Now that I’m back in Germany for the next 4 weekends, I plan on settling down and enjoying the summer.

For example, I rode my bike to work today, and luckily the temperature dropped and it started pouring right around 5:30.

I’ve also been purchasing some items to spruce up my back patio. I plan on enjoying dinner and ping pong if it ever stops raining.

And, I finally have some time to experiment in the kitchen again.

I recently purchased a freezer (I hadn’t had one up until now), and for my birthday, my friends gave me an ice cream maker. I can’t wait to get creating!

On my lunchtime walk yesterday, there was a box of zucchini in front of a house. The sign said it was free to take, so of course I picked the biggest one.

Tonight I made an absolutely mouth-watering dinner with it (and, ok, yes it was Italian-inspired): onion, garlic, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, olives, chicken, white beans, and…zucchini. With some oregano, thyme and rosemary. I couldn’t stop eating it!

More recipe experimentation coming this weekend…