Happy almost July!!
Only 178 days until Christmas. LOL Can you believe it? Sorry, I really couldn’t resist.
Plus I CANNOT believe how quickly this year is going. It’s nuts!!

We’re coming up on my most favorite holiday of the year – 4th of July. I grew up absolutely LOVING fireworks because in my hometown of Wickford, RI, they always had (and still do!) the fireworks display on the 3rd of July. I’m an only child and my parents told me every year that they were my fireworks because it’s my birthday. Of course, when I was little I believed them, not knowing we were really celebrating Independence Day.

To this day, my birthday isn’t complete if I don’t see some on the 3rd. I’m still spoiled, what can I say. 😂 I won’t be baking my cake, nor will anyone else. The 56 year tradition continues with a Carvel Ice Cream Cake – one of my favorites for sure.

If you’re celebrating and spending time with family and friends this Thursday, I hope you have a wonderful time and be sure to check out the red, white, and blue recipes below to add to your menu.

And to those of you in residing in Canada, Happy Canada Day tomorrow! I hope it’s a great one for you as well! Hugs,

New Recipes This Week:

From ​Easy Recipes From Home​:

This ​Parmesan Tilapia​ is an easy low-carb option for dinner with a cooking time under 20 minutes. It’s amazing what a little olive oil, fresh herbs, and freshly grated cheese can do to spice up a simple piece of fish!

This sweet and tangy ​Poppy Seed Dressing ​is the perfect complement to your green salads this summer and all year round! The tart vinegar base combined with sweet sugar and flavorful spices makes this salad dressing a family favorite!

This quick and easy ​Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese​ is the perfect comfort food for a hearty meal! Make it in advance so you can heat it up any time you want a hot home-cooked meal!

Just in time for all of your summer fun, this collection of my ​no bake Dream Bar​ recipes are perfect for any occasion with a variety of flavors. Most of them start with a cookie crust under a sweet cheesecake, pudding, and topped with Cool Whip.

4th of July Recipes To Enjoy:

• These no bake ​Red, White, and Blue Dream Bars​ are not only patriotic but also incredibly creamy, cold, and refreshing! With an easy cookie crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and blue raspberry and cherry cream gelatin layers, they’re a crowd-pleaser that will have your guests begging for the recipe!
• ​4th of July Strawberries​ are dipped in white chocolate and covered in red, white, and blue sprinkles. You’ll love this easy no bake strawberry dessert with a patriotic flair!
• ​Red, White, and Blue Jell-O Stars aka Patriotic Jello Stars:​ layers of red, white and blue gelatin make up this colorful and fun recipe to serve for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or for any patriotic holiday!
• This ​Patriotic Layer Cake​ is a Memorial Day and 4th of July dessert that tastes as good as it looks! Layers of red, white, and blue cake are covered with sweet vanilla buttercream and topped with sprinkles for an extra festive touch. It’s the perfect cake for any patriotic celebration.
• These 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats are a red, white and blue spin on a classic childhood favorite. Chewy, sweet and colorful ​Patriotic Rice Krispie Treat Stars​ are a yummy dessert and just what you need to complete your 4th of July dessert table!

Menu Plan This Week:

Sunday: ​Orange Creamsicle Dream Bars​

Monday: ​Cheesy Spiced Pork Burgers​

Tuesday: It’s not Carvel, but ​Banana Split Ice Cream Cake​

Wednesday: ​Baked Beans​

Thursday: ​4th of July Trifle​

Friday: Date Night

Saturday: ​Cinnamon Peach Pancakes​

Favorite Product of the Week:

Summer means popsicles and I remember mom making popsicles with her Tupperware popsicle molds and all the teeth marks I’d put in the sticks. I bought this Popsicle set because I’d really love to make some popsicle recipes for the blog this summer. It’s now on sale, probably for the 4th of July, for 43% off and has over 11,500 reviews. So, if you want to make popsicles this summer, here’s your chance!

( I may earn a small commission from products purchased when you shop through my Amazon links at no additional cost to you. Thanks!)

Tip of the Week:

Have a fresh recipe that you need fresh ginger for? Don’t peel it with a knife, use a spoon! Yes, believe it or not, the skin on the ginger root comes off more easily just by running a spoon against it as opposed to a small knife or vegetable peeler. It does well with the nooks and crannies. I couldn’t believe it myself the first time I did it.

I’d love to hear any tips you have, and what has helped you be more efficient and organized in the kitchen! If you would be interested in sharing them with all of us, and if I choose to share them in our newsletter, I’ll give you a first-name shoutout! ❤️