“With a history steeped in battles and rebuilding, Mexico has earned every right to be proud.”  Discovery News   Time to get out your sombreros and maracas – it’s almost Cinco de Mayo! This holiday celebrates Mexico’s freedom from French rule after defeating the French forces in the Batalla de Puebla on May 5, 1862. And each year, more and more Americans help Mexico celebrate on May 5 with the famed Cinco de Mayo fiesta! Cinco de Mayo fiestas are all about tasty Mexican food and festive drinks. But instead of battling the Cinco de Mayo crowds at your favorite Mexican restaurant, why not invite your friends over and throw your own fiesta? We’ve found some fabulous ideas and inspiration for festive drinks and cocktails perfect for celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Here are some of our favorites.   Blend or mix a fresh and fruity margarita. As Delish puts it, it’s time to “dust off your margarita pitcher and celebrate the warm weather.” Make it a frozen margarita and or serve it on the rocks. Get creative and make up your own fresh combination of fruits with oranges, mangoes, and even kiwi. Don’t forget to finish the rim …

      Have you ever tried to ask your mom what she wants for Mother’s Day? Did she respond with something along the lines of “your presence is present enough”? Give your mom what she really wants this Mother’s Day and plan a family outing to spend some quality time together. Hickory Farms looked around to find some great ideas for family outings to surprise Mom with this Mother’s Day. Here are some of our favorite ideas.   For outdoorsy moms… Take mom on a hike! Find a nearby trail and plan out a mini outdoor excursion. Don’t forget to throw in some snacks like fruit and nuts.   For wine lover moms… We love Sunset magazine’s idea for impressing mom by organizing an at-home wine tasting. Not sure where to start? Check out our posts on “Tips from Food & Wine Experts on How to Host a Wine Tasting” and “Wine & Cheese Pairing 101.”   For sunseeker moms… Plan a picturesque picnic. Pack lunch and take Mom to a peaceful spot where you can enjoy a nice meal in nature. For foodie moms… Treat her to a special homemade Sunday brunch. If your mom loves to cook, …

        The old saying goes that “an apple for the teacher will always do the trick when you don’t know your lesson in arithmetic.” But as Eric Hoffer once wisely said, “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.” May 7, 2013 is Teacher Appreciation Day and a wonderful opportunity to teach kids about the importance of expressing gratitude. How the tradition of giving a teacher an apple first came about is still a bit of a mystery. Some say the tradition is rooted in the fact that apples once served as a common form of compensation. Others say the association of apples with education began because apples are symbolic of learning right from wrong (remember our curious friends Adam and Eve?). But as most of us know, the only teachers still getting apples from their students are most likely only the ones in the movies. But here at Hickory Farms, we love the idea of reinventing this tradition! Instead of sending your student to school with an apple, how about sending a gorgeous fruit basket to the teachers lounge for the whole faculty to enjoy? Hickory Farms has several fruit …