The Fourth of July is just around the corner—as is Canada Day on July 1—so prepare to celebrate! The June/July issue has great grilling ideas plus lots of dishes perfect for picnics.

While everyone is thinking about summer fun, we're testing recipes for our December/January issue, from luscious holiday desserts to savory dinner dishes even Ebenezer Scrooge would love. We’ll tell you more about our exciting holiday issues in the months to come.

WE WANT YOUR RECIPES!

Speaking of working ahead, our staff is hoping you can help out by submitting some of your favorite recipes in these categories.

Please submit them to fieldeditors@tasteofhome.com and remember to include your name, phone number and mailing address on each recipe. Please put “newsletter response” on the subject line of your E-mail. Deadline is Friday, July 16. Here’s what we’re looking for:

ASPARAGUS: We'd love to see the ways you use this springtime favorite in appetizers, side dishes, salads and main dishes.

BRUNCH: Brunch is a hit any day of the week, but it's most popular on Sundays and holidays. Please send us your best recipes for a springtime brunch, including egg bakes, French toast, fruit salads, sausage dishes, coffeecake, sweet rolls and any other dish that makes your brunch menu a meal to remember.

MICROWAVE MAGIC: Everybody seems to be in a hurry these days, so we'd like to see your best 5-ingredient main dishes that can be cooked in the microwave. These recipes can start with a convenience food, and you don’t have to count salt, pepper or water among the 5 ingredients.

MEATLESS: More and more people are trying to go meatless at least one meal a week. What meatless entrees are a hit with your family? Please send us sandwiches, casseroles, main-dish salads or any other meatless recipes you like to serve for lunch or dinner.

CILANTRO: This popular herb will soon be ready to pick fresh from the garden. We’re looking for the recipes you make using your cilantro harvest.

SUSHI: Sushi restaurants are oh, so popular these days. But you can make the tasty California-style rolls, dipping sauces and more in your own kitchen. We’d love to have your recipes plus any tips you have for hosting a sushi party.

ON THE ROAD

Executive Editor Christian Millman is taking his family on an RV vacation later this year, and he's looking for some tried-and-true dishes he can whip up for his wife and three sons in an RV kitchen. You can help him out by sending in the recipes you rely on when traveling in your own RV. He plans to share his experiences—and some of your recipes—in an upcoming issue!

TULSA BOUND?

We hear that Tulsa, Oklahoma has one of the best Oktoberfest celebrations in the country—with fabulous food. If you've ever attended this fun event, please drop us a line and tell us what you liked best about this fest. We may include your thoughts in a future issue.

SPECIAL BOOK OFFER

Here’s another outstanding offer just for Taste of Home Field Editors! You can purchase Taste of Home Cooking Through the Seasons at 40% off its regular price of $27.96. You’ll find mouthwatering sensations for anytime of the year in this keepsake collection. The cookbook is divided into spring, summer, autumn and winter sections, so the perfect recipe is always at your fingertips. Take advantage of farm-fresh produce in spring, frosty desserts in summer, comforting slow-cooked dinners in fall and satisfying stews come winter. Best of all, each section includes delicious holiday favorites.

To order by credit card, call Shop Taste of Home toll-free at 1-800-880-3012 or order online. Make sure to request item 39134 and suite number 371.

FIELD EDITOR FORUM

Here are some recent topics to check out in our private Field Editor Forum:

"My husband and I are moving to Germany (which many of you already knew) here in the next week. Can't wait to start experimenting on German recipes!!"
http://community.tasteofhome.com/forums/t/788560.aspx

“Hey, Texans (and those visiting Texas or even close to Texas), it's time again to plan to attend the TOH Summer luncheon this time at The Mix Cafe and Gifts in Hewitt, Texas (a suburb of Waco)  on Saturday, June 26, 2010, at 11:30 a.m.”
http://community.tasteofhome.com/forums/t/786795.aspx

Have a question about cooking or a fun story to share? Start your own topic today in the private Field Editor Forum!
http://community.tasteofhome.com/forums/203210.aspx

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Have you been recognized in public as a Taste of Home Field Editor? We want to hear your stories. You might even be selected for the Field Editor Spotlight in Taste of Home magazine. Here is a sample “encounter” from Holly Basford of McFarland, Wisconsin:

“One day I was picking up my dry cleaning and the woman behind the counter recognized my name from my check. She asked me to sign her Taste of Home magazine that was under the counter. I got a chuckle out of that!”

FINALLY...

Recently, we’ve sent E-mails to some of the Field Editors we haven't heard from in a long time. We want to make sure you are receiving our newsletter and that you want to continue as a Field Editor. So please, check your Inbox (and your Spam) to see if you have received our message. If we do not hear from you by the date on the E-mail, we will assume you no longer want to participate. Any questions? Please contact Editorial Assistant Jane Stasik in care of fieldeditors@tasteofhome.com. Thanks very much!

That's it for this month. Enjoy your vacations, backyard parties and leisurely afternoons on the deck. We'll see you in July!

Barbara Schuetz, Editor
Erik Bergstrom, Web Community Manager