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Welcome It’s official! Summer is here and it’s time to have fun. In this month’s newsletter, we are going to give you several ideas for fun ways to celebrate with friends and family, provide all the recipes you need for a great summer picnic, AND give you tips on how to beat the heat! Enjoy! This Month’s Special Here is our latest photo front for a BBQ invitation postcard.  You can have this postcard with the backside customized to give the details of your BBQ for $ 0.30/card for quantities as low as 10. Click on this link if you are interested in some BBQ invitations. Easy Summer Celebrations  It’s summer and it’s
time to celebrate! It is also a time in our country when we are
experiencing runaway gas pricing for our cars. So here are some
easy ideas for fun get-togethers with your friends and family which you can make happen without
having to drive - drive - drive:Traditional Picnic The ultimate summer get together is probably “the picnic”, or as some call it “the barbeque.” This is the season to light up the grill and enjoy some conversation with friends over some drinks and food outdoors. The next section of the newsletter features some great picnic recipes to get your picnic started or make it easy on yourself by going “pot luck” style and having each guest bring a dish to pass. Host Your Own Olympics The summer Olympics are coming up fast and you can celebrate by hosting your own version. Classic sports such as baseball and volleyball could be included, or you can opt for things such as croquet, lawn darts, or even the limbo or a water balloon toss! Go Green With A Swap Meet Are you looking for a way to help the environment? Encourage your friends and family to reuse and recycle by hosting your own swap meet. Everyone can come over with items that they do not want or need anymore and trade with others for things they do need. Volunteer Yard Work Do you have an elderly neighbor? They may find it difficult to do their yard work, especially in high temperatures. Get a few friends together and offer to mow some lawns, trim some hedges, or weed some gardens. You’ll be doing spending time together and helping someone in need at the same time. Zoo Day If you are lucky enough to live near a zoo, take advantage of it and have at least one “zoo day” this summer. Yes, you could stay home and watch Animal Planet, but actually getting out there and seeing the animals in person is so much better! Carnivals, Fairs, and other Festivals The summer months are filled with carnivals, fairs and other festivals. It’s hard to beat the joy of riding the Ferris wheel, clutching the large stuffed animal you just won playing ring toss! Camp Out Spending the night outside, under the stars is always a fun time, even if it’s in your own backyard. Grab a radio and some marshmallows for roasting, and you’ve got a party! Americana Recipes Nothing says “summer eating” like classic Americana-inspired picnic food. The following recipes will have you celebrating in no time. Keep in mind that these are the basic recipes. You can use your imagination to modify them in any way. If you’re craving something a bit spicier, add some chilli powder to the corn before cooking or modify the burger recipe by adding some smoky paprika or Cajun seasoning. Or, try adding pepper jack cheese and guacamole for a “south of the border twist.” Your options are limitless with this menu! Basic Corn On The Cob Cooking corn on the cob is very easy. All you need to do is husk the corn, pull away the cornsilk (the strands on the corn), and drop the ears into a large pot of boiling water. If you don’t have a pot big enough, cut each ear of corn in half and cook it in a smaller pot. After the corn has been added, cover the pot and return it to boiling. Once the water reaches boiling, continue to cook the corn for 5 – 7 minutes. Some people add a little salt to the boiling water, and I have also seen others add a bit of sugar. Experiment with both methods and find out what best suits your taste. Simple Potato Salad 3 pounds potatoes, cooked until tender, cooled, and cubed 6 hard boiled eggs, cooled and chopped ½ chopped sweet onion (as in Vidalia or Maui) 2 stalks chopped celery Dressing 1 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons prepared mustard (such as yellow or Dijon) salt and pepper to taste Directions: Combine the dressing ingredients first, adding a bit of each at a time until you get a consistency and taste that you like, then set aside. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, egg, onions, and celery. Pour dressing on top and mix until salad and dressing are combined. Basic Veggie Pasta Salad 1 (16 ounce) package pasta cooked and cooled (macaroni or rotini) 1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli 1/2 cup finely chopped cauliflower 1/2 cup chopped green onions 1 red bell peppers, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped (optional) 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup mayonnaise 1 packet dry vegetable soup mix (such as Knorr brand) Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl until well blended Basic Burgers 1 pound lean ground beef 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon liquid smoke flavoring 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon olive oil Grill seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste Directions: Preheat a grill for high heat. Meanwhile, mix together the ingredients. Form the mixture into 3 patties. Place the patties on the grill grate, and cook for about 5 minutes per side. Remember, when handling meat to take extra precaution, such as washing hands frequently. You may want to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. How To Beat The Heat 
It has already been a very hot summer, with many places beating
their ‘hottest temperatures records” in June. We are in for even
more heat, though. Traditionally, the hottest days of the summer
fall in the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August
(known as the “dog days.”) Here are some tips to beat the heat:Try to stay indoors between 10am and 4pm, when the sun is the hottest If you must go outside, stay hydrating by bringing a bottle or thermos of water with you Take care not to over exert yourself, as this will make you overheat Cool yourself quickly by wetting pulse points (wrists, neck, etc) with cold water or wrapping some ice in a towel and placing it on your wrists. When your wrists are cool, your core body temperature will lower, creating a cooling effect on your whole body. Wearing light colored, natural fabrics, such as cotton or linen, will help keep you cool and comfortable. When all else fails, lay low and chill out in front of the fan! New Service - Helps Save Relationships We have just put up a new service which can be the answer to making sure those you have relations with know you are thinking of them and you care. By sending a few notes a year to the many people you care about in your life you can preserve those relationships for a richer joy in your life. Our new service sends you 5 new postcards each month to be able to send those important keep in touch notes. If you want to learn more please visit our new site: www.SayItWithPostcards.com Closing Message That’s all for this issue. I hope you have a great July and take some time to enjoy the summer! |
In This Issue
Links to Many of our Sites Expressing Thanks with Postcards For Your Business Newsletter Index |
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GalleriaVentures has several web sites and sends this Newsletter with best wishes to our customers and friends. |