Memorial Day

My grandfather and many members of my husband’s family served in the military, so as you might imagine, patriotic holidays hold a special place in our hearts. And although we’ve not personally lost anyone (although I did have a great uncle suffer being held prisoner for several years), we as Americans tend to celebrate loved ones through sharing good food. This Memorial Day I’ll be remembering those who have sacrificed so much for our country with our traditional family backyard picnic.

In the summer months, there is nothing I love more than throwing together a backyard barbecue for our family and friends. With a smaller home, the great outdoors allows us to offer a comfortable place for our guests to spread out and enjoy themselves. Backyard barbecues can be practically effortless with a little bit of planning and preparation. I wanted to showcase some easy ideas for achieving a successful & fun backyard bash that will long be remembered.

When I was a kid, I spent my summers shoeless and with little else than a bathing suit and t-shirt, playing at the beach until sunset. I try to make my children's summers be as carefree and unscheduled as I remember mine. We schedule very little once school is out, and live in the moment, drifting between the pool and the playground. More often than not, friends come over, and we end the day with spontaneous cookouts and parties, easy socializing for the whole family.

The summer is my favorite season to entertain. I love having people over during the summertime because throwing a party in the summer is cheap and easy. Here are a few ways to take the heat off your wallet when throwing a summer party.

During the summer evenings, we like to get our fire pit going and make some yummy s’mores. Nothing better than that ooey gooey toasted marshmallows layers with chocolate and cookies.