Le Sud: Recipes from Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is a cookbook that is bound to transform you and if you don’t want to take the next plane, train, or automobile to the south of France after reading it, I will be shocked. I met the cookbook author, Rebekah Peppler, recently at a conference in New York and just hearing her speak about the area, made me want to dig out my passport, pack my bags, and journey to one of Europe’s most beautiful areas along the sprawling Mediterranean Sea coastline.

Is this summer particularly warmer than in recent years? The soaring temperatures, staggering in the 90s for days on end, have taken the term “heatwave” to an entirely different level. Climate change may be to blame but that does not help those of us who are melting out there. Thank goodness for working central air conditioning and the ice machine.

Sweet, juicy watermelons and summertime treats go hand-in-hand. There is just something about this melon that screams summertime to me. So take advantage of the watermelon’s short peak season and use it in as many ways as possible. Let your imagination run wild! Just about every part of this colorful, delicious fruit can be used–except maybe the seeds. There are savory bites and sweet treats, and so many ways to use its juice and even its green-striped rind can be transformed into something delicious.

Christmas in July is a thing–a real thing. Every year, I plan and strategize to make the most of the holiday season. But the planning starts a few months from now. This year, I want to do things differently. I want to start planning now. I want to eliminate the stress and the pressure. I want to avoid waiting until the last minute to shop. This year, like every year, I plan to enjoy every second of the holiday season. This year, it is my top priority.