Jul

Week of July 11th

Hi there, Friends!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

4 Genius Ways to Throw a Better Backyard Barbecue

from Country Living

It’s summertime and — as the saying goes — the living is easy. Or at least it will be when you steal these fast, fresh tips for your next outdoor affair:

1. Turn a watermelon into a keg. You’re going to be too busy having fun to play bartender — let your guests self-serve with a DIY watermelon drink dispenser.
2. Let guests know what’s on the menu. Coat a tall piece of plywood with black chalkboard paint for a professional-looking board. Try using an overhead projector and white acrylic paint to add the “menu” graphic.
3. Use Popsicle sticks to label condiments. Wooden craft sticks do double duty in this hack, serving as both labels and spreading utensils.
4. Label what’s hot-off-the-grill with rubber stamps. Before firing up your grill, cut 10-by-10-inch sheets of parchment paper, then use letter stamps to print rare, medium, and well done across the tops in equal number. Lay one on each plate, and when the meat comes off the coals, just slide it onto the dish with the corresponding label and let guests grab what they want.