This Red, White, and Blue Layer Cake is ideal for any 4th of July spread—everyone loves cake, and a pretty layer cake like this one makes the day feel extra special.
It starts with tender and moist vanilla buttermilk cake, which then gets layered with fluffy Swiss meringue (which will hold up well on a hot summer day). Top it off with plenty of ripe summer berries—strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries!
https://ift.tt/2N9fJumThis month, Summer Miller is back, sharing her meal plans for April. Summer is a mom, a full-time food writer, and also helps test the fabulous recipes we bring you every week at Simply Recipes.
This is about the time of year when home gardens and farm stands start bursting with produce. The best of which is not only visually stunning on the plate, but also often refreshing made into a beverage and served in highball glass.
Which is why I’m including a few summery drink recipes in this month’s meal plan, some with alcohol and some without. They’ll make your front porch-sitting activities even more relaxing.
https://ift.tt/2N9fpMaGet Cooking and Win! This summer, we’re partnering with @calripeolives and hosting a virtual Summer Potluck Photo Contest! Break out your favorite recipe using California Ripe Olives, and join in the fun. We can’t wait to see what you cook up!
Entering is Easy: For a chance to win, follow @calripeolives on Instagram, snap a photo of your favorite California Ripe Olives recipe, and show your original photo off on Instagram with the tag #CalRipeOlivesContest
Let’s Talk Prizes! Each week, Elise will pick two $100 winners, and at the end of the contest, she’ll choose one $1000 grand prize winner!
Get the Details: The contest runs from June 25th, 2018 to August 5th, 2018. Check out the Contest Page for additional details on entering today!
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How can you save if you’re not a couponer? You can save by purchasing items when they are on sale at rock bottom prices and buy in season.
But you need to know the best time to purchase certain items. That’s why I’ve put together a list of what to stock up on in July.
July is when summer gets into full swing. There’s the 4th of July and many people take vacations during this month too. But in between all that summer fun be sure to watch for the good deals on the items below.
BBQ Foods and SuppliesJuly is the month to save on BBQ items. You should find great deals on meat to barbecue such as hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and steaks. As well as condiments to go with them like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, and pickles.
BBQ supplies such as charcoal, plastic and paper plates and cups should be on sale. Be sure to watch for after 4th of July sales for red and white items that could be used for Christmas too.
School SuppliesYes, it seems like school just let out but the back to school sales will start this month. It’s a great time to stock up on items the kids will need to go back to school with, but don’t stop there. Be sure to pick up office supply items you’ll need for the home too.
You’ll start to see deals on folders, notebooks, and binders. As well as rulers and calculators. Stock up on pencils and pencil boxes or zipper pockets at low prices. Markers and whiteboard markers should be on sale. Along with glue, glue sticks, and staplers.
School supplies also make great stocking stuffers or are good to include in shoeboxes to send to children overseas. Be sure to stock up this month and next while the best deals of the year can be had.
Garden and Patio ItemsWith gardening season in full swing, you’ll be sure to find discounts on items for your garden for this year and next along with outdoor living items too.
Look for garden items such as live plants, seeds, garden hoses, sprinklers, solar lights, bird baths and bird seed.
Outdoor living items will start to be on sale too. Look for items like lawn chairs, outdoor furniture, grills, and grill accessories too.
Beach and Camping SuppliesWith summer in full swing, the retailers will want to give you a good deal on things you can use now. Take advantage of sales on umbrellas, beach towels, beach chairs. As well as sunscreen and suntan lotion.
Camping supplies are sure to start going on sale too. Look for tents, lanterns, sleeping bags, and other camping supplies to be on sale.
Ice CreamDid you know that July is National Ice Cream month? You are sure to find deals on all those yummy ice cream treats you and your family love. Look for good sales and even some good coupons to match up with those sales this month.
In Season ProduceWhen you purchase produce in season you not only save but get some great tasting produce too. This month’s in season produce includes blueberries, grapes, corn, green beans, cucumbers, garlic, nectarines, peaches, bell peppers, summer squash, tomatoes, plums, pears, tomatoes, and red onions.
Keep these items above in mind when you are out shopping or looking over the sales flyers this month. Stock up while these items are on sale to keep your budget low.
What do you plan to stock up on in July?
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When it comes to cocktails, the situation dictates the drink. If you’re having a swanky steak dinner, then that’s a martini sort of meal. Headed to a picnic and Shakespeare in the Park? That begs for the boozy Pomegranate Paloma, swigged from a flask. (Assuming you’re seeing a comedy. If it’s a tragedy, go with something bitter, such as a Dark and Stormy.)
But if the weather is sporting triple digits and I’m floating on a raft in the pool, then it’s time to go for something juicier and far more thirst quenching. Enter the watermelon margarita.
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The 4th of July is one of those quintessentially American summer holidays that just requires firing up the grill and hanging around outside. Whether you’ve got your menu all planned out already or need some inspiration, don’t miss these ideas!
https://ift.tt/2yJOFyRThe summer is officially here. Don’t let this summer slip by instead make a plan to make the most of your summer. Starting with this printable July calendar pack.
Grab the printable July calendar pack below…
With summer right around the corner, you want to make the most of those long summer days. You can do that by making a plan.
Not just any plan, but plans to include all the important things you want to do with your family this month.
Maybe you want to can peaches to enjoy this winter. Or maybe it’s a few day trips to the beach. Making a plan and writing it done makes it more likely to happen.
Pick a day, make a plan, and get it on the calendar. And this July calendar pack is perfect for planning your summer fun.
The July Calendar Pack is EditableWith this July calendar printable pack, you can edit the pages before you print it. It’s so nice. I don’t know about you but handwriting in on the squares always seems messy.
It’s so much nicer when you can type your plans on the square and then print the calendar page you want.
There are two calendars in this printable pack. One that is vertical, great for putting in a binder and one that is horizontal. The horizontal one is great for hanging on the wall or refrigerator.
Print as Many as You NeedBecause these are printable you can print as many as you need. It will only cost you ink and paper. Plus I’ve tried to make these pretty but also ink friendly too. So it won’t cost you too much to print them at home.
Grab your Printable and Editable July Calendar Pack below…When you join our email list, you’ll be sent not only this calendar pack but all the new calendar packs for the months to come. Not a bad deal, huh?!
Click here to join to get added to the email list!
I hope you find this July calendar pack helpful and the calendars help you make the most of your summer.
Find More Summer Ideas..
100+ Summer Boredom Busters
How to Save Money While on Vacation
Make the Most of Your Summer
One of summer’s pleasures is to cook outside on the grill. All the mess stays out of the kitchen, along with the heat.
The beauty of a dish like these grilled chicken thighs with salsa verde is that you have dinner on the table in 20 to 30 minutes, with almost zero prep time.
https://ift.tt/2MU16ehI love the different rhythm that our lives get into during the summertime. Sure, we get busy, but I love that we get to have times to sleep late, stay up late, eat lots of local fresh produce, and spend a lot of extra time together. It’s also a great time to work on some
https://ift.tt/2KnAkwoDo you have a meal plan ready for this week? If not we’ll be having simple meals, so I don’t have to spend too much time in the kitchen. If you need a few meal ideas scroll down to see what’s cooking at our house this week.
This week’s menu plan is a fairly simple one. Since my husband will be home with us all week I wanted to make sure to have time to do some fun things and not have to worry about being in the kitchen cooking much. Kinda like a mini vacation for me too. 🙂
So nothing fancy on our menu this week. Just quick and easy meals that don’t require turning on the oven. Because even though it’s not hot here this week, it might be warm where you live.
Here are our meals for this week… Dinners
Hamburger Skillet Dish, Salad, and Fruit
Kielbasa Potato Skillet, Salad, and Fruit
Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps, Rice, Fruit, and Sugar Snap Peas
Chicken Fajitas, Refried Beans, Fruit, and Salsa and Chips
Crock Pot Split Pea Soup, Bread, and Salad
Teriyaki Chicken, Rice, and Stir Fry Vegetables
Crisp Tacos, Refried Beans, Fruit, and Salsa and Chips
LunchesOut to Lunch
Hoagie Roll Sandwiches with Chips
Hamburgers with Homemade Baked Fries
Breakfast
Toast made from homemade bread and Eggs
Pancakes, Eggs, and Sausage
Chocolate Donuts, Eggs and Bacon
What’s cooking at your house this week? I would love to have you share your menu in the comments below.
Do you need help planning your menu? Find my menu planning tips here with a free printable menu planner page and here for my frugal menu planning tips.
This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.
Find more menu plan ideas at Org Junkie too.
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Grilling season is upon us, and this year I’ve decided master the art of America’s summertime grilling favorite—the hamburger.
My aim: a burger that is easy to throw together on a weeknight, flavorful enough to stand up to the person who adds every condiment known to mankind to his or her burger, and yet balanced enough to satisfy the minimalist burger eater (ketchup only, please!).
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Chocolate and peanut butter are a definite contender for best dessert duo. Personally, my love for the pairing has a lot to do with the irresistible combination of sweet and salty.
These rich, chocolatey brownies with enticing swirls of peanut butter throughout send my taste buds into a tizzy with every bite. (And it doesn’t hurt that they’re so visually appealing.)
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This month, we welcome back Marta Rivera for more of her meal plans. Marta is a trained chef, mom of twins, and Army wife – and she is also one of our Simply Recipes recipe testers!
Being a military family, we don’t always have the luxury of all of us being in the same house, let alone the same country. When the mission allows us to share dinners together as a family, as it does this month, we are grateful.
https://ift.tt/2Kg1CowOne of our favorite vacation destinations is Walt Disney World. We love the rides, the food, and the amazing resorts. During our visits, we have stayed at a variety of the on-site Disney World resorts. I’d love to share an Art of Animation Resort review to help you decide if it’s the right resort for
https://ift.tt/2tvAtU9June means the start of summer, a little extra free time (in theory, but hardly ever in practice), camps, fresh produce, and a different life than during most of the year. Viva summer time! This means it’s also time for a free June Word Search Printable Set for Kids. This free download includes two different versions
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Here’s a light dinner that’s easy to make last-minute and doesn’t heat up your kitchen! Pressure cook the savory chicken filling, then spoon it into lettuce wraps for an easy meal.
https://ift.tt/2JX1S8HI can hardly believe it’s June, and yet it’s already more than halfway finished. How did that happen? We have been busy with high school graduation for our oldest, a graduation party, a day at college to register for classes, drama camp for two kids, and dance camp for one of the kids. All of
https://ift.tt/2JXjUHCAre you ready for the new week with your meal plan? If not you can see what’s cooking at our house below…
This week’s menu is full of quick and easy to make meals. Most of them can also be grilled or prepared on the stove top.
Did you know you can grill pizza?
When it’s too hot to bake a pizza in the house I will bake/grill them on our wood fired grilled outside. The crust turns out so nice and crisp.
It’s a great way to make pizza on a hot day.
The rest of the week will be skillet meals to keep the house cool. The hot weather is supposed to arrive soon.
We will have to wait and see. But I’ll be prepared at least with the meals I’ll be making.
Here’s our meal plan for this week…
Dinners
Hoisin Meatballs, Rice, and Sugar Snap Peas
Marsala Chicken, Eggs Noodles, and Salad
Pan Fried Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, and Salad
Lime Cilantro Chicken on Tortillas, Chips, and Salsa, and Fruit
Pizza and Salad
Grilled Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, and Vegetables
Hot Dogs, Peppers and Potato Skillet, Salad, and Fruit
LunchesLeftovers most days
Hot Dogs, Chips, and Fruit
Burritos, Chips, and Salsa
Breakfasts
Toast made from Homemade Bread, and Eggs
Pancakes, Sausage, and Eggs
Waffles, Sausage, and Eggs
Do you need help planning your menu? Find my menu planning tips here with a free printable menu planner page and here for frugal menu planning tips.
This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.
Find more menu plan ideas at Org Junkie too.
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One of my favorite things to do when I’m entertaining people in the summer months is to serve something very casual and familiar—but then add an unexpected twist.
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