August 10th is National S'mores Day: Three New S'mores Treats!

I love popsicles and I love s'mores. Here's the hybrid... S'mores Pops! These are super easy and soooo delicious! August 10th is National S'mores Day. If it is too hot outside, make some of these frozen treats up for your kids... and make plenty because they are delicious! Use a plastic cup for the mold. You can get the popsicle sticks at Michael's, Hobby Lobby or even Wal-Mart. Let me know what you think!

S'MORES POPSICLES

Fudgey-Choco Pops recipe below*

20 mini-marshmallows

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

Small plastic or paper cups

Popsicle sticks

In the bottom of a plastic cup, put a small amount of the graham cracker crumbs, about 1 teaspoon for each cup. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of the chocolate mixture and 4 marshmallows, top with another  teaspoon of the chocolate and use a spoon to press the chocolate into the marshmallows. Tap the cup on the counter to make a dense layer. Continue layers as necessary to fill the cup, leaving 1/4" at the top. Allow to set up for at least 30 minutes and add a popsicle stick to each cup. Allow to freeze for at least 4 hours.

FUDGEY CHOCO POPS

1 cup water

2.5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped ( you can sub cocoa- just add 1 tablespoon butter if you do)

1/3 cup sugar

pinch salt

1/3 cup milk (use whole or 2%)

1 T. heavy cream (or you can use half and half)

1/2 t. vanilla

1/8 t. instant coffee (or you can use leftover strong coffee)

Put the chopped chocolate, sugar, and salt in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in the water, a little at a time as the chocolate melts and the sugar dissolves. Once the chocolate has completely melted, remove from heat. Whisk in the coffee, vanilla, milk, and cream. Chill and cool completely.

More easy popsicle recipes: 16 Homemade Popsicle Recipes

WANT MORE FUN S'MORES IDEAS?

TRY MY INDOOR S'MORES 

AND A SUPER FUN SPIN ON THE CLASSIC S'MORES WITH A S'MORES BAR!

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Easy Entertaining: Chilled Cantaloupe with Mint

This light, refreshing dish is perfect for summer entertaining and can be served for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner! Serve it in a stemmed glass for an easy, elegant start to any summer party. Even in a plastic glass like the one below, this looks beautiful and tastes like summer. 

Photo: Arden PhotographyCHILLED CANTALOUPE WITH MINT

Makes 8 servings

1 large cantaloupe

1/2 cup honey

5 mint leaves

2 mint leaves, chopped

Cut cantaloupe into cubes. Sprinkle with the chopped mint. Chill well.

Next, put the honey in a pan with the whole mint leaves. Heat until the honey thins out but does not boil. Allow it to cool. Remove the mint leaves.

To serve, put the chilled cantaloupe into stemmed glasses and drizzle with the honey. You may need to use less honey if the cantaloupe is really sweet.

Happy Summer!

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Weekend Cocktail: Vanilla Vodka Recipes for Summer Breeze & Dreamsicle Cocktail

Two of my favorite go-to summer drinks are made with vanilla vodka. Simple, no-fuss and soooo refreshing! Try one of these this tonight. Cheers to the weekend!

SUMMER BREEZE

1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka

4 ounces pineapple juice

squeeze of lemon juice

ice

garnish with a lemon twist

Fill a glass with ice and pour over vodka and juice. Stir, serve!

DREAMSICLE COCKTAIL

3 ounces orange juice

1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka

1/2 ounce orange liqueur like Grand Marnier

dash of heavy cream or whipping cream if you like.... optional

ice

Put the ice in a cocktail shaker. Add the remaining ingredients. Shake and serve over ice.

Make Easy Indoor S'mores

Do you love S'mores... just talking about them makes me want one. I have been showcasing new ideas for some of our favorite summer classics and I do think this is my favorite one.

 

Why wait for a campfire or fire for that matter to make up a batch of S'mores? I have perfected Indoor S'mores and I could not wait to share them with you! Perfect for a party or even just a night in front of the tv, make some of these up for the best-ever comfort food treat. They don't go soggy so you can make them for a picnic or take them to a party as long as you keep them in a cool spot. Make some up and let me know what you think!

INDOOR S'MORES

1 box of Graham crackers

1 bag of mini-marshmallows

Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut spread (you can find this at almost any grocery store- even Wal-Mart)

Fill up sheet pans with Graham crackers. Spread each with a thin layer of Nutella. Put 6-7 mini marshmallows on top of each. Put under the broiler for about 2 minutes. Watch to make sure they get golden brown. Take them out and let them cool slightly. Make sandwiches by pressing two together. Eat right that moment or let them cool completely and wrap each with plastic wrap. Keep cool until serving time but do not chill them in the fridge or the cracker will get soggy.

Put the tops and bottoms under the boiler for about 2 minutes until the marshmallows are golden.Let them cool slightly and assemble into sandwiches.Let the s'mores cool completely if you want to wrap them up. Wrap each individually in plastic wrap and store in a cool place. Don't put them in the fridge.

Talk of the Town Nashville Summer Special: Recipes & How-To Tips

Happy 4th of July!

For those of you watching our TV special on Nashville's Talk of the Town, here are links for some of the recipes and ideas we showcased today! Scroll all the way to the bottom to see the how-to video from the show.

Infuse your summer with flavor!INFUSED LEMONADE

Take your lemonade from ordinary to extraordinary when you infuse the simple syrup with flavor. Get the recipes:

VANILLA BEAN PLANTATION LEMONADE

INFUSED SIMPLE SYRUP

For even more lemony fun, make a lemonade station for your party with lots of mix-ins and libations! Get the how-to...

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Popsicles and ProseccoPOPSICLE-PALOOZA!

Hi-tech, low tech, and low tech ways to make your own frozen treats for kids and adults this summer.

POPSICLE HOW-TO

POPSICLES AND PROSECCO

Once considered just a kiddie treat, the popsicle has gone exotic! Whether you make your own popsicles or buy them, this elegant presentation takes popsicles to a whole different level. The perfect way to end a summer dinner party or wedding reception.

Some other great homemade popsicles to make include:

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE POPS

S'MORES POPS

16 HOMEMADE POPSICLE RECIPES

Watch our how-to video from Talk of the Town!

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BACKYARD CAMPING PARTY

This one is so much fun for just about any occasion... birthday party, neighborhood party, team get-togethers, and more. It is even a fun date night. Watch the video...

This is a super inexpensive "stay-cation" for those staying home this summer. You'll feel like you went away... and best of all, your bed and the air-conditioner are just steps away!

Here's the simple recipe for the hobo packs that you can throw right on the fire or grill:

LOW COUNTRY HOBO PACKS

This is a similar taste to a one pot boil but even easier. Since shrimp cooks faster than the potatoes and the corn, it is best to pre-cook those so that you don't overcook the shrimp.

For 6

1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on

1 large onion

3 ears of corn

12 medium red potatoes

Old Bay Seasoning

2 lemons- one cut into wedges for serving

1 Beer (you can substitute water if you like)

butter

salt and pepper to taste

Parboil the potatoes and corn for a few minutes on the stove in boiling water. Do not cook completely. You just want to give them a bit of a head start so that all of the food in the pack has an equal cooking time. I usually cook the potatoes for 8 minutes and add the corn. Cook 4 more minutes and remove from the heat.

Tear large squares of aluminium foil to make the packs. Layer the potatoes, onion, corn, and shrimp. Add a dot of butter, salt, pepper, and a dash of Old Bay seasoning. Turn up the edges and add about 1/4 cup of beer to each package. Squeeze some lemon juice over the top and seal the packs well on all sides. Cook over medium coals for about 10 minutes until the shrimp are cooked. You can put these directly on the edge of a campfire, too.

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Scrapbook Paper LanternEASY TABLE DECORATIONS: SCRAPBOOK PAPER LANTERNS

Scrapbook paper sheets

Double sided tape or glue stick

Mason jars or other jar, vase, etc

Candles: floating candles, tealights, or other light source

These lanterns are so easy to make and can really dress up a table or customize any party for very little money! Since scrapbook paper comes in all colors and patterns, you really have endless options. Here's the how to:

Get a sheet of scrapbook paper. If it is thick, you'll want to cut in some designs so light will shine through. If the paper is thin or you use vellum, you don't need to cut in a design. You can use a hole punch or a paper cutter- or a utility knife.

Use a glue stick or double faced tape along the edge of the back side of the paper to form the paper into a cylinder.

Put the light source into the jar. For tealights or candles, I like to put sand in the bottom to keep the candle off the bottom of the jar. This is a great use for floating candles or even glo-sticks.

Place the paper cylinder over the jar.... and you have a customized lantern!

 Custom banner made of flags and ribbonCUSTOMIZED BANNERS

This is one of the easiest ways to dress up any area in your party colors.  Using flags, ribbon, or scrapbook paper, simply make a pretty line of color to decorate a fence, a tent, or patio.

For the paper banners, fold over to make a triangle. Fold over a piece of clothesline, twine, rope, or string. Secure with a piece of Velcro or double stick tape. I like using a Velcro dot so I can use these over and over again; sometimes in different color combinations! You can make these directional banners or signs, too by lettering them... lots of fun and very affordable.

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