Summer Learning by Osmosis
by Beth Bruno
 Many educators say, "Students leave us every spring as
efficient, effective learners, but after two months of vacation their minds have turned to
mush! We have to spend many weeks every fall reviewing and re-teaching them what they have
forgotten over the summer." Whether your child is in a traditional school or you are
a homeschooler, essential skills can be lost over the summer, unless you take an active,
yet subtle, role in your kids continuing education over the summer.Spring
& Summer Poems
  Get
your fifteen minutes of fame
Do you have a poet's heart?
Send us a poem or story which we will send to our writers group and we will have a little
"contest" to see who the greatest Spring & Summer poet as determined by the
folks on the writers group.
Stone Painting
This week's Craft of the Week is again brought
to us by the authors of 365 Days of Creative Play. Stone painting is an easy and fun
way to decorate stones and create beautiful paper weights.
Tanya's Homemade BBQ sauce
  This is a recipe for homemade barbecue sauce offered up by a member
of our momscooking discussion group. Tanya says, "This is a wonderful recipe that I
created for my father a few years ago. He loves a good B.B.Q But does not like any of the
store brands of sauce. I make him this recipe every spring and he enjoys it to the very
last drop."
Garden Glove Doll
 This
is a great dollmaking craft from one of our
craftzone members, Joan Mayo from Casa Grande, Arizona who gave us this great fabric craft idea on how to recycle
those used gloves to make a treasured keepsake.
She says, "I have been living in Casa Grande Arizona for 6 yrs. I am disabled and
love to do crafts. My grandaughter Desirae is doing crafts and always wants me to send her
something, so a friend found the garden glove doll and told me about it. When I went to
visit the grandkids we made them. We made clowns, Firemen, train conductors, flower people
and many more. Hope everyone enjoys the dolls."
Sit-A-Pon
 a gift for the gardening mom
The Sit-A-Pon is created by using very simple household materials; old plastic
tablecloth, magazines, and yarn. I first made a Sit-A-Pon when I was a Girl Scout. I
still remember that pink and white soft square that protected my knees while gardening as
a small girl. The Sit-A-Pon can be personalized just for your mom. You can use water
proof magic markers to write her name and her favorite colored yarn to sew the edging.
Sunflower Seed Necklace
This week's Craft of the Week is sunflower
seed necklaces. I love sunflowers and grow them every summer. They are easy to grow and
require very little care- just plenty of sun ! They are a wonderful introduction to
gardening for any preschooler. After the flowers have bloomed, your youngest can still
have a wonderful remembrance of her sunflowers with this necklace. It is a terrific way to
use the seeds from sunflowers and inspire the gardener in every child.
Travel Fun
Need something for the kids to do while in the car this
summer? Well, here are 2 ideas that are sure to be crowd pleasers. This should help cut
down on hearing that time- honored phrase, "Are we there yet ?"
Fabric Fans
They are decorative and make terrific gifts.
When you use scrapes of fabric reminiscent of your childhood (or your children's), the
fans become keepsakes, reviving memories year after year. Stay cool with this fun and easy
project!
American Flag
  This week's
Craft of the Week features a special activity for the Fourth of July. This
American Flag can be made by anyone in your family, even the two year old!
This simple yet beautiful symbol of the United States can be proudly displayed on your
front lawn or as a festive table decoration. As you make the flag you can tell
your child the story of how the flag came to be, why there are 13 stripes, and why there
are 50 stars.
Summer Reading Ideas
Try to get
kids to read this summer.
Take a look at "Luring the
Noninterested Reader" from the book, "The Magic Bookshelf." We
also have some suggestions from you from our members on the support group. If you have
question, you are welcome to join and be part of this growing resource. Also remember that
reading and writing go hand in hand. See our creative
writing group, too!!
Choco-Nut Frozen Banana
 Here's a dessert that the kids
will love and is simple to prepare. It combines the great taste of chocolate, peanuts
and bananas. Best of all, it's easy to
make and great fun for the kids to get involved.
Eclair Cake
Eclair is a fun and simple way to whip up a yummy
dessert to cool off on those warm summer evenings. Perfect for potluck suppers,
church get-togethers, and picnics.
Mini Flower Wreaths
I have to tell you that this was the first time that I made a
wreath. I've done about every craft project, but somehow this one got away from me! It
took me only 1 hour and I found all the materials in my local craft shop. It looks great
when it is done!
End-of-the-Year & Graduation Parties
  The end of the school year and marking milestones are great times to have
parties. Here are some ideas from our craftzone members for end of year parties that are
good for the end of the year and just about any time of year.
Paula's Rhubarb Bars
  This
recipe comes from a member of our momscooking community, Paula Winemiller, who donated
this recipe as part of our cookie collection.
She says, "I got this recipe from my mother-in-law long time ago.We use it alot in
the summer because of the fresh rhubarb we have
growing.I use it in the winter sometimes if I have some rhubarb in the freezer."
Bosco's
Coloring Pages:
"Puppy Summer" & "Birdhouse"
  Take a look at our latest coloring pages which
feature a coloring page with a cute puppy playing ball
at the beach and a lovely
birdhouse that you can print out and color. Better yet, print it twice and
color your copy along with your child. It's a great way to spend a little quality time.
Don't forget to check out our collection
of birdhouses which you can make as well as our breed profiles,
pet recipes
and pet author interviews.
World's Greatest Dad Tee Shirt
  Here's a
handmade gift that dad is sure to love. He can wear it all year long and be reminded of
how much he is loved! It is a great gift for Christmas,
Father's Day, or when you just want to make
that special keepsake treasure that you know
dad will use.
Planning Your Backyard Garden
I
always get excited this time of year. I think about all the vegetable plants that I
want in my garden, I run out to the stores, spend a fortune, get home and then look around
and shrug, "Now what?" In my enthusiasm I forget to look at my yard first.
I forget to make a plan, a simple one, but still some kind of plan about where AM I
going to put all those veggies. Here are a few tips that I have found very helpful in
choosing the right spots of your garden.
Homemade Shell Candles
 This is a terrific project for all those shells you have been
collecting this summer. Try to use large and deep shells to make the candles- they will
work best to hold the paraffin most effectively.These candles are excellent to accessorize
your house and make fun gifts.
Melted Crayon Jars
These jars are both pretty and useful
containers for such things as flowers, pencils, and odds and ends. They are fun and easy
to make and each one is different. Remember to keep your finished jars out of direct
sunlight or the crayons will melt again.
Homemade Marshmallows
Ever wonder where marshmallows come from? Well, here is a fun and
tasty way to find out. These are great for the holidays packaged in colorful cellophane or
just for dessert. Food coloring can be added for rainbow marshmallows! Have the kids help-
they are sure to get a kick out of it!
Sue's Taffy
 I remember going to the beach as a kid and eagerly waiting the trip
to the candy store. The best part of the trip was the taffy. With this recipe
you don't have to go to the shore for a taste of this sticky, gooey, delicious candy.
5 Easy Bathing Suit Shopping
Tips
by Joanne Spataro
editor of FreshAir TeenZine
 Summer screams warm days filled with plenty of hot dog eating and
swimming. Homework and school is a distant memory until the fall. But, there’s one
little trip you probably dread to make, especially dread to try on. I think you know what
I’m talking about: it’s bathing suit shopping. Find out more about the best way
to find that special suit and more.
Shell Flowerpot & Mirror Frame
Here are 2 craft ideas that will let you show off your
shells in a practical and fun way! You can use various types of shells or choose the same
type of shell for your creations.
Sue's Fabulous Potato Salad
 I have been making this salad for years; and I have to say, everyone
loves it! It is easy to prepare and can be made in the morning and served for
dinner. This recipe will easily serve four hungry people!
Summer
Recipes
Ratatouille
 Ratatouille is a Mediterranean dish with a French name, most often
associated with Provence, but with definite an Italian influence. A stew of tomatoes,
eggplant, and squash, with endless variations, this dish gets its distinctive flavor from
the slow cooking. Serve as a vegetable or a sauce for pasta. |
FREE recipes, desserts, crafts & health ideas
Craft-of-the-Week
| Recipe-of-the-Week | Dessert-of-the-Week | FREE coloring Pages
