Weekend Dispatch

Weekend Dispatch is coming at you on Monday this week because it's a holiday weekend and there's a lot going on. So let's get right to it, shall we?

We're all about celebrating America's birthday this week, and what's better than watching a star spangled parade followed by a spectacular fireworks display? There are lots of them happening around the Jersey shore. We'll be watching the Manasquan and Point Pleasant shows. You can see the full list of towns here.

Farmers' market season is in full swing, and they don't call it the Garden State for nothing! If you're not taking advantage of New Jersey's bounty, you are missing out. Here's a rundown of where you can find local farmers' markets here at the shore.

Asbury Park - every Sunday from 10-3 pm at Kennedy Park, Cookman and Grand avenue.
Bay Head - every Thursday from 3-7 pm in the municipal parking lot across from Mueller's Bakery.
Brick - every Saturday from 10-2 at Windward Beach Park
Manasquan - every Thursday from 10-3 at Miller Preston Way.
Point Pleasant Beach - every Sunday from 10-2 in the parking lot behind Borden's on Arnold Avenue.

To see more locations, click here.

Speaking of farmers' market bounties, we had quite the haul yesterday from our trip to the Brick farmers' market, and I thought this recipe for zucchini gemelli pasta with cilantro lime pesto would the perfect way to use up some of our green goodies.

photo via

I love making a festive dessert for the fourth of July, but I often feel like between the beach and parties, time is very limited. When I found this recipe for brownies with cream cheese frosting and fresh fruit, I bookmarked it for this occasion. If you are really pressed for time, use a box brownie mix.

photo via

Last night the Hubs and I were talking about our top five musical artists and groups. You know, they'd be the only five that you can listen to for the rest of your life. For me, Elton John falls into that category. I could listen to Rocket Man alone for the rest of my life. I always love covers of my favorite artists as well. Revamp is a collection of some of John's most popular tunes as sung by some of today's hottest artists. Tiny Dancer by Florence + The Machine is just one of the amazing songs you'll hear. Listen here.

I love books that you can easily read in a day. You take it to the beach and finish it by the time you leave? Yes, please! I'm in a sort of book club with 3 of my girlfriends. I call it a "sort of book club" because it's a bit different than the way a traditional book club works. We each read the same book, but rather than read it simultaneously, one of us reads the book then hands it off to the next person, and so on. Once all of us have finished, we discuss it. We just finished The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, and it was a quick and wonderful read.

Brief synopsis: A. J. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. He lives alone, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. But when a mysterious package appears at the bookstore, its unexpected arrival gives Fikry the chance to make a new beginning for himself.

So, tell me. What do you have planned this weekend?