DIY Life

When you think potluck dinner does it conjure images of church basements filled with blue-haired grannies and an assortment of Jello salads? Well, strike that image from your mind. Potluck dinners are making a comeback in neighborhoods all over the country.

With the economy taking a downturn many of us are trying to entertain on a budget. Gone are the expensive dinners out with friends. Gone are the catered dinner parties. More and more of us are turning to casual entertaining, the sort where we can wear our flip flops and bring the children along. What better time than to revive the potluck dinner.

In my neighborhood we have impromptu potluck dinners almost every weekend. The food is completely random, often leftovers we have had from the previous week remade into a new dish. We put all of the food out and let the kids run around and graze whenever they feel like it. The adults kick back with adult drinks and just relax. You, however, might want to be more formal and organized than us and do a bit of advance planning.

July 4th is tomorrow, and if you're throwing a big party you're probably busy with last-minute prepping. But don't forget the basics -- before you throw the burgers and dogs on the barbie, make sure that you give the grill a good cleaning.

AOL Living home improvement expert Eric Stromer shows you how to gear up your gas grill to take front and center stage in eight easy steps. All you need is soapy water, a grill brush, a sponge, hose, and few other common household items.

And before you can say 'perfect patriotic party' five times in a row, you'll have a lean, mean and clean grilling machine. Not only will you ensure its best performance, but you'll also provide a clean canvas on which to fire up the juicy, delicious centerpieces for your Independence Day picnic table. Our mouths are practically watering!

As a Southern girl now living in the Pacific Northwest, I rarely skip my weekly Mexican food fix. There's nothing that can't be cured with chips, salsa, and a frosty margarita. But, I hate paying $8 or more for a cocktail. And, given that an authentic margarita has just three ingredients, I think I can manage to shake it up and save a few bucks.

Our ShelterPop sisters not only supply the perfect margarita recipe but they also make suggestions on how to throw the perfect summertime margarita party -- including how to make this DIY cocktail umbrella lamp. The weekend's just a few days away, and I'm thinking it's margarita time for this mama!

Frappes. Slushes. Sangria. Just the sweet sound of these drinks conjure up visions of deck parties, frosty pitchers, and those cute little drink umbrellas.

Instead of opting for the same old soda for the July 4th picnic this year, why not stir up these summery drinks to keep your guests cool and refreshed? It's drinkwise-DIY at its simplest: refreshing, thirst-quenching, and made from natural, low-cost ingredients. Cheers!

Fourth of July is all about food, fun, friends and fireworks. If you're throwing a party this year, then chances are good that: a) you've probably got a great view of the firework action, and b) you're game for a few easy and inexpensive DIY touches to add just the right homespun, Americana touch to your '4th' fete.

AOL Living rounds up six quick do-it-yourself party essentials, decorations, and even a kids' craft. Check them out here, and then prepare to watch your patriotic party-throwing star power rise.

By Debra McDuffee

I recently wrote a post with some ideas for planning every family staycation. As I was browsing the Internet today, I found that lots of other people have great ideas, too, but that the most unique ones came from Better Homes and Gardens.

BHG put together a gallery of their 25 best staycation ideas. Some of their more unique activities include:

• turning your home into a spa -- Make some spa-quality products at home and let the pampering begin: for your face, your hands and body, and your feet.
  
• going on a family bike ride
• flying a kite
• having a field day for the kids -- Or, create your own summer camp.
  
• organizing a block party -- You coulc choose to do this in a Mexican or Hawaiian theme, some of BHG's other party ideas.

Whatever you decide to do on your staycation, it seems that the common themes are relaxing and enjoying the people in your life. What's your favorite staycation activity?

By Debra McDuffee

The mint in my yard is running wild just about now, begging to be plucked and used. That sure is handy, since it's hot outside! I could really use some cooling fresh mint in my beverages, to combat this sweltering heat.

I'm sure you must also have some peppermint essential oil around the house, right? You've got to have some left over, after making your chocolate mint lip balm and ant repellent, so pull it out and add some cool to your summer drinks.

After the break, I'll share recipes for simple syrup with mint, which can be used for a number of summery delights, and other refreshing minty recipes to keep your beverages interesting -- as well as hydrating.

By Debra McDuffee

There's nothing like a cool drink to refresh on a hot summer day. Last week, we explored drinks made with fresh mint and essential oils. Now it's time to think beyond the mint.

Did you know that most citrus and herbal essential oils are sold to large food companies as flavoring? Hydrosols, which are the water left behind when plants are steam-distilled into essential oils, are also safe to ingest in small quantities when they're organic and top quality, according to Suzanne Catty, author of Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy.

Make sure your oils and hydrosols are organically grown and of good quality, then read on after the break for drink recipes -- citrus, herbal, and even some floral -- made with essential oils, herbs, and hydrosols.