Easy Tips & Tricks for Making the Transition from Summer Days to School Days a Little Easier There’s something wonderful about summer. Bedtimes get later. Breakfast might happen at 10 o’clock instead of 7. There are afternoons spent at the pool, evenings around the fire pit, and days when nobody knows what time it is—and nobody really cares! But then, almost overnight, the school supplies are bought, backpacks are packed, new shoes are sitting by the door, and the alar …

There are few desserts that capture the flavor of summer quite like a homemade peach pie. With its flaky, golden crust and sweet, juicy peach filling, peach pie is a all time favorite that brings together everything we love about summertime: fresh fruit, family traditions, warm memories, and a delicious dessert shared around the dining room table. On August 24th, National Peach Pie Day gives us the perfect reason to celebrate this classic American dessert and enjoy a slice—or two! A Slice …

When a Family Vacation Became an Adventure Of all the Happy Hollisters books I read growing up, The Happy Hollisters at Sea Gull Beach was always one of my favorites. There was something about this story that made it especially easy to imagine yourself right alongside Pete, Pam, Ricky, Holly, and Sue. You could almost feel the ocean breeze, hear the seagulls overhead, and share the excitement of packing the family car for a long-awaited trip to the beach. For a child like me growing up in rural …

Why do we all love s’mores so much?  Could it be the ooey gooey melty marshmallows or the warm melted chocolate bar?  For me, it’s both for sure, the more the merrier.  They are the real stars of the show, the graham crackers just hold it all together!  And they get their own National Day to boot, every year on August 10th! But there's also just something magical about gathering around that campfire as the sun sets, whether you’re camping or just having a ba …

There are few things that say "summer" quite like a juicy slice of watermelon. Whether you're enjoying it at a backyard barbecue, packing it for a picnic, or simply standing over the kitchen sink trying not to drip juice everywhere, watermelon has a special way of making summer feel a little sweeter. Today, August 3rd, is National Watermelon Day, the perfect excuse to celebrate this beloved summertime fruit—and all the memories that come with it.  This day gives watermelon lovers ev …

As we celebrate National Ice Cream Month (pretty cool that it gets its own month!) this July, it brings me back to my own childhood… There are certain memories in life that never fade, no matter how many years pass. For many of us, ice cream is one of them. It's more than just a treat—it's a time machine that takes us back to carefree summer afternoons, laughter throughout our neighborhoods, and sticky hands that no one seemed to mind. Growing up, ice cream wasn't just a treat, it w …

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania during the 1970s and 1980s was a much different experience than it is for children today. We didn't have smartphones, tablets, streaming services, or hundreds of television channels competing for our attention. In fact, our home only received three major television networks—ABC, CBS, and NBC. When there wasn't anything interesting on television, which was often, we had to create our own entertainment. Some of my favorite summer memories involve sitting outs …

Ode to French Fry Day – One of America's Favorite Comfort Foods There are some foods that never seem to go out of style. Homemade apple pie. A juicy hamburger fresh off the grill. A thick milkshake on a hot summer afternoon. And, of course...French fries. Every year on July 13th, we celebrate National French Fry Day, and honestly, who needs much of an excuse? Whether they're crispy, curly, crinkle-cut, steak fries, waffle fries, or those old-fashioned hand-cut fries served in a paper baske …

You can buy Amish jam online from specialty retailers that focus on small-batch, American-made foods. Stores like Harvest Array offer a wide selection of Amish-style jams, fruit butters, and preserves that are difficult to find locally, all shipped directly to your door. Finding authentic Amish jam locally can be difficult. Most grocery stores: Carry mass-produced alternatives Lack true small-batch options Don’t offer traditional flavors Buying online gives you access to: Hard-to …

Photo courtesy of Reddit I remember playing outside so much as a kid; all day, every day during the summer! Back when our moms didn't have all the worldly things to worry about like they do today, our mom would send us outside, off on our next adventure.  We didn't have a care in the world! When we were little kids we lived in California, near our elementary school.  So we would hop on our bikes, cross the very big intersection to the school, where there was a huge playground and tons …