LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. To Wild Turkey master distiller Jimmy Russell, the piercing sounds of a warehouse rising in the Kentucky countryside are the sounds of prosperity.

When I was a child growing up on a farm in the sticks of rural Georgia, one of my favorite flavors of summer was sweet, succulent watermelon. On blazing hot afternoons, we would pluck a ripe one from the vine, toss it into the fishpond for an hour or two to cool it off, and then slice it up and dig right in. And sometimes, we'd end up in seed-spittin' contests for both yum and fun at the same time.

There's a varmint in the vineyard, but he's so jovial and crafty that none of the grape growers and winemakers is suggesting he be trapped and shipped elsewhere.

There's something irresistible about a cupcake.

The average American eats 43 slices of pizza a year. Add the fact that most of us love outdoor grilling, and the logical next step is pizza on the grill.

Iced tea has always suffered a bit from the too-good-for-you-to-taste-really-good stigma. "Just iced tea," dieters tell waiters and reach for the Splenda after ordering salad for lunch. But that perception's changed in recent years as lively flavored teas have become widely available.

Anyone who can't appreciate the joy of a sweet confection on a stick should skip summer altogether. The season just isn't complete without fudgsicles, Rocket Pops and all manner of cool, drippy treats.

FYI, Jordan almonds are no longer the coolest wedding favor around. So what is? If you're looking for some party-favor inspiration from real hosts and hostesses, head to the photo-sharing site Flickr, which includes a "pool" of pictures of members' cool favor ideas. (But don't blame us if you get sucked in to the site. You'll see.)

Paula Suozzi comes from an Italian family that loves to cook. So when she entertains, you can bet she'll serve a variety of family favorites, including a dish of homemade pasta - or two.