Showing posts sorted by date for query 4th of july. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query 4th of july. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Friday, July 3, 2026

Cool Down with Cold Treats on the 4th of July

cold treat recipes
Everybody loves desserts and specialty treats for the 4th of July celebrations.  Fireworks & outdoor fun are a huge part of the holiday, especially when we can stretch the activities across several days or an extended weekend.  

Unfortunately, July is a really hot month for many of us.  We need cool water and refreshing treats to keep us going throughout the day.  The specialty treats are especially awesome when they are easy to grab and carry out to the picnic table, pool side, lake or even on a boat.  

Below are some excellent cool treats that we can make ahead and have ready to serve at a moments notice.  Glass is beautiful, but I do recommend making the 4th of July treats in clear disposable transparent plastic cups or small bowls and serve with plastic spoons when needed.  Making everything disposable allows us to focus on fun and not washing dishes.

 

Jello Treats for the 4th of July 

Jello is one of the easiest desserts or specialty treats that can be made in 4th of July colors

 4th of July Jello Cups with Fresh BerriesCheck Price 4th of July Firecracker Jell-O CupsCheck Price Super Easy Patriotic 4th of July Layered JelloCheck Price

 

Popsicle Treats for the 4th of July

Nothing compares to a cold Popsicle to cool you down fast!  It is like a drink and a dessert all in one 

 Red, White & Blue PopsiclesCheck Price Healthy Red White and Blue PopsiclesCheck Price Red, White, and Blue Patriotic PopsiclesCheck Price

 

Cold Drinks for the 4th of July

Cool down with an actual drink! Even water with fruity ice cubes tastes delicious in the heat

 July 4th Layered DrinksCheck Price Homemade Lemonade RecipeCheck Price Red White and Blue Infused Ice CubesCheck Price

 

More 4th of July Recipes Previously Reviewed

Easy No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Recipe - Decorated like the American Flag 

Cooking for the 4th of July Celebrating an All-American 4th of July - Part I  

4th of July Desserts Reviewed - Part II of the Review This 4th of July Menu  

Reviewing July 4th Appetizers - Part III of Our 4th of July Menu  

4th of July Cookbooks - Free on KindleUnlimited

 

Happy 4th of July!  
Stay cool, be safe and enjoy the celebration 

 

Check Out More Recipe Reviews at
ReviewThisRecipes.com


 




Cool Down with Cold Treats on the 4th of July Written by:
House of Sylvestermouse





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Thursday, July 2, 2026

Easy No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert

 Our granddaughters are visiting for the week, and we made this easy strawberry cheesecake dessert for the 4th of July. We used strawberry pie filling, but you can use any pie filling you like. Following is our review of how to make this easy and delicious dessert.

Easy Strawberry Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Ingredients


1 SaraLee Pound Cake (cut into small pieces)
2 cans of strawberry pie filling
1 24.3oz Philadelphia No-Bake cheesecake filling (You can find this at Wal-Mart)
1 container of Cool Whip

We thought pictures would be best for our step-by-step instructions.

Cutting the cake

Here, Giada is cutting the cake into about 1-inch pieces.

Add the pie filling

Giada and Guiles spread the cut-up cake into a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish and mixed in the pie filling.

Spread the cream cheese filling


Now they are spreading the no-bake cream cheese filling evenly over the top.

Spread the cool whip


Spread the cool whip over the cream cheese filling. Now it was time to decorate our patriotic dessert with fresh blueberries and strawberries. Set it in the refrigerator for about two hours before serving.

This was easy and fun to do. The girls finished and decorated this in about 20 minutes. So there is plenty of time to make this for your 4th of July celebration.

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July




















Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 - Reviewed

 The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 is the world's largest operating steam engine. The Big Boy is currently on a coast-to-coast tour as part of America's 250th anniversary.

The Big Boy made one of its stops in Ripley, New York, only 30 minutes from where we live. So, we made the short trip to see this historic steam engine.

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014

The town of Ripley and Chautauqua County did an amazing job of organizing this event. We drove to a small church just outside Ripley and boarded a shuttle into town for the event. There had to be more than 3,000 people there. We arrived early enough to be right up front for an amazing view of the Big Boy.

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 History:

The Big Boy was built in 1941 by The American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York. It was designed for one purpose: moving enormous freight trains through the mountains of Utah and Wyoming. The Big Boy was created for the Union Pacific Railroad to handle heavy loads over steep grades.

The Boy was retired and on display in California as part of railroad history. In 2013, Union Pacicific reacquired the Big Boy and began to restore it, and in 2019, the Big Boy moved under its own power again.

Its massive size is something to see at 130 ft. long and weighing 1.2 million pounds. This was a true adventure to see a part of railroad history in action, and a true engineering marvel.

A video of the Ripley, New York, visit, along with an interview with the Big Boy engineer. The train stopped here for 30 minutes, and we had the opportunity of watching the crew perform maintenance.


Even if you're not a train enthusiast, this is well worth a trip to see part of history in action. Below is the Union Pacific Big Boy tour schedule. If it is coming anywhere near you, it is well worth the trip. Big Boy 4014 Tour Schedule.


Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Friday, May 29, 2026

Porch Goose and Porch Goose Outfits Reviewed

porch goose
My daughter called me a few weeks ago and said she was going to paint a concrete porch goose in a craft class.  I asked her if she remembered having a plastic porch goose that she dressed for special occasions and seasons when she was a very little girl.  Unfortunately, she didn't have an actual memory of it, but I couldn't help but wonder if she was drawn to that class because of her old beloved porch goose.  Her grandmother and I both remember well how she liked dressing her first porch goose.

She has now finished painting her concrete porch goose and is ready for porch goose outfits.  With her birthday only a few week away, she added porch goose outfits to her gift wish list.  

You probably know what I am about to say!  Between her grandmother, brother, father and I, we purchased 14 new goose outfits for her upcoming birthday.  I can hardly wait to see the pictures as she changes her goose's clothes each month, occasion or season.  

It is hard to choose a favorite porch goose outfit, but I am personally fond of the yellow raincoat and umbrella.  It reminds me of the outfit her plastic porch goose had when she was a little girl.  I only remember her dressing her original porch goose in her own baby clothes or baby doll clothes, but I think it is totally awesome that there are so many outfits made specifically for a porch goose now.

 

Awesome Seasonal Outfits for a Porch Goose

My daughter plans to change her porch goose outfits each month, according to the weather or season.  Of course, there are costume outfits for Halloween, but there are also special outfits for all of the holidays.  You can even select a bundle package of costumes to get started.  Buying a bundle is less expensive than purchasing them individually.

 

 12 Set Porch Goose Outfits for 23" Porch GooseCheck Price

 

How to Get Your Own Porch Goose

My daughter painted a concrete porch goose, but most of us don't have a concrete figure store close to us.  Plus, the 23" concrete porch goose weights over 40 lbs.  If you plan to set your porch goose on your recessed or enclosed porch, you may well prefer one made of resin that is easier to move.  These options also have a place to fill the base with sand or gravel to keep it from toppling in bad weather.  Then, you can simply enjoy changing your porch goose outfits seasonally too.

 LarpGears Premium Adjustable Large Porch Goose Statue – 23” Realistic Hollow Plastic Garden Goose with Removable Cowboy Hat & Bandana, Stone Base with Sand-Fillable Design for Outdoor StabilityCheck Price Porch Goose Statue Large White Porch Goose Big Resin Garden Lawn Yard 20 inches High Check Price

 

 

There are lots of different styles and designs in the Porch Goose Outfits.  Click Here to see more!

 Celltestria 4th of July Goose Outfits for 2323Check Price 2 Set Porch Goose Outfits with Wings Ladybug & BeeCheck Price Fishing Porch Goose Outfits for 23 Inch Lawn Statue, Fisherman CostumeCheck Price Gaggleville Football Goose Outfit, Fits Large 23Check Price

 

Read More Product Reviews On
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Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Friday, January 16, 2026

Easy Recipes by Sylvestermouse Reviewed

easy recipes
I enjoy cooking for my family.  Like most of us, I prefer recipes that are fast and easy.  Fortunately, I am surrounded by people who appreciate my effort, my recipes and seem to sincerely like the meals placed before them. 

I readily admit that I play in the kitchen.  I play with recipes by changing the ingredients to suit my families tastes.  I play with cupcakes, cookies, desserts, etc, because I enjoy decorating the food.  I mess around with it until I get the desired effect.  

I also enjoy the company of other family members in the kitchen. So much so, that I consider us playing in the kitchen. Since I began writing articles online, I have been periodically sharing highlights of our kitchen adventures so you and your family can be encouraged to "play" in the kitchen. In this article, I will provide links to the different easy recipes and fun articles that I have published. 

I consider that my Recipe for Making Memories in the Kitchen. So, without further ado, let the games begin!   

 

My Own Personal Roast Recipe

This recipe is the result of trial and error.  I just kept playing with different ideas until I found a tasty, tender way to cook a roast in the oven. 

It has become a family favorite and I have allowed it to be published in several charity cookbooks over the last 40 years, but it is still my own original recipe.  Although I was very young when I developed this recipe, I still cook my roast the same way today.

roast recipe
Published on Cooking for the Holidays

 

Having Fun in the Kitchen

I started cooking when I was a child and still living at home with my parents. My sister and I both helped in the kitchen and it was not unusual for us to have real, honest to goodness food fights with the leftovers. We frequently made mashed potato balls and hurled them through the air at each other or any unsuspecting individual who entered the kitchen. We flung spaghetti noodles against the wall and said we were testing it to see if it was done. By dinnertime, there would be 10 or 12 noodles hanging from the wall on spaghetti night.

While I still enjoy throwing pasta noodles against the wall, I have found that test does not work with pasta shells. No matter how many pasta shells I have thrown against the wall, none have ever stuck. Perhaps someday one will stick. I'll just have to keep testing them.

This easy pasta recipe is also shared on Cooking for the Holidays and, if you click it, the link will take you to that website. 

cooking pasta
Easy Pasta Recipe - A Family Favorite for Dinner or Side Dish

 

More Easy Dinner Recipes featured on CookingForTheHolidays.com

Photos are Linked to Recipes

 Easy Salmon Loaf Patties Recipe How to Bake Potatoes Chicken Enchiladas Recipe How to Bake a Turkey Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Instant Pot Recipe Homemade Barbeque Recipe for the Best BBQ Sandwiches

 

Click Here for More Dinner Recipes

 

Playing with Ingredients

halloween pizza
Working in the kitchen with my sister was fun. We occasionally experimented with the food. Sometimes we would put a little extra pepper in one of our brothers' bowls of stew or add a little something extra to spice up their lives and the dinner table. Oddly enough, the boys consumed whatever we fed them and much to our distress, rarely noticed a difference. I only remember one brother gagging on hot barbecue sauce and believe it or not, we were not responsible.

Of course, there are the recipes from my mother and grandmother that I have never played with, never changed and never shared except on websites I own. My motto for this group of recipes is "you can't improve on perfection, so why try!" 

Directions for making the pizza pictured on right, can be found at Halloween Haven

 

Playing with Your Food Recipes 

These are some of my favorite recipes. They are really step by step instructions on decorating, so I call it playing with my food. Sometimes making these special treats can be messy, but they are always fun as you create your own original work of food art. 

Don't just make these treats alone to serve to your family. Grab your child, your husband, your sister, your mother or even your father and make these treats with your family!  

To see some of my favorite fun food articles, simply click the source link below each photo. That will take you directly to the recipe and tutorials for creating your own fun food.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

 How to Decorate Panda Cupcakes How to Decorate a Snake Cake How to Make Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes 4th of July Party Flag Cake Recipe How to Decorate Snowman Cupcakes How to Make a Chocolate Halloween Ghost Castle Cake How to Make a Chocolate Halloween Ghost Train Cake How to Make a Cupcake Pumpkin Cake

 

Teaching an Old Dog, New Tricks

I am happy to say that I married a man who enjoys messing around in the kitchen too! The Breakfast Buddy featured below is his delicious creation and when I wanted to learn how to grill, I asked him to teach me. He has always made the most incredible steaks! In the article below, I share his secrets as I take you step by step through my own "grilling" education.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

 Breakfast "Buddy" Sandwich How to Grill the Perfect Steaks Cooking Hamburgers on an Indoor Grill

 

Special Treat and Finger Food Recipes

My family loves fruit and chocolate so it only seems natural for me to dip fruit in chocolate. Once I started dipping fruit, it was impossible to stop! I think I dipped every type of fruit we had in the house, then ran to the grocery store for more. Of course, then I wrote an article about each one.

Here is my collection of dipped fruit recipes. Be very careful though. Chocolate dipped fruit can be very addictive!

Photo Linked to Recipe

 Chocolate Covered Fruit DIY Recipes

Taking Care of the Cook 

Over the years, I have learned many things about cooking, about family and about fun. The most important thing I have learned, is that the three things go together. Have fun cooking with your family. 

I watched my grandmother and my mother work in the kitchen during every holiday for decades. Too often, they missed out on the fun simply because the party was happening in another room. 

I believe in bringing the party to the kitchen, enlisting help and taking care of the cook. Perhaps, I see it more clearly because now I am the cook, but I love to share ideas with others about how to have more fun with your family, instead of working alone in the kitchen. Believe me, you can create your own load of memories in the kitchen by simply letting others help in the kitchen. 

table set with party food

 

A Lot of Good Food and A Load of Memories 

I think it is because of my experiences and our experiments in the kitchen when I was a child, that I approach the kitchen with humor now. I still cook the old standards passed down from my great grandmother, grandmother and mother, but I enjoy creating new treats for my family too and it is even better when I get "help." 

Over the years, a lot of good food and a load of memories have been made in our kitchen! 

 

Easy Dessert Recipes 

Photos are Linked to Recipes

 Easy Strawberry Trifle Easy Blackberry Cobbler

 

Candy Recipe 

I am not going to tell you this recipe is extremely easy. It seems easy to me because I have been making it for 40+ years, but making candy takes a bit of practice to perfect. 

While I try to walk viewers through the process with photos, I know this is something that is simply learned by trial and error because the outcome when making candy depends so much on the climate of the day, as well as the altitude of a region. 

Here is my mother's Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe. I could never improve on this recipe.  It really is delicious! 

Photo Linked to Recipe

 Peanut Butter Fudge

 

Easy Beverage Recipes

Take time to relax!  While the food is in the oven, or after all of the work is done,  sit back with your loved ones and enjoy a cup of tea, hot chocolate or perhaps a cool glass of lemonade.  These are the moments you will want to capture and hold for as long as you can.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

 Spice Tea Recipe Homemade Lemonade Recipe Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

 Chocolate Hot Cocoa Bombs Recipe

 

For a Complete List of All of my Published Recipes
 Click Here to Visit the House of Sylvestermouse Recipes

Check Out More Recipe Reviews at
ReviewThisRecipes.com




Easy Recipes by Sylvestermouse Reviewed Written by:
House of Sylvestermouse



 

 

This recipe article was originally published by me in 2011 on a different site that no longer exists.
Unless otherwise noted with the individual photo, all Photos are mine and should not be used without written permission.

© Sylvestermouse 




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Monday, December 15, 2025

Book Review: Rich Blood by Robert Bailey

In this legal thriller, Jana Waters' husband was murdered on their boat dock and tossed into the water. She is being tried for murder. The victim was the well-respected Dr. Waters but for a variety of reasons there was a short list of folks in this small town who might have wanted him dead. She insists that Jason Rich, the ambulance-chasing injury attorney, represent her. 

Photo of waterway and text related to Rich Blood book review

While people are celebrating the 4th of July, no one hears the gunshots that kills Dr. Waters. The upcoming trial exposes how the mixing of affairs, alcohol, drugs, and debts can ruin lives, relationships and careers. 

The cast of characters in Rich Blood by Robert Bailey: 

Dr. Waters - A beloved small town doctor who also had some significant flaws as a husband. As a doctor, he'd been sued for a surgical mistake on the town's star football player; ending those college prospects and future career.  

Jana Waters - The pampered, emotionally volatile doctor's wife who lived in the nice house on the water, with her husband and children. She also owed a significant amount of money to her dealer.

Jason Rich - Jason returns to town at the request of his sister.  She asked him to be her defense attorney in her murder trial. After all, he was a successful attorney complete with billboards in the area that nobody could miss.  Billboards for accident and injury cases. Fresh out of rehab for his own addiction issues, he decides to return to the town he was glad to have left behind and agrees to represent her. It is his first time trying a criminal case. 

Waylon Pike - the criminal who was "by no means a criminal mastermind" claims that he was paid by the wife to kill Dr. Waters. Was he really stupid enough to brag about committing the murder or was that a part of framing Jana Waters?

I believe I've just discovered a new favorite author. As is often the case, I may be the last to know about a talented author. Robert Bailey is an award-winning, best-selling author whose specialty is legal thrillers. It is easy to understand Bailey's popularity as a writer with the character development. I was completely absorbed in Rich Blood and immediately began the 2nd book in the series.

Additional Links:

Rich Blood by Robert Bailey is available on Amazon. At the time of this writing, the book is rated at 4.4 stars from 45,000+ reviews. 

The author's official website:  www.robertbaileybooks.com 

photo attribution: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


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Review This Reviews is Dedicated to the Memory of Our Beloved Friend and Fellow Contributor

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