Tag: summertime

Enjoying the Bounty of a Summer Garden

Posted on by Jordank

For many people, there’s nothing like growing your own food. It’s healthy, cost-effective, #sustainable and above all, delicious! And if you followed some of The Organizing Blog’s previous #gardening tips, you’re probably drowning in fresh summer produce right now.

What to do with all of those garden-fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, squashes, melons, peaches and other delicacies is the question. If you’re anything like us, you planted with abandon eight to 10 weeks ago, and now must do whatever you can to make the most of that fresh produce.

One way is to share some of that bounty with friends, family and neighbors who don’t have the same amount or variety of produce. Whether they have the space or the ambition to grow their own fresh food or not, nobody is going to turn their nose up at a ripe heirloom tomato.

Another way to take advantage of summer’s bounty is to try a new recipe (or several). Base your meal plan on whatever produce you have in abundance, and you may wind up discovering a dish that you can revisit again even in the off-season.

Speaking of the off-season, there are plenty of ways to keep and store some of that produce for cloudier and colder days. Too many tomatoes? Make and freeze some marinara for a lasagna. Got lots of corn? Cut it off the cob and freeze the kernels in bagged portions for anytime use.

Many summer fruits and vegetables can be processed, portioned and frozen quickly for later use including peaches, plums, watermelon and peppers. Got bumper crop of basil? Make pesto ice cubes and pull one out any time you need to flavor a pasta or meat dish.

Freezing summer produce can make it last up to six months, but if you really want to put things up like the pioneers, try your hand at home canning. It’s simpler than it sounds, and you can make tons of sauces, pickles and jams that you can tap into for months — or give as gifts.

Even if you didn’t grow your own fruits and vegetables this year, don’t let summer’s bounty go to waste. Visit a local farmers market to get some of the freshest, healthiest foods you’ll taste all year. (And get enough to share!)

Pick a Destination and Pile in the Car

Posted on by Jordank

One of the best ways to have a last-minute #summer #getaway with Kkids is to pick a convenient destination and pile into the car with a cooler full of snacks and drinks. VacationIdea suggests exploring family-friendly destinations such as Myrtle Beach, Sonoma, Santa Fe and other historic/interesting mid-size cities across the county. Gas prices have receded from their record highs, so you can simply pick a location within a day’s drive, arrange accommodations (maybe with a pool) and take off. Even a long weekend away can refresh the whole family and fight those back-to-school blues. If you want to get back to #nature rather than stay in hotels, there are plenty of campsites throughout the country where you can rough it, see the stars and get some fresh air inexpensively. #LastMinuteSummerTravel

Search Flights Now to Travel Before Fall

Posted on by Jordank

#Summer isn’t officially over for five more weeks, so if you don’t have kids in school there’s time to book an inexpensive #flight to destinations across the country. Remember that airfares on most domestic carriers except for Southwest go up three weeks ahead of departure, however, and plan accordingly. To save money when booking, try searching for two one-way flights instead of a round-trip, says Scott’s Cheap Flights, and always check alternate dates and nearby airports. Depending on the destination, midweek flights may be cheaper, and factor in all fees when picking a flight — if an airline offers a $200 roundtrip but adds $30 each way in baggage and other fees, for example, a $250 flight that includes bags is the cheaper option. #LastMinuteSummerTravel

Book Your Last-Minute Summer Travel Now

Posted on by Jordank

If you’re craving a last-minute #getaway to close the summer on a high note, there’s still time to book a long weekend in #vacation hotspots such as Las Vegas, New Orleans and Myrtle Beach. But if you want something a little less crowded (and likely less expensive, too), Budget Travel suggests, consider destinations such as Bangor, Maine; Portland, Ore.; and Cleveland, Ohio a try; all have a range of lodging, dining and outdoor activities to try. For a more international escape that’s not too far from the U.S., try the Bahamas, Cancun or Guatemala; it’s the off season and you may be able to take advantage of last-minute deals without having to book an overly long flight. #LastMinuteSummerTravel

Hit the Beach Before Summer’s End

Posted on by Jordank

The days are getting shorter, kids are returning to school and evening temperatures are starting to cool somewhat. And you still haven’t been to the beach? No worries, Travel & Leisure says — there are options from sea to shining sea. Southern California offers sandy beaches throughout the year, though water temperatures can get cold in the winter months. The Atlantic Coast offers beaches from Maine to Florida, and the Gulf Coast offers more beaches and sport fishing. Further inland, there’s the Great Lakes, New York’s Finger Lakes and thousands of smaller lakes just waiting for you to pull up with a lounge chair and a good book. Plan your last #summer trip now, though, so you don’t miss out on the rest and relaxation or wind up paying more to #travel. #LastMinuteSummerTravel