Cherry Buttermilk Popsicles

Did you know that there is actually an "official" time period for the dog days of summer? I've always considered them to be the hottest, stickiest days of the season and for the most part, I was right. But according to infoplease:

"Dog Days is the name for the most sultry period of summer, from about July 3 to Aug. 11. Named in early times by observers in countries bordering the Mediterranean, the period was reckoned as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and the sun."

Kinda cool, right? It also says that the days can vary a bit due to a difference in latitude since the movement of the equinoxes changes gradually over long periods of time. So, give or take. I always feel like they extend well into August in these parts.

Pimm's Cup Ice Pops

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy icy cold cocktails. From frosty blended drinks, to tall sweaty glasses filled with ice cubes that clink and slosh every time you lift them, there's just something about raising a toast under the hot sun. Of course, sitting alone under a shade tree isn't so bad, either.

As much as I enjoy sipping, it's no secret that I enjoy turning my cocktails into boozesicles even more. There were these Tequila Sunrise Ice Pops, and these Cherry Mojito Ice Pops, not to mention these Lemon Lime Margarita Creamsicles—and that's just to name a few. Sure, it's convenient to have a portable frozen cocktail, but it's the whimsy and nostalgia that get me every time.

Coconut Matcha Blueberry Popsicles

Technically, this year should mark year 4 of the Summer of the Popsicle, but once again, time has gotten away from me. I meant to get it going again, but here it is July and I haven't sent out any invites. That doesn't mean that I haven't shared any popsicle recipes this year. On the contrary, I've already shared three (not including this one), and I have another one coming up in the next week or two—so I'm not a total slacker. I just never officially dubbed it "Summer of the Popsicle 4".

However, I am joining in the third edition of Popsicle Week hosted by Wit & Vinegar, so that's just as awesome. Maybe more so, because it took no organizing on my part. Yay me! Maybe I'll take a cue from Billy and do a 1-week SOTP intensive before summer ends...we'll see.

Strawberry Atole + Strawberry Atole Paletas | #SheMadeEllaHace

Did you know that May is National Strawberry Month? That only seems natural since this is the month that the sweetest, juiciest strawberries are grown in my neck of the woods. As a nod to this delicious month, my friend Leslie from La Cocina de Leslie and I are sharing strawberry recipes for our May edition of she made, ella hace!

If you know me, you know the first place my mind went was to popsicles, followed very closely by a cocktail. Since Leslie and I usually lean towards a Mexican-inspired twist during our time together in the kitchen, I decided to make an early morning pot of atole de fresa, or strawberry atole.

If you've never tried atole before, it's a warm drink that's thickened lightly with masa. It can be made in pretty much any flavor you can imagine, but it's that earthy corn undertone that makes it so recognizable...and loved.

Tequila Sunrise Ice Pops

Who says popsicles are just for kids? Not me! I dabble in the art of ice pop making year-round, but come summertime, my friends and family tell me I'm a force to be reckoned with. As soon as the air ceases to drop below 70 degrees or so, no liquid is exempt from the freezer.

Over the years, I've built up quite the collection of popsicle molds - a girl needs options. People always ask me where I get my molds. Some I've purchased online from Amazon, some I've received as gifts (friends, you know me so well), but most are ones that I've spotted in supermarkets and dollar stores over the years.

Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal end caps. When summer draws near, you'll find all sorts of fun props and tools, including popsicle molds. If I see a popsicle mold for a dollar or two or three, I'll pick up a couple. Not only is it fun to have a variety of shapes and sizes of molds at home to choose from, it also allows you to make more at once!

Yogurt Banana Berry Ice Pops

Happy International Picnic Day! Yes, it's that time of year again - time to pack up those picnic baskets, ice-filled coolers, and extra-large blankets and head to your favorite picnic spot. Whether you head to the beach, the park, the mountains, or your own backyard, it's hard to go wrong!

Now, you may think me strange for bringing ice pops to a picnic, but it wouldn't be the first time. I've loaded up a midsummer's picnic featuring wine with some luxurious Sauvignon-Peach-Vanilla Ice Pops, and these Apricot Chamomile Popsicles have even made their way into a past picnic day post! What can I say? I love my popsicles.

This year, I decided to go all the way down to Y, which could only mean one thing in ice pop land - yogurt! These simple frozen treats are just fruit, berries, and honey blended with yogurt and frozen. So, not only are they a delicious way to cool down at the end of a warm outdoor picnic, they're also good for you. What more could a person ask for?

Dulce de Leche Paletas

This month for she made, ella hace, Leslie and I are sharing PALETAS aka my absolute favorite way to kick-off summer! It is about this time every year that I announce The Summer of the Popsicle, but this year I'm running behind. I'm still hoping to bring it back this year, but no definite plans yet.

And yet, this is already the second ice pop recipe that I've shared this month (the first being my Strawberry Pink Moscato Ice Pops). The popsicle making itself hasn't slowed down.

Speaking of popsicle making, my good friend and she made, ella hace partner-in-crime, Leslie told me that she and the kids made like FIVE types of paletas over the past weekend. It's really no wonder that I dig this chick so much.

Strawberry Pink Moscato Ice Pops

This month the Sunday Supper Movement is partnering with Gallo Family Vineyards to bring you some tempting recipes that feature one of Gallo's Moscato wines in honor of the upcoming National Moscato Day!

We could either use Moscato in our recipes or pair it with our dish. I knew right away that I wanted to infuse it into my dish. The biggest dilemma (for me) was choosing which of Gallo Family's three varieties of Moscato I wanted to use: white, red, or pink.

I enjoy all three, so my decision-making process really came down to my mood. It's only the beginning of May and spring is just getting underway here in my part of the country, but after such a long and toiling winter, I'm already thinking summer and sunshine!

Rompope Pops {#SummerOfThePopsicle Guest Post: Nibbles & Feasts}

Who's Holding the Stick:  Well my friends, this is it.  Today wraps up an amazing summer (of the popsicle) full of generous friends stopping by and sharing their frozen creations on a stick.  But, we'll talk more about that next week when I bring the whole shebang to a close.  Right now, please join me in giving the lovely Ericka from Nibbles & Feasts a warm welcome as she gently coaxes us from summer to fall with her fun and tasty little Rompope Pops!

The fall season is about to begin.  But that doesn’t mean that my paleta season will be ending any time soon.  Living in California, September tends to be one of the hottest months of the year, which means that I still have 30 more warm days to indulge in my favorite frozen treats.

Since fall is my favorite season of the year, I am torn.  I love paletas but I am really looking forward to the fall colors, wearing sweaters, scarfs and definitely welcoming the beginning of the holidays.

To give it one last goodbye to my summer, I decided to combine the best of both worlds and make rompope paletas.