uffy white clouds in a sapphire sky – the weather's glorious and it's time to enjoy summer! Here's a whole calendar of ways to frolic with family and friends.

Backyard Barbecue Bash. Kick off summer with a Memorial Day barbecue. To reduce pre-party stress and maximize your mingle time, buy pre-made potato salad from the deli, then add your own special touches (Hellmann's® mayonnaise and Kraft® yellow mustard, if too dry; chives, paprika and salt and pepper, if too bland). No one will ever know you "cheated!" Throw pre-packaged, pre-cooked marinated barbeque ribs on the grill, and dinner is served. For a tasteful touch, chill lemonade, fruit punch, iced tea and mixed drinks with frozen blueberries, strawberries and raspberries instead of ice cubes – very patriotic and equally refreshing! To work off all those calories, think Frisbees and football.

Festive Fourth of July. America's turning 226 this year, so why not salute her with a sunset soiree? Bake Berry Cookie Cobblers (one for each guest) and light each with a red, white or blue candle, have everybody sing the National Anthem, then blow out the candles and wish for health, happiness and peace. Afterward, create your own brand of fireworks by staging a light show. Buy a bunch of mini flashlights and tape red and blue cellophane over the lens. Give everybody a flashlight, and decorate the sky with your own patriotic pageant – great, safe fun for the whole family.

Beach Blanket Brunch. Wake up those lazy August days by inviting a bunch for brunch. Forgo the formalities and go with a laid-back vacation theme. Get the festivities off on a high note with some peppy island music (try Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers CD). Use beach towels as tablecloths and spread shells down the buffet table. Stow utensils in a sand bucket and tie colorful napkins with raffia. Park the bar under a beach umbrella, serve Sorbet Shooters and watch your guests belly up to a good time.

Potluck Picnic. Send off summer with a day in the great outdoors. The charm of a potluck picnic is that it's easy and hassle-free – after all, who wants to labor on Labor Day? Have everybody bring a pre-determined dish, use paper plates and plastic cutlery to make cleanup a breeze, then fill your plate and go blanket hopping – a great way to keep everybody mingling. Add a scenic nature hike or bike ride to the menu, or if you're near a lake, cool off by floating on inner tubes. It's a great way to soak up the last sun of summer.