Summer Holiday Meals

We're almost halfway through our summer holidays. How are you enjoying summer this year? One of my favorite things about this summer is our serious lack of mosquitoes. I don't know if it's just in my city or if it's all over our province, but this is the first year I haven't had to wear the perfume of summer- insect repellant.

Given how wonderfully bug-free we've had it so far, I've spent a lot of time outside. After-dinner glass of wine on the deck, BBQ'ing, even just spending time reading a novel and drinking a cup of coffee or a glass of iced-tea outside- it has been marvelous.

For me, meal planning is pretty different during the dog days of summer. I don't plan for the month, for one thing. It's still planned, but loosely, and looks more generic than specific. For example, tonight I was thinking of having chicken. My planner says "chicken?", instead of specific "curry coconut chicken". We might have a stirfry, or sandwiches, or kabobs, or a wrap...or maybe curry coconut chicken. I found a great-sounding recipe online here, and I have some potatoes that need using.

I've purchased my grocery items as I need them, this month, as well. Partly because I've been trying to clean out my freezer and fridge (in preparation for a major defrosting), and partly because my brain seems to need a vacation too. We might be out doing things more (given that it's summer) and I try to keep our options for mealtimes open so that we don't have to rush home if we're having a good time somewhere else. 

I do have to say, though, that buying a little here and there adds up quite significantly compared to my usual Costco shop. For example, our local No Frills has blueberries on sale this week- 2 pints for $3. I spent less than $4 at Costco a week ago for twice that amount of blueberries. The takeaway for me is to keep an eye on how much I've spent already and to make sure I allocate enough to get us through to the end of the month.

How are your summer meals working out for you?