The Best Backyard BBQ: How to Throw the Perfect Outdoor Celebration

The kids might be back in school, the weather might be getting chilly, and the leaves might be slowly turning yellow, but that doesn’t mean that BBQ season is over. In fact, some would say that early fall is the perfect time to throw the ultimate outdoor party!

But what is it that makes a BBQ “the ultimate outdoor party”? Is it the food? The entertainment? The company? Yes, yes, and yes! Here are a few quick tips that will help you throw the kind of cookout the neighbors will rave about for years to come.

Get Good Meat

There’s a reason why we call cookouts “BBQs”: these parties live or die by the meat you serve. Make sure you purchase some quality meat ahead of time and make sure you’ve got someone nearby who knows how to cook it. Not only will the main course taste better, but you’ll also be able to avoid some major safety hazards!

Of course, you can’t just serve meat at your BBQ (although that does sound like heaven). Make sure you have a few tasty side dishes ready to go along with your cow, pig, or chicken. Even if you’re having a potluck, make sure to prepare at least one side yourself, as this will ensure you have enough for all your guests (and probably leftovers — yum!).

Keep That Pool Open

A lot of folks seem to think that September first is “National Close the Pool Day.” They put on the winter cover, lock the pool fence, and wash their hands of it until May rolls around. But come on, y’all — you know just as well as I do that September can be just as hot as Mid-July.

If you keep the pool open just a little longer this year, you’ll be able to entertain your guests more easily at your cookout. Just make sure you have a designated adult watching the pool at all times.

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Dress up Your Yard

You usually clean up your house before having any company, right? Well, the same rule applies before having a cookout! Your yard needs to be dressed to impress a crowd. Trim any bushes, pull the weeds in your flower beds, and make sure your lawn is still looking fresh despite the coming autumn.

If you plan to continue your BBQ well into the night, you’ll need to outfit your yard with appropriate lighting to help set the mood. Consider stringing up some LED neon lights or adding solar lamps on your patio furniture. These will help your guests hang around even longer and keep the party going.

Invite Everyone!

Once you’ve taken all these steps, there’s really only one thing left to do: invite your friends, family, and neighbors to your incredible cookout! If your place looks great, your food is good (and there’s enough of it), and there’s plenty of entertainment, you’re just about guaranteed the perfect backyard BBQ.

Proper Place Settings

5307_448850101861668_1845974850_nWho would have known there were so many pieces of stemware, plates, bowls, silverware to make a very formal proper setting for each person at a table.  This is a great diagram sent to us by Wendy Graver. Print and use it to make a formal place setting for your table.

Canadian Bacon & Egg Cupcake

Use cupcake liners and place the Canadian bacon in the bottom to make a bowl. Drop egg on top and bake at 350 until egg is done. I have been told you can use regular pork or turkey bacon but have not tried it. Place several 1/2 pieces in one direction and then a few in the opposite direction to create your bowl. Serve with toast or for s special delight serve besides pancakes, waffles or french toast. Definitely an eye opener for breakfast… or anytime!

 

People Food For Your Dog & Cat

You share a lot with your pet: your home, your affection. To help build strong muscles, bones and a shiny coat, you should also share home-cooked meats, veggies and whole grains. Here’s how to do it right.
1 Work with your vet. Design a home-cooked diet that’s right for your pet’s breed, age and size with advice from your vet. Have your pet’s eating plan reevaluated at annual check-up time, or sooner if you notice health changes like lethargy or a dull coat.
2 Serve a variety of foods. About 30 percent of your pet’s diet should consist of food you make yourself, and should include meat (ask your vet whether meat should be raw or cooked), grains, vegetables and fruit.
3 Don’t overfeed! More than 45 percent of dogs and 55 percent of cats are overweight due to overfeeding. Any homemade food you feed your pet should be part of their normal diet, not in addition to it.
4 Teach good table manners. Incorporating people food into your pal’s diet doesn’t mean you should teach him to beg for table scraps. Serve meals in a bowl he’s used to eating from, away from your table and on a regular schedule— two or three times a day depending on activity level.
5 Avoid these toxic foods. Some human foods contain ingredients that can harm dogs and cats. Never feed them grapes or raisins, choco­late or caffeine, onions or garlic, processed food or raw eggs.

Simple Chilli

*1 can red beans

*1 can kidney beans

*1 can black beans

*1 can pinto beans

*2 can chilli beans

*1 lb hamburger

*1 medium union

*chilli powder

*onion powder

*garlic powder

*cheddar cheese (optional)

*cheesits (optional)

Brown hamburger and add diced onion, then add cans of beans, then add seasonings to taste. Cook for 1 hour stirring occassionally. Serve with cheezits or sprinkled cheddar cheese.