Phew! We're definitely experiencing the dog days of summer here with temperatures topping 100°F for the last few days! I managed to get in my morning walk without expiring, and also to sneak in a wee bit of gardening . . . But I must say I'm grateful for the respite of this Spotlight. Writing this post gives me the perfect excuse to retreat to my air-conditioned living room with a glass of super-chilled rosé, all while enjoying a host of summer scenes - via your cookies - without ever stepping foot outside!
As it turns out, we've got a wide array of seasonal themes on this week's hot list*, encompassing everything from starfish and sand dollars to cute-as-a-button teddy bears in string bikinis! Please enjoy, and say congrats to this week's honorees along the way!
#1: Birds in Summer Hats by mintlemonade (cookie crumbs)
#2: Bathing Beauties by Teri Pringle Wood
#3: Un Coeur de Framboise by Gina's Cake [EDITOR'S NOTE: Congrats on your cover image, @Gina's Cake. She's darling!]
#4: Pool Party! by Sweet Sophia's
#5: Turtles, Sand Dollars, and Starfish by Doshia Freeman
#6: Quilted Hearts by Teri Pringle Wood
#7: The Ice Cream Fisherman by Gina's Cake
#8: More Birds in Summer Hats by mintlemonade (cookie crumbs)
#9: Summer Time! by The Cookie Fantasy
#10: Vintage Florida Summer by Sandi Vanderwall
Wonderful work, honorees. And a special shout-out to those with double mentions this week: @Teri Pringle Wood, @mintlemonade (cookie crumbs), and @Gina's Cake. Stay cool, everyone!
P.S. Next weekend I'll be taking a break from the Spotlight, as I'll be traveling. The Spotlight will resume the following weekend on July 28.

So that no one has an unfair advantage in making it onto a hot list, the algorithm is secret even to site administrators. Only our platform developers know the code, which has been exhaustively tested by those developers and Cookie Connection staff.
All photos shown here are the courtesy (and copyright) of the designers listed.
To check out our other hot lists, at any time of day, visit our Hot Spot, also found in the site's main navigation line.
Comments (13)
Honorees, heads up: I have some commitments tonight, so I won't be able to get you your "I was featured" badges until very late, possibly even tomorrow. But they will come!
Stay tuned, and congrats again on your sensational summery work!
UPDATE:
Check your PMs here on Cookie Connection; you'll now find your badges there!
Beautiful selection of cookies! Many congrats to all!
Many congratulations!!! Happy summer to you all 🌸
Thanks!!!!!! I'm very grateful for that! Congratulations to all!
Good to see beautiful summer cookies, just to heat up a little bit, since we have winter in Brazil at the moment!
I'm glad I'm finally back to cookie decorating after my rib fractures and my cookies were featured! Thank you!
Yes, we are also glad to see you back to decorating! 😃
WOW!! Thanks so much Julia! What a great surprise!
Beautiful work everyone!!! Congratulations to each one of you talented artists

Thank you 💖congratulations to all 😀
Congratulations to everyone featured!
Such a beautiful array of cookies! Congratulations, everybody!
Congratulations! Those are really adorable. How sweet!