If you’re anything like The Organizing Blog staff, you want fresh #summer #produce to last all year long. There are basically three ways to ensure that: Canning is good for pickled vegetables, sauces/salsas, and jams and jellies. Drying is good for herbs, hot peppers, and many berries and fruits. Freezing is great for berries, cut fruit and pasta sauce if you have the space. And root vegetables and squash can stay fresh in a cool, dark space for months. “There’s nothing quite like popping open a jar of garden-tomato salsa, crunchy pickled veggies, or simple fruit jam in the middle of winter to take you back to warm summer days,” says Beard & Bloom. #SummerProduce
Author: Jordank
Editorial Coordinator
Last Chance for Fresh Summer Produce
#Healthy #eating is easier during the #summer. #Produce that’s in season has fewer additives, is easier on the environment and is just plain better-tasting than the stuff that was sitting in a warehouse and shipped to the local megamarket. Whether you #grow it yourself or buy it at the #farmers market, there’s limited time to enjoy the best. In September, look for the last of the artichokes, beets, peppers, carrots, corn, eggplant, green beans, summer squash, tomatoes and zucchini, and start to make room for apples, potatoes, sweet potatoes, chard and squash of all varieties. Cook some up for a late-summer feast! #SummerProduce
Put Life on Pause for the Long Weekend
The kids are back in school. Friday hours are ending. Deadlines are looming. Stores are ready for Halloween — still two months away. And people are asking, “Where did the #summer go?”
Granted, this happens every year, but something about 2026 seems to have more people feeling shortchanged by the #seasons. Is it inflation and higher prices? The increasingly unpredictable weather? The social media time-suck? The relentless news cycle? Nobody knows for sure.
If you’re among the many who feel that summer slipped away too soon, take advantage of this last “official” week of the summer season. Over the long Labor Day weekend, unplug from the stress, shake things up and enjoy yourself.
One way to do this is to treat the #weekend like a #vacation rather than just three days of non-work time, says Self. Tweak your schedule to make the weekend feel more leisurely. “That might look like turning off your alarm, lingering in bed or savoring your favorite breakfast.”
Seek out awe-inspiring activities, the story adds, by finding a scenic hiking trail, watching the sunrise or going to a museum. Put a special, optional event on your schedule so you don’t skip it in favor of work or chores — whether that means a coffee date, a class or a shopping spree.
Meet the weekend head-on by getting enough sleep, says LifeHack. Try to get up at the same time you would on weekdays, but don’t be afraid to take a nap to reduce “negative emotions, increase alertness and enhance your abilities to learn.”
Next, truly unplug. While social media feeds can seem interesting and even educational, mindless scrolling saps #time and #energy. Leave that phone in another room and read an old-fashioned book to let your imagination wander.
Something that might seem like a chore can enhance #relaxation and improve your mood: #Decluttering. #Organize some paperwork; #clean the refrigerator; weed out your #wardrobe. And #donate any lightly used clothing and household items to ClothingDonations.org.
There’s only so much summer to go around. Make the most of your long weekend and what’s left of the season!
How to Make an Adult Birthday Memorable
To make an #adult #birthday party truly memorable, go beyond the basic #party or dinner and drinks and instead arrange an experience that gives “you a story to tell instead of another dinner receipt,” says The Rustic Brush. “A nice meal is never a bad choice, but the problem is that it often blends into every other Friday night.” Try starting the day early with a hike or paddle. Build a birthday around something that you or that special someone has been meaning to do. Do a #DIY art workshop with friends, or learn to cook something new. Take an overnight trip. Or kick back with a massage or spa day. #BetterBirthday
Keep Costs in Check on Kids’ Birthday Parties
To #save on the cost of kids’ #birthday parties, stock up early. Check #thrift stores, dollar stores, clearance bins and websites for deals on the things you know you’ll need, buy them and set them aside for the big day. Use an e-vite instead of paper invitations and get creative by decorating balloons or making a piñata yourself. Cakes don’t have to be expensive, either; it’s easy to dress up a box mix with homemade frosting and sprinkles. For entertainment, “You don’t have to hire a clown or a traveling petting zoo,” Parents says — games like Red Rover and charades offer plenty of fun at little or no cost. #BetterBirthday