Look what I made this morning! The perfect hot day salad for our cookout tonight, Cold Lemon Rice Salad sprinkled with flower petals from the garden. Simple clean flavor, and serves eight. We’re having it with spareribs, garlic bread, stuffed eggs, and more which I haven’t figured out yet. 
Here’s the recipe: 3 c. raw white rice; 1/3 c. white wine vinegar; 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil; zest of one lemon; 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice; 6 scallions (including green part), minced; 1 tsp. salt; freshly ground black pepper; your choice of fresh herb: basil, dill, or cilantro.
Rinse the rice in a colander. Put it in a pot with 6 ½ c. cold water; bring to a boil; cover and simmer for 15-20 min. until water is absorbed. Remove from heat; let stand 5 min. Fluff with fork; toss lightly with all other ingredients. Chill. Optional: garnish the salad with fresh unsprayed flowers from the garden…marigolds, pansies, johnny jump-ups, scented geraniums (not citronella), nasturtium, borage, any herb flowers, like thyme, chamomile, lemon verbena. And one last thing, soak the rice pan in cold water, to get that starch off.
Happy July girlfriends, Rabbit-Rabbit! Folklore says you’re supposed to say that as soon as you wake up on the first day of every month. It’s for good luck! Today we hang the flag, my kitchen is celebrating it’s 162nd Fourth of July this year! 
Yummmmmmmmm…..I think I could eat that now!! My mum always told us we had to walk downstairs backwards and then say rabbit!!!
If I were there I think I would start it at” morning glory’s ” for coffee…. something yummy for breakfast… and then stock up on weekend veg’s and of course a big bunch of summer flowers plucked out of a coffee can!!! Have a perfect MV island 4th!!!!
This rice dish looks yummy – and pretty! I woke up this morning to a gorgeous day in the 60’s here – and time off work until Tuesday – a glorious 4 day weekend filled with gardening, porching, and bar-b-ques 🙂
Can I say that your little bluebird with the American flag is probably one of my favorites of your painting! I smile every time I see him. Have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend on MV!!!
mari
Yum, spareribs! Sounds like a great menu and flower rice is very fairy-like!
That salad looks so refreshing on a hot day here in the Mid-west…thanks for sharing the recipe! I’ve never heard of “Bunny, Bunny” as a good-luck greeting…I’ll wake our kids up to it this morning. They’ll love it!
Happy 4th Susan !
Once again…another notation that brings back memories for me. Mrs. Foley was my high school english teacher who taught us to say ” Rabbit Rabbit” on the first of every month. So needless to say I have been trying to remember to do it for over 35 years now. Enjoy your New England 4th of July! Your menu sounds wonderful. How about watermelon for dessert? We are having Ribs, Bourbon Chicken (your recipe) deviled eggs, macaroni salad, corn on the cob and watermelon! Lemonade and Iced Tea as well as an adult beverage if wanted by those who would like to induldge! Loving this blog ! ~ Doreen ~
What a great beginning to the month of July! The spareribs sound delish, and the rice a good offering for a warm summer evening. You’ve been busy this morning!
xoxo
Rabbit rabbit, nevr heard that one,, are you sure you’re not pulling our leg? LOL, this is such a fresh salad, sounds just perfect for your meal tonight.This is Canada Day here in Canada,, we celebrate july 1st,,perfect party salad that would be,
Happy Canada Day!
I must say I don’t think I have ever enjoyed checking my computer first thing in the morning like I do now! Susan thank you for making me smile EVERY time I read your blog (or a Willard, or anything you write really). You must realize that just as you quote the people that inspire you, people like me are quoting and inspired by you! Thank you for being such a wonderful person and sharing your gifts with us 🙂
I need a little throwing-kisses emoticon! xoxo
We’re hot here in Florida, and the lemon rice salad sounds just like the ticket for a cool summer dish. Yummy. I can’t wait to make it.
I just turned your 2011 calendar to July to find the beach, except for the pebbles, looks just like ours. It just makes me smile to follow the months and days, with the wonderful illustrations, watching me over my laptop.
patsy
What a beautiful salad! The flowers add a perfect touch of color to the white rice. Until I read your books, I never knew that some flowers are edible! Thanks for sharing this recipe with us. It sounds like a perfect bbq side dish. I bet celebrating the 4th on Martha’s Vineyard is amazing! How I would love to be there or on Nantucket this weekend…
Awesome!! It’s gluten free!!!!
Thanks Suz!
Laura
ps
I feel like visiting your blog is a visit with a sister!!! Hugs!
I wasn’t going to comment on every post…but it’s so hard sweetie, as it’s all so wonderful!! Here in the UK we say ‘white rabbits’! But my Mum was brought up with a much nastier version…which she passed to us! We say ‘a pinch & a punch for the first of the month’ (with actions) & the reply is ‘a punch & a kick for being so quick!’ Did you ever here anything more anglo-saxon?? Hilarious.You can imagine the fun (& tears) us sisters had as kids…! Have a wonderful weekend xoxo
Susan,
American is certainly beautiful from sea to shining sea & so is your blog!!!
I look forward to every update filled with wonderful photos, stories, recipes and quotes.
Thanks for your inspiration for life.
Enjoy this glorious weekend!
Best,
Jeanette
162nd ? I LOVE that!
Happy 4th of July! Thanks for the recipe–looks good except I’m not sure about the flowers, even if they are edible. 🙂 The MN State has shutdown due to politics and budget issues so my husband, who works for the State is home today. Too bad for it to happen but at least it gives him a 4-day weekend (though unpaid “vacation”). It is HOT–high-90’s with a heat index of 104. Makes me long for the water–if we didn’t have to stay close by for when the shutdown stops, we’d head for Door County in Wisconsin (the Midwest’s version of Martha’s Vineyard!). We’re having company for the 4th and will be having your barbequed chicken, potato salad, calico/settlers beans, cor-on-the-cob, tomatoes, and fresh blueberry pie and rhubarb pie. Then will drive to a non-State park and walk it all off! 🙂 Have a good 4th of July!
Happy Happy July Sweet Sue! Yummy Rice…& I do Begin Each New Month with wishing Out Loud a Happy New Month! Hooray! I’m Off to Shop for Lots of Red White & Blue Things for The 4th of July! Block Party for Us!(Here in Florida!) What are You & Joe gonna do? Herbster Hung Our Flag This Morning! God Bless America! (& You!) xoxo Poof! 🙂
What a yummy looking Rice Salad, I love rice. I think I will make it for the weekend. Its so beautiful out today, that alone is a cause for celebration right:) Happy weekend and have a good time with your cookout
deezie
PS love the little flowers on the salad, and how funny that you said (geraniums) not the citronella, I laughed out loud 🙂
How lovely! It’s almost too pretty to eat, but it looks delicious.
Happy Independence Day!
Let us all thank our forefathers for their courage so that we may all celebrate this wonderful holiday. Looking forward to a nice long weekend with family. Isn’t that what it’s all about. Thank you Susan for sharing the recipe. Looks very yummy.
Oh Susan..doesn’t this salad just look so inviting? That would be such an easy and welcoming salad on a hot day, like we are having today! Thank you so much for sharing, and with ribs? Oh yummm!
Happy July to you too!!
xoxo Gert
You are making this so hard on me! My cousin Shelia, in Manassas, VA, introduced me to your wonderful books and stickers. She doesn’t know how to even turn on a computer so I try to copy as much as I can and send it to her. Every time I think I’m done, you add something beautiful and yummy! This salad is absolutely beautiful! It goes right in the envelope with your napkins with ants, Sensible Woman picture and the lovely hanky pillowcase. I already emailed the Peggy Pie to my friend, Peggy. The post office and computer ink companies are making a fortune on me! Thank you so much for your blog. It’s priceless!
Wow! Sounds delicious and looks beautiful to boot! Thanks for the recipe.
Catherine
… the recipe and the picture of your lemon rice salad put a smile on my face. I have to try it. Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend.
I love everything about the 4th of July – one of my favorite holidays. I am always looking for fire works. Love your new blog and everything that you bring to it. I have been a follower for quite a long time – not a charter member – but quite a while. Love all of your posts. Judy C in NC sends you warmest wishes for a joyous weekend surrounded by family and friends. The only way to celebrate.
Sighhhhhh!!! Thank you for inviting us – in spirit! We had a wonderful time, and the food was scrumptious! Love the fairy lights! Happy July 2nd! xo
I’ve loved your books, calenders etc. for YEARS! Looking forward to your Blog. It’s now on my home page and will remind me to check in more often! Thanks.
Absolute joy! Every post is my new favorite. Your rice salad looks delicious and it’s one I haven’t tried yet. Love your Joie de vivre!
I love the addition of fresh edible floors in your rice salad, Susan! I never did that before. It makes it look so summery!
I made this for my family and they LOVED it. I didn’t have lemons, so I used limes and fresh cilantro. I added chopped tomatoes and it turned pink! The rice ended up being clumpy (which everyone liked, except me.) Perhaps I didn’t rinse it long enough? Anyway, it was wonderful and I’ll definitely make it again. Thank you so much for posting it. I love ALL your recipes. They are so homey.