Well, I have not even begun the TR for my partner but ideas are tumbling around in my head. Are off to a grandson's graduation for the next week in another state. When we get back, hope to be able to get to Joann's 60 miles away and look for what I want. My sp likes blacks, grays etc so hard to get too much patriotic or summery with those colors but I still have something in mind. :-) Just have to find the fabric.
As to summer salads, my favorite one is cooked macaroni..the ones that look like short little pipes partly curled. Drain, add mayo and sliced green olives stuffed with piemento, some dill, a bit of chopped onion, salt and pepper and some chopped celery. Yum! I could eat the whole bowl!