A for Away

B for Beach

C for California here we come

After a busy summer and the teasing of Autumn in the air, take a break while the kids are back to school; rejuvenate yourself and hold onto Summer a little bit longer.

Talk about taking a break ~ break for the Shorebreak Hotel at 500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, California, 92648, United States. Shorebreak Hotel is your hip and contemporary hotel with 157 rooms and 39 suites that feature ocean views.

Located just north of Newport and Laguna Beach in the original Surf City USA, where the Pacific Coast Highway meets the Huntington Beach Pier. Here you will be on the famous strand of Huntington Beach where upscale luxury meets beach casual.

Begin your visit with secure underground valet parking, limousine and car rental services, complimentary wine hour, concierge services, room service, and if you chose to bring your dog, they are pet friendly with no fee.

Settle into your room complete with a 37“ or 42“ flat-screen TV, an electronic safe and plug your iPod into their iPod docking station. Turn on some tunes and enjoy a drink from your honor bar with refrigerator on your balcony with a view. Enjoy your complimentary newspaper, send out your laundry and dry cleaning (iron and ironing board provided in your room), relax in the amazing bath with luxury bath products and robes in preparation to head out to the hotels restaurant and bar, Zimzala before falling into a heavenly sleep on your Serta mattress with 300-thread count Frette linens.

Zimzala restaurant is located on the second level adjacent to the Shorebreak Hotel and “is a casual vibe with some serious food located on the Strand. Zimzala features a bar, "living room" lounge, semi-exhibition kitchen, dining room, private dining room and outdoor patio spaces. The cool and comfortable space was created by noted design firm De Lisle, Philpotts & Staub Interiors.

The lounge is the perfect place to relax with friends and enjoy handcrafted cocktails and lighter fare over tales of the day's beach and surfing adventures. The main dining room enjoys a glimpse of the semi-exhibition kitchen which produces California comfort food. Communal sharing is strongly encouraged by our enthusiastic servers!”

After dinner be sure to take a stroll out to the private courtyard with multiple fire pits and enjoy a beautiful evening on the ocean or visit or get “stranded” at the Strand; an outdoor plaza with upscale shopping and more dining pleasures.

After you’re revived and maybe it’s time to do your daily workout in their onsite fitness center, or get your workout at Surf City USA’s greatest beachside attraction - an 8.5 mile stretch of paved boardwalk know as the Ocean Strand. The boardwalk runs parallel to the Pacific Coast Highway and the beach and stretches from Sunset Beach to Newport Beach totaling 12.5 miles. Should you decide to head inland, you can continue on the Santa Ana Trail.

After all this work, take some down time at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach that sits pier-side and ocean front. The Plaza is a beautiful outdoor amphitheatre that host beachside concerts, events and is a hub for art and culture. The design is reminiscent of roman architecture with an artistic and colorful mural depicting historical events of Huntington Beach. Stone steps cut into the hillside between the Pacific Coast Highway and the sand, and here you will find yourself with a comfortable place to sit and relax or shop amongst the goods at the weekly farmer’s market and art-a-faire.

Hungry? Take a walk along the Huntington Beach Pier. Here you will be at the iconic heart of the city. At 1,800 ft, Huntington Beach Pier is one of the longest municipal piers in California, and it stands as the city’s front porch to the wide open Pacific. You can fish, shop, experience the sights and sounds and eat at Ruby’s where this red roofed 1940’s style diner will make you feel like you’re sitting in the middle of the ocean. Serving breakfast, lunch and diner with their motto of: “Only the best for our guest!”

With so many choices of restaurants at Huntington Beach, from Dukes that is located next to the pier serving Hawaiian, seafood and steak fare, 25 Degrees with an American fare, Cucina Alessa for some fine Italian, the Sugar Shack (known for its great breakfast), to BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery known for some great deep dish pizza, you surely won’t go hungry or thirsty in this paradise.

End you perfect getaway by relaxing with a romantic evening at Huntington Harbour at 16370 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 with a sunset gondola through Sunset Gondola 562- 592-3295.

With prices from $30 for two @ 30 minutes to $140 for two for two hours, how could one resist? Enhance your ride with add-on packages of chocolates, roses and more. Bring your own beverage, snacks and ice, cups, opener and blankets are provided for you along with your gondolier singing you a song.

Before you go, keep up with all the latest with your local Huntington Beach Local Blog.

So, there you have it, and unfortunately class if over, but I bet this trip will get you an A+!!!

As the temperatures keep you sizzling, here is an array of books to continue the heat and take you far away with each turning page.  With so many options, your days could certainly be filled with romace, sci-fi, autobiographies, travel, cooking, and so much more.  Find your passion and drift away . . . at least for a few hours of wonder with these light reads.  Grab your towel, SPF, a refreshment, some appetizers and enjoy the days of summer.

Anybody Out There?  Courtesy of HarperCollins from Marian Keyes, in an ongoing series about the five Walsh sisters from Ireland. If you’re a fan of Keyes’ other light-hearted but well-written chick lit novels, including Sushi for Beginners and Last Chance Saloon, then Anybody Out There? will not disappoint. The story of Anna Walsh, a Manhattan cosmetics publicist recovering from a serious loss, is funny and swift-paced but also manages to be serious and moving.

Adrienne Dealey has spent the past six years working for hotels in exotic resort towns. This summer she has decided to make Nantucket home. Left flat broke by her ex-boyfriend, she is desperate to earn some fast money. When the desirable Thatcher Smith, owner of Nantucket's hottest restaurant, is the only one to offer her a job, she wonders if she can get by with no restaurant experience. Thatcher gives Adrienne a crash course in the business...and they share an instant attraction.  But there is a mystery about their situation: What is it about Fiona, the Blue Bistro's chef, who captures Thatcher's attention again and again? And why does such a successful restaurant seem to be in its final season before closing its doors for good? Despite her uncertainty, Adrienne must decide whether she'll move on, as she always does--or finally open her heart…

One Summer by David Baldacci, courtesy of Grand Central is a moving family drama about learning to love again after heartbreak and loss.

It's almost Christmas, but there is no joy in the house of terminally ill Jack and his family. With only a short time left to live, he spends his last days preparing to say goodbye to his devoted wife, Lizzie, and their three children. Then, unthinkably, tragedy strikes again: Lizzie is killed in a car accident. With no one able to care for them, the children are separated from each other and sent to live with family members around the country. Just when all seems lost, Jack begins to recover in a miraculous turn of events. He rises from what should have been his deathbed, determined to bring his fractured family back together. Struggling to rebuild their lives after Lizzie's death, he reunites everyone at Lizzie's childhood home on the oceanfront in South Carolina. And there, over one unforgettable summer, Jack will begin to learn to love again, and he and his children will learn how to become a family once more.

Colurtesy of Harper, The Single Girl's To-Do-List is a hilarious and romantic standalone novel from the bestselling author of the I Heart series Rachel Summers lives every area of her life according to a to-do list and so far, she is ticking most things off. She has a job she loves (make-up artist to the stars), the perfect boyfriend, a cosy London flat and a fantastic circle of friends. All that remains on her life to-do list is to get married, have a baby and live happily ever after. Simple. Well, not quite! Suddenly, Rachel's perfect boyfriend wants to take a break. She's convinced it's just cold feet but when the break turns into a split, her best friends Emelie and Matthew step in and come up with the ultimate heartbreak cure -- the single girl's to-do list, the top ten things Rachel must see and do to kick-start her fabulous, new single life. But nothing can prepare her for the adventures that unfold as the to-do list takes them all over town and even abroad, and proves to all three that love is out there if you're willing to take a chance!

Here Today, Gone To Maui by Carol Snow, courtesy of Berkley Trade, is a page turner when Jane Shea's boyfriend, Jimmy, invites her to spend a week at a swanky resort in Maui, she's thrilled-of course-but nervous, too. She worries about missing their flight. She worries about losing her luggage. It never even occurs to her that she might misplace Jimmy.

But paradise has a way of attracting trouble, and Jane hasn't even managed to learn the hula or paddle under a waterfall before Jimmy disappears. When the police suggest that Jimmy has drowned, Jane thinks things can't get any worse-but her troubles have just begun. This is one vacation the guidebooks never prepared her for.

Courtesy of Forge Books, a remarkable story of one endearing dog's search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog's Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here? Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey's search for his new life's meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.

But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey's journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders--will he ever find his purpose?

Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.   

In a fit of questionable judgment, consummate indoorsman John Sellers tags along on a journey to search for snakes with his eccentric, aging father—an obsessive fan of Bob Dylan, a giver of terrible gifts, a drinker of boxed wine, a minister- turned-heretic, and, most importantly, the self-designated guardian of the threatened copperbelly water snake.The quest is their fumbling attempt to reconnect. Decades of bitterness, substance abuse, acrimonious divorce, and divergent opinions about personal hygiene have conspired to make the two estranged. Sellers has just begun to develop a new appreciation for the American wilderness, and all the slithering creatures that populate it, when his father’s deteriorating health thwarts their mission and disturbs their tentative peace. Determined to finish what they started, he ventures back into the swamp— alone, but more connected to his dad than ever. With big-hearted humor and irreverence, The Old Man and the Swamp tells the story of a father who always lived on his own terms and the son who struggled to make sense of it all.

As the temperatures soar, we long for the days of lounging poolside with endless possibilities of pampering. Take a dip into some of the worlds most extraordinary pools that gives a new meaning to ultimate luxury and puts the kiddie pool to shame . . . In fact I think I’m turning ours into the doggie pool after these magical marvels!

The swimming pool view at the Banyan Tree Hotel and Spa in Seychelles http://www.banyantree.com/en/seychelles/overview is nestled in Intendance Bay with spectacular views overlooking the Indian Ocean with a raised-level infinity structure complete with a narrow point jutting out above the beach. The pool looks like it's floating on the sea, with palms drooping over its sides and waves crashing on huge granite boulders below it. Banyan Tree Seychelles offers 60 villas with each having at least one private pool with an ocean view. They have recently complete Double Pool Villas which offer two pools each.

For the worlds most expensive swimming pool you need to visit the twenty acre pool that is long as three football fields, holds 66 million gallons of saltwater and it’s deep end is 115 feet deep in Chile at the San Alfonso Del Mar Resort http://www.sanalfonso.cl/ingles/main.html. This rates as the worlds most expensive swimming pool for it cost nearly $2 billion to build and requires almost $4 million in annual maintenance.

In Sydney, Australia, The Icebergs http://icebergs.com.au/ swimming pool is located in the famed Bondi Beach where the ocean’s waves will often break over the side of the pool. The pool is open to the public at small admittance fee.

The infinity pool at Ali Ubud http://www.alilahotels.com/Ubud/ in Bali boasts a spectacular location perched on a terrace floating above the lush Ayung River valley. The pool spreads out to form an elongated rectangle until it seems to disappear down the terraced jungle hillside. The Ali Ubud Resort blends a contemporary design and traditional Balinese architecture with secluded courtyards, spacious terraces and private gardens which create an intimate feeling like none other. “The resort's 56 rooms and villas are housed in 14 two-storey blocks designed to resemble a Balinese village. All rooms and villas have panoramic views of the magical Ayung River and surrounding volcanoes. The Deluxe Rooms on the ground floor feature individual garden terraces and a back courtyard with an open-air bathroom and shower. The Superior Rooms on the upper floor feature a private balcony and a daybed where you can chill out, read a book or just daydream while enjoying the unobstructed views. There are also eight villas. Four superb Valley Villas offer a spacious walk-around deck and are perched over the valley affording spectacular views of the Ayung River. The four luxuriously spacious Pool Villas offer a complete retreat experience with a private pool bordered by landscaped gardens, an open-air bathtub surrounded by a lotus pond, LCD TV and entertainment system, and the exclusive privilege of personalized leisure concierge services and in-villa dining and spa treatments.”

The Pimalai Resort and Spa http://www.pimalai.com/en/index.asp on Koh Lanta, Thailand boasts and amazing fresh-water infinity edge pool that sets about 50 meters above sea level allowing you spectacular views of the beach and the sea. This pool looks like a temple site with it’s beautiful architecture at this boutique luxury beach resort.

Another amazing sight to see pool in Thailand a few steps from the beach, is the pool at The Library http://www.thelibrary.co.th/index1.html in Koh Samui, Thailand. This vivid red pool is created by using mosaic Italian glass tiles in red, yellow and orange where at night, the underwater lights transform this pool into a dazzling sight perfect for dinner and drinks. The pool is set on the beachfront and is surrounded by a wooden deck with red mattresses and black bean bags.

The rooftop pool at The Standard http://www.standardhotels.com/los-angeles/ in downtown Los Angeles, CA is one of the most coveted nightlife hotspots. Situated on the rooftop of this 12-story hotel, the pool has panoramic views of the city. The turquoise heated pool stands out sharply against the red Astroturf sundeck with waterbed cabanas complete with a poolside bar.

For that perfect ah-ha moment, be sure to visit Six Senses Hideaway http://www.sixsenses.com/SixSensesZighyBay/ in Zighy Bay, Oman located 90 minutes from Dubai. The Six Senses Hideaway is located with dramatic mountains on one side and the sandy beach of Zighy Bay, on the other.

Hermitage Bay http://www.hermitagebay.com/ at this all-inclusive Antigua resort sits along a narrow dirt road and spleenful located between the pristine hillside and the turquoise Caribbean waters. With 25 individual cottages, you are in for a treat of tranquility and complete serenity.

The Joule Hotel http://www.thejouledallas.com in Dallas, TX projects their pool eight feet over the sidewalk from the edge of the 10th floor including a glass window at its end, providing swimmers with the sensation of swimming off the building's edge.

An exotic jungles surround you at Heritance Kandalama, Sri Lanka http://www.heritancehotels.com/kandalama/ where their infinity pool finds the green water blending into green rooftop lawns to virgin woodlands.

At the Marina Bay Sands http://www.marinabaysands.com/ in Singapore, you will ne staying at Asia's most spectacular business and leisure destination with over 2,500 rooms and suites, state-of-the-art convention and exhibition facilities, theaters, world-class casino, entertainment and the best shopping and dining in Singapore crowned by the Sands SkyPark. With amazing views of the Singapore skyline from the 57th floor, it is longer than the Eiffel tower laid on its side, it’s length is equivalent to four-and-a-half A380 Jumbo Jets, it has one of the largest gravity-defying edges in the world which holds up to 900 people. This Singapore hotel and casino offers a most unique swim!

For a sight to behold of an architectural marvel, visit Jade Mountain, St. Lucia http://www.jademountainstlucia.com/ where there infinity pools “are not accoutrements, but primary elements of the building's design. With sizes ranging from 400 to 900 square feet, the design of each pool is unique both in colour and shape. The infinity pools are meant to serve as organic components in each suite, as well as in the building as a whole; their sizes increase in relation to the different square footage of the different room categories: GALAXY, SUN, MOON and STAR.

All pools feature shallow water lounging areas in addition to a large swimming area. They have been surfaced entirely in one-of-a-kind glass tiles, which have been specifically designed for JADE MOUNTAIN.

Each of the infinity pools has its own individually designed glass tile color scheme which is then carried on into the individual bathrooms, giving each suite its own unique - and rather bold - personality. The glass tile texture is complex in reflective and prismatic ways with each piece of tile unique due to their custom hand crafted fabrication.

The infinity pools are equipped with fibre optics to illuminate them at night. Guests have the option of allowing the system to cycle through a range of colours or setting it to one particular shade.

Jade Mountain was conceived as a place in which guests would be exposed to a carefully orchestrated sensory experience. The infinity pools are integral to this. As a visual element, water flowing over a vanishing edge serves to draw the view into the room, linking the view with water, and water with sky and land, sun and stars.”

Poised on the cliff high above the Aegean, Perivolas Luxury Hotel http://www.perivolassuites.gr/about?lang=en in Santorini is a place where the rest of the world seems to disappear. With expansive views, ultimate luxury and absolute tranquil surroundings, your days by the pool are sure to leave you refreshed and never wanting to leave. Perivolas Hotel is only a short walk from Oia, the most beautiful village on Greece’s most romantic and dramatic island, Santorini.

The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagoyo http://www.fourseasons.com/costarica/ creates am ambience of luxury in a natural setting with a resort that spills down a coastal hillside to two unspoiled beaches of golden sand. With a spa, championship golf, the tropical dry forest complete with an amazing infinity pool, this resort will leave you wanting more.

Want to be at your own private island? Be sure to visit W Hotels on Fesdu Island http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1585 where this private island provides you with luxury, white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and breathtaking reefs.

Why not visit a pool for every mood at the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cunjw-jw-marriott-cancun-resort-and-spa/? Indulge yourself at the adults only pool with a swim-up bar, lounge in either of the two free-form or infinity pools overlooking the Caribbean, For those who want more adventure, be sure to go diving in the 20-foot deep, PADI-certified diving pool.

For those that enjoy the adventures of diving, be sure to go to the deepest indoor swimming pool in the world at 105 feet at Nemo 33 http://www.nemo33.com/en in Belgium. Here the water is so warm in their solar heated pool that you don’t need a wetsuit and you are able to get a variety of scuba certifications.

One of the most popular attractions in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon http://www.bluelagoon.com/Geothermal-spa/ where you will have a unique geothermal spa experience. Renew and relax in this lagoon that holds six million liters of geothermal seawater (which is renewed every 40 hours) with a water temperature of 98-102°F all while soaking up the beautiful scenery and breathing the fresh, clean air.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso http://www.lasventanas.com/en/index.cfm where this desert beach resort in Los Cabos captivates its guests with expansive suites, a world-class spa, inspired cuisine and an intoxicating ambiance along with a several infinity pools that spill into one another throughout this sprawling, luxury resort overlooking the Sea of Cortez off Mexico's Baja coast. Unique in-room tequila welcome, 24-hour room service, live entertainment nightly, access to The Spa at Las Ventanas & fitness center, DVD library, twice-daily housekeeping with nightly turndown service, luxury tennis, fresh fruit replenished daily, bottled water, enhanced poolside service & amenities, personal butler service for each one-bedroom and three-bedroom luxury suite ~ it’s been said that butlers reportedly bring drinks, chilled towels and wireless TVs right to your chaise ~ now that‘s what I call service in paradise!

What a finish in Bora Bora Nui Hilton http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/PPTBNHI-Hilton-Bora-Bora-Nui-Resort-Spa/index.do suspended between turquoise waters and endless sky. Besides the endless amenities, you can enjoy even more water from your private water side balcony, canopy beds, Italian marble bathroom and better yet, watch Bora Bora’s exotic marine life float past the glass floor viewing panels in your guest room.

Proud to be an American or what does freedom mean to you? Independence Day not only reminds us how lucky we are to live in America, but also is associated with many traditions. Independence Day brings out our patriotic presence that is seen and felt everywhere you go. Traditionally, many people decorate their homes with flags, buntings and streamers in red, white and blue, which symbolize the colors of the flag.

The 4th of July is perhaps the most American of all their holidays because it symbolizes the commencement of the nation. Independence Day has become an important occasion where Americans are able to truly express their freedom.

This day has forever been a favorite for traditions of fireworks, parades, barbecues, beer, picnics, baseball, outdoor parties, public and private events honoring the nation.

Since July of 1777, fireworks have been the most identifiable event for the Fourth of July.

Many people decorate their home with the American flag, which, there is even an United States Flag Code and Rules for displaying the flag outdoors. The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules as follows:

1. The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing, unless it is the ensign responding to a salute from a ship of a foreign nation.

2. The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

3. The flag should not be used as "wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery",or for covering a speaker's desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general (exception for coffins). Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

4. The flag should never be drawn back or bunched up in any way.

5. The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.

6. The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

7. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

8. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

9. When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

10. The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

11. If the flag is being used at a public or private estate, it should not be hung (unless at half mast) during rain or violent weather.

12. When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of the United States, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning. The American Legion and other organizations regularly conduct dignified flag-burning ceremonies, often on Flag Day, June 14.

13. The flag should never touch anything beneath it. Contrary to an urban legend, the flag code does not state that a flag that touches the ground should be burned. Instead, the flag should be moved so it is not touching the ground.

When display your flag outdoors, the rules state:

1. When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag, the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

2. When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.

3. When flown with flags of states, communities or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor—to its own right. The other flags may be the same size but none may be larger.

4. No other flag ever should be placed above it. The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.

5. When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

6. The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.

7. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset, although the Flag Code permits night time display "when a patriotic effect is desired." Similarly, the flag should be displayed only when the weather is fair, except when an all weather flag is displayed. (By Presidential proclamation and law, the flag is displayed continuously at certain honored locations like the United States Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington and Lexington Green.)

8. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.

9. The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

And when displaying the flag indoors:

1. When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.

2. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.

3. When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.

4. When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left

Now that we have all that straight, onto the barbecues, picnics, and other customs. Many families celebrate Independence Day by hosting or going to picnics or barbecues and take advantage of the holiday by using it as an opportunity to spend time with relatives and friends. Barbecues as well as picnics have become a 4th of July tradition for usually summer is the perfect time to spend outdoors and the long holiday weekend.

For some outdoor parties here are a few ideas for you:

Pool Party / Beach Party ~ Swimwear, beach towels, sunscreen, sunglasses and plenty of activities such as: an aquatic volleyball net and consider teams of boys versus girls. Have a swimming race, diving contests to collect coins tossed on the bottom of the pool, or if at the beach, maybe who makes the most patriotic sand sculpture.

The traditional grilling ensemble of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs are a must. Serve other barbecued favorites like chicken, steak and fish as another option and side dishes of potato and macaroni salad, potato chips and dip, fresh watermelon, ice cream and other hot weather favorites.

After everyone is done in the pool, have an area for socializing and a little relaxing.  Of course, a Fourth of July party wouldn't be complete without a few fireworks. If you don't want to put on an elaborate display, hand out sparklers for guests to light after dark.

A Fun Day at the Park ~ Pre-plan your picnic and grilling menu and have your bags packs with lots of fun activities to entertain all. Decorate with paper tablecloths, streamers, and balloons in the traditional red, white and blue color scheme. Plan a tug of war, three-legged and wheelbarrow races. Set up a badminton sets, a croquet set, flying disks, and other outdoor games. For younger children bring sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, and hula hoops. Have a watermelon seed-spitting contest or even a water balloon toss.

To end you day have sparklers for everyone, a bonfire with s’mores or even hobo pies. Make sure you bring your first-aid kit, bug spray, blankets, and even swim suits for river or lake events (a change of dry clothes is always appreciated).

An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July ~ Have a simple potluck with some old fashioned fun such as apple bobbling, games of checker and making homemade ice-cream. Just being together with family and friends sometimes provides the best memories.

There are truly so many reasons to enjoy this holiday. Not only do we commend the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom, but we are able to show our appreciation in so many ways. Visit a Veterans hospital, a nursing home, think of those who may not have the luxuries that you have. Look around you and ask yourself, what does “freedom” mean to you? Begin a scrapbook with your children and see how their answers change each year. I love the idea from Rachael Rays August 2011 magazine to make a keepsake scrapbook out of a key ring. Paper punch a hole in your mementoes and thread them onto the key ring. A souvenir to cherish for years to come.

What says more than finishing the 4th of July day with some great old fashioned all American Apple Pie ~ and maybe a little extra helping of ice cream?

Ingredients

1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.

Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.

Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Yields 1-9” pie; Serves 8

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 512, Total Fat: 26.7 g, Cholesterol: 31 mg, Sodium 241 mg, Total Carbs: 67.8g, Dietary Fiber: 5 g, Protein: 3.6g

Recipe courtesy of http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-pie-by-grandma-ople/detail.aspx

Happy 4th of July!!!

It’s that time of year when the Summer season has arrived. Be at a hotel, a vacation rental, an all-inclusive, a cruise, foreign country traveling, camping or even a weekend getaway to the neighboring town; these are the times that we create memories; where we are rejuvenated, awakened, and smile in the sunshine simply because life is good.

As we all know, I am through-and-through a toes in the sand kind of girl. I love to listen to the ocean waves, hear the gulls, the laughter around me, some great music and to feel the warmth of the summer sun on my skin.

Where to go? Where to go? With so many options, I decided why not go where summertime is reminiscent of a carefree childhood vacation complete with the aroma of funnel cakes and the feel of the salty air while walking along the boardwalk. Where else but Wildwood Crest, New Jersey.

Port Royal Hotel at http://portroyalhotel.com/ is exactly the place to go for me. Located one mile south of the boardwalk with luxuriously appointed accommodations which feature many amenities from central air conditioning, heating to color cable TV with VCR. Whether you chose a deluxe guest room, a one-room efficiency, or an ocean suite you will find attractive decor, comfortable furnishings and private balconies with scenic views.

The Port Royal is located on the wide, clean, safe and free beach in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey. If you choose to go poolside, grab a chaise and relax on the oceanfront sun deck that surrounds the heated hourglass-shaped pool. There is also a heated kiddie pool, snacks are available on the canopy-covered poolside patio so you can grab a bite without losing sight of the ocean or you can eat at the 50‘s Doo-Wop themed Royal Grille restaurant! Additional conveniences include coin-operated laundry facilities on every floor, self-service elevators, full-service gift shop, and free off-street preferred parking (one car per unit).

Located at approximately a 50 minute drive from Atlantic City, a 10 minute drive to Historic Cape May and within walking distance on the 38-block (2.5 mile wooden walkway) Wildwood boardwalk is lined with amusement piers, water parks, specialty shops, theaters, eateries and restaurants. You can ride a bike along the promenade from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., or ride the tram cars while enjoying a breathtaking view of the Atlantic. This is the place to start some Summer!

Should I get bored, I can always fall back to one of my favorites … shopping. Shopping is abundant in the Wildwoods from the Holly Beach Mall to the New Jersey Avenue merchants... the choices are endless. The summer air is filled with oldies music at the dockside, rock and roll at the clubs and ethnic sing-a-longs all over town. During the summer season, an estimated 2 million visitors come to the Wildwoods. Of course, the kids go crazy for the non-stop action on Morey's Piers – three incredible piers offering seven world-class roller coasters, two huge beachfront waterparks and family rides galore.

Am I in bliss? Most definitely. I came with an appetite for a mixture of childhood carnival food, cuisine, and of course, ice-cream before dinner. Summertime doesn’t get much better than this and the memories are priceless!