WalletPop has a story on the 20 Most Worthles Pieces of Junk. I went through the list and some of the listed items are unnecessary, for example #20 Rice Cookers. Others, #18 Polaroid Camera, #10 Books (books??!!) and #8 Ice Cream Makers and Bread Machines are items that I use or have used on a regular basis.

I can see why some of the items are on the list. I have had three rice cookers, all three given to me by my dad, and I have rarely used them. I have a bread machine that I use constantly for pizza dough. I’ve only made bread in it a few times and one time I made a huge batch of dough for cinnamon rolls (I was a hit with the neighborhood kids), but for pizza dough, it’s a real time saver.

Also on that list - books. Books?  I love books. I have a large collection of cookbooks and while I do look things up on the internet, I love to sit down with my cookbooks and find new dishes. I’m never going to be a kindle person, because I love holding the book in my hands, looking at the glossy photos, making notes on the pages, looking at the books lined up neatly on the shelf. The idea that books might grow obsolete just does not make sense to me. It’s heresy. Honestly, it makes my stomach hurt a little.

Ice cream makers are lumped with bread machines, they don’t even get their own place on the list, the author finds them that worthless. I don’t have an ice cream maker now, but I did at one time and we would use it a couple of times a month. It wasn’t the most cost effective appliance, but the kids loved it and some things you do just because they are fun. The same goes for the Polaroid camera. Some things in life are not about ease, they are about the process.

When I was a kid, my grandma had an old school ice cream maker that required rock salt and an incredible amount of noise. I can remember the machine going at family reunions and the ice cream took forever in coming, but the taste of that fresh vanilla or strawberry desert was better than anything else I had ever tasted.

When I think about Grandma’s machine, the whole family reunion experience is there - in and out the back door with the cousins, the warm sun, smelling something on Grandpa’s barbeque, swimming in the pool, lots of hugs and kisses. Not everything is about fast, easy, and convenient. Slow down. Pull that useless ice cream maker off the shelf and make something cold and yummy with the kids.

Image credit: Directron.com

Summer is the perfect opportunity to spend some extra time with your dog. You can bring him along whether you head to the beach, the lake, fishing, or just hanging out at the pool. Of course, it’s still important to be mindful of water safety, even with a dog!

I love these doggy life jackets. Available in sizes from XXSmall to Large, the sturdy vests have brightly colored prints and reflective strips for easy sighting, and a handle on top for fast retrieval. They also have a mesh underbelly which allows water to drain away from the dog, and heavy duty Velcro to keep everything in place.

Dogtopics.com also offers some general water safety tips, including being mindful of what your dog is drinking, rinsing your dog off with fresh water after they’ve been in the water, and keeping your dog hydrated and rested.

[image: petco.com]

Now that school is out, you’re wondering what to do to keep the youngsters busy and to make summer special.  Many families may find that distant trips are not affordable this year.  So look around your home and local area for the many opportunities available. 

Image: sxc.hu

 We often don’t realize what’s out there.  Until I wrote travel articles for a regional magazine and was given assignments to visit local attractions and report on summer activities, I had only a vague idea what my community and nearby areas had to offer.

 So check out what’s going on in your town, county and state.  Much of this even might be free of charge.

•  Summer library programs
• Community concerts on the common
• Fairs
• Craft shows
• Hiking and nature trails
• Nature centers
• Historical sites
• Beaches
• Local parks and recreation programs
• Community theatre

 What have you found in your community for family enjoyment?

I can’t believe it’s already mid-June. Summer’s in full swing around here — kids are finally out of school, the pool’s up and pumping and the sun is zapping any will I might have for being in the kitchen!

~ Strawberry Lemonade Bars from Playing House

~ Broiled Peanut Butter Frosting at Megster Meter

~ Sweet Cherry Orange Peel Poppy Seed Loaf from Healthy. Happy. Life.

~ Italian Soda at Cooking Dunkin Style

~ Inside-out Pizza from Our Best Bites

~ Strawberry and Rhubarb Pate De Fruits at Tartelette

~ Savory and Sweet Zucchini Cups from Culinerapy

~ Malt Gasoline Cocktail at Kaiser Penguin

~ Pecan Bars from Annie’s Eats

~ Salted Caramels at Finding New Flavors

~ Homemade Maraschino Cherries from Cupcake Project

[image: flickr]

I have a bag of large shrimp in the freezer and had no idea what to make with it, until now. I wanted to make it for dinner tonight actually but all I could think about was stir-fry which I really didn’t feel like serving everyone. So I held off and decided to wait until I find something different to use shrimp with. This Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Shrimp Kabobs from Kraft Foods sounds pretty delicious to me.

Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Shrimp Kabobs

INGREDIENTS :
10 slices OSCAR MAYER Fully Cooked Bacon, cut in half
20 uncooked large shrimp (about 1 lb.), peeled, deveined
2 zucchini, trimmed, cut into 10 slices each
2 yellow peppers, cut into 10 pieces each
1 cup BULL’S-EYE Original Barbecue Sauce

HEAT grill to medium heat. Wrap 1 bacon piece around each shrimp. Thread 2 each shrimp, zucchini slices and pepper pieces alternately on 10 skewers.

GRILL 3 to 4 min on each side or until shrimp turn pink, turning and brushing occasionally with barbecue sauce.

I am looking forward to making this. I think it’ll be a great addition to meat kabobs during summer parties as well.

(Image/Source : Kraft Foods)

Our little dog Honey is quite a ham and definitely knows how to keep herself cool!

I kind of look forward to when we bring out the floor fans as the temperatures rise because Honey likes to situate herself in front of one to cool off. She’ll roll from one side to the other, sometimes going straight onto her back to make sure her tummy gets optimal cooling coverage.

Since she’s a rescue I’m not sure if this is something she’s always done or if it’s something she’s only figured out since she’s been with us, but I think it’s one of the cutest things ever and can’t help but harass her with tummy rubs when she’s got it bared for all.

Have your pets figured out ways to keep themselves cool during the summer months?

Kids are out of school here, sooner or later yours will be too. Are you prepared for the summer? Some of you may already have everything planned right down to the first day of school, or maybe your child is doing summer school or vacation bible school but this still doesn’t cover the whole summer. Some of you will still need to figure out what to do with them all day and how to keep the house clean with them being home. I have a solution.

IMG: Sxc.hu

Char, from Casual Keystrokes made a summer chore chart just for her kids one year that I think many will like. I like that she added her children’s pictures on this to help those that may want to argue, each child has their own chores they are expected to do.

The Charming Cards lady mentions the MomAgenda and how it has 50 tear out sheets and five spaces for chores. This would be great to write up and tape to bedroom doors or the tv set.

For me and my family we basically write out a chore list for the next day per child and hang them on the door. We give a list of chores (basically what they normally do) with one or two assignments to start off with.

Example: SoccerBoy has to do dishes and kitchen counters, then read 3 chapters of a book he picked out to read. Course I had to do a writing assignment as I don’t want them to slack off on either reading or writing and he must to a brief summary of what he read for that day. He does have the option of writing a blog entry as well, this however is more for fun because each child has a blog that they reactivate every summer and love trying to make money from google on it.

Pick chores you think your child will be able to do, here’s a list of age appropriate chores. Once all chores and assignments are done they are basically free to play or hang out with friends on the street. Keep in mind kids like to see that they will be rewarded for their hardwork so give them something they will enjoy in the end. In our case it is playing outside or video games, but only if the chores get done.

 Last year, at the b5 One Book Two Book blog, I developed Theme Weeks, concentrating on a different topic with related books, web resources, and activities each week of the summer after school was out.  I plan to do it again this year in my Parenting topics.

Image: sxc.hu

I shall announce the themes as soon as I get them planned, starting in mid-June, when school is out in my area (New Hampshire) and I’m not substitute teaching any longer.

 If you have interesting, enjoyable, and informative activities you do in those areas, I’d like to have you share them with me and our readers.

 If other Blisstree bloggers would like to join in, so much the merrier!

Looking for ways to entertain your kids this summer without breaking the bank? Bowling centers across the U.S. have pulled together for the first ever “Kids Bowl Free” program.It is designed to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.

All you have to do is go online to KidsBowlFree.com and select a bowling center near you – there are dozens listed by state and more are added daily. Just follow the instructions, and you will be e-mailed coupons for two free games per day all summer long. My location has restricted hours and shoe rental still costs ($1.25), but a great deal nonetheless!

Photo, Flickr, ginnerobot

Okay I’ve heard of kids getting those invitations for birthday parties and such at school. Normally mine go but one of us parents have normally stuck around until the end of the party. Course mom and dads, at least in the military basically hung out with the parents in the kitchen or living room until the mom/dad hosting the party let us know that it was time. Otherwise the kids were normally on their own or with certain parents doing games.

IMG: Sxc.hu

Life outside the military seems to be a bit different, last year when I hosted a party at the house only two parents attended and the rest just sent their kids over and never showed up. I hadn’t even met these parents so they didnt know me from Jack the Ripper if ya know what I mean. But with this school year now coming to an end I’ve been approached by Soccerboy, age 12, about a “School’s Out Party” he wants to attend.

I did request a party invite as I always have, I don’t care if it is written on paper I need to know the parent is doing a party and kids aren’t just going over unannounced. I got it and he asked, “Do you guys have to show up?”

How would this make you feel? Now I know he’s getting to “that age” when kids attend parties on their own but something struck me as wrong on this. I looked at the invite and it is right after school and over before 5 pm. I do plan on calling the number at least to find out if parents will be there but thought I’d ask ya’ll….at what age do kids attend parties without their parents? Second, what age do kids have parties without an adult present?