About House & Home: Birthday Bashes, Flags & Fireworks

If you can't see this email, click here

House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor July is the month for celebrating birthdays. First, the Canadians in the crowd will be taking time off on Friday to partake in all things Canadian, like fireworks on Parliament Hill, while those south of the 49th will wave the red, white and blue and celebrate Independence Day on July 4th with star-spangled wonder and grandeur. The Patriotic Party Guide Patriotism means something different for everyone. I'm not so much a flag-waver as I am a birthday-party celebrator, and with that, comes all the decorations, food and fun I can cram into one day. Of course, it helps to have a comprehensive guide to help me plan and prepare for the big birthday bash. See More About:  4th of july  patriotic decorations  summer party ideas Fireworks and Thunder While most of us are partaking in the festivities, which often includes bright lights and loud noises, our four-legged friends are cowering under the bed, or worse, running frantically through the neighborhood looking for a place to hide. Before the celebrations, find out how to keep pets safe. See More About:  fireworks and thunder  fear of loud noises  summer safety tips Blast Away 4th of July Stains In our household, what follows the fun and festivities is usually a food-caked shirt or a pair of grass-stained jeans that I dread having to deal with the following morning. But thanks to this guide to removing post party stains, I can enjoy the day without worry. See More About:  stain removal  fabric care  American Flag Placemat This is a very cool project, one that I've passed on to my crafty club, who plan on creating enough patriotic placemats for an upcoming neighborhood barbecue. And the instructions are so clear and easy to follow that even a beginner knitters can join in on the fun. See More About:  intarsia  knitting with color  easy knitting patterns House & Home Ads Kids Birthday Party Fireworks July 4 Fireworks Best Fireworks Shows Macys Fireworks NYC Featured Articles 10 Ways to Stay Cool Without AC How to Create a Happy Home Stop Junk Mail in 4 Steps 15 Minute Clean-ups Houses of the Future How to Price Plumbers   More from About.com Living with Depression From the little things (managing household chores), to the more challenging (learning to forgive) these eight tips can help you manage depression. More> Symptoms of Depression Concerned that you or someone you love may be depressed? Learn more about the symptoms of this condition, including some you might not expect. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Host a Summer Party on a Budget

If you can't see this email, click here

House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Summer is here and with it comes the laid-back easiness that can only happen when temperatures soar. All we want to do is settle into a lawn chair or hammock with a good book and a cool drink. So, before the lazy, hazy days begin, check out these great ideas to get your summer started right - host a seasonal party and get your outdoor space ready for some summer fun. 8 Ways to Host a Summer Party on a Budget Summer's the perfect time to host a party. And better still? You can invite the entire neighborhood and do it all without breaking the bank. It's that easy. See More About:  summer parties  summer entertaining  money saving parties Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space One of the best things about summer is the fact that we can spend so much more time outdoors. So why not increase your living area by creating a beautiful, yet functional, outdoor space. See More About:  outdoor decorating  outdoor furniture  outdoor rooms Cool Summer-Kissed Cocktails Warm evenings and cool cocktails come together for the perfect summer celebration. Just follow this recipe, then add some friends, stir and enjoy. See More About:  herbal recipes  culinary herbs  herbal medicine Natural Mosquito Control Here are some great ways to add a little romance and a whole lot of bug-control without jeopardizing your perfectly planned party. Who knew that mosquito repellent could look and smell so good? See More About:  essential oil blending  essential oil safety  essential oil and pets House & Home Ads Outdoor Furniture Budget Party Ideas Party Food Party Appetizers Featured Articles Veggies to Plant in June Shopping Guide to IKEA Recharge Your Car's Air Conditioner Take the Horse Age Quiz Soak in Some Summer Knitting Beach Style Decorating   More from About.com Managing Chronic Fatigue These 10 important lifestyle changes can help you better manage fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. More> When to Go on Safari Plan your safari around the seasons to ensure viewing conditions are good and the animals plentiful. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Gift Ideas to Celebrate Dads

If you can't see this email, click here

House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor I once asked my dad which Father's Day gift he remembers the most. He told me it was a tie I'd made out of paper and an elastic. He said it was because of what I'd written on it, how he could see the determination in my thick crayon strokes - the use of the bright colors that I knew were his favorite. For years I wondered why he kept it hanging from a corner of the dresser mirror. But now I know it really is the thought (and heart) that counts. Homemade Father's Day Gifts No matter what your budget, nothing expresses your love more than a gift made with your own two hands. See More About:  gifts to make  father's day  Top 5 Lawn Mowers for Dads Dads and lawn-mowing go together like peanut butter and jelly. So why not give him a gift that will make his job that much easier? See More About:  lawn mower reviews  lawn mower selection  Give Him a Gift He'll Actually Use It's a fact: Dad's are difficult to buy for. And because they are, we tend to give them the same old stuff year after year after year. So shake up your gift-giving habits with this extensive list of things your dad will love (and actually use, too). See More About:  gift ideas  holidays  knives Gifts Under $50 for Woodworking Dads Woodworking dads come in all shapes and sizes with varying abilities when it comes to making things. So even if your dad's not a master in the wood shop, he'll still appreciate one of these great gift ideas, all for under $50. See More About:  woodworking safety  finishing  jigsaws House & Home Ads Fathers Day Gifts Gift Ideas Gifts for Men Birthday Gifts Him Gift Featured Articles 5 Best Computers for the Home Office Get More Blooms From Your Roses Before You Buy a Bird How To Install Ceiling Fans Which Herbs Attract Butterflies? Unclog a Tub Drain   More from About.com Best Places to Live in America One of the nicest aspects of living in the U.S. is the ability to choose from a huge variety of climates and lifestyles. More> Birth Control Myths & Facts How much do you know about birth control types, sex myths and pregnancy? Can you identify the myths verses the facts? More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Behold: The Succulent

If you can't see this email, click here

House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Low maintenance yet stunning, succulents have become trendy for good reason. They also make terrific container plants, as you can see in the lovely photos that follow. Succulents Image Gallery Succulent plants are a favorite container garden plant. They are low-maintenance and beautiful and they come in stunning colors and shapes. Take a look. All About Succulents Succulents seem custom-made for indoor gardeners. These hardy plants can thrive for long periods in poor conditions. But given proper care, succulents are some of the most beautiful plants in the world. See More About:  succulents  foliage plants  Succulent Garden Design Ideas If you live in an arid or warm-weather climate, chances are good that you can use your swimming pool, spa, patio or deck nearly year 'round. Along with the advantages of enjoying your outdoor living space all year comes the additional challenge of selecting the right plants for landscaping. You don't want to be swapping-out plants every few months. See More About:  succulents  water-wise landscape design  drought-tolerant Cacti and Succulents in Photos Cacti and succulents range in size from tiny plants best appreciated in terrariums to monsters like the saguaro. I use the terminology "cacti and succulents" here merely out of deference to popular convention. All cacti are, in fact, considered to be succulents (but not all succulents are cacti). View my pictures of cacti and succulents for some examples. See More About:  xeriscape  drought tolerant plants  House & Home Ads Landscaping Ideas Backyard Landscaping Pool Landscaping Garden Landscaping Landscaping Designs Featured Articles Does Composing Really Matter? How to Raise Backyard Chickens Is Manure Safe in the Garden? How to Test Your Pool Water All About Veronica Plants 5 Great Lawnmowers   More from About.com Summertime in New England Whether you're into biking or ziplining, dining in style or discovering works of art, you'll find it in New England. More> London for Free Who says a visit to London has to break the bank? Discover more than 100 free things to do, see and discover. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement