Off the Beaten Path
These campfire desserts are made with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars.
What are s’mores? You don’t need a campfire to make s’mores; you can make them at home in the microwave or on a stovetop in a pan.
Coco Chanel is responsible for this classic dress.
What is little black dress? This dress is always appropriate evening wear. The hemlines may change, but these days, any hemline goes.
This herb used in Mediterranean cooking is also a woman’s name.
What is rosemary? Its Latin name rosmarinus means “dew of the sea.”
Eat, drink, and be this.
What is merry? This phrase appears three times in the Bible. It first appears in Ecclesiastes 8:15.
An American observance on July 1 honors large and small animals that we visit at this place.
What is zoo? It’s American Zoo Day on July 1.
Instead of taking the interstate highways all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles, you can take preserved sections of this famed route to add some variety and local color to your trip.
What is 66? Route 66 was the first all-weather highway from Chicago to Los Angeles. It was commissioned in 1926.
Ford’s early classic model rolled off the assembly line in 1927.
What is Model T? The Global Automotive Elections Foundation ranked it as the most influential car of the 20th century. Although the car is almost 100 years old, there are still a few working models.
This herb is the foundation for pesto.
What is basil? Basic ingredients in traditional pesto include basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese.
This hour represents the very last minute.
What is eleventh? This is not a direct quote; rather, it is a concept portrayed in the Parable of the Laborers in Matthew 20:1–16.
On July 2, the world commemorates these flying objects that visit us from the outer reaches of the universe.
What are UFOs? It’s World UFO Day. In 2021, The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed something called “unidentified aerial phenomena,” which is government-speak for UFOs. They caught triangular flying objects on video and published them.
If you’re camping and run out of matches, you are told to rub two of these together to start a fire.
What are sticks? People who have mastered the technique can start a fire in 10–15 minutes.
Ian Fleming is responsible for this franchise.
What is 007 or James Bond? Fleming worked in the Intelligence Division of the Royal Navy during World War II, so he likely pulled from his experiences when writing his novels.
This mild, thin version of green onions often tops sour cream on baked potatoes.
What are chives?
The blind leading this appears in Matthew 15:14.
What is blind? The first use of this phrase is credited to the Roman poet Horace.
On July 15, we commemorate this gooey pasta dish that is popular with children.
What is mac and cheese? Why not celebrate the day with some fancy three-cheese mac and cheese on Mac and Cheese Day?
Instead of on a mattress, campers sleep in this.
What is a sleeping bag? Modern sleeping bags are a combination mattress and comforter.
This British company manufactures an iconic, luxury automobile as well as airplane engines.
What is Rolls Royce? The pinstripes on Rolls-Royce cars have been painted by just one man since 2003, and his steady hand earns six figures annually.
These generic herbs or their extracts are often used in candy, tea, lemonade, and toothpaste. They are also used as dessert garnishes.
What is mint? Common mints found in the kitchen are peppermint and spearmint. Fresh mint is mostly used in cooking, but dried mint is used in making tea.
Cast pearls before these.
What is swine? This appears in Matthew 7:6.
On July 20, we celebrate that familiar nighttime heavenly body that goes from new to full.
What is moon? The July full moon is called the thunder moon, wort moon, or buck moon
When speeding down the road in a convertible while on vacation, you might think of this 1964 song by Roger Miller.
What is “King of the Road”? It begins: Trailer for sale or rent Rooms to let... fifty cents No phone, no pool, no pets I ain‘t got no cigarettes...“
Many serious actors appear in stage productions written by this classic British playwright. Some of them appear in summer park productions of his plays.
Who is William Shakespeare? Reading Shakespeare in school was a rite of passage for earlier generations. One of his enduring lines is “First thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.”
This herb is available in flat and curly and can freshen breath.
What is parsley? Mounds of curly parsley were once used as a garnish but have been replaced by more creative garnishes. Flat parsley is most commonly used in cooking.
In Exodus 3:1–22, you will find a land of milk and this.
What is honey? A land of milk and honey is a place that promises great prosperity and comfort.
July 29 is a great day to serve these little chicken parts with buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing.
What are wings? It’s National Chicken Wing Day.