Letter from Cheri: When I was a child, summer was a magical time -- a chance to escape the mundane world of daily chores and schoolwork. As classes let out for a glorious two and a half months, anticipation raged at a fever pitch. The lure of the open road called, and it seemed like anything was possible. Roadside attractions like Nebraska's Wall Drug, Tennessee's Rock City and Ruby Falls or South Carolina's South of the Border tempted kids and adults alike -- the endless streams of their roadside signage singing like sirens in our brains until we were compelled to stop. With so many wonders promised, not pulling over might prove be one of the biggest mistakes of our lives. The roadside attractions that dotted the land in the 60s and early 70s of my youth -- not to mention the natural and man-made found throughout the 49 continental United States -- lay far outside the world of the dreary factory town where I was compelled to spend 10 months of the year. Ah but summer. Pure uncorrupted joy, the kind that only kids can feel, waited in the months ahead. Joy at frolicking in the crashing ocean waves as the sun bleached our hair and tanned (or burned) or bodies. Joy at the magical wonder of fireflies flickering in the trees behind our rural home on warm summer nights. Joy at stealing away to local swimming holes with friends for an afternoon break from our summer "jobs" harvesting vegetables for a local farmer. Joy at experiencing different parts of the country on long summer road trips (I was blessed with a family who loved road trips). Not to mention joy for all the exotic and cheesy roadside attractions that peppered the routes to our summer travel destinations. As I grew older summer concerts outdoors under the stars, fireworks displays here and abroad, summer friendships and even romances joined the magical mix of this special season. And even though it may not be quite as intense as in those innocent childhood days, summer still fills me with a sense of happiness, wonder and yes, joy. Each and every year, it still feels like anything is possible and, for better or worse, life after the summer is over will never be quite the same as it was before it began. Wherever you are, regardless of how busy your schedule, I hope you will take at least a little time to experience the magic that summer has to offer each year. FamilyCorner.com Craft Contest FamilyCorner is looking for your original Summertime and July 4th craft ideas. If you and your kids are crafty then pull out the supplies and get busy creating! See official entry rules and deadline here. FamilyCorner.com Craft Contest.

Summer with the Kids Be Prepared: Streamline Summer Outings with Make-Ahead Care Packages Frugal Family Tips for Surviving Summer Festivals Stress-Free Travel with Kids Fun & Educational Travel Games Frugal Fun Face Painting Summer Reading Fun: Bugs! Frozen Fun! Popsicle Rocket Recipe Ice Cream in a Baggie Recipe Make Popsicles for Pennies   Easy Summer Entertaining Click for our Easy Tropical Grill Party Plan and start having fun! Entertaining Edibles These easy to make whimsical food sculptures will be the hit of your party. Fabulous Foods Recommends: Great Books on BBQ & Grilling The Retro Barbecue -- Tasty Recipes for the Grillin' Guy Ribs Retro Luau Dressed to Grill: Savvy Recipes for Girls Who Play with Fire The Vegetarian Grill Food Festivals of Texas -- Traveler's Guide & Cookbook Famous Dave's Back Roads & Side Streets Where There's Smoke There's Flavor Tandoor: The Great Indian Barbecue Asian Grilling Cookbooks for Fishermen and Women The Fish & Game Cookbook Off the Hook: Reflections and Recipes of an Old Salt Rick Stein's Complete Seafood Favorite Summer Produce: Tips for Selecting the Best Summer Fruit Choose the best produce for fabulous summer foods. Watermelon What would summer be without ice cold watermelon? Recipes, carving instructions and more. Strawberries Strawberries are plentiful in summer. Put hem to use with these fabulous recipes and tips. Blueberries Summer's other abundant berry is one of the healthiest foods you can eat! Tomatoes Does your garden runneth over? No problems, we have more recipes than you have tomatoes (well...probably). Green Tomatoes Why wait for tomatoes to ripen when they're so good green. Sun Protection Everyone is at risk from too much sun, and the consequences can be serious. Click and learn how to protect yourself and your family from the sun's harmful rays. Summer Skin Care Take extra care of your skin in summer, here's how.

Fun At the Beach Beach Tips and Packing Lists Beach Photography Sand Castle Tips Retro Beach Bash -- Throw the Ultimate Summer Party! BBQ'S & GRILLING BBQ and Grilling Home Page Recipes, menus, tips, and more about fire kissed food. Hamburgers What could be better than a burger hot off the grill? Click for tips and recipes. Trim & Terrific Summer Sides Great dishes to go with grilled foods. Wine With BBQ! Recipes and wine pairings for Burgers and grilled foods! Tickling Tastebuds at Frances BBQ This TN restaurant serves some the best BBQ anywhere. Interview with Famous Dave! America's BBQ King shares his views on what makes for great BBQ. How to Smoke Ribs Fire up the smoker, sit back, take your time and make some fabulous ribs! Picnic Craft This cute, easy to make painted picnic basket will add colorful charm to any outdoor dining occasion. Picnics Picnic Essentials Click for tips, recipes, menus and more to make your al fresco dining the best ever. Picnic Packing List Did you forget anything? Make Portable Picnic Packs! A travel version of the Picnic Kit to tuck into your suitcase or backpack. Picnics can save budget conscious travelers tons of money and these make-it-yourself kits are handy for dining al fresco or in the comfort of your hotel room. Summer Travel Ideas Summer Camping -- Click to visit FabulousTravel.com's RV & Camper's corner for camping and RV tips, recipes, destiantions, campground reports and more. On the Water -- Have fun on by and on the sea, rivers, lakes and more. US Destinations -- Now's a great time to see the USA (in your Chevrolet or otherwise). We've got lots of great travel ideas to inspire you see this great land from sea to shining sea. Globetrotting -- Looking for something more exotic, click for travel stories about far-off lands. Adventures -- Let's get physical! How about spending summer vacation rafting, or hang-gliding, or kayaking? Click for eco-adventure travel articles. Weird Summer Wanderings -- Want something a bit out of the ordinary? Ghostly desinations, kitsch classics, strange lights int he sky and other "strange" trips.