“Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something. To lie in the grass and count the stars. To sit on a branch and study the clouds.”
Regina Brett
With the mighty St. Lawrence River as my backdrop, summer is my favorite time of year to watch the most awe-inspiring sunsets. I am grateful for the long quiet evenings, cherishing their infusion of peace. This time of year, I try to make every evening feel special and regard each dinner as a celebration.
I’ve included a few simple dinner ideas that my husband, Steve, and I have incorporated into our joyful lifestyle. These meals are simple yet elegant. Additionally they do not heat up the whole house.
Easy Appetizers
Who doesn’t love a shrimp cocktail?
Cucumber/salmon bites. This one is very easy. Just cube up salmon lox and slice the cucumbers. Then use cream cheese with dill and lemon zest to hold them together. Stick a toothpick in and garnish with more lemon zest.
Another simple hors d’euvre that packs a lot of flavor is the mint, watermelon, feta cheese bite. Same concept, just hold them together with a tooth pick. They are delicious!
If we are in a pinch for time we enjoy cheddar cheese cubes with apple slices. Throw in some almonds and you have a delicious start to any meal.
Salad Meals
When it comes to salads, I prefer to use the broader Merriam-Webster dictionary definition – a hodgepodge. We just throw some of our favorite cold foods onto a serving platter. These meals are easy and nutritious. The ingredients are easily available this time of year, fresh from our garden!
Dessert
Um, let’s face it. If you know me, you will also know that I prefer to drink my dessert. I usually go for a Cabernet Sauvignon out on the deck, facing the sunset on the St. Lawrence River.
So it is that easy to give those hot summer evenings a peaceful vibe with a little extra pop of ambience. I hope you are enjoying your summer as much as I am!
Thank you for reading! – Barb, the River Blogger (Btrb)
Feel free to reblog or share anything I post. I welcome all comments and discussion.
The River Blogger 
I highly approve of your chillin miniature schnauzer in this post! Mike my mini does the same. Those dinners look wonderful. Great ideas of hodgepodge salads for summer meals. Now I am craving shrimp cocktail…
IPAs show me the way
My husband is an IPA guy, too! 🍺
Drink for appetizer🍸
Drink for the main meal🍷
And
Drink for dessert🍹
He-he! 💃🏻
Ah serenity. And the picture of your dog chillin’ is the right touch.
It’s a good life, for sure! Thank you! 🌼
Your dinners look yummy and perfect for the heat!
They are delicious! Thank you for your comments! 🌻
I prefer to ‘drink’ my dessert as well. Besides, a glass of wine goes so much better with a sunset than apple pie!
Right you are! 🍷😉