Sunshine and orange wine
A celebration of color returning to the world in spring! (and some weather bits and bobs)
Good morning! Not to brag, but it’s supposed to be 80°F and sunny in Michigan today. Not just the Monday we want, not just the Monday we need, but the Monday we deserve! 😎
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WEATHER TIDBITS
SUNSHINE STATE MEETS ATMOSPHERIC RIVER: You often hear of atmospheric rivers in the northwest, but that’s not the only region that can be impacted by the weather pattern. Atmospheric rivers are strong moisture flows that bring heavy rain and flooding conditions and, in this case, it’s parts of Florida and the Mid-Atlantic states that will be/are being impacted by widespread showers and storms today. The Weather Prediction Center has highlighted Southeast Florida as an area of particular concern today as 3-4’’ of rain, with locally higher amounts, could fall over densely populated and highly urbanized areas. Excessive rainfall chances should wind down in Florida by Tuesday, but heavy rain will remain likely from northern North Carolina into Virginia as the storm system shifts to the north. Per the Weather Prediction Center, 3-5’’ of rain will be possible in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia by Wednesday morning.
The Excessive Rainfall Outlook from the Weather Prediction Center for today, 5/12/2025. MAY HEAT: This week will begin with steamy temperatures in a few different parts of the country. Widespread 100°F temperatures are expected in Texas by Tuesday which is, perhaps, less surprising than the widespread 90°F+ temperatures expected in Minnesota and the Dakotas today.
The experimental HeatRisk map from the National Weather Service for today, 5/12/2025. 
The experimental HeatRisk map from the National Weather Service for Tuesday, 5/13/2025. 
The experimental HeatRisk map from the National Weather Service for Wednesday, 5/14/2025. SEVERE WEATHER CHANCES THIS WEEK: There are still a lot of forecast details that need to be resolved before the second half of the week, but the Storm Prediction Center is currently highlighting parts of the Midwest as an area to watch for potential widespread severe weather on Thursday.
The Severe Weather Outlook from the Storm Prediction Center for Thursday, 5/15/2025.
FROM MY KITCHEN
It’s obvious that things tend to turn a bit gray and gloomy during the winter, especially where I live (West Michigan, a very cloudy spot indeed). And yet, even though I’ve never not lived in a place with all four seasons, it always comes as a big shock each spring when flowers bloom, leaves pop, veggies grow, and color returns to the world. It’s like - wow! Color exists, and it’s beautiful! The spring bloom happens every year, but I always seem to forget what the street I walk my dog down each day looks like when there are green leaves on the trees. I forget what pink flowers look like when they’re framed against a blue sky. I forget about all the different shades of vegetables available at the farmers market. I forget about color!
It’s just nice to have some color around again. So, without further ado and in no particular order of importance, here are some of the top colorful moments of last week -
A radish salad with za’atar. Radishes are so vibrant and pink and for that reason they make me happy.
Bright green rocket/arugula pesto, because it’s officially been a year since my adventure in the Irish countryside at Ballymaloe Cookery School (time to go back!) and I needed some rocket pesto and fresh sourdough in my life.
A glass of orange wine enjoyed outside on a sunny Friday evening.
A blood orange margarita, pizza, and homemade sour cherry chocolate ice cream for Mother’s Day.
Pink and purple flowers!
Sitting outside writing this newsletter and admiring all the different shades of green on the trees as the sun gets lower in the sky.
I also made a reeeeally buttery and cheesy spring onion galette last week. The spring onions were a vibrant green, but after I seared them and mixed them with copious amounts of ricotta/goat cheese/parm, it turned into a mixture of a less-than-appealing shade of beige. As it was a beige onion mixture wrapped in a beige crust, it doesn’t make the colorful list…but it was dang good and the recipe is linked below 🙂
RECIPE INSPIRATION
Here are some colorful recipes that take advantage of spring’s simple but delicious veggies!
Roasted Asparagus and Scallion Quiche from NYT Cooking
Rocket Pesto from Chef Not Required
Spring Onion Galette from Flamingo Estate
Traditional Napa Cabbage Kimchi from Maangchi
Easy Wonton Soup from Erin Lives Whole
Grilled Rhubarb Brown Betty from The Food Network
Rhubarb Spritz Cocktail from The Busy Foodie
Thanks for making it to the end of the Frost Bites Newsletter! I’ll be back in your inbox next Monday with the weather forecast and recipe suggestions. In the meantime - get outside, eat good food, and remember all weather is ice cream weather.
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Those radishes! YUM