Want a friend on the inside? Add us on Facebook to always stay in touch. With most of our favorite TV shows on hiatus until Fall, you'll have plenty of downtime to crack open those books you've been putting off all winter long. If you spent the long weekend checking off your reading list, and are l

Take your party outside and wow your guests with these helpful pointers for your next get-together.

1. Quick spritzer: Instead of the expected cranberry, surprise your guests with pear: Fill a glass halfway with pear nectar (we like Kern's) and top it with your favorite prosecco.


> Related: 8 cool summer quenchers

2. Easy eats: Make your own toasted herbed almonds: Combine 2 cups raw almonds, 2 tbsp. sea salt, 1 tbsp. finely minced rosemary, and 2 tsp. olive oil. Roast on a sheet pan for 10 to 12 minutes at 350°.



Get it: Streak-Dyed bowls by Urban Outfitters ($8 each; urbanoutfitters.com).

3. Hands-free hosting: Set up an aperitif and appetizer cart with pour-your-own cocktails and grabbable nibbles.



4. Creative cooler: Keep the bubbly on ice in a garden pot.



Get it: Bigarra planter by Ikea ($25; ikea-usa.com).

5. DIY drink IDs: With a pencil, trace the base of each cocktail glass onto heavy paper stock (a good use for old calendar pages or catalog covers). Next, use a dime to

Whether you prefer to travel lightly this summer, or you take pleasure in cramming everything except the kitchen sink into your suitcase, there are probably a few items you simply can't go without while you're on the road. Learn your Sun sign's vacation essentials to ensure you've got what you need for your best possible holiday!

Aries
You need to constantly be on the go throughout your trip, so make sure you bring along all your sports essentials -- hiking boots, your favorite running outfit, etc. -- that you'll need to keep yourself happily active.

Taurus
You'll want to pack your most comfortable shoes ... and your credit cards! Why? Because as a Taurus, the stars confirm that you'll be doing one of two things while on vacation: walking and shopping!

Gemini
There's no doubt you'll need to have some way to stay in frequent touch with friends and anyone else you talk with on a daily basis, so definitely don't leave home without your laptop or mobile phone.

Cancer
A good night's

You don't have to take a vacation this summer to have fun. With these ideas, you and your kids can forgo the expensive trip and create an adventure in your own backyard!

1. Bond in the Backyard
As temperatures rise and the kids bargain for more time outdoors, help them channel their boundless energy into a useful project, such as washing the family vehicle or digging up weeds.

2. Pretend You're a Tourist
Skip costly travel expenses and embark on an adventure through your own hometown! Spend the day exploring uncharted attractions in your area, like museums, landmarks, and parks.

3. Plant Family Seeds
Ask close friends and relatives to name their favorite flowers and set aside a portion of soil for your children to plant them. Watch as your child's interest in nature blooms along with family favorites like Aunt Tara's sunflowers and Daddy's daffodils.

Related: 20 No-Fuss Weekend Getaways for Families

4. Spend a Day at the Community Pool
Swimming together not only gets your family

How much would you pay for a memory?

I was thinking about that looking around at the parents, grandparents and hoards of young children-especially little boys-at the Foxwoods Theater on Broadway where Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, the most expensive production ever mounted and one fraught with problems and delays, has recently opened.

Any little boy who loves Spider Man-and we've had some in our family-will love it and won't forget what likely would be his first Broadway experience. Sure there are balcony seats that may be available for $67.50, but I think to really appreciate what's happening on stage, you need to be closer-and pay more.

Judging by the enthusiastic audience on a recent Wednesday afternoon, no one was griping about the price-this despite a review by New York Times Theater Critic Ben Brantley that soundly panned the production, calling it "just a bore" and "a lumpy package." Spiderman Playbill

With it's amazing sets(imagine Manhattan from the top of the Chrysler Building,

Summer is finally here and your stepkids (or biological children who do not reside with you) have just arrived for a few weeks (or many months) of family time. It can be difficult to plan things with them especially if you don't spend a lot of time with them during the year, getting to know them and their interests.

What can you do with kids you don't really know?

What works when you are also on a tight budget?

First of all, realize that the most important thing to children is to spend time with their parents. We often hear quality time is better than quantity. When kids only see their biological parent a few times a year, both quantity and quality are important.

If you are going to have your child spend any time with you over the summer, make time to be there. Your spouse, your child's stepparent, can be the nicest person there is but the truth is your child has come to see YOU, the biological parent. Make time with your children this summer's priority.

How can you spend time

The longest days of summer are upon us -- take a break from the heat with one of these 10 icy drinks (some are boozy, some aren't).

Nothing announces the arrival of summer like firing up the grill. Unfortunately, nothing sours a summer party faster than a grill that won't light, smokes too much, or cooks unevenly. Grease, marinades, and sauces wreak havoc on gas burners, while charcoal grills suffer the corrosive properties of charcoal.

Grills of all kinds, from simple kettles to stainless steel restaurant-grade infrared grills, require maintenance to ensure that they perform and last.

Here are 3 tips to keep your grill in shape.-Sal Vaglica, This Old House



Don't miss all of our expert advice on grill maintenance on THISOLDHOUSE.COM.

MORE: Get to Know Your Gas Grill


1. Inspect the Chassis (Cart or Frame)
Grills with welded joints or connections with pop rivets can rust. Scrub rust off with a stiff wire brush or coarse steel wool, apply a rust-inhibiting primer, and paint the grill's exterior with rust-resistant metal paint. Keep fasteners tight to ensure the base is stable and safe. Replace damaged grill