Quick, Grab A Spatula – Memorial Day Weekend Is Almost Here 

The unofficial start of summer is less than two weeks away. Quick, grab a spatula – Memorial Day Weekend is almost here!

Last year I wrote a post that explained the meaning of this holiday: https://www.outwittinglife.com/what-does-memorial-day-mean-to-you-and-your-family/. Please click the link to read about the history behind this day. We have off from work so that we may honor those who died to protect our freedoms.

Flags should be flown at half-staff until noon and then at the expected level for the remainder of the day. Also, please be sure and participate in the one-minute national moment of remembrance at 3 pm. With the crazy unrest in our world right now, it seems more important than ever to recognize those who died to protect the freedoms of the United States of America.

Memorial Day Weekend Starts the Backyarding Season

Okay, that’s the end of touting my patriotism. Let’s discuss our backyard situation now. As you know, I wasn’t particularly thrilled with our house when we moved in for those of you who have been following me. I was, however, smitten with our backyard space.

In the past three years, we have done landscaping, put in a patio with a built-in fire pit, and most recently, my son and his friend ran electricity to the patio and installed very cool lights. Our backyard is lovely now, and I cannot wait to float in the pool, barbecue, and enjoy our hot tub and firepit.

The only thing we need now is good weather! Especially this weekend, to powerwash all our patio furniture and do some flower pot planting. I’ll post some pictures on Instagram once the backyard is prepped and ready to go for Summer. I am so excited!

Is Summer Your Favorite Season?

Summer used to be my least favorite season. The backyard is making me re-think this. It’s awfully nice to have a pool to float in any time I please. Additionally, I love living twenty minutes from an ocean beach. I still loathe the sweat mustache, but it’s around less and less since I swim in the pool.

Do you have a nice backyard space? What type of amenities do you have or want?

My husband’s birthday was this week, and we got him a new Weber grill. It has a much larger cook space than his previous one. It is supposed to arrive this Saturday, and Home Depot is assembling it for free (thank goodness). Fingers crossed it comes when promised so that we can use it Memorial Day weekend.

Time To Host A Party

Do you have a set menu you use when entertaining on Memorial Day Weekend? I have to have hamburgers and hot dogs with potato salad and baked beans. It seems unamerican to me if those items are not on my menu. Can you relate?

As long as there is a bbq, you’ll need something cold, creamy, and yummy for dessert. I want to recommend a Banana Split Cake. Here is the recipe: https://catherinesplates.com/wprm_print/6357. It never disappoints! We brought this cake to a cookout when we first moved to Chicago, the family adopted us, and I think I know why! Let me know if you make it.

Backyard Hacks

I thought it would be fun to give you a few of my favorite outwittinglife tips for entertaining in the backyard:

• Use clear shower caps to keep your salads covered (and the bugs away)
• Instead of a tablecloth, use a twin fitted sheet
• Try a wine glass in the center of a bowl to hold your dip with chips all around it – excellent presentation
• Label your trash cans so you can recycle without picking thru the trash later
• Turn a cake plate upside down for a lovely shrimp platter. Cocktail sauce fits nicely in the top.
• Fill a small kiddie pool or large bucket with ice to hold all non-alcoholic drinks
• Cut the tops off empty milk jugs, fill them with water and freeze them to make ice blocks
• Make strawberry ice cubes by placing one piece in each cube, filling with water, and freezing. Your wine drinkers will love it!
• Use your slow cooker to keep your baked beans warm
• A muffin tin makes an easy condiment holder and eliminates lots of bowls on the buffet

I hope you will be able to use one of these hacks the next time you entertain! I know I will be using many of them. Do you plan on hosting a bbq on Memorial Day Weekend? Any hacks or menu ideas you can share?

If I have said anything that resonates with you, kindly let me know in the comment selection below. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. Please keep the men and women who died for us in your prayers this Memorial Day. God Bless America!