However, you’ll still see me around in comments as a reader! And Jennifer will be here to entertain you.

No, I’m not stopping blogging!

You may find me over at Junk Creation. If you haven’t checked it out, please do. It’s a fun blog about creative reuse. It’s offbeat, but also informative.

Starting November 1, I’ll also be blogging at Lively Women. It’s all about anything you can imagine that has to do with women’s health. I hope to see you there.

And I’ll still have a green blog — Light Green Stairs. Please do visit and say hello.

I’ve had a lot of fun blogging here and leaving was a difficult decision. I appreciate all the comments from the regulars! I will miss you.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Tree Hugging Family explores reasons to choose a hemp dog collar and looks at a company that specializes in them. Junk Creation features some tutorials from various crafters — including making a dog bed from a skirt to recycling old dog collars into new ones.

At The Food Bowl, Heather’s got a frosty treat to help your dog beat the heat with a homemade, doggy-approved ice cream recipe, and she wants to know how you calm your upset pet when it comes time for travel and vacation.

Linette at Mother Earth’s Garden shares photos of her four-legged garden companions. Robust Cooking has 9 Healthy Treats you can make for your dog. And, it’s dog party planning time at She Knows Parties, with dog party invitations and dog party games.

When you write for Simply Thrifty, even your dogs have thrifty habits, and it sounds like Katelyn’s dogs are well on their way.

Susan at PlayLibrary shares news of the Little Tikes Dog Days of Summer Sale which includes pools, playgrounds, bounce houses and more. Check out the pics of her basset hound getting in on the bounce house fun at her triplets’ 4th birthday party!

Tracee from BlogFabulous to her kids – “Heck yeah, you can have hamsters if it only costs me $5, and there is virtually no maintenance involved,” while visiting country garage sale.

Colleen at Drinks After Dark shares the story of her dog Jackson. He was an adopted via her local SPCA. It’s great to hear and read heartwarming success stories.

Chloe at Tangled Thread has been sewing easy and inexpensive bandannas for her dogs to dress them up for summertime.

Noreen’s small dog keeps her hopping as he grabs and runs with yarn and other treasures in the studio while she authors Hankering for Yarn.

Christina at SoloMother tells of the tales she shares with her son, of the beloved pets of her youth while looking forward to the day when they can welcome a new dog into their own little family.

Mary Emma Allen at Quilting and Patchwork shares some pattern and design ideas in Quilting Goes to the Dogs.

Cyndi at Busy Family Meals shares recipes for meals that feed people and their pets.

And then there is Gayla’s contribution on Supernanny Rules – the latest picture of her precious tiny Yorkie, Molly, who has had a very rough summer battling parvo and adverse reactions to vaccinations. At 2.9 pounds, she has a very strong will to live.

Image via flickr.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Here at Tree Hugging Family I shared 10 tips for an easy green picnic or green potluck

At Declutter It you can read five tips to help you organize your summer BBQ. 

Strawberry Rhubarb Crunch by Robust Cooking

Watermelon Raspberry Lemonade at All Holiday Cafe

Rice Krispie Treats at Keeping the Castle

Homemade Oreo Ice Cream at Chocolate Bytes

Cool Summer Snacking at Inside Motherhood

Pasta Salad at Thrifty Mommy

Baking Delights is bringing enough chocolate for everyone to catch a chocobuzz with her favorite brownies

Nothing like sweet tea on a hot, summer day…Wait..I taste lime..mint…is that a non-alcoholic Mojito? Kettle and Cup has the answer.

Blogfabulous is serving up a super easy, keep your butt out of the hot kitchen solution to Hors’ devours.

Weary Parent is serving Chocolate Puppy Chow, a snack that’s bound to be popular with the kids

Offbeat Homes is sharing details on how to hold an offbeat picnic in four easy steps.

Just because you choose to live thrifty doesn’t mean you have to throw a thrifty picnic. Simply Thrifty shares tips for an elegant and inexpensive potluck

10 Summer party ideas and themes for your next backyard barbecue, or potluck.

Add some backyard Olympic games to your next barbecue, in honor of the Summer Olympics

And speaking of games, Marriage Actually is bringing a fun game for the grownups. Life Stories – a fun way to find out more about your spouse, friends and extended family.

Cyndi won’t go anyplace to picnic unless she can grill, but she doesn’t want to spend all day doing it. Try her tips for Grilling Chicken Fast, and get a jumpstart on your next picnic!

Who says picnics have to be complicated affairs? Keep it simple with cheeses, meats and homemade bread. Brewha-ha.com has a few suggestions – including a recipe for Polish beer rye bread

Whether you’re having a picnic, a barbecue or just looking for a fun activity to do with your kids outside, Susan at PlayLibrary offers a list of 50 outdoor toys and games that are perfect for summer.

This time of year there are bugs everywhere, don’t forget to bring the bug repellent along with your favorite dish to your next cookout.

Christine at Mad Cropper not only shares her favorite winter or summer recipe but also shares that you can turn recipes into creative works of arts. Find out how!

And while you’re out having all the fun and good food you can handle, don’t forget your pets – they enjoy special summer treats too!

At Quilting and Patchwork enjoy an array of potluck foods and memories from the Food Bloggers.

You never know what medical emergency could happen while your are picnicking…Marye at Simply Home Remedies is bringing the antidote for nearly ANYTHING!

Eliza at Babylune provides a checklist of tips to consider when taking baby picnicking.

Finally, when it’s all said and done – perhaps you can kick back with a nice frozen beverage. MomGadget prefers the Dominican Coco Loco

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

1. Pack green silverware and plates. That means real dishes or at the very least a smart eco-alternative.
2. Bring at least one meatless main dish.
3. Aim for a healthy organic picnic.
4. Block the sun with eco friendly sunglasses.
5. Toss an earth friendly Frisbee.
6. Don’t forget the human safe bug spray and sunscreen.
7. Forget stuff like balloons to mark your picnic spot. Use something safer for the environment like paper streamers. If you must have balloons make sure you don’t allow them to fly free.
8. Take something fun along for water play.
9. Don’t take too much stuff – if you’re out in nature, explore, and learn about the area, before relying on tools and games. Make sure to take a map, and stick with your pals.
10. Take it with you: Don’t pollute nature. When the fun is over, put out all fires, pack up, and haul out all your picnic trash, and that includes food. Human leftovers are no good for animals.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in July 2008

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

How to Help Green Habits Bloom

1. Spray down your procrastination with a nice organic herbicide (like the bag challenge).

2. Don’t let small weeds distract you. Conquer one green habit at a time.

3. Remember why you’re growing your garden — for the kids, animals and even trees.

4. Allow yourself to make mistakes, but keep reaching for your goals.

5. Proudly carry your bouquet shopping.

6. Recycle decaying blooms.

7. Reuse your blooms in art projects.

8. Don’t forget to have fun in the garden.

9. Keep your blooms away from toxins.

10. At the end of the day in the garden, make your own beauty fertilizer.

Image via flickr.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in June 2008

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

This month, bloggers in the Lifestyles channel decided to share their views with you. Some of the posts are quite literal and others take a more subjective look. Thanks to Gayla for compiling the list.

Mary Emma Allen at One Book Two Book shares a view from her window that entertains and delights her grandchildren. Also at One Book Two Book, Karen shares the sweetest view of her kids playing on the deck and how the two youngsters deal with the heat.

Linette, one of our resident super bloggers is sharing views on three blogs. The first is a beautiful view of her back yard that she’s sharing on She Knows Parties. Next, on Robust Cooking she shares a photo of her window herb garden – solid proof that she takes her cooking very seriously. Last, on Mother Earth’s Garden she shares a beautiful view from her front porch. Truly images that make you feel right at home.

Mary Emma Allen, at Quilting and Patchwork, tells us how she was influenced by her mothers’ view from a kitchen window, as well as suggesting views for quilters.

Marye at Baking Delights shares details of some of her favorite views throughout time and from some of her favorite windows in her massive farmhouse where she lives now. Check out the veggie garden she has in her front yard.

Susan at Play Library shares a view from her car window as she and her husband go out to dinner for their anniversary.

Trench is our resident superhero who spends his time tracking down crime, both on the internet at My Crime Space and crimes of passion in the real world at Psycho for Love. He shares a figurative view of what life looks like from his windows.

Marcie at A Child Chosen shares a glimpse through the “types” of windows in her life as an international adoptive mother and more.

At Junk Creation, I share an adorable image of Goslings on Parade as they waddle their way by my window.

Our newest Lifestyles member Rachel comes on board with her first channel carnival with an adorable detailed view of her new window with her fur baby, Louie. Stop over and say hello at Drinks After Dark. (Cat lover alert!)

Lastly, Gayla shares a beautiful sunset in rural Indiana as it rests on full display behind the farm across the road on MomGadget. It’s one of her favorite parts of living in the country.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the views. Please feel free to share your view as well!

Photo via flickr.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Here at Tree Hugging Family your kids can still enter the Green Toys giveaway and your dog can win a Recycled Skooperbox for Nicer Doggie Walks.

Last chance to enter at Inside Motherhood – Contests end tonight (May 30)! Hop over and register to win one of 10 great prizes!

Mary Emma Allen has a random drawing at Quilting and Patchwork for a quilting booklet, How to Make a Quilt – 25 Easy Lessons for Beginners by Bonnie Leman, founder of Quilters Newsletter Magazine. Leave a comment with the name of your favorite quilting/fabric arts book. Deadline June 6, at 11:59 PM (EDST).

Jewelry and Beading – Win a free copy of “Under $25” by Bead & Button magazine. Simply leave a comment on this post, telling us what your best source of bargain beads is, and you’ll be entered into the drawing. Next Wednesday, I’ll be
randomly selecting 4 winners!!

Three Contests on Keeping the Castle:

1. This giveaway is for one copy of the book “The Peaceful Nursery: Preparing a Home for Your Baby with Feng Shui” by home and lifestyle experts Laura Forbes Carlin and Alison Forbes. The authors use principles from interior design, Feng Shui, healthy, green living and their own parenting experience to help create a balanced, peaceful and green nursery.

2. The EZ-Fit Safety Gate Adapter, – by ’boutKids, provides a mounting surface for attaching pressure- or hardware-mounted safety gates to stairway posts.

3. Three winners will get a Mabel’s Labels Neat Freak Combo (spice, canister and bin labels). These labels are strong enough to “withstand the dishwasher, microwave, UV Rays and hard-wearing children”.

Robust Cooking is giving away a copy of Henry and The Hidden Vegetable Garden. Henry and the Hidden Vegetable Garden was launched on May 1 to help promote the Love Your Veggies Campaign. The Love Your Veggies Campaign was created to help schools improve their students health and nutrition.

Babylune has a Kangaroodle Father’s Day Giveaway.

Good luck Tree Hugging Families!

Thanks to Gayla for writing this up.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Now we’re rolling out the last neighbor – Babylune.

• $10,000 Found Inside Baby’s Diaper – how come this never happened to me?
• Hot Baby Names for 2008 -in case you need to know what to avoid. Trust me; being one of ten Jennifers in every class growing up – so not fun. Try going with something more unique.
• Teen Delivers own Baby and Jogs to Hospital
• Review: Soy on The Go

For more on babies and mamahood check out Babylune.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Dive in. The water is nice.

Mary Emma Allen at One Book Two Book reminds you to check out your local library for their summer reading programs, which can be great fun for youngsters, parents and grandparents.

Be gone foul wasp! Noreen Crone-Findlay at Hankering for Yarn has designed a crocheted fake wasp nest to trick the wasps and yellow jackets into staying away from her home. Let’s hope it works!

Elizabeth at Career and Kids shares tips for those busy potluck and picnic days at work and home. And on GenBetween she also shares 10 warm weather tips for aging adults.

Kadi Prescott of Supernanny Rules discusses the importance of continued learning during those long summer breaks from school.

Deborah Ng at Simply Thrifty paints a beautiful portrait of life as a kid in the 70’s in Queens with “Dining Al Fresco in the Summers of My Youth.”

Cyndi Lavin of Jewelry and Beading wants her readers to win a beautiful medallion, just in time for some summertime beading fun. On Layers Upon Layers you’ll learn some digital effects to give your summertime pictures some zip! And nothing beats crisp tangy salads for summertime eating. Busy Family Meals has a special salad dressing giveaway.

Heather at Chocolate Bytes has two recipes that say “summertime” — chocolate zucchini cake and Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream. If you hop over to The Food Bowl, she offers tips on heat stroke prevention for your pets.

Keep going for many more links after the jump.

Sherry at Inside Motherhood discusses taking her daughter to the market and explaining to her how it’s better to support locally grown farm foods rather than importing food as a bit of an educational field trip.

Christina at Solo Mother shares a bit of a then and now as she discusses Sunday rituals as a child and those of today with her own child.

Maricar at Keeping the Castle shares a wonderful guest post by Jeff Wilson of the DIY Network where he discusses simple steps to an amazing deck makeover.

Karen at Thrifty Mommy shares two very popular classic posts – 15 Summer Cooking Tips and 10 Thrifty Ways to Deal with Mosquitos.

Peggy at Junk Creation shares how to make a Vacation Scrapbook Planter from a Sour Cream Container.

Katelyn from Stamping Mad has created a mixed media collage to remind herself to take time to enjoy the wonderful summer weather.

Farley at Behind the Vines is preparing for some summertime wine tasting. The only thing left to do is decide on a destination.

Sandy Mitchell at Robust Cooking shares 9 Quick Vegetable Grilling Tricks and if you hop over to her other blog All Holiday Cafe, she shares 10 Ways to Save Money on Summer Holiday Travel.

Susan Gunelius at Play Library shares fond memories of her younger days spending hours in the family pool and flashes forward to today and the fun and affordable pool toys that are available.

Linette Gerlach at Mother Earth’s Garden shares tips on Creating an Outdoor Space to escape to for relaxation, and at She Knows Parties, Linette shares a Party Punch Decorative Ice Ring for a cool refreshing treat on a hot summer day.

Noel Bautista at Unplugged Living enlightens us on solar cooking options as an alternative to traditional grilling methods.

Last, at MomGadget, take a stroll down memory lane with some of Gayla’s personal favorite dishes and flavors of summertime. Almost the entire collection is a tribute to Gayla’s grandmother who, summer after summer, taught her about tradition, gardening and the wonderful flavors Mother Nature provides us during the season.

We hope you enjoyed the fun summertime reading. For US residents, have a safe Memorial Day.

Image via MorgueFile.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

This week and next, I’m taking over.

First up this week I’d like to introduce you to a blog you may not know exists, but one that could come in very handy; All Holiday Cafe.

This blog, blogged by Sandy, is all holidays all the time. How crazy, right? Is this some sort of year long Christmas bonanza, or a Halloween overdose?  Why no.

You’d be amazed at all the holidays you’re missing out on. Sandy offers up the normal holidays sure, but also digs out those obscure holidays you’d be celebrating, if only you knew they existed.  Holidays like…

• Red Hat Day
• World Cocktail Week
• National Library Week
• Dia de la Cruz
• National Cheese Ball Day blah, cheese balls – but good if you like cheese!
  
• Primrose Day
• National Apple Pie Day

But that’s not all. Sandy also offers cool tips that anyone, on any sort of holiday needs to know, such as…

• 10 Ways to Save Money on Summer Holiday Travel
• Mexican Flag Dip for Cinco de Mayo
• Bake Tsoureki for Orthodox Easter
• And so much more.

Now you probably missed National Chocolate Chip Day this year – you did, didn’t you!? Well, don’t make that mistake again next year! For pete’s sake, subscribe to All Holiday Cafe – or even just visit now and then, so you won’t miss something equally as cool – I’m thinking national Slurpee week, or hug a green blogger day (do these exist?) I don’t know, but I bet Sandy does. 

[image via b5media]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family