I just finished reading the book on my Summer Book Stack, The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again. I highly recommend it. There is so much to ponder and a lot of wisdom in the book. One of the assignments that the author, Catherine Price, proposes is some self analysis about what is “true fun” for you. Her well-researched 3 attributes of True Fun are: playfulness, connection and flow. She encourages the reader to be aware when some/or all of these things are happening in your life and to take note and investigate more about these and how you could cultivate more of these types of activities in your life.

This month I have gotten to be a part of two book club gatherings. Both books on my summer book stack. One with faculty from my workplace which I hosted, discussing the book Minding Bodies: How Physical Space, Sensation and Movement Affect Learning; and the other at a neighbor’s house discussing the thoughtful and lovely book, Prayer in the Night. Book Clubs definitely check all the boxes for fun for me! Food, beverage, people, discussing something meaningful, and within someone’s home are the personal ingredients for my definition of fun.

People brought snacks and drinks to share. I made these Spicy Rosemary Cheese Crackers. They are easy, make ahead and special without being complex. The recipe is from Sara Foster’s Southern Kitchen cookbook that I bought in an airport bookstore years ago. It’s a great summer cooking collection with thoughtfully flavored dishes. I posted about Cheese Crackers years ago, sharing the recipe that my friend, Blair, gave me. It’s classic and delicious. These are a little more complex flavor-wise, with 3 spices included. I think the texture of these is a little denser too.

Rosemary Spicy Cheese Crackers

from Southern Kitchen

2 cups (8 oz.) grated sharp Cheddar Cheese

8 Tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. dried rosemary

1 tsp. coarse Kosher salt (or a little less if using salted butter), plus more for sprinkling on top

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper

Cream the cheese and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined. Stir together the flour, rosemary, salt, red pepper flakes, and cayenne in a separate bowl. Add the flour mixture to the cheese mixture and stir to combine thoroughly.

Turn the dough onto a piece of wax or parchment paper. Roll into a log shape for round crackers; for square crackers, gently tap each side of the log on the counter several times to form a long rectangle. Wrap the dough in the paper and refrigerate for several hours or overnight, until the dough is firm and sliceable.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375˚F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Cut the log into 1/2 inch thick slices and arrange them on the baking sheets, leaving a little room for expansion between crackers. Using a fork, prick the center of each cracker several times and sprinkle with a little salt. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown around the edges.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before serving or storing in an airtight container for several days. Also, they can be frozen and then reheated in the oven for a few minutes before serving.

When hosting a gathering, I think of Ina Garten’s advice about keeping parties fun for the host by balancing making a few things homemade and buying a few quality items from the store to assemble or serve. No need to make everything homemade! And make-ahead items are ideal so it’s not frenzied in the last minute.

Hoping you have some fun this summer- however you define it!