Ah, the lawn-loving dad. You know the type: when he’s not atop his riding mower, he’s getting veggies sliced and spiced for the grill—and when he’s not doing that, he’s setting up the badminton net or the croquet wickets. Ready for a little one-on-one? OK, calm down, we’re just setting the scene. For the pop that’s always outside, we’ve assembled 13 little somethings to enrich the experience this Father’s Day, from hammocks to handheld tools that keep the grill extra clean. Read on for more.
photo credit: peasandcrayons.com
Summer is coming to a close. We’ve had some good times, we’ve had some sunburns. What better way to commemorate the end of long days and good weather than with one epic last hurrah: an end of summer barbecue blow-out.
For the vegetarians among us, barbecues can be tricky. There aren’t always enough non-meat options. That’s why UncommonGoods has called upon its community of creators, bakers, and bloggers. We asked: “What’s your favorite vegetarian barbecue recipe?” This is what you all came up with.
This is a debate that rages on in barbecue country, with passionate advocates on both sides. But when a blind taste test was conducted, it was discovered that most people can’t actually taste any difference between the two. It’s a tie! The exception appears to be in cases where the food in question needs to be cooked for a long time—and then charcoal appears to have the upper hand. What gives it that slight advantage? Smoke. Some gas grills have built in “vaporizers” that create smoke from dripping grease, but it’s not the kind of smoke that imparts much flavor to the food. But on the other hand, charcoal doesn’t get a free ride for flavor, either. A lot of quick-starting charcoal has added chemicals or is made using sawdust and glue, which can add an unpleasant taste to your foods. It seems that, in the end, either charcoal or gas can be great as long as the barbecuing is (eh-hem) well done.
We’re sure this week saw plenty of backyard parties, thanks to July 4th! While our social media team isn’t taking an extra-long holiday weekend like many lucky folks out there, we are seriously celebrating BBQs, beaches, and backyard parties and we’re pleased to announce the winner of our first ever Backyard Party Pinterest Contest!
But first, we’d like to share a few of the boards that caught our eyes.
Adrienne’s board leaves us longing for the good old days. Her film strips, snapshots hung with clothespins, and family photos in Mason jars help us remember what summer’s all about–making memories with those you love.
Alyssa’s board also had some great examples of nostalgia, but her food selections are what really stand out. Baked s’mores, blackberry frozen yogurt, and an assortment of summer salads–yum!
Dustie’s boho board steers clear of sugary sweets, and features a variety of summer fruits instead. We love how the colorful fruit fits right in with the playful theme. On one pin Dustie commented, ” In a past life I was a GYPSY!”
Zillie Zallie’s red, white, and blue Independence Day party is another great example of a board with a solid theme and a cohesive look. Patriotic punch and watermelon stars, anyone?
And…the winner is…
NYC Recessionista, Alison. Her deep fried Oreos, Nutella popsicles, and cubed pineapples make us hungry, her friendship bracelets evoke memories of summer camp, and the photos of her own family make us want to get to know them. We’d definitely attend her backyard party!
We received nearly 200 entries, but Alison’s stylish board stood out in the end earning her the grand prize. Congratulations, NYC Recessionista!
We’re cooking up Father’s Day gift ideas for all kinds of dads–so we thought, why not whip up a batch of fresh gift ideas for the Dad who knows his way around the kitchen? If your proud papa loves to BBQ, bake, brew and boil, he’ll love these foodie-friendly gifts!
Memorial Day Weekend may not be the official start of summer, but in our minds it rings in barbecue season, flip flop weather and many patio parties with ice-cold cocktails to come!
While the holiday weekend is just a couple of workdays away, it isn’t too late to get everything you need for a festive summer. There’s still time to enter the UncommonGoods and Fresh Home Ideas Ultimate BBQ Giveaway for your chance to win a bundle of great BBQ goods. The entry deadline is June 19; so in the meantime why not cool off with a refreshing concoction? These recipes are sure to make your next gathering a summer sensation, and we’ve picked out the perfect accessories to make mixing them a breeze.
The Drink?
Looking for a grown-up twist on a summer favorite? Instead of lemonade, try a Lemon Drop Martini.
You’ll love:
Shake up your next party with this clever cocktail shaker. The cute spray-can design will get a laugh out of your guests, and when filled with liquid and ice it even sounds like the real thing when you give it a shake.
Weather forecasters and ice cream trucks might tip us off to summer’s start–but we all know the season hasn’t really begun until you’ve fired up the grill. In the spirit of packed coolers and good company, we’re kicking off the Ultimate BBQ Giveaway with our friends at Fresh Home magazine, where we’ll serve seconds (and thirds!) of outdoor tools worth over $1200–everything you’ll need to keep the grill hot, and your guests cool. Find out how to enter here.
But before you invite all your neighbors over for a backyard BBQ, Fresh Home magazine has this great guide to build an outdoor table using leftover building materials you might have lying around your garage.
Photo by Robert Reichenfeld Continue Reading…