If you are hosting a party, don’t lose sight of the purpose of the party.  To insure your focus is where it should be, give yourself plenty of time to accomplish all you want to accomplish by the day of the event.  This means making lists, lists and more lists.  Make sure your lists are detailed and set specific deadlines to insure you finish each task.  Also, check in with the person or people for which the celebration is being held.  A simple call or email will ensure you aren’t bogged down in the details; it will help you to know how excited the guest of honor is for the party, and many times this knowledge will serve as incentive to get to work!

If you are a guest, be gracious.  Thank the host.  Offer to help clean up.  If you know many of the guests, help with introductions for those less familiar with each other.  Don’t be a wallflower and have fun!

If you’re a guest or a host, keep in mind the reason for the gathering and make the most of it!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ishmaelo/225833750/

Aside from researching and learning interesting facts about the lefties of the world, what can you do to celebrate the uniqueness of being left-handed?  Some ideas include: using your left hand while in the kitchen.  For example, peel, stir, pour from measuring cups and open tins with your left hand.  Or, if you’re on holiday, strike up a round of left-handed volleyball or only left handed drinking at the bar.  If you’re in the garden, crafting or playing with your youngster you can do the same thing.  Utilize your left hand for jobs you’d usually task your right hand with.  Additionally, if you know a lefty you can purchase a gift specifically designed with their handedness in mind such as a pair of left handed scissors.

I hope you make it a fun day!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnellium/1320277184/

Month Long Observances Include:

American Artist Appreciation Month, Foot Health Month, Home Business Month, National Catfish Month, National Golf Month, National Investors Month and National Water Quality Month.

Other Notable Days in August Are:

• August 1:  National Mustard Day, held on the first Saturday in August and Respect for Parents’ Day
• August 3:  National Watermelon Day
• August 5:  National Waffle Day
• August 9: International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People
• August 11: Play in the Sand Day
• August 13:  International Left-Hander’s Day
• August 15:  National Relaxation Day
• August 19:  National Aviation Day and Potato Day
• August 21:  Ramadan Begins
• August 24:  National Peach Pie Day and Strange Music Day
• August 26:  National Dog Day
• August 28:  Dream Day, the day Martin Luther King Jr. gave the “I have a dream” speech in 1963.
• August 30:  National Toasted Marshmallow Day
• August 31:  National Trail Mix Day

Enjoy the month and all the fun days it has to offer!  Also, be sure to check back for detailed articles about some of August’s best celebrations!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesmou/3228344013/

8 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower

• Decide on the date and time of the shower. Also, decide how long the party will last - 2 hours is usually the perfect amount of time.
• Pick a theme.
• Collect names and address from the mom-to-be.
• Decide on the location for the celebration.
• Pick the menu including beverages.
• Start preparing the invitations

6 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower

• Finish the invitations and mail them.
• Make of list of supplies and serving utensils you need. Determine what you have what you need to purchase or borrow.

5 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower

• Decide on decorations.
• Make sure the mom-to-be is registered at one or two baby stores.
• Chose which shower games you will play.

4 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower

• Purchase the decorations.
• Finalize games and purchase corresponding prizes.
• Chose the party favors.
• If you are enlisting help with the menu, assign specific items to your helpers. If you are using a caterer, place your order.
• If you plan on having a cake call the bakery and place an order with them.

3 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower

• Make decorations you plan on making.
• Borrow decorations you plan on borrowing.
• Purchase any last minute decorations

2 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower

• Gather all your supplies. Decide if you need anything else.
• Print shower games if needed, make sure you have the prizes prepared, as well.
• If you are planning on purchasing another separate gift for the mother-to-be, purchase it and wrap it.
• Make sure the mom-to-be has a ride to the shower.

1 Week Prior to the Baby Shower

• Clean plates, utensils, bowls, glasses, etc.
• Prepare and food that can be prepared ahead of time, freeze it.
• Pick out your outfit, make sure it is laundered and pressed.
• Clean your home and the guest bathroom.

2 Days Prior to the Baby Shower

• Make a list of groceries you’ll need. Buy them.
• If you recruited others to make food, remind them to arrive early.
• Decide how you want to arrange the room, making note of the location for gifts, guest’s coats, etc.

1 Day Prior to the Baby Shower

• Make the food.
• Arrange the room.

The Big DAY

• Set out the food.
• Prepare the beverages.
• Pick up balloons if you ordered them.
• Put signs in the yard or on the street to guide guests to the shower.

Have fun!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clevercupcakes/3206068355/

Is Your Tongue a Muscle?

You may have heard your tongue is a muscle. This is only partly accurate.  Your tongue is made of several groups of muscles.  The muscles in the front are flexible and are responsible for moving food around while you eat, pushing it to the back of your mouth so your teeth can grind it.  The front muscles of the tongue also help form words.

The back muscles of the tongue are responsible for making sounds like the “k” sound or the hard “g” sound (like in the word girl).  Try saying kangaroo slowly.  Do you notice the back of your tongue working?  The back of your tongue also works in digestion, pushing chewed up food and saliva back and into your esophagus.

Tantalizing Taste-buds

The top of your tongue is rough and bumpy, unlike the underside which is smooth. These bumps are called papillae.  Papillae help grip food and move it around your mouth, and they also contain your taste-buds.  People are born with about 10,000 taste-buds, but as you age, your taste-buds die.  An elderly person may only have 5,000 taste-buds. Consequently, many foods will taste stronger to children than they do to adults. Taste-buds detect sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes.

One Hard Worker

With talking, swallowing, chewing, and tasting, does your tongue ever get a rest?  The answer is no.  Even in your sleep your tongue is pushing saliva back into your throat to be swallowed.  Though from time to time we’ve all been know to drool!  Keep your tongue in top shape by brushing it when you brush your teeth and be careful not to eat food that is too hot - no one likes a burned tongue.  Most importantly, remember to stick your tongue out on July 18th!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeshlabotnik/2671855702/

How Many Berries Can You Name?

Blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries,  and strawberries grow in the US.  Blackberries are in season from the first part of July through October.  They can be cultivated and they grow in the wild.  It is said, wild blackberries attract bears.

Blueberries are  related to cranberries.  They are native to the US and they are the original snack food.  Native Americans used to smoke and dry blueberries and eat them in the winter months.  Blueberries pack 80 per cup and fresh blueberries can be stored in the refrigerator for 10-14 days.

Cranberries grow in bogs on long slender branches of North American shrub.  Peak picking months for cranberries are September through January.

Raspberries are native to Europe.  While usually red, raspberries can be purple or even white.  When picking raspberries, chose berries that slip off the plant with little resistance as this indicates a ripe berry.  Raspberries keep long when dry.  They were eaten in Italy over 2000 years ago!

To increase the shelf life of strawberries, keep the stem on the berry.  Strawberries with the stem removed tend to lose their firmness more quickly than those with the stem.  To store strawberries place them, unwashed, in a container with a damp cloth on top, then flip the container over.  Only wash the berries in cold water when  you are ready to use them.

Recipes:

Strawberry Shortcake

Blackberry Pie

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Enjoy National Berry Month!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mukluk/64080481/

Food Safety

• Picnics and barbeques top the list of summer activities, but it is important to take special precautions when preparing and serving food during warm weather.
• Wash your hands before and after preparing food, especially if you come in contact with raw meat, poultry and eggs.
• Thoroughly wash fruits and veggies before serving them.
• Cook food thoroughly.  Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of meats since color is not a good indicator that the meat is cooked.
• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.  Hot food should be kept at 140F or above and cold food should be kept at 40F or below.
• Stay hydrated!  Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink, instead make an effort to drink six to eight glasses of cold fluids throughout the day.

Swimming Safety

If you plan on swimming during the holiday be sure to enter the water, whether at the beach or the pool, with a buddy, unless a lifeguard is on duty.  Sadly, most drowning deaths occur within a few feet of safety.

At the beach be sure to:

• Look for water that is relatively clear and free from odor and debris.
• Swim in moving water.  Still or stagnate water provides an excellent breeding ground for bacteria.
• Not to swim in the ocean after a heavy rain as runoff water may harbor increased amounts of bacteria.
• Exercise caution when diving or jumping in the water as beach water is not as clear as pool water and may hide dangers lurking below.

At the swimming pool, take the following precautions:

• If no life guard is on duty be sure to have a responsible adult in the pool at all times while children are swimming.  This adult should also be versed in lifesaving techniques such as first aid and CPR.
• Check the pool area for lifesaving devices such as a shepherd’s hook or floating ring.
• Reduce the risk of ear, nose, throat or eye infections by swimming in pools in which good water quality is maintained.  Be sure the water is clear, doesn’t smell foul or too strongly of chlorine or ammonia, and is continually circulated.

Vector Borne Illnesses

To protect your family be sure to use a good bug repellent and follow these tips to stay safe:

• Stay inside when mosquitoes are most active.
• If you are in areas where ticks are suspected be sure to do a visual check for ticks before heading indoors.
• Keep your home in good repair.  Make sure window and door screens fit well and keep your grass mowed to avoid coming into contact with mosquitoes or ticks.

Stay safe and have fun on this 4^th of July holiday and throughout the summer.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gracewong/183286968/

Independence Day is a national holiday; so all non-essential government workers and institutions have the day off.   The day is usually marked by patriotic displays that take place outdoors such as family picnics or barbeques.   Many people enjoy dressing up in red, white, or blue while they enjoy the festivities.  Parades are often in the morning while, many attend fireworks displays that occur at such places as parks, fairgrounds, or town squares in the evening.

Independence Day fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs including “The Star-Spangled Banner” which is the USA’s national anthem, “God Bless America”, “My Country Tis of Thee”, “God Bless America”, and “America the Beautiful”.  In my hometown aerial firework displays were often accompanied by ground shows.  Major firework displays are held in New York on the East River, in Chicago on Lake Michigan, in San Diego over Mission Bay, in Boston on the Charles River, in St. Louis on the Mississippi River, and on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The 4^th of July offers something for everyone.  Whether you love food (which will be discussed next week) or the entertainment of parades and fireworks you are sure to find something you’ll enjoy.  Happy Independence Day!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/waisian/3659617324/

“Breakfast in bed?” you’re thinking.  “For dad, isn’t that for mom?”  Well, yes and no.  While breakfast in bed is usually thought of as a gesture reserved for Mother’s Day, what dad wouldn’t appreciate the indulgence of eating a big, fancy breakfast in bed.  By merely giving dad permission to eat in bed you are granting him permission to act on one of his desires, and it makes him feel special.

Steak.  Most men-should I say all men-like steak.  There’s something about a warm, juicy hunk of meat that can make dad melt, so why not fire up the barbecue?  If you make dad a steak dinner be sure to buy his favorite cut of meat and don’t forget the potatoes.  Steak and potatoes are a match made in heaven for dad.  Don’t worry about cholesterol-instead, delight dad with a gourmet meal.

Another option sure to impress dad that combines the satisfaction of breakfast in bed with the ecstasy of steak: steak and eggs in bed.  Try this recipe for scrumptious steak and eggs and serve it in bed.  Dad will be so grateful, he won’t know what to do with himself!

In any case, preparing a special meal for dad is sure to bring more joy than giving him another golf ball print tie that both of you will forget about by the end of the day.  Let dad indulge in his favorites and make it a day to remember.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/foodista/3469261003/

• Consumers will spend the most ($1.9 billion) on special outings such as a sporting event or a nice diner.
• NRF expects $1.3 billion will be spent on clothing, making it the second most popular gift for dad this Father’s Day.
• The next highest spending will be fore gift cards ($1.2 billion), electronics ($1.0 billion), CD’s or books ($548 million) home improvement items ($522 million) and sporting goods ($502 million).

Wow!  That’s a lot of money!  Keep in mind this Father’s Day that Father’s Day is not just about gifts it’s about honoring your dad.  While a lot of money will be spent on dads, don’t forget the importance of homemade gifts and lots of love.  It might be fun to start a holiday tradition that makes the whole family happy.  Or, perhaps you can find a happy medium between buying the perfect gift and making it, but remember dads are great parents and one of the best ways to show you care is to love your dad, every day!

Aspen Streetman

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/2127310513/