Audio Books and Automobiles

School is almost out for the summer and kids 8-18 years old, spend almost 4 hours a day in front the TV and 2 more hours on the computer playing video games, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Do you realize that's HALF A DAY wasted on mindless television?

If you want to encourage your children to continue to read this summer you should introduce them to audio books.

We talked with Jennifer Egan, about her new audio book, "A Visit From the Goon Squad". The book is written like a "mini series" with a total of 8 cd's and has wide appeal for all ages.

We also talked about traveling tips. Are you going to be taking a vacation this summer (There are only 20 days left until the "official first day of summer!").

• If you'll be camping: collect the dryer lint in a Ziploc bag to use as a starter. It weighs almost nothing, ignites right away and saves you from having to gather kindling.


• Document your travels with postcards. Jot down a few sentences on the backs. At the end of the trip add the notes to a memories box with cards from other journeys. You have photos as well as a journal


• Next time you take a road trip with a group, buy little car flags from the dollar store and have everyone mount them on their vehicles. You’ll be able to spot each easily.


• The disposable caps in hotel bathrooms make great shoe covers. Just slip a cap over each shoe and you won’t have to worry about getting everything else in your suitcase dirty.


• Here is a fun use for foreign change: attach a piece of magnetic tape to the back of the coin and voila- instant fridge magnet. It makes for an inexpensive souvenir! (I am definetely going to use this tip. I have coins from my trip to England just sitting in my jewelry box taking up space).

Today's Quote: "Positive anything is better than negative nothing."

If you want to taste the BEST lemonade ever, here is recipe I shared last week:

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

8 c. water

1 1/2 c. lemon juice (juice from lemons or Real Lemon juice)

Combine sugar and 1 c. of water in small saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled. Remove seeds from lemons; squeeze juice, retaining pulp, if desired. In large pitcher, combine syrup with remaining water (7 c.) and lemon juice.

It's called "BEST EVER LEMONADE" and it really is!