"Attack of the Squash People" by Marge Piercy (Part 1) + Raw Zucchini Pasta with Basil-Spinach Pesto

The end of May was refreshing in many ways. After celebrating my birthday (and thanks to all of you for such heartfelt wishes on my big "turning 30" post!), Andrew and I jetted off to Maui for a week, then returned to attend the wedding of some dear friends in California's wine country.

We did all the things you would expect on a tropical vacation. We ate fish, drank mai tai's, sought out the softest Hawaiian shaved ice, got a couples massage, went snorkeling in a secluded cove, read as many books as we could, took afternoon naps, and watched the sunset from our wrap-around balcony. Ah, the joys of island time. I miss it just typing these words. After a week or so, as much as part of you is renewed to return to the routines of life, the other part desperately wants to stay another day. Or two.

"The Sun" by William Carlos Williams + Rosé Mussels

The anecdote to any long week is a pot of glossy, steamed mussels dripping in garlic and wine. It's one of summers simple pleasures, and while the mussels themselves take a small amount of work to prep, they basically cook themselvesquickly in a warm bath, emerging plump and tender, ready to be spread on a piece of grilled bread.

This poem by William Carlos Williams makes no mention of mussels, but there are five words tucked in the middle of the poem, "the slovenly bearded rocks hiss—" that reminded me of the sound mussels make when they're steaming in the pot.

"To Be of Use" by Marge Piercy + Cheesy Corn Crostini

We're poised to wave goodbye to spring in favor of longer days, warm breezes and the satisfaction of summer. This is truly a poem for June, then, as it praises the labor, the farmer, the gathering, and the feasting of the coming season. (Also, thanks go to The Yellow House for posting this poem last month and providing some of the inspiration here today.)