About Home: Birthday Bashes, BBQs and More

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Home From Diane Schmidt, your About Home Editor Who doesn't like a birthday party? Cake, ice cream and funny hats. This week, both Canada and the US celebrate another year of getting older so it's a perfect time to dust off the barbecue (if you haven't used it yet), buy some balloons and streamers and gather together friends and family for a birthday bash where you can have fun without having to worry about the number of candles on the birthday cake. A Classic July 4th BBQ Ah, summer. Potato salad, corn on the cob, lemonade and an old fashioned barbecue. Need I say more? Find recipes and more right here Search Related Topics:  july 4th parties  independence day parties  4th of july Quick & Easy Patriotic Party Decorations With many of us watching our budgets this summer, staying home for the holiday is a good option. But just because our backyard doesn't seem as exciting as a trip elsewhere doesn't mean that we can't spice up our outdoor spaces with some cool and inventive decorations that will add to the festivities. Search Related Topics:  patriotic outdoor decorations  4th of july recipes  4th of july crafts Outdoor Citronella Bucket Candles These candles are the perfect addition to any outdoor gathering. Not only are they fun to make, but they'll also help keep nasty pests from crashing your party. Search Related Topics:  candle making supplies  candle making safety  natural mosquito control Dogs and Fireworks Phobia I really do like birthday celebrations (as long as it's not my own), but I'm probably one of the only people I know who really dislikes fireworks. Dogs, on the other hand, usually agree with me, especially if they are sensitive to loud noises. Find out how to keep your pooch safe during this year's celebrations. Search Related Topics:  noise phobias in dogs  dog anxiety  dog behavior Related Searches Idea Birthday Party Birthday Supplies Kid Birthday Parties Boys Birthday Cakes Birthday Decorations Featured Articles Organic Weed Control How to Deal With Your Mail When You Go Away Prevention Tips for Top Bed Bug Cites DEET vs. Natural Insect Repellents Best New Floor For Selling Your Home Herbs For A Drought Garden   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Advertisement

About Home: Keep the Kids Entertained this Summer

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Home From Diane Schmidt, your About Home Editor With only a little time left until the end of the school year, it's time to think about last minute summer plans to keep everyone happy, healthy and safe. From tips on how to save money on your family vacation to designing your child's very own garden, this week's newsletter aims to kick-start your summer with some helpful resources. Frugal Summer Travel Traveling these days isn't for the budget-conscious consumer. With high gas prices, affordable family vacations are almost a thing of the past. Almost. Find out how you to plan a family fun holiday while staying within your household budget. Search Related Topics:  budget travel  hotel savings  Creative Vegetable Gardening with Kids It can sometimes be a chore to get kids to eat those great summer vegetables, like peas and corn and fresh green beans. But what if you help them grow their own garden? Your Guide to Gardening outlines how to get your kids to love digging in the dirt. So, go on, get growing! Search Related Topics:  gardening with kids  vegetable gardening  Riding Lessons for Your Child I remember my first riding lesson given by my friend's mother on a horse named Bridie. It was thrilling and I was hooked. Not only did I learn to ride that summer but I also developed a sense of responsibility in caring for another living being. To get started, check out this article on everything you need to know about riding lessons and more. Search Related Topics:  kids and horses  riding lessons  coaches 10 Cleaning Skills Your Kids Should Learn Just because we equate summer with f-u-n, there's no reason why moms and dads have to fret about the mess kids can leave behind. Don't spend those great summer days elbow-deep in housecleaning. Instead, start teaching your child how to clean and pick up after themselves with this informative guide to some of the more essential skills. Search Related Topics:  chore charts  cleaning with kids  basic cleaning Related Searches For Kids Kids Garden Ideas Kids Summer Vacation Garden Summer Houses Grow House Plants Featured Articles Quick Knitting Patterns Common Electrical Mistakes by Homeowners Get the Most from an Online Appraisal How to Organize a Garage in 5 Steps 7 Easy-to-Grow Plants Moving Tips for Families   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Advertisement

About Home: Get Your Deck Ready for Summer (& Father's Day!)

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Home From Diane Schmidt, your About Home Editor I've been spending a lot of time outside on our deck. While I try to ignore the obvious - it needs cleaning, staining, and some boards replaced - with Father's Day this weekend and the weather holding out for heat and sun, I think I better roll up my sleeves and get our outdoor space ready for the Sunday celebrations. To help, I turned to the About Home Guides for their wisdom on all things deck-related, plus suggestions for last minute Father's Day gifts. How to Build Floating Decks This is a very cool DIY project. With a complete material list and detailed instructions, this step-by-step guide takes you all the way from laying the concrete blocks to placing that final board with insider comments and suggestions to keep your project on track. Search Related Topics:  decks  deck design  deck construction How to Clean and Seal Your Deck For those of you whose decks are grey and weathered and need some TLC (like mine does), this is the best advice around for how to clean and reseal it without too much frustration. Search Related Topics:  stiffen bouncy deck  outdoor renovations  installing a fence How to Stain a Wood Deck I used this guide last year on a deck we built at our old place. Of course, I had to learn the hard way that staining a deck isn't as easy as dipping in a brush or roller and going to work. Now I recommend this article to everyone I meet in the stain aisle at the local home store. Search Related Topics:  wood deck staining  deck refinishing  oil based stain Father's Day Gift Ideas for Outdoor-Livin' and -Lovin' Guys While this article isn't quite deck-repair-building related, it is about those outdoor loving guys who are more comfortable at the grill than in front of a stove. So for all those dads who can't wait to get outside, we have the perfect gift ideas for Father's Day. Search Related Topics:  pool and patio gift ideas  pool fountains  floats and lights Related Searches Deck Designs Ideas Building Cedar Deck Pool Deck Concrete Deck House Patio Wood Deck Contractor Featured Articles What is FSC-Certified Wood? Top 5 Bird Health Problems 5 Ways To Cut Your Bathroom Renovation Costs How to Remove Carpet Stains How To Replace Your Car's Lights Feng Shui for Children's Rooms   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Advertisement

About Home: Father's Day Gifts for Every Budget

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Home From Diane Schmidt, your About Home Editor I once asked my dad which Father's Day gift he remembers the most. Without hesitation 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 that it really is the thought that counts. Give Him a Gift He'll Love I always find fathers the most difficult to shop for. Maybe it's because my dad would rather visit the dentist than step inside a shopping mall. It makes it difficult to know what might be the perfect gift that expresses everything you've been wanting to say. Search Related Topics:  appliances  knives  chef's tools Woodworking Gifts for Any Budget This old adage of the thought counting more than the money spent is so true, particularly these days when it's difficult to know just what the next year will bring and how financially secure we will be. This great article offers gifts for every budget - big or small. Search Related Topics:  cordless drills  miter saws  woodworking tool reviews Top 8 Frugal Father's Day Gift Ideas If you're not quite into making your own gift yet are still concerned about the cost, these suggestions for giving from your heart without breaking your budget is the place to find the perfect way to express your love and thanks. Search Related Topics:  father's day gift ideas  frugal gift ideas  homemade gifts Great Gifts to Sew For Dad Whether or not you consider yourself a sewer, these patterns and suggestions for making dad something special can be tackled by beginners and pros alike. My favorite? The BBQ apron for all those summer feasts. Search Related Topics:  free sewing patterns and projects  gifts to sew  Related Searches Father 'S Day Gifts Mens Birthday Gifts Gift Ideas Gifts Special Gifts Great Gifts Featured Articles How Color Affects Kids 11 Wildlife Dangers to Cats Teen Bedroom Ideas for Small Budgets How to Grow Heliotrope Indoors Best 60W Replacement Bulb How To Install A Dishwasher   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2012 About.com   Advertisement