The warmth of summer creates the perfect atmosphere for social interaction. Add water, and you have the setting for a great summer party. With a little careful planning, you can make your pool party one of the things your guests will remember about the summer of 2011.

Start with an appropriately-themed invitation – use an aqua blue background colour – or paper colour if using printed invitations. Ask guests to bring the essentials like towels and swim suits of course, plus ask them to contribute by bringing a favourite snack food, punch or pool game. These contributions will add to the festivities and help lighten your load.

When it comes to the table, be sure to create an eco-friendly display. Resist the temptation to use disposable plates and utensils. People today notice these things. Blues and yellows give that summery feel. Flowers work well as a centre piece. And casual is always better than formal, given the setting.

Music should also reflect the summer theme and remind guests of beaches and lazy days in the sun. Everyone will ‘warm-up’ to tunes from Jimmy Buffet, Bob Marley, The Beach Boys and the like.

Though the sun may be the star attraction of the party, guests will also seek shade at various times. Be prepared by having at least two conversation areas; one in and one out of the sun. Have plenty of seating available (ask friends to bring lawn chairs if you don’t have enough) and be sure to have sunscreen for anyone who forgets.

As for food, choose a menu that is simple to make and easy to eat, since eating outdoors often means eating on your lap. The faithful old burger still works. In addition to traditional beef, try chicken, salmon, or turkey burgers for a change. And if you really want to show-off your culinary skills, do so by creating a unique appetizer, an exotic relish or chutney, or go crazy on a salad.

To quench the thirst of party revelers, have lots of water, punch, iced tea, alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic mixed drinks like pina coladas, margaritas or daiquiris – anything with fruit juice in it.

Oh, and you'll need plenty of ice!

Are slugs and snails leaving more than just a slime trail in your garden? If your plants are showing signs of slug and snail munching, fight back with some ‘green’ alternatives to the harsh store-bought chemical solutions.

Water in the Morning - Slugs do their damage at night and require damp conditions. Water in the morning so the surface will be dry by evening. Studies suggest this alone can reduce slug damage by 80%.

Beer Traps – Snails and slugs love beer! Use jam jars, baby food jars or other small containers. Pour 1 cm (1/2 in) of beer into them, then bury to their rims in the garden. Empty into the compost and refill every couple of days.

Diatomaceous Earth - Also known as "Insect Dust", Diatomaceous Earth is a granular material made-up of the ground-up skeletal remains of microscopic creatures. It’s jagged edges cut snails and slugs soft bodies, causing them to dehydrate. Sprinkle around plants, or mix with water to make a plant spray.

Coffee Grounds – Caffeine is a natural slug/snail repellant. Simply scatter used coffee grounds around the garden to deter these pests. Re-apply after a few days or after rainfall.

In general, snails and slugs do not like dry surfaces, so even a mulch that dries quickly on the surface can be a deterring addition, plus mulch helps reduce water lose by evaporation.

“A true conservationist is one who knows that the world is not given to us by our fathers, but loaned to us by our children.”
~John James Audubon

For many Canadians, summer vacation means spending time on the road. Whether it’s a drive to the cottage each weekend, a cross-country trip to see the relatives, or simply a scenic tour of one of the many beautiful areas of this land, driving can make for some very memorable moments – good and bad.

The Car - Keep tires inflated, replace the air filter, and get an oil change – all will help boost your vehicle’s efficiency. Pack lightly, so you don’t waste fuel transporting things you may not need.

The Driver – Slow down! A lower speed increases fuel-efficiency, is safer for you and your passengers, and allows you proper time to take in the scenery. And when you stop, park in the shade whenever possible to reduce the need for the AC.

The Plan – A calm driver tends to be a ‘greener’ driver and a safer driver. Plan your itinerary ahead to prevent driver confusion and anxiety, avoiding wasted travel back-tracking, abrupt stops and starts, and speeding to make the next show or the last ferry – all habits that are not ‘green’. Your plan should also allow sufficient time for the driver(s) to rest properly. A well-rested driver is a calm driver.

Enjoy your trip!

When it comes to keeping your piece of real estate neat and tidy, garden trimmers can be a very useful tool. But eco-conscious homeowners across Canada are looking for alternatives to polluting gas trimmers.

Luckily, there are options to suit all needs.

Gas-Powered have an obvious downside of emitting highly polluting exhaust and the regular expense of fuel, oil, plugs, filters and general maintenance. Gas units also tend to be noisier and heavier than other options, and they are on the high side when it comes to cost.

But when it comes to dealing with thick brush and long grass, gas trimmers are the answer.  They can also perform a long way from electricity – great for large lots and cottages.

Corded Electric trimmers’ advantages include their light weight and ease of use - they start with the push of a button. They are also less noisy than gas models, don't require fuel, oil, plugs, filters, and require little maintenance. Plus they tend to be cheaper than gas-powered.

Electric grass trimmers’ only drawbacks are that they require a cord and electricity, and they are not ideal for heavy duty needs.

Cordless Electric offers all the same benefits as corded electric without the hassle of a cord, which makes them ideal for some remote areas like gas-powered models.

On the downside, they are typically not as powerful as the gas or electric models and you will need to recharge the battery. In fact, if you have a particularly large lot, you may need a spare battery or plan to spread the task over two days.

Soon even paying by cash will mean using plastic!

As announced by the Conservative government in its 2010 budget, Canada will begin switching to synthetic bank notes in November of this year. Did j’a know these facts about our new money?

• The first polymer bill introduced will be the $100 bank note, followed by the $50 note in March 2012. The rest of the bills ($20’s, $10’s and $5’s) will be replaced by the end of 2013.
• The new polymer bank notes will last longer  - about 2 ½ times longer - than our current paper-cotton bills that wear more quickly and tear more easily.
• The colours of the new bills have not changed.
• Counterfeiters will have a tough time with the new bank notes. There are various security features built into the new notes, including raised ink, hidden numbers, metallic images and see-through windows.
• The bills feel smooth and slightly waxy, don't crumple easily, resist tearing, but can be folded.
• Apparently the new notes won't melt in the dryer or crack in the depths of a Canadian winter.

Planning on a deck or other outdoor structure? Be careful what fasteners you use.

The newer pressure-treated lumber – treated with copper rather than arsenic – makes it corrosive to some screws and fasteners. Using improper ones can mean early deterioration and lead to unsafe conditions.

Be sure to use hot-dipped zinc-coated galvanized steel, stainless steel, silicon bronze or copper fasteners with all pressure-treated wood products. The galvanized ones cost the least, but the stainless steel or copper will easily outlast the wood.

“How many people here have telekinetic powers? Raise my hand.” ~Emo Philips

“A two-year-old is kind of like having a blender, but you don't have a top for it.” ~Jerry Seinfeld

“Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.” ~Jim Carrey

“Drawing on my fine command of the English language, I said nothing”. ~Robert Benchley