Here’s our weekly list of family-friendly weekend to dos!  Want to see your event listed here!  Send us an email on facebook and we’ll be happy to post it here!

28th Annual Greek Food Festival  May 18- May 20 Sample delicious food and learn more about Greek culture! Call  501-221-5300 or send an email to info@greenfoodfest.com.  You can also visit them online:  www.greekfoodfest.com

From Here to Timbuktu: A Journey Through West Africa.  Opens Saturday and continues on through the weekend.  This new interactive exhibit opens Saturday! Opening day activities will include musical performances, crafts, games, and refreshments beginning at 11a.m. For more information visit mosaictemplars.com or call 501-683-3593.

Alaadin, a Storybook Ballet.  Show times include Friday: 7:30 PM, Saturday 2:00 and 7:30 PM and Sunday 2:00 PM  For more information call 501-227-5320 or email info@arkansasdance.org.  More information can also be found online at www.arkansasdance.org.

Regardless if you and your family enjoy camping or if you new to the idea of pitching a tent, the Great American Backyard Campout could be a great event for you!

Sponsored by the Coleman Company and the National Wildlife Federation, the campout is part of thee larger “Be Out There” movement, which is designed to provide tools that inspire parents and children to spend time in the outdoors.  We know that time spent outside can reduce childhood obesity, and this larger campaign will introduce creative and fun ways to engage families in active and outdoor hobbies.  Spending time in your own backyard is a great place to start!   To help families, Coleman and their retail partners are providing high-quality, easy-to-use gear that can help families get started camping.

The event is also a fundraising opportunity for the National Wildlife Federation, helping to raise funds to support their programs.  WF uses 80 cents of every dollar you raise in the Great American Backyard Campout® to support programs that address the problems of America’s indoor childhood and the health risks associated with them.

The event will take place June 23rd in your own backyard, a park, or even your balcony.  And don’t forget to register because by registering you’ll have the opportunity to raise money for programs help connect kids to the great outdoors plus you can become eligible for Great American Backyard Campout t-shirts and more!  You can also personalize your page, adding photos and much more.   To register go here. 

For more information visit the Great American Backyard Campout by clicking here.

From All Recipes.com

Looking for an easy cookie that’s not too loaded with sugar?  These molasses cookies from All Recipes.com are simple, quick, and perfect for summer snacking!  What’s especially nice is the way they’ll your kitchen with welcoming aromas.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3/4 cup margarine, melted
• 1 cup white sugar  (I’ve tried substituting honey but be sure and add a teaspoon of baking powder keep the texture thick)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup white sugar

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the melted margarine, 1 cup sugar, and egg until smooth. Stir in the molasses. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger; blend into the molasses mixture. Cover, and chill dough for 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Roll dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining white sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until tops are cracked. Cool on wire racks.

What’s your favorite summer cookie recipe?  Let us know and we might include it on the blog!