July 4th is coming up this weekend. Say 4th of July and the mind instantly conjures images, smells and memories for us all. For me, it is images of family gathered around the porch or the boat dock laughing and having fun. It’s swimming, watermelon juice dripping off my chin, Dad grilling hamburgers, homemade ice cream and, of course, fireworks-so many fireworks. It will be a little different this year if you intend to celebrate by watching city fireworks, but you can still find a spot to hang out and watch from your vehicle.

Growing up, we lived at the lake. We would spend a good chunk of the day swimming off the boat dock on our property. We would eat watermelon and snacks all day waiting for the main course, Dad’s hamburgers at dinner. We would load up and go buy fireworks for our own show before it got too late. Getting the fireworks has always been a special thing between me and Dad. Picking up the ones we know we like. Discussing what new ones we want to try. Then after dark, Dad would start lighting the fireworks. The Fourth of July hasn’t changed much for us. Every year, we still get together for food, family time, swimming and then fireworks at the house. These days, we still swim just in a pool now. We munch on snacks all afternoon while waiting on Dad’s hamburgers. And we still go get fireworks around 7 or so. Dad doesn’t light many fireworks anymore. Those duties have been taken over by the younger men in the family. I must admit though, fireworks don’t hold the same thrill for me now. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy the show. However, I am older. It’s the family time I cherish and if we ever decided not to have any fireworks, I would be ok with it.

I don’t know if you have been picking up any of the free food boxes from the area, but if you have, you may have an abundance of huge blocks of cream cheese. This week, I would like to share some recipes for using some of it in fun, festive foods for the 4th. Make your grocery list and join me in the kitchen for easy recipes using cream cheese!