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It's officially going to be Summer this month! We hope that you have a fun-in-the-sun, safe summer.
Our Graphics Central Community Director, Amanda (crisentemo), has been in the hospital but is home now. She is still very ill and I know that all join me in sending her and good thoughts for a quick and easy recovery! We miss you, Amanda.
Also, we are really looking for some hosts for our graphics boards. If you know how and would like to join us, please either post or leave a PM for Amanda or Marg (Margarita) . You will just need to jump onto whatever board you have graphics skills in and
show us what you can do by filling orders from our members.


Our Get-to-Know-You question this month is: would you rather swim in a pool or fresh water, like a river, a pond or the ocean? Let us know your thoughts. And all hosts, please answer this question on the Community Leaders board this month to let us know you are here.


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June 1 - Stand for Children Day
June 3 - Donut Day
June 5 - National Gingerbread Day
June 6 - World Environment Day, National Applesauce Cake Day
June 10 - World Egg Day, National Yo-Yo Day
June 12 - Race Unity Day, Magic Day
June 14 - National Flag Day, Pop Goes The Weasel Day
June 15 - Fly a Kit Day, Power of a Smile Day
June 16 - National Fudge Day
June 17 - World Juggler's Day, Eat Your Vegetables Day
June 18 - International Picnic Day
June 19 - Father's Day, Juneteenth
June 20 - Bald Eagle Day, Ice Cream Soda Day
June 21 - First Day of Summer
June 26 - National Chocolate Pudding Day
June 28 - Paul Bunyan Day
June 29 - Camera Day
June 30 - Meteor Day

Special Goings-On
National Fishing Week (1st Week)
National Safe Boating Week (1st Week)
Teacher Thank You Week (1st Week)
National Clay Week (2nd Week)
National Little League Baseball Week (2nd Week)
National Camping Week (4th Week)
Black Music Month
National Adpot-a-Cat Month
National Dairy Month
National Drive Safe Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month
National Iced Tea Month
National Rose Month
National Safety Month
National Tennis Month
Turkey Lovers Month
Zoo and Aquarium Month
Fireworks Safety Month
Child Vision Awareness Month




Watermelon Sherbet Smoothies

Cousin to the cucumber, the watermelon is believed to have first taken root in South Africa's Kalahari Desert. Its frequent appearance in hieroglyphics suggests that the watermelon was being cultivated in India and Egypt as early as 2500 B.C. Today, more than 500 varieties of watermelon are grown worldwide.

So, how do you pick out a good melon? Look for one that's symmetrical, with a yellow underside — a sign of ripeness — and no nicks or bruises. Store the watermelon at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Mark Twain may have described the flavor of a juicy watermelon best by saying, "When one has tasted watermelons, one knows what angels eat" — and he never even sampled one of these frosty smoothies. You may want to consider buying "seedless" watermelon, which has small, white seedpods (instead of black seeds) that are edible and virtually unnoticeable once you blend the melon. For a special touch, serve in tall frosted glasses and top with a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips.

Ingredients
3 cups fresh watermelon cubes
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup watermelon, raspberry or lime sherbet
4 teaspoons lime juice
1/2 cup miniature semisweet or white chocolate chips

Instructions
About 10 minutes before you're ready to mix the smoothies, place four tall glasses in the freezer to frost. Then wash the whole melon as you would other fruits and vegetables, and cut it into quarters. (The number of quarters you'll need to yield 3 cups of cubes will depend on the size of the melon.)

Slice each quarter you plan to use lengthwise into three wedges, then slice the flesh away from the rind. Use a fork to scrape away the seeds and chop the melon into cubes.

Combine the crushed ice, watermelon cubes, lime juice and watermelon, raspberry, or lime sherbert, and blend until smooth.

Pour the mixture into the frosted glasses and top each one with a half dozen or so miniature chocolate chips. Serves 4.




Painted Turtles

Go exploring in your backyard to find the perfect stone for this turtle's rockin' shell, then bring it back inside for some quiet-time crafting.

Materials:
Roundish rock
Scissors
3 wooden craft spoons
Tacky glue
Acrylic paint
Googly eyes

Instructions
Look for a clean, roundish rock about 2 inches wide.

For the legs, use scissors to cut two wooden craft spoons in half. With tacky glue, attach those four pieces to a third craft spoon as shown.

Glue the rock on top of the craft spoon assembly. Let the glue set.

Decorate the turtle with acrylic paint, and add a pair of googly eyes.




We will be offering one or two new glitter siggy snags every month on the Glitter Board here. So drop on by each month to see what we have offered to brighten up your signature.


Each month, the Scrapbooking Forum may be having a challenge that is open to everyone. We need lots of people to join us! Just visit the board here the first few days of the month to grab the free kit or template and show us how talented you are! The board host, MomsLilGal03, Heather, is going to be posting lots of freebies each month, so check in regularly. The winner of the challenge will receive a customized tag for your siggy that says you won that month's challenge.


If you have any questions or concerns about anything here at Graphic Central, we are always available by email, private message, or you can even post here!.

Community Director - Amanda, (crisantemo) at amandamcwhinney@aol.com
Asst. Community Director - Marg (Margarita) at signesmom@yahoo.com