The month of July seems to have been created for the kind of eating and entertaining we love. There’s levity in the air, the farmers’ markets are bursting with gorgeous produce, and the possibilities seem endless. It’s the middle of the summer, and we’re in the groove.

All over the country on Independence Day, children march in parades, families barbecue, bands play in local parks, and the beaches swell with vacationers. For many, the Fourth is summer’s official kickoff, and what better way to do it than with those classic American concoctions, the corn dog and the s’more? Fireworks fly, flags wave, and the food flows, but we are careful to make sure our kids understand the true meaning of the holiday—and that they appreciate the value and beauty of true freedom.

July also brings with it Shark Week, about which I am fanatical. I am obsessed with sharks and always have been. As a result, we had a blast developing slightly off-the-wall creations for the occasion, which we treated like a trial run for Halloween! While supportive of me in every way, Freddie does not share my passion, and my children are still too young to introduce to sharks. So, that Jaws marathon will have to wait, but the jiggly parfaits and shark bite cookies are fair game.