Summertime Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family

Rating:
Summary: I JUST LOVE THIS BIG BEAUTIFUL BOOK!
Review: I GOT THIS BOOK OUT OF THE LIBRARY, AND JUST HAD TO HAVE A COPY OF MY OWN. THIS BOOK BRINGS ALL OF THE FUN OF CHILDHOOD AND SUMMER BACK TO US PARENTS, SO WE CAN MAKE MEMORIES FOR OUR CHILDREN.THE PICTURES ARE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT, AND THE INSTRUCTIONS EASY TO FOLLOW. THIS IS A FUN BOOK FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!

Rating:
Summary: do-able craft ideas
Review: Many fun ideas for crafts that don't require Martha Stewart skills. Made the cookie cutter soaps with my girlfriends and had a great time. Plan on making the vacation placemat this summer on vacation. The food also looks great. The picture of the black bean and salsa salad made my mouth water in the store. I will be making that soon. Also appreciate the adult versions of thirst quenching recipes. Instructions and ideas are basic and that's just what I need.

Rating:
Summary: Truly, You CAN make Summertime a Treat!!
Review: This lovely little volume, coming in at a jam-packed, powerful 96 pages (softbound) is truly a delight for kids and adults alike!! As with the previous books I've reviewed in this series...I love the size, the cover design and colors are VERY appealing and quite enjoyable...but I worry about the long term survivability of this book -- I think a nice spiral or library binding might better serve this book and increase its usability!!

How I determined how much I would actually be able to use this book as:

1. A craft and cooking resource for myself and my kids for fun and learning -- my kids are ages 3 & 6.

2. Its use as an inspiration for my own Wiccan practices, both for seasonal decorative projects and for usability in group gatherings and magickal workings

The inside flap promises:

"....every family's handbook to keeping cool and creative during the best months of the year...keep those brain cells functioning with fun and creative crafts that are easy to make, indoors and out!"

....I must say I think you get all that and more!! We start out with "standard" or "basic" practical tips -- which are helpful in reminding us to stock up that craft box before summer, so you can be spontaneous in your summer crafting!!

The actual crafts section is rather small...the bulk of this book consists of recipes for beverages and light meals...but DO NOT let that discourage you from adding this to your collection!! What crafts there are VERY exciting and fun for kids of all ages!!

I was particularly drawn to the Sand Dough...my crafty mind sees many, many applications both for "regular" craft projects as well as for magickal ones! This dough (yes, I already tried it out...boy was this FUN), is a great activity for small hands -- and will not be lost on older kids and adults, the applications for crafting beautiful sand art is as limitless as your imagination here...chunky and typical or elegant and finely crafted....your sand dough will allow you to make beautiful, fun, and long lasting (it's semi permanent - life can be added to these projects by using a spray on protective coating) items!! Let your imagination run wild with this...it's easy to do! I also see a great deal of expanded opportunities for magickal application with this project...both for altar decorations and for spell working too...this could be really useful in exploring or re-connecting with the "inner child" in all of us!!

The painted terra cotta pots is a fun project...this is another one that even the very young can enjoy and do with little help...my kids (ages 3 & 6) had no trouble with this...and they were so PROUD of their very special personal pots...these make great use for the kitchen or for planting (learning about growing things)....I was very happy with the ideas here!!

I would not personally attempt the terra cotta lamps with my kids - they are just too young for this...older kids (especially pre-teens and teens) will likely enjoy this project -- I believe that they will find this a classy and fun, "grown-up" feeling touch!! This is a fun way to "dress up" a party and if you use some of the colored tea lights that are available at many stores you have even greater flexibility in uses for this project!! My magickal mind was racing just as much with this one as the dough...Full moon gatherings and Summer Solstice circles would certainly be a great time to make some of these!! Again, the added use of colored tea lights adds variety to the potential for this project!!

The ants in the grass candle (page 25) is cute, probably best for kids 8+, who have better coordination (hot glue gun used)-- this project could be expanded and used as a playful alter decoration!!

The Vacation Placemat is a good way to commemorate a summer trip or even to help familiarize smaller children with destinations prior to travel!! I LOVE this project and it also has expansion possibilities -- it could be enlarged and made into an altar cloth of sorts...what a fun, playful and lively summer touch for your altar!!

There are a variety of other projects...very sweet and mostly fun which would be fun and easy for most kids - younger children will need assistance with some of the projects, but overall...there are actually lots that can be enjoyed by the ENTIRE family!!

The remainder of the book (from page 34 forward) is largely recipes with a few simple crafts interspersed...I think the drink recipes are all really easy (and the ones we tried were really YUMMY!)...they even have complimenting ice cube recipes...WHAT FUN!! Most of these can be done by younger children (some with assistance)!! I feel that the beverage recipes in particular would be a very fun resource for magickal summer gatherings!! I found my mind racing with alternative beverages for summer circles and think yours will too!!

The food recipes are all pretty light, but full of flavor -- the Gazpacho-to-Go....MMMMMMMMMMMMM!! There are LOTS of grilling recipes and salads with light flavored butters and lots of veggies -- GREAT flavorful summer sizzlers!!

Overall...I don't think anyone who buys this book will be disappointed with the content and as an all-in-one resource for family fun...it pretty much lives up to the promises made!!

I give it an A+ for content and usability -- a good amount of easy and fun craft projects that can be either a little campy or a lot elegant, depending on how you use them...and great beverage and food fare that won't bog you down in the summer heat!

Summertime treats gets a B+ for price...again...looking at this entire series...there is a list price of $14.95...I got it on Amazon for $10.47...I'd still like to see these for about $9.95 for the size and durability!!