Summer means socializing. Cookouts. Picnics. The beach. Less clothes. Swimming. Surfing. Biking.

What could be better than hanging at the beach with friends. Or when everyone comes over for a cookout, brings their dogs to play, we kick back, play footvolley (futevôlei) and barbecue. Board shorts. Bikinis. Beautiful skies above.

Besides friends, the beach and summer romances there's always serious work going on in the kitchen. We all hang out, prepare, taste and take turns keeping the dogs from climbing on the table sneaking samples.

I usually bring the chocolate or make desserts. Or both. If it's activity related I bring Squirrel Mix, which is actually not chocolate at all rather an amazing nut bar. Dried fruits too, I take them when I bike, hiking around the city and even for inspiration when sitting in the shade under a tree writing -as I am as I write this.

You have to be careful with chocolate in the summer. Save it for after the sun sets. Share CanaJure with your friends after dinner before going out. Or serve Key Lime Coolers for dessert instead of pie. Serve your KLCs with a light white wine or open a bottle of prosecco to go with dessert.

With best regards,