A Simple Love of Reading: Sundays with Sarah (33)

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Well Everyone, welcome to another "sporadic" Sundays with well ME , Sarah!

I've been away this past little bit and as many of you know it's getting to that crazy time again of summer. With summer approaching and more and more people getting out to enjoy the awesome summer heat, there are going to be lots of activities for yourself, your family and kids to do.

So here are my top 10 activities for the summer, and in no particular order.

#10: Camping

As many of you know camping can be one of those year round indulgences but did you know that the stress level of people tend to significantly go down when gone camping. There is something to be said for the great outdoors and the clean air as we all know how smoggy a lot of cities are in Canada. Toronto being the worst but then again -- Toronto sucks in General.

Suggested places for camping in Canada: Mouintains, Lakes, Streams and anyplace not near Toronto.

Suggested movie: The Great Outdoors

Suggested Book: Anything NOT involving Vampires

#9: Sunbathing

Ok I'm going to make this short -- wear sun screen and enjoy the hot summer air and most of all, use bug repellant, with the mercury getting higher and higher, make sure you also protect yourself from those sun rays, or we might be serving you up with some cranberry sauce.

#8: Going for a walk

Now is a good time to shed some of those pounds that collected over the winter. Walking is a great form of cardiovascular exercise and most of all for those with families, spend about 1 hour a day taking the kids or your pet for a walk (unless its a fish)

#7: BBQing

Ah, the smells of eating outside in the back yard with the steaks and ribs and shish-kabobs cooking. But did you know its a fact that women can grill better than men. It's true, cause men don't know how to cook. Especially Gordon Ramsey.

Amazing Whiskey Grilled Baby Back Ribs

Ingredients:

2 (2 pound) slabs baby back pork ribs

coarsely ground black pepper

1 tablespoon ground red chile pepper

2 1/4 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup minced onion

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup tomato paste

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 1/2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black

pepper

1 1/4 teaspoons liquid smoke flavoring

2 teaspoons whiskey

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon dark molasses

1/2 tablespoon ground red chile pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

2. Cut each full rack of ribs in half, so that you have 4 half racks. Sprinkle salt and pepper (more pepper than salt), and 1 tablespoon chile pepper over meat. Wrap each half rack in aluminum foil. Bake for 2 1/2 hours.

3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir the onions in oil for 5 minutes. Stir in water, tomato paste, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, liquid smoke, whiskey, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, dark molasses, and 1/2 tablespoon ground chile pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for 1 1/4 hours, uncovered, or until sauce thickens. Remove from heat, and set sauce aside.

4. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.

5. Remove the ribs from the oven, and let stand 10 minutes. Remove the racks from the foil, and place on the grill. Grill the ribs for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Brush sauce on the ribs while they're grilling, just before you serve them (adding it too early will burn it).

#6: Sports and Swimming

Ok everyone, time to take out your favorite bikini and hit the pools. Swimming in a lake or outdoor pool may seem tantalizing until the fat guy with the extra small speedo comes waltzing over, but for most we all like beating the heat and heading to our favorite swimming hole. But did you know a cheap alternative if your able to is to buy a small swimming pool and fill it up in the back yard goes great with realxing with a nice cold beer or cooler

#5: Sending the Kids to Camp

Ok parents we all know you love this one, but with more parents working these days, it's better just to get rid of the little brats for the summer to lessen the stress.

But for you Kids, hey think of it as a great way to get away from your parents for a week or two and spend time with your summer friends doing things your parents shouldn't know about.

#4: Concerts

Summer is the time for concerts. With more and more concerts around we all love listening to music from our favorite artists. Some of the Big concert tours going around are Selena Gomez, One Direction, Taylor Swift, Mariana's Trench, and most of all STAY AWAY from Justin Beiber concerts. If you wanted to go see a screaming whining 'baby baby baby' then check out babysitting for the summer.

#3: Carnivals and Festivals

Summer is the great time of doing carnivals and seeing the various festivals in Canada. With the CNE in Toronto (SUCKS) being the biggest, and Klondike Days in Edmonton (RULES) as one of the BEST and oldest in the country, going to the carnivals are going to be awesome.

Suggested Food: Corn dogs and Elephant ears

Suggested wallet size: Bottomless

Suggested Headache medications: Ear plugs, and LOTS of alcohol followed by long baths.

But for Festivals, check out your local arts festivals as many cities can boast awesome theatrical performances from local actors. Some of the best festivals are in Montreal, Vancouver and Edmonton

#2: Family Reunions

Um wait -- screw that! Some may like but, um yeah let's just not go there

#1: DISNEYWORLD

Yes everyone, why not take a vacation ot the greatest place on earth and if you cannot afford it, well try making your own "DisneyDay" and watch movies, dress up and well make it a day for parents to be kids and let kids be the parents for a day.

Anyways, I hope you all like my list.

Here are some recommended reading of some great books for over the summer: