As I write this, it is actually cooler: 79F vs 89F.

But, it is VERY smoky from wildfires in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia.

VERY smoky as in today, in addition to looking smoky, it smelled smoky.

And I pray for those who have lost homes (100 in Washington) and also for the wildland firefighters. I still often think about the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots that lost their lives last year. …and the families they left behind. Wildland firefighting is super dangerous business.

Blech.

But part of Western Summers.

At my house, we must live and deal.

Several things to beat the heat:

Agua Fresca. Fresh Water. With some fruit and a teeny-tiny bit of sweetener. For my purposes agave nectar.

My current favorite: cantaloupe, lime juice and red raspberries.

It is like Hawaiian Punch, the light version.

I usually fill 1/3 of a mug with the fresca and top with my own sweet carbonated well water.

Srsly good and refreshing!

Early May, I started making my own popsicles.

Yum, but recently, I saw something about Zipzicle bags…kind of Ziploc bags but thin and tall with the zip at the top of the tall.

I bought some to try.

Kind of fun.

And easy.

And I can think of other ways to use these: bits of sauce…think chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for one.

The company also sells neoprene sleeves for the popsicles so that one does not freeze one’s fingers while eating the ice treat.

SO much fun!

And last, but certainly not least.

I’ve been drinking my cold brew ( Cold Brew ) for weeks.

It turns out that chocolate ice cream in place of the maple syrup and cocoa, makes a VERY delicious iced mocha.

Beating the heat!