Home Blog Month in Review: August

Did you have a good month? We seem to have packed an entire summer’s worth of activities in this past month. Now, it seems, it is back to school and time to get ready for autumn. Still, it is nice to look back toward warm sands and wearing shorts even as we will soon be crunching leaves and taking out the sweaters. August 1st Getting Out Grass Stains With summer in full swing, chances are that your family has been playing outdoors quite a bit. And with all of that outdoor play comes the grass stains, especially if you are … Continue reading

Holiday Weekend Cookout: Hawaiian Hamburgers and Bacon in the Middle Burgers

For many families the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend marks the last major BBQ of the summer season. If this is the case for your clan consider hosting more than just a traditional weenie roast. The following recipes are easy to prepare but pack a real punch in the flavor department. They are both kicked up versions of the traditional hamburger, but instead of the standard meat, bun, ketchup and mustard these patties are loaded with the taste of the Hawaiian Islands and bacon and Colby-Jack cheese respectively. Take a look: MINI HAWAIIAN BURGERS Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef chuck … Continue reading

Hamburger Heaven

Now you have one more reason to visit Wisconsin. Besides coming to see the Green Bay Packers play, tasting the best cheese in the country, and visiting the world’s largest music festival you can now sink your teeth into a culinary classic made in a place that will soon be known as the official “Home of the Hamburger.” Last summer I wrote a blog about Seymour, Wisconsin’s annual Burger Fest. The small northeast Wisconsin city prides itself in showing off its burger lore. Seymour is home to the “Hamburger Hall of Fame,” a makeshift museum filled with hamburger paraphernalia. And … Continue reading

Cuban Hamburger—Oh MY!

I saw this recipe today and I kid you not, it nearly made me ditch my low-carbohydrate diet and run to the nearest store to buy some burger buns. This burger is a delicious, juicy twist on a classic Cuban sandwich. If you’ve never had a Cuban sandwich, you’re missing out—flavorful, juicy pork, Swiss cheese, pickles—it’s delicious. But I have a sneaking suspicion this burger is going to be a close second. For this recipe you’ll need: 2 pounds ground chuck (20% fat for best flavor) Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup best-quality mayonnaise 3 cloves roasted garlic, … Continue reading

Birth Order Poems for Scrapbooking Your Children

In 1971, Erma Bombeck wrote poems on how mom loves you best to all the children in the family. There are so many different versions traveling around now. Here are a few that are adorable for your scrapbook. Dear First Born I’ve always loved you best because you were our first miracle. You were the genesis of a marriage and the fulfillment of young love. You sustained us through the hamburger years, the first apartment, our first mode of transportation (1955 Feet), and the seven-inch TV we paid on for 36 months. You were new, had unused grandparents, and enough … Continue reading

Teachers vs. Homeschoolers, an analogy

Is it really necessary for teachers and homeschoolers to be at such odds? I spent some time at the Teacher Revised blog this week as writer Jesse Scaccia found it necessary to write a series of articles about homeschooling. Article number 1, The case against homeschooling poked lightheartedly about the flaws of homeschooling. Both point 10 and point 1 clearly stated that homeschoolers were nerds. This blog post was a bad idea and homeschoolers made it a point to say so. The hundreds of angry, insulted, and hurt comments made that clear… not to mention the dozens of blog posts … Continue reading

Grilled Favorites: Patty Melts with a Twist and Zesty Italian Burgers

The Labor Day holiday weekend is right around the corner and there’s nothing like a big BBQ to say so long to summer. However, some cash strapped families feeling the pinch from high food prices and even higher gas prices might be tempted to cancel their picnic plans. Don’t throw in the towel on your holiday grilling plans until you read the following recipes. Not only are they affordable, but they also feature basic ingredients that the entire family will enjoy. (Believe me; I know there’s nothing more frustrating than seeing good meals go to waste because your kids are … Continue reading

No More Boring Burgers

Forget about the ho-hum burgers you typically throw on the grill during your summer BBQs. The following recipes provide you with simple ways you can kick up your next burger bonanza with mouthwatering versions of the summertime classic. The first burger features prepared polenta and a host of other tantalizing fresh ingredients such as basil, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese to create a hearty layer of flavors typically found in Caprese salad. The second recipe honors south of the border roots by featuring a cheese blend normally reserved for tacos and other Mexican-themed dishes. Cumin and fresh tomatoes round out the … Continue reading

Burger Bonanza

In a previous blog I shared some traditional picnic recipes, but neglected to add ones that feature spiced up versions of one of the most popular picnic foods around—-hamburgers. Not only are hamburgers portable, but they are also incredibly versatile. A simple ground beef patty can easily become a culinary masterpiece with a few tasty toppings. The following recipes are ones my friends and I served up during a recent backyard BBQ celebrating the birth of our pal’s new baby. They are simple to prepare and offer a kick that you won’t find in traditional hamburgers. SPICY ONION BURGERS Ingredients: … Continue reading

Fourth of July Grill Fest-—Smoking Hot Jalapeno and Mozzarella Cheeseburgers

What’s more American than a barbeque on the Fourth of July? Whether your grilling up hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks or seafood there’s nothing quite like gathering around a picnic table and eating off red, white and blue paper plates to get you into the spirit of Independence Day. This year our country celebrates 232 years of pride and glory. The cheeseburger hasn’t been around quite as long, yet people are constantly trying to update it by adding unique ingredients and tooling with the basic recipe. The following recipes are ones that add a clever twist to the old favorite. The … Continue reading