Reader roundup: Let’s have a virtual backyard party this Fourth of July
Yup, it’s summer in the Northern hemisphere and that means we’re getting a flood of amazing backyard photos in our Offbeat Home Flickr pool. And since it’s the Fourth of July in America and we’re all hopefully enjoying the outdoors while we celebrate our Independence Day. Let’s celebrate YOUR outdoors by having a virtual backyard party via all your awesome Flickr pics…
Tea-sy science-y cocktails for summer parties
I just discovered the Tea Forte Mixology Set which basically makes summer cocktails ridiculously easy!
This is the three-step process of looking like a genius mixologist at your next party:
How to use that grody public grill without fear of poisoning your picnic
Public grills get a bad rap. I can definitely see why. They’re always coated in the mysterious carbony remains of meals past. There’s usually some bird poop on or around them. The ash pile inside is a ghastly reminder that anything — anything — could’ve been cooked on these rusty little public servants. I promise with just a little work, a public grill can be a totally serviceable cooking option.
Throw this party: A Midsummer night’s shindig
In the Northern Hemisphere, we’re nearing the summer solstice. Balmy nights, cheerful crickets and dewy grass beg us to head outside and celebrate the season. Midsummer has its roots in Northern European cultures, though it’s celebrated all over the world in some form or another, whether as a religious or secular holiday time. Some of the celebrations happen on the date of the actual summer solstice while others fall anywhere between June 19 and June 26. Want to host a Midsummer celebration? Here’s some tips:
Create a “built in” dog pool just in time for summer
I love how Amazon user Martin Owen created this “built in” dog pool in his Florida backyard. I’m thinking this could be as easy as getting some bricks, and setting the Bone Pool inside of ’em. Boom: you have one cool, wet, and happy dog on your hands this summer.
Make water balloon piñatas for a warm weather party
When hot weather strikes, water balloons are awesome, especially when you’re having a drought (like a lot of us in the U.S.) and don’t have the water to fill up a pool or turn on the sprinklers. But even more fun: hanging them up like piñatas!
Summer drink inspiration: Mexican horchata recipes
Horchata is a cold Latin American and Spanish rice-based drink usually flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. Needless to say, it pairs really well with spicy Mexican food and is a great summer drink. But after seeing these Horchata-flavored cupcakes from Just Jenn Recipes, I went looking for more interesting ways to dress it up.
Let’s dream about sleeping porches
The last time I was over at my mom’s property, she was mentioning all the different places on her property where her and her partner like to sleep. They’ve set up beds on just about every deck, porch, and patio surface they could find. Now that it’s finally summer, I say ‘TIS THE SEASON for this kind of sleeping around. So let’s dream about some sleeping porches — and even one sleeping balcony, for those of us in the city.