It's not "early fall" it's "late summer"!

Some people welcome autumn.  My guess is that those people do not live in Chicago, or at least, didn't live through the non-existent summer we just had (seriously, one of the chilliest on record).  As the warm-ish weather starts to leave us, I am hanging onto the vestiges by my fingernails.  Once it finally slips my grip, I will throw myself facedown onto the ground and cry "It's not fair!"

Then I will contemplate moving.  For perhaps five seconds.

I know many home entertaining blogs are writing about things like warm apple cider and pretty autumnal floral arrangements, but I can't bring myself to join them just yet.  So instead, I bring you these late summer goodies...

1) Watermelon Juice, or pretty much anything from my "Watermelon, Nine Ways" post. (Juice is item #4)

2) Caramelized Pear and Sage Crostini

Mid-season pears make a great late summer appetizer

3) This vegetable stew.  Tomatoes and squash are in abundance right now!

Enjoy, and just remember...it's still summer for another 11 days!