid-red umbrella, both from World Market; and solid-blue umbrella, blue-and-green striped umbrella and solid-green umbrella, all from Pottery Barn.
citrus salvation
Back row: Red, green and blue martini shakers from Target. On palm rectangular tray from Pottery Barn: Cabo martini glasses and Baja red glass, all from Pottery Barn, with Epic Party drink umbrellas from Rouses and plastic swizzle sticks from Target; Imusa lime squeezer from Target; and Baja red and orange shot glasses from Pottery Barn. On table: Baja glass from Pottery Barn and limes in Springwood salad bowl from Pottery Barn.
summer’s bounty
Clockwise: Charcoal Companion fish grilling basket from The Pool & Patio Center with whole redfish from Pat’s Seafood & Cajun Deli; tomatoes and squash from Taylor’s Happy Oaks Farm at the Covington Farmers Market; grill cloth from Williams-Sonoma; Charcoal Companion corn grilling basket from The Pool & Patio Center with corn from Taylor’s Happy Oaks Farm
at the Covington Farmers Market; and pineapple skewers from Williams-Sonoma.
cool whipped wonderland
Clockwise: Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker from Williams-Sonoma; whale tray from Pottery Barn with footed pilsner glass from Pottery Barn filled with a shake made with Kleinpeter Farms Dairy ice cream; Partyware colander from Pottery Barn filled with cherries from Rouses; cooler glass from Pottery Barn filled with a shake made with Kleinpeter Farms Dairy
ice cream; waffle ice cream bowl and spoon from Williams-Sonoma filled with Blue Bell Rainbow Sherbet; Zeroll ice cream scoop from Williams-Sonoma; ice cube trays from Target; Montana creamer from Pottery Barn with popsicles
on sticks from Target; Wild West Ice Cream Sandwich Molds from Williams-Sonoma. In center: Café goblet from Pottery Barn filled with fruit juice ice cubes.
