Do you make your own homemade ice cream? I finally buckled last summer and bought an electric ice cream maker and haven’t been down the ice cream aisle at the grocery store since!
I love making homemade ice cream not only because I know exactly what’s going into it, but because there are so many varieties and flavors you can play with, and so many fun little treats and additions to throw in. The kids also think it’s pretty neat that you can make it right in your own kitchen and get really excited when I bring the ice cream maker …read more

This is such a fantastic and basic idea that it falls into the category of “how did someone not think of this sooner?”

As most people know, dogs keep cool with a combination of sweat pads in their paws and panting, so keeping comfortably cool on a hot summer day can be a challenge if they’re not able to run through a sprinkler or jump into some water too.
If water play isn’t an option (it’s not for us) check out the Cool-It Bandannas from Kyjen. They’re made with nontoxic polymer crystals that absorb up to 30 times their weight and …read more

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. …read more

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 …read more

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. 
 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 …read more

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 …read more

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.
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 …read more

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 …read more

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.
Char, from Casual Keystrokes made a summer chore chart just for her kids one year …read more

 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.
 
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 …read more