In Northern California August and September are the real dog days of summer. Surprisingly the first week of August is bringing us some very pleasant temperatures before it turns beastly hot next weekend. Since we messed up and did not get to make the polenta with beans last week, it is starting off on Monday. The clam chowder that it got too hot to make will make an appearance on Wednesday. Starting Saturday it looks like we will be in for hot weather dinners for the first half of next week.