I walked into the craft store today for a few blissful moments of sensory overload on beads, ribbons, flowers, feathers, baskets, yarn, wood, paint, scrapbooking, party invitations, t-shirt tie dye kits and on and on, and then I came to the Halloween town. The craft stores are already looking towards autumn and not only was there a complete Halloween town set up with moving ghosts and more skulls than El Dia de los Muertes, Christmas was just around the corner, next aisle over! Yes, it's true I was lost in the Halloween glitter and glamour of it all and I began to fanticize about autumn crafting, being indoors, belonging somewhere and knitting someone I love something.... what a fairytale. The point it is, it is the middle of August and summer is not over YET! It's not over! Summer time is for many more weeks so I have some summer craft ideas to help you stay in the spirit, despite what craft stores and retail shops have to say about the all-too-soon-arrival of fall and all those orange leaves!

Currently, Hurricanes Bill, Ana, and Claudette are in the news, kicking off the start of the Atlantic 2009 Hurricane season. Theme your next get together for the season by serving up hurricanes!

Hurricane season!

Hurricane ?Ingredients:?- 2 oz light rum?- 2 oz dark rum?- 2 oz passion fruit juice?- 1 oz orange juice?- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice?- 1 tbsp simple syrup?- 1 tbsp grenadine?-

Garnish: orange slice and cherry on a baby bamboo spear w/ leaves!

Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a hurricane glass. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.

Did you know that Hurricanes were invented during the World War II and are named after the shape of a hurricane lamp?

For a non-alcoholic option, try filling a punchbowl with rainbow sherbert and ginger ale with a splash of cranberry juice, for the kids. Don't forget the paper umbrellas!

To complement your tropical weather celebration, try making these special lanterns out of vintage hurricane glasses or fish bowls, a small glass flue, votive candle, 3, 1' brass rings, 3 equal lengths of safety chain, a ceiling hook, water, water plants, 1 lb. decorative stones or aquarium gravel, and 1-2 small goldfish and follow the instructions for assembly in, "Pad Parties: the Guide to Ultra Entertaining", by Matt Maranian, Jack Gould, Robert Field.

Essentially, you are making a living lava lamp by creating an aquatic environment with a votive candle flickering in the center, all of which will be hanging from your ceiling. Hypnotic!

Experiment with different aquarium accessories inside the lantern. Coral, pearls, living plants, shells, and decorative stones will change the look of your lantern in a number of ways and set the tone for the party. Shell and coral will be excellent accents for your table, as well. Try coral or shell napkin holders and centerpieces paired with turqoise and blue table linens. Surf's up!

Playing Twister and dancing to the Beach Boys would be appropriate activities for a hurricane themed party. Anyone want to practice CPR or make emergency kits? Don't be shy. Share your knowledge of CPR with others, this is the party you have been waiting for! Now making an emergency kit is actually a great idea for a party activity, particulary one themed with hurricanes. Emergency kits can easily go for several hundred dollars depending on the customizations you choose. Emergency kits are so TODAY, you know?

Check out the fabulous resources the American government has prepared for us:

Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed
Emergency Supply List

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers


Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

- Prescription medications and glasses
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies,
- identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
- Cash or traveler's checks and change
- Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov

And last but, not least: consider a grab bag of vintage or Miami Vice themed sunglasses and bottles of mini hand sanitizer! After you've all made your emergency kits, how about decorating some inexpensive raincoats? Sponges, stencils, glitter pens, and waterproof paint can turn a plain raincoat into a work of art! This is another great activity for kids of all ages.

Some appetizers may include skewers of roasted coconut and marinated tofu or Mahi mahi. Caviar on rice crackers with a mango-ginger foam. Mimosa sorbet with a small chunk of pinneapple upsidedown cake, topped with fresh shredded coconut. Slices of candied oranges dipped in dark chocolate. Sushi, sashimi and grilled seafood with lemon would also be party appropriate. Bowls of mangoes and sliced kiwis are sure to be enjoyed by all. Remember, summer is not over yet! Celebrate with a hurricane themed summer party, the Beach Boys while making emergency "Go! kits" and customized rain slickers with all your friends! Get crafty!

Enjoy the end of summer!!