Looking back from the vast expanse of years, what does one remember about the summer days of one’s childhood? The coldness of the winter season has given way to the heat of summer days, bikes and skateboards have been dusted off and put to use, outdoor games are played intently, and after a hot day, the sprinklers are turned on and screaming kids in swimsuits run through them, back-and-forth, back-and-forth, wearing themselves out. Then, it’s time for a picnic meal. Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and corn on the cob, dripping with butter!

Corn on the cob is one of those foods that are easy to cook and easy to eat. Whether you want to boil them in water, or put them on the grill, they always taste great. Then, apply a liberal amount of butter, some salt, insert the corn holders in either end, and have at them like they were an edible typewriter ribbon.

It’s also a tradition meal at state fairs and even Renaissance fairs. Who hasn’t walked around, munching on a juicy corn on the cob impaled by a long skewer – indeed, other terms for corn include “pole corn”, and “sweet pole.” Although that’s not so much because corn on the cob is typically skewered, but just because it resembles a pole itself!

Although we all call corn, corn; the technical term for this cereal grain is maize. It’s the most widely grown crop in the Americas, including the United States. There are about 50 different types of corn. The three most often grown are white, plata and yellow.

So make sure you cultivate those summertime memories. Don’t think for a second that, as an adult, it wouldn’t be fun running through that sprinkler! And then relaxing with corn on the cob and an ice-cold drink. Lovely!

With proper planning, even the most frugal of entertainers can serve delicious gourmet food and coffee. They can even make it a regular dining event if they so choose. The perception is that such foods and beverages cost and arm and a leg, but the reality is that most gourmet products are not significantly more expensive than normal supermarket fare.

The key to purchasing and serving gourmet foods is to be on the lookout for deals. Purveyors of specialty items always have promotional and sales to lure customers into making a purchase. Those deals are also usually accompanied with other promotional efforts on other items.

By scouring advertisements and keeping an eye open for promotional deals, you save money and will be able to purchase gourmet foods and coffee that will not break the bank. Once you understand the normal habits of both online and offline gourmet businesses, you will be able to easily scan your sites of interest and quickly locate good deals. At that point, all you have to do is store them for future use.

Obviously, not every gourmet item will be able to be stored. Some items, including fresh meat, vegetables and fruit will have to be purchased and utilized quickly. These items are best purchased a day or so before you plan to use them.