After 100 days of living without furniture, television, and extra socks we are finally moving back into our house. I am up to my elbows in boxes, unpacking around nap times and trying to get everything back in order after a long absence.

I could write a post mortem, about how this was one of the longest durations for a flood in US history creating over $2 billion in damages to levees in multiple states. Or how the flooding was largely caused by screwed up policy guidelines and poor choices on the part of the Army Corps of Engineers. Emails show they knew months in advance that there would be a problem but choose to give the affected public only one week notice with a press release right before a holiday weekend.

Early September is one of my favorite times to visit a farmer’s market. Every stand has piles of beautiful produce spilling from one end of a table to another. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, corn- gardens are pushing out the last of their produce in a final attempt to ripen before the chill of fall arrives.

For the first time in many years I am not sad to see summer go. In fact I hope that this summer packs its bags and hits the road never to be seen again. The last three months have been an agonizing blur of stress, worry, and more stress. So, goodbye summer and hello fall! For those of you who have happily spent the summer soaking up sunshine, swimming, and cooking on the grill here are a few favorites from past years when I too sent summer off with a bang instead of the boot.

Coconut Mango Swirl Ice Cream – Creamy, cold, tropical perfection. I miss my ice cream maker!

Herbed Butterflied Grilled Chicken – This just might be grilled chicken nirvana. Packed with flavor and incredibly moist, you will fight over the leftovers.