(Kiki's Corner by Kiki Angelos - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Last Friday we all welcomed in the first day of summer along with all that summer and good weather brings. Now is the time for gardening, planning summer vacations, swimming, and many outdoor activities such as painting your house and more.

Of course it also becomes a major problem when the temperatures rise to 90 degrees and above like it did last week. Not only can the extreme heat make it more difficult to accomplish what you want to do but also presents a health concern.

Oh well! Just do what you can and let the rest of the things needed done wait for another day, LOL. Life is precious and can also be very challenging so one must learn to take life like one song says, “One Day At A Time Sweet Jesus.”

I used to plant a few tomatoes but it became such a problem taking care of them and the worry if they would turn out, not to mention the deer eating them, etc., that it is much simpler just to stop at a fruit market and purchase them. The downside of buying them is that there is a difference most of the time between the ones a person grows and the ones you purchase at a grocery store.

I personally used to take care of the yard and outdoor work but by getting older now I have a yard man that comes and does all my outdoor work that needs taken care of. I just am not the super woman that I used to be at one time that could just go go go!

For a long time I have not mentioned all the activities and volunteer work that I am constantly involved in and will not bore you but they are still all very active.

I really like summer and all the good memories throughout the years with our children going to Europe, Greece and the Greek Islands spending several weeks relaxing and enjoying the summers. Going to Europe was a yearly and even sometimes a twice a year event for over 30 years.

Of course children love the summer vacations and all where they can also stay up late, sleep in late and not have to worry about school. Of course it is also a time when as they get older get summer jobs and make their own spending money and make them more independent plus there is usually specific training that is required prior to starting to work.

Summer jobs also give them a sense of responsibility and work habits — we have a total of five grandchildren with summer jobs now that school and college are out with four of them working at the Chick fil A with three grandchildren still too young to seek summer jobs.

Hope you all have a great and fun summer.

Till next week.

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STRAWBERRY SOUP

1 cup of fresh strawberries

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup sour cream

3/4 cup cold water

1/2 cup dry red wine

Place all ingredients in blender. Liquefy. There will be tiny seeds visible but straining is not necessary. Chill. Stir well before serving. Serve in wine glasses.

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COCKTAIL DELIGHT FOR PARTIES

4 ounces bourbon

4 ounces brandy

4 ounces Tia Maria

1 dozen eggs separated

1/2 pound powdered sugar

1 quart whipping cream

1 quart half-and-half cream

Grated nutmeg as needed

Add bourbon, brandy and Tia Maria to egg yolks. Add powdered sugar and beat thoroughly.

Refrigerate at least 24 hours. Reserve egg whites. When yolk mixture is ready whip the whipping cream until thick but not stiff and add half-and-half. Add yolk and mix. Whip egg whites and add; mix thoroughly. Serve with nutmeg sprinkle on top. Yields an average punch bowl full.

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RUM PUNCH

3 ounces pineapple juice

3 ounces orange juice

3 ounces lime juice

8 dashes Angostura bitters

6 ounces rum

2 ounces simple syrup

Combine ingredients and shake well with ice. Serve in tall glasses. Serves 4.

Basic simple syrup

1 cup sugar

1 cup of water

Combine sugar and water in saucepan. Stir over medium heat about 1 minute to dissolve sugar.

Store syrup in the refrigerator indefinitely. For gifts pour syrup in decorative bottles, makes 1 1/2 cups of syrup.