1. Visit a Farmer’s Market
The MidSouth is home to some fantastic farmers markets. Head to your local farmers market for inspiration for new recipes using fresh, local ingredients and to get to know the local farmers producing your favorite foods. Many farmers markets even offer honey, artisan breads, and other non-produce items for sale.
Memphis Farmers Market
The Memphis Farmers Market held on South Main each Saturday from April through October is the largest in the Mid-South area. In addition to fresh local produce, you’ll find arts and crafts vendors and local artists offering their work for sale as well as artisan food makers with assortments of bread, jams and jellies, tea, pastries, and more.
Agricenter Farmers Market
The Agricenter Farmers Market at Agricenter International is the oldest farmers market in Tennessee. All vendors at the market offer farm-raised, home-grown, or hand-crafted fresh produce, beef, seafood, baked goods, arts and crafts, and more. The market is open six days a week to the public and even offers the opportunity to work with community-supported agriculture partnerships with Jones Orchard and Sandy’s Farm. CSA members pay a monthly fee to receive a large selection of fresh, seasonal produce for pickup at the Agricenter.
Tate County Farmers Market
Baddour Center’s very own local farmers market is open daily during growing seasons and offers a variety of fresh fruits, veggies, and locally-sourced honey. The Tate County Farmer’s Market is also a Mississippi Certified Farmers Market by the Department of Agriculture, meaning more than half of all vendors must be local producers offering only fresh, local ingredients.
Hernando Farmers Market
The Hernando Farmers Market takes place on the Hernando Courthouse Square each Saturday morning. In addition to plenty of local vendors offering fresh fruits and vegetables, the Hernando Farmers Market offers weekly programs like free yoga and exercise classes, cooking demonstrations, and more. You’ll also find locally-sourced honey, hand-crafted gifts and decor, and more.
2. Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
Summer is the best time to visit local museums and art galleries, many of whom offer special programs throughout the week during summer months. Learn more about the history of Memphis and the world at various exhibits, historical homes, and museums around the city. Collierville library card holders are also eligible to receive two free admission passes to The Dixon Gallery and Gardens and The Pink Palace Family of Museums.
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens is home to the finest art gallery in Memphis as well as some of the most beautiful flower gardens. In addition to seasonal exhibits, Dixon also hosts various events, including symphonies and concerts, yoga classes, workshops, and more. Visit the gallery on Food Truck Fridays to experience delicious cuisine from Memphis’ finest food trucks.
Pink Palace Museum
Explore an array of exhibits featuring dinosaur fossils and skeletons, log cabin replicas, Colonial American history, Civil War history, Memphis history, and more. Visit the CDI 3D theater during Summer 2018 to see 101 Dalmatians, James Bond 007, Extreme Weather 3D, Wild Africa 3D, and more. Plus, admission to the museum is free from 1:00pm to closing!
Lichterman Nature Center
The Lichterman Nature Center is a truly one-of-a-kind experience offering visitors the chance to interact with nature and wildlife like never before. Get up close and personal with a variety of plants and animals, including birds, fish, reptiles, and more. Take a walk on the Buckman Water Science Trail to learn more about the science of water and see the array of beautiful flora and fauna that call the Lichterman Nature Center home.
3. Make Lemonade from Scratch
Summer in the South calls for a glass of delicious fresh lemonade made from scratch. Here are some of our favorite lemonade recipes.
Old-Fashioned Lemonade
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Ingredients:
• 6 cups of cold water
• 6 lemons
• 1 cup of sugar
Directions:
1. Squeeze 1 cup of fresh lemon juice from
lemons.
2. In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice, sugar,
and water and stir well.
3. Adjust to taste.
4. Chill and serve.
All-Natural Strawberry Lemonade
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Ingredients:
• 8 large strawberries, halved
• 2 cups of lemon juice
• 7 cups of cold water, divided
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 cup of sugar
Directions:
1. Place strawberries in a blender with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Pour 1 cup of water over sugared strawberries. Blend until strawberry chunks form into juice.
2. Combine strawberry juice, 6 cups of water, 1 cup of sugar, and lemon juice in a large pitcher. Stir well until blended.
3. Chill before serving.
4. Have a Picnic
Take advantage of summer to enjoy more time outdoors. Visit a local park or nature area, and take some time to enjoy the birds, the trees, and the rhythm of nature. Bring along a picnic lunch or finger foods and spend the afternoon under the warm summer sun. Here are a few of our favorite picnic recipes.
Egg Salad Sandwiches
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Ingredients:
• 8 eggs
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• ¼ cup chopped green onion
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Place egg in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel, and chop.
2. Place the chopped eggs in a bowl, and stir in the mayonnaise, mustard and green onions. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir well.
3. Serve on your favorite sandwich bread or crackers.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
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Ingredients:
• 1 12-oz package tri-color rotini pasta
•1 cup mayonnaise
• 10 slices bacon
• 3 tablespoons dry ranch salad dressing mix
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup milk
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 1 can sliced black olives
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese.
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm, or about 8 minutes. Drain pasta.
2. Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until evenly brown. Drain and chop.
3. In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and garlic pepper together. Stir in milk until smooth. Mix in rotini, bacon, tomato, black olives, and Cheddar cheese, and toss to coat with dressing.
4. Cover and chill at least 1 hour before serving. Toss with additional milk if the salad becomes dry.
5. Build a Fairy Garden
Creating a fairy garden is a fun summer activity for both adults and children with special needs. You can even incorporate the activity into an educational curriculum focused on nature and science.
Fairy Garden Accessories
Many craft stores offer fairy garden decor, including small bridges, plants, houses, and even fairies. Miniature dollhouse furniture can also be utilized to create fun fairy gardens. Get creative with your scenes and decor. Use rocks for pathways, faux moss for grass, and incorporate succulents and other plants to create landscaping.
- Dollhouse Furniture and Accessories
- Fairy Garden Accessories
Flower Pot Fairy Gardens
Flower pots are one of the most popular ways to create fairy gardens, but by far not the only one. As an alternative to flower pots, you can also create your fairy garden in:
- Tea Cups
- Glass Jars and Vases
- Tin Pails and Containers
Natural Landscaping Fairy Gardens
Fairy gardens can also be created using elements of nature, including: