Get ready for 60 days of nonstop summer fun! Today, start prepping for the Fourth of July with our easy ideas for handmade decorations. Then, find the perfect side dish for your family feast.
Breezy afternoons are ideal for lunching outdoors, but it's hard to keep napkins and tablecloths under control. Our solutions? An easy windproof napkin holder and a weighted tablecloth.
What's more rewarding than a delicious bite of fresh fruit jam? The satisfaction of knowing it came out of your own kitchen! Take advantage of the season's berries now.
They don't call them "dog days" for nothing: Summer is a great time to enjoy your pet, whether it means more outdoor time, travel, or just keeping cool at home. Here are a few tips to make sure your pet enjoys the season as much as you do.
The season's blazing sun, mountain trails, and tempting waters offer adventures galore. Maximize your fun -- and minimize your health risks -- with our best natural solutions for summertime ailments.
Prevent condensation from forming an unappealing icy crust on ice cream by pressing waxed paper against its surface before you close the container. Follow this process each time, and every scoop will taste as fresh as the first.
For many young people, selling lemonade from a stand is a summer rite of passage -- a chance to earn some pocket money, spend time outside, and perhaps learn a lesson about entrepreneurship.
Take a trip to your local farmers' market to find fresh vegetables, all ripe and ready to eat. By choosing in-season produce, you'll get the freshest ingredients at the best prices. Take a tour and find recipes featuring these seasonal superstars.
Frozen berries make healthy and easy summer snacks and can be used in your favorite recipes. To freeze, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, and then arrange fruit, such as sliced peaches, blueberries, or grapes, in a single layer on top. Freeze, then transfer to small freezer bags.
During your summer travels, photograph things that could provide ideas for future decorating projects. You may find inspiration in an interesting piece of furniture you see in a hotel lobby, or a color you discover in a seashell or other natural object.
One of the secrets to perfectly grilled hamburgers is making each patty symmetrical. Using a measuring cup, shape meat into 1-inch-thick rounds. Tap back of cup to remove; then indent patties with your hand to prevent doming (which causes condiments to slip).
Seashells, sea-glass crafts, beach chairs, seaside accessories, and more! We've gathered our best beach ideas for summer, whether you're lounging by the shore or just inspired by its beauty.
Take advantage of warm, breezy days by drying clothes the old-fashioned way. Line drying is remarkably effective and energy-efficient -- and that clean, fresh smell is worth the extra effort.
Take advantage of a sunny day to picnic in the park. Fill a lidded container with all of the nonperishable essentials for lunch under your favorite tree. Include enamel dishware, a corkscrew, salt and pepper shakers, napkins, and a blanket to sit on.
Is your idea of summer fun a backyard cookout or a day spent tending your vegetable garden? Snap a photo of a favorite summer activity or vacation spot, and see what other members are enjoying during this carefree season.
Nothing accompanies warm weather better than corn. Leave it on the cob and grill it for the perfect picnic side dish, or use the kernels to add sweet crunch to soups, salads, pastas, and even muffins.
Are your peaches not quite ripe? Place them in a paper bag with an apple. Keep them at room temperature until they're ready, and check them frequently.
Take advantage of berry season with a colorful, flavorful spread: fresh fruit butter, delicious on bread, scones, and bagels. We used raspberries, but any kind would be tasty.
If you plan to spend a night in a tent under the stars, pack the essentials for a hearty homemade breakfast. Mix and bag the dry ingredients for pancakes or skillet scones. Buy perishables, such as milk and eggs, at a store near your campsite.
Crisp white sheets look even more inviting edged with prints made from a few flawlessly shaped scallop shells -- beachcombing for the perfect candidates is half the fun of this project.
Salads make for a light summer supper that takes advantage of seasonal produce. If you don't have a salad spinner, roll rinsed greens in a clean towel, hold both ends in one hand, and rapidly spin it outdoors.
Clean out closets, the garage, and the basement, and sort and price items you no longer need. Choose a weekend day for the sale, and check local ordinances before posting signs (you might need a permit). Get your neighbors involved, too: A block-wide sale can be fun and will attract lots of customers. You can donate some or all of the proceeds to a worthy local charity.
You've double-checked your reservations, packed perfectly, and arranged for pet care and mail pickup. Already exhausted? Practice these simple tips to ensure you arrive relaxed and ready to enjoy your vacation.
Don't let a stiff breeze chase you off the beach. Bring along a windscreen to protect yourself from gusts and blowing sand, as well as to enjoy a little surf-side privacy and shade.
Stock your beach bag or trunk with the tools you'll need to spend the day creating a seaside abode fit for royalty, then head home and finish the day with a sand-castle cake.
Gather your closest friends or family for an end-of-summer road trip! Remember: To help your car run more smoothly and get better gas mileage, take it for a tune-up before you leave.
Throw an Outdoor Movie Party and Test Your Pop Culture I.Q.!
An outdoor movie party is just the ticket for a good time with family and friends. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need lots of space or special equipment.
Don't let your iced coffee get watered down. Make the ice cubes from coffee, and they won't dilute your drink as they melt. Freeze hot coffee (or tea, if you prefer) in an ice-cube tray, then use the cubes to cool your brew.
Here's a sweet idea: Use leftover candy for a make-it-yourself ice cream sundae party. Simply chop the treats into bits, and set them out in small bowls so everyone can choose a favorite topping. Our assortment includes candy sticks, toffee bars, and chocolate-covered almonds, but any candies or nuts will work well.
Create lasting memories of your trip by creating stylish wall art using paraphernalia collected from summer events you attended or places you traveled.
Nothing pulls a party together like a motif and vibrant palette. Set the tone with our claw-shaped invitations. Then use lobster-red and sail-white hues on place cards and festive flat streamers. Striped dish towels serve as napkins -- the generous size is just right for a lobster feast.
Add some fun to your next gathering with this perfect summertime addition. And don't forget to add a crunchy Claussen pickle to any summer meal for another perfect, fresh-tasting addition.