This weekend is considered the first day of Summer throughout the United States – parks and pools open and of course the Beach!
I hope you have a meal planned with loved ones as well as relaxing moments for yourself. And of course sending love to those who we have lost and are remembering on Memorial Day.
 
Xo Christine

Summer Faves
I love to cook – it is one of the things that inspired me for creating Good Home. Instead of baking a cake, I started making sheet sprays!
I have a favorite recipe for the start of every season and thought I would share my start of summer faves.

Fresh Salsa
This is so easy and everyone loves it. So much better than a jar.
 
I use a Ninja blender in Turks and a Vitamix in NYC – I think the Ninja works better. A mini Cuisinart food prep is amazing or a regular food processor.
 
1 pint of organic cherry tomatoes
½ a jalapeno
¼ organic red onion
½ a bunch of fresh organic cilantro
½ teaspoon of salt (or to taste)
1 organic lime squeezed for juice
 
Throw everything in the blender and pulse until salsa is chunky.
You can blend more for a cantina style. I use a strainer then to make it less watery.
Serve with chips – I love Zachs.

Pack up Winter
If you haven’t done so already, this weekend is a good time to pack up your winter and fall sweaters. And also heavier blankets too. I store mine in reusable vacuum seal bags and throw in our closet and drawer sachets so they come out smelling super fresh in 6 months. Remember to make sure they are clean before storing.

Keep the Bugs Off!
Mosquitoes and Ticks are a real problem. I am glad we don’t have ticks to deal with, but if I did I would take extra precautions.

Cedar is known to repel mosquitoes and ticks. Keep a bottle handy outdoors to spray on your legs while sitting outside.
 
20 drops of essential oil of cedar
½ cup of witch hazel
¼ cup of water
 
Pour all ingredients in a brown glass bottle with a sprayer and use liberally! It is a repellent, so remember to always add on other products when hiking or in the grasses and check every single time for ticks!
 
I have also heard essential oils of rose geranium and lemon eucalyptus work too. If you have the means and want fresh eggs (and lots of work lol) chickens love to eat the ticks!

Tried and True
I have white cushions on all our loungers in Turks and they get stained all the time, fortunately I also have our TNT spray which is perfect to spot clean them. Simply spray, scrub and rinse. Grab a bottle or two!

 
Happy Summer!