A Breezy Taste of Summer

Can you taste it? Summer is almost here!

With Memorial Day fast approaching, it's time to play outdoors! I have a few more plants to buy and plan out how to position them around the garden and pool area. Now this is the fun part of unpacking!

We also need to remember to bring some greenery inside, as we welcome family and friends into our new home. I adore this idea using earthy colors of pottery and adorning them with olive and berry branches. It's an amazing and dramatic look. Who would have thought to tuck in a few vintage books to complete this vignette? The colors represent that beautiful Tuscan look don't they?

I am also inspired to string garden lights in the trees that surround the pool. This makes an amazing atmosphere to have little white lights in your greenery that are close to your deck, patio or outdoor area. These little mercury lights are a must have! You will want to entertain in the evenings when you have created that midsummer nights ambiance!

When your guests arrive to enjoy a summer's evening outdoors, welcome them with an ice cold glass of lemonade! You could add some rum or vodka for the adults and strawberries for the kiddos! I have a wicker serving tray similar to this one and these colorful tumblers are on my list to purchase this weekend! Placing real lemons on your serving tray adds such a beautiful touch!

Now that we have our inspiration to decorate for summer months, let's enjoy our family and entertain with style! I am sharing this delicious summer pie that I have made for my family for years! This pie is refreshing and you will be the "hostest with the mostest" when serving this heavenly taste of summer!

Summer's Banana Breeze Pie

CRUST

1/3 cup butter or margarine

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup Corn Flake Crumbs

FILLING

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

5 medium ripe bananas

2 tablespoons lemon juice

In 1-quart saucepan, melt butter, sugar and cinnamon over low heat; stirring constantly until bubbles form around edges of pan. Remove from heat. Add cereal. Mix well. Press mixture evenly and firmly in bottom and on side of 9-inch pie pan to form crust. Chill.


 In medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add sweetened condensed milk, mixing thoroughly. Add the 1/3 cup lemon juice and vanilla, stirring until thickened. Slice 3 bananas. Line crust with banana slices. Turn filling into crust. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm.  Cut remaining 2 bananas into thin slices. Dip in the 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Garnish top of pie with banana slices. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve!