I suppose I should welcome in the new month this week. Hello, July! Growing up, Fourth of July weekend was always typically the same. There’d be some sort of picnic or cookout involving family and friends and good food. Then, as dusk would settle in, we’d load up the car with folding chairs and blankets plus a cooler with snacks and sodas and drive to a nearby fireworks show. Although I’ve noticed the number of family members at these picnics has dwindled over time, it’s still an enjoyable day as always. 

As I remember it correctly, we’d always view Allentown’s show from Cedar Beach. Our blankets and chairs parked among a sea of others, my sister and I would playfully run around with our cousins and cover our ears when it became too loud once the show started. When my mom learned of the Bethlehem fireworks show (which I like to claim was always much better than Allentown’s), we gathered up the gear and headed to a grassy spot near the Fahy Bridge instead.

For years this would be the plan. I have lots of vivid memories from past Fourth of Julys. Like the one time when my sister and I took handfuls of sparklers, lit them, and road around the neighborhood on our rollerblades only stopping home to grab more handfuls of sparklers. Or there was the time when an ice cream truck, conveniently parked nearby, that played loudly the “Do Your Ears Hang Low…” song over and over and over again until no one could stand the tune by the time it finally drove away.

The last few years I’ve found myself in new places like Philadelphia to celebrate the holiday. This weekend, it seems as though I’ll find myself in yet another new place–northern PA–for a camping weekend complete with tents and no running water (my mom’s idea of a dreadful time, but totally exciting to me). I hope all of you reading this have a great holiday weekend whatever your tradition may be! And don’t forget to catch a fireworks show.

Supposedly big news will be dispersed on tonight’s episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8. As if we didn’t already know. The fall-out over this American family tragedy for lack of a better word – disgusts me.

The coverage of this matter by the media is appalling, however, not surprising — I am sorry to say. Yesterday, ET showed how Kate is losing it and is spanking the kids. It’s splashed all over tabloids too, with shots of Kate in her worst moments looking stressed and miserable. The kids look as confused and sad as you would expect.

The big debate now apparently is whether or not the show would continue on – or should end with the marriage. One entertainment correspondent said that TLC – The Learning Channel – would most likely due anything in its power to ensure the show stays on because the ratings, no doubt, will be astronomical.

Are you kidding me, TLC? Sure lets see this saga unfold through the eyes of these eight innocent children. Will we be allowed to attend their therapists’ visits? Kate’s future cosmetic surgeries? Their dad’s life as a single man living in Manhattan with hair plugs to boot?

So what might we learn through this experience “Learning Channel?” How to make money from other people’s misery, I suppose. Sleep well.

Model family fighting the chill.

I’m often asked a) if I like my job and b) what do I do exactly. I can easily answer the first with a simple “absolutely” and it’s usually followed up with the “did you go to school for that?” question. I did, in fact, attend college for Journalism and I am certainly fortunate to put that degree to good use. Question b) is rather difficult as my position is somewhat flexible and my job description is open-ended. My boss, Lisa, likes to call it the little asterisk at the bottom of the page that reads “Editor reserves the right to add or delete duties as necessary.”

One of my first photo shoots at the Society of the Arts (SOTA) designer home in our May 2008 issue had me frantically driving to Home Dept for nails with our then editorial intern Nichole Moroz because we realized we had to hang drop cloths but forgot to bring something to hang them with. For our Hot Issue (August 2008), I juggled dog-sitting my mini dachshund, Winston, who was “modeling” in one of the shots, crouching against the wall with dog treats to lure Winston over; and running up and down stairs for tape, bobby pins, scissors, etc. among other responsibilities. You should have seen my “tool belt”; I had tape on my arm, scissors in my back pocket, bobby pins stuck to my shirt. I was prepared.

Now that I have worked on several photo shoots, I have learned to expect anything and everything. I also learned the importance of preplanning so even the slightest detail isn’t overlooked. This Monday’s shoot was no exception.

Becca preparing fruit.

For our June issue, we’re taking readers on a healthy family picnic. Because we have to work so far in advance, the shoot needed to take place in April, but April’s unpredictable weather had us rescheduling and scrambling for the perfect sunny day. Although Monday wasn’t perfect, it was the first sunny and decently warm day so we took advantage. We loaded the cars and headed up to Beltzville State Park for some by-the-lake photos complete with a model family and yummy treats for noshing.

I’d have to say, it was one of the smoothest shoots I’ve ever worked. Despite the chilly wind and overcast skies, we got what we needed in about three hours. Not too shabby! Plus, we enjoyed the fruits of our labor by taste testing the picnic foods. You’ll have to wait until the June issue to see it; this is just your sneak peek. But you won’t want to miss this tasty picnic menu plan complete with recipes, lake views, and beautiful linens from La Petite Provence in Bethlehem. What a great way to spend a summer day with your family.