Frugal Summer Entertaining

It is always fun to get together with friends and family in the summer. It doesn't have to cost a lot to host a BBQ at your home. Our main menu is pretty simple and usually consists of potato salad (inexpensive if made at home, homemade baked or slow cooked beans, and hot dogs and or hamburgers. I usually make the salad and beans the day before if I can. I let guests bring a dish if they offer, such as fruit or chips. Lemonade is an inexpensive beverage. An even healthier option is just to add lemon or limes to ice water. It looks really pretty in a glass carafe. For dessert my favorite is strawberry shortcake. If you pick your own strawberries and make your own shortcake it isn't too expensive. Popsicles are a fun alternative. Have the kids make their own from juice. For cute and reusable summer dinner ware check JoAnne Fabrics if you have one in your area. They often mark things way down around the 4th of July.
If you don't want to host at home, why not invite other families to a nearby park? Maybe for a dessert potluck instead of a full meal.
There are many ways to show hospitality with out wearing ourselves out or costing a lot. I have been shown the best hospitality by people who don't have a lot of material things but do have a lot of love. The important part is hospitality and fellowship.
Check out more Frugal Friday ideas here.

Frugal Friday: Cloth Diaper Liners

I use cotton cloth diapers and have discovered that poopy (the nicest sounding variation of the word to me) does not stick too much to fleece. So I use bought 1/2 yard of fleece for $2.00. and cut 24 5x10 inch (approx.) strips to line diaper. Then when they are dirty I rinse those in the toilet and the "poopy" comes off much easier than from the cotton. I use to buy flushable liners but those cost me about $7.00 a month. Bonus is that fleece also wicks moisture from babys bottom so they aren't feeling quite so damp.