family fun

4th of July

With summer flying by faster than ever, another 4th of July is quickly approaching.  To help you prepare for the holiday this weekend, we’ve put together a compilation of Independence Day-themed treats and activities to help kick off your holiday celebrations.

Who can deny that one of the best parts of any holiday is the delicious food that accompanies the celebrations? Here are a few of our favorite recipes for this patriotic weekend:

 All-American Bacon Cheeseburger: What could be a more fitting way to celebrate America’s 239th birthday than with an All-American burger?

Star-Spangled Strawberries:  Oh say can you see that these festive strawberries will be an instant hit at any 4th of July celebration?

star spangled strawberries

Image from makenmold.com

Red White & Blue Deviled Eggs: Deviled eggs are a classic at any summer party or cookout. Add some red, white and blue into the mix and you’ve transformed a party regular into a holiday treat that everyone at the party is sure to get a kick out of!

red white blue deviled eggs

Image from createdby-diane.com

American Flag Cake: With an American flag in every slice, this dessert will certainly bring the oohs and aahs to your Independence Day celebrations

american flag cake

Image from Pinterest.com

Food and fireworks aren’t the only fun part about the Fourth of July. Here are some festive games to liven up your friends and family’s holiday:

  • Bingo can get pretty intense, especially when the whole family is together. For some fun competition at the family gathering, try this Patriotic Bingo Game.
  • Backyard Baseball:  What could be a better game for the Fourth of July than America’s pastime? Split the friends and family up into teams and kick off a classic game of backyard baseball.
  • Planning on having a wide range of ages at your Holiday gathering? Check out these fourth of July games that are perfect for all ages.
  • For those 21 and older, these 4th of July drinking games are sure to liven up any party.

Fire Up The Grill

Summertime is here, and that means it’s finally time to fire up the grill. Grilling provides an easy and enjoyable way to eat healthy while spending some time outside with family and friends. Here are some key tips to kick off your grilling season the right way:

The Perfect Grill

First and foremost, the most important ingredient for the perfect cookout is –you guessed it- the grill! When choosing the perfect grill, it’s important to consider the benefits and disadvantages to each type of grill in order to decide which is best suited to your lifestyle. For all you apartment dwellers out there, check out this portable and balcony- friendly grill. With the ability to easily clip onto balcony railings and also be unhooked to sit on tables or counters, this grill is perfect for cookouts in a small space.

balcony grill

Image from http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/portable-balconyfriendly-grill-150342

Now for the fun part-cooking! We’ve put together a list of savory summer recipes that are perfect for any cookout:

Pizza: Who says pizza only comes in a box? Branch out from the typical grilled foods like steak and hotdogs and wow your family and friends with pizza on the grill! Here’s a complete guide to preparing a grilled pizza that will have people begging for more

grilled pizza

Image from http://www.thecherryshare.com/food/homemade-grilled-pizza-1313

Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Burgers: These mouth-watering cheesy burgers will make you and your grilling skills the talk of the neighborhood!

Kebabs: check out this Chicken-Vegetable Kebabs with White BBQ Sauce recipe! A healthy and easy meal for any occasion.

Under the sea: Seafood is also a great option for meals on the grill! These Honey-Mustard Glazed Salmon Steaks or Grilled Scallops are sure to satisfy everyone’s seafood cravings.

Dessert: Every great meal needs the perfect dessert. Why not make the evening even easier and throw dessert on the grill too? These delectable desserts like the Grilled Lemon Pound Cake With Peaches and Cream or Campfire Biscuit S’mores will be the cherry on top of a perfect cookout!

Father’s Day

 

June already?! That means hotter temperatures, longer days, & loads of outdoor fun. It also means it’s about that time for the one holiday men love- Father’s Day! With Father’s Day just around the corner, most of you probably already have plans in mind for how you’re going to spoil your Dad this year. But if you’re just now starting to plan for Sunday, don’t fret! We’ve put together a list of a few gift ideas to help you to make this year’s Father’s Day the best one yet!

 

Backyard Barbecue

What could be a better gift for the guy who loves to grill & spend time with the family?  Invite the siblings over for a pitch-in and let Dad put his new toy to work! Here are some great barbecue recipes the whole family will enjoy!

father's day barbecue

Image from https://stockyardssteaks.wordpress.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game Time

Running low on time to shop for dad this year? Get online and find a couple tickets to his favorite sports team or concert! It’s an easy but thoughtful gift and provides a way to spend a night on the town with Dad!

For the Bookworm Dad

For the dads who love to read, an e-reader like the Amazon Kindle or Barnes & Noble Nook are a fabulous addition to simplify and modernize his library. Load it up with a few of his favorites and you have an easy yet personalized gift Dad will love!

father's day gift kindle

Image from http://www.wired.com

Ride In Style

Depending on his personality, odds are your Dad probably loves his car. Even if he’s not necessarily an auto fanatic, most men enjoy keeping their ride clean and presentable. A book of certificates for car washes or car detailing is a great idea for any type of Dad.

 

Membership Perks

A prepaid subscription to Netflix or Hulu is a great present for any dad. Both are easy to use, convenient, and contain a vast assortment of content for anyone to enjoy

father's day gift netflix subscription

Image from http://www.digitaltrends.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So if you’re wanting to finally switch it up from the cliché Dad gifts like a necktie or baseball cap, take advantage of the convenient summertime date that Father’s Day falls on, and give a gift he can enjoy all summer. Whether he’s barbecuing out back, being taken out to the ball game, or riding around with the windows down in his freshly cleaned car, Dad is sure to love any of these thoughtful and practical gifts!