POV {Summer}

It's time for Point of View once again!  I don't know about you, but the last month has just flown by for me.  This month, the theme of POV was Summer and boy do we ever have some fun projects to show you!  We are welcoming a new member to POV as well as have some awesome guest bloggers showing us their Point of View.  Check these out:

1. Me!

2. Amy (Ameroonie Designs)

3. Gwen (Gwenny Penny)

4. Leanne (Organize and Decorate Everything)

5. Carolina (Always Expect Moore)

6. Michele (Michele Made Me)

You need to go see the tutorials on all of these.  So fun!  Also, don't forget that we have our monthly linky open.  This month, it is located on Leanne's blog.  Go link up your SUMMER projects!  They can be past or present as long as they fit our summer theme.  We will be featuring our favorites from the party next week.

When I think of summer, I think of all the yummy foods that you can't really have the rest of the year.  I love all of the fresh fruits, veggies and herbs that are easily found throughout the summer.  That is what inspired me to try out some fun recipes that I have been dying to taste.

First on the menu was Cilantro Lime Chicken with a Black Bean and Mango Salsa

Check out the recipe here.

This marinade was divine.  Try it out and you will see what I mean.  Here is my chicken marinating.

Grill it up and enjoy.  Just a little trick that my parents have taught me about grilling chicken is that you should never pierce the chicken while cooking.  It lets all the juices run out and it won't be as tender and juicey.  Maybe that's a well known fact, but if not, there you go. 

This salsa was such a great flavor assortment to pair with the chicken.  It makes it so you have sweet and a tiny bit of spice from the jalapeno, but not enought that it is overpowering. 

The flavors of the chicken and salsa combined were amazing.  I used flour tortillas since we don't really love corn tortillas and they worked perfectly.

I decided to pair the yummy tacos with an equally delicious drink.  I had a ton of watermelon that I needed to use and this recipe for Watermelon Lemonade was perfect for it. 

Watermelon Lemonade

2 Cups Watermelon

1/3 Cup Country Time Lemonade Mix

1 1/3 Cup Water

2/3 Cup Ice

Mix all together and enjoy

To make it a little more fun, I bought some glasses at the dollar store, coated the tops in green colored sugar and added a lemon slice.  To color the sugar, I found the easiest way was to use either a gel or paste food coloring.  Simply place a couple of drops of the coloring in a ziplock bag, add the sugar and mix around.  Add more color if you want it darker.  To get it to stick to the glass, dip the top of the glass in some water and then sprinkle the sugar over the water.  I turned the cup upside down so that the sugar only went on the edge of the glass. 

For dessert, we had homemade strawberry ice cream.  It may not look like much, but it was oh so tasty.  I got the recipe from here.

Strawberry Ice Cream

1 lb. ripe strawberries, hulled and halved
1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. lemon juice  (I used the juice of 2/3 of a lemon)
2 cups heavy (whipping) cream

In a bowl, mash the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice with a potato masher; stir in the cream. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions. If you want it firmer, transfer to a container or bowl and put in the freezer until firm.

I don't think my taste buds could have handled any more deliciousness.  We will definitely be making all of these recipes again.  Even my husband, who is normally incredibly picky, couldn't get enough of it all.  I would recommend them to anyone!

Go ahead and wipe the drool from your face now.  :)

Oh, and don't forget about the linky party!