Planning The Perfect Memorial Day Barbeque
Kachi Realty
Planning The Perfect Memorial Day Barbeque
Planning The Perfect Memorial Day Barbeque
While the focus is often on the Fourth of July when it comes to backyard celebrations, Memorial Day is often a popular choice as well. In many parts of the country, the weather is finally becoming warm enough to truly enjoy the outdoors as the summer season kicks off. Memorial Day is the perfect time to gather friends and family together for the perfect backyard barbeque.
What’s On The Menu?
With all the other activities that are planned for the Fourth of July, the menu is often simple. Since Memorial Day is usually more low-key, consider going the extra mile when it comes to the food you choose to serve. Barbecued ribs are a finger licking good favorite that everyone will appreciate. They can be a little expensive, though, so they might only be a good choice for a small gathering. Another fun choice is to slow-smoke a pork shoulder or other piece of meat. It takes a long time, but that true smoky barbeque flavor simply can’t be beat!
A homemade coleslaw or pasta salad is always a classic choice for a side dish, but you can also consider taking it up a notch with some homemade baked beans. Made in the slow cooker, they are an easy choice to prepare ahead of time.
Fun And Games
Set up some fun games for people of all ages to add to the fun. Classics like a three-legged race, a water balloon toss, or a cake walk are always popular choices. You can also consider getting a piñata filled with small toys and candies for the young children.
A treasure hunt around the neighborhood is another great way for everyone to have a good time, and works especially well if your neighbors are joining your barbeque. Create a list of things to find and send out teams on the hunt! When everyone comes back, have prizes for the teams who have been successful!
Memorial Day is a great way to start off the barbeque season and have friends and family over for a great time. Take advantage of your long weekend and plan a great barbeque everyone will be talking about.
Useful Information from Kachi Realty LLC
Cut your energy costs with easy home tips. Learn how smart lighting, efficient appliances, and simple thermostat tricks can help you save energy and money year-round.
WAYS TO GO GREEN IN THE KITCHEN Start a garden. Whether you opt for a full-out vegetable garden or a small window of fresh herbs, the taste of freshness will be unmistakable! Shop locally! Visit local farmers markets or choose locally produced produce whenever possible. Bring your own bags when you visit the grocery store. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. Save time and energy by cooking a double portion and setting half aside in the freezer for a quick meal at a later date. Get energized and leave the appliances alone. Whenever possible, mix and beat ingredients by hand, cook multiple items at the same time, and avoid washing dishes unnecessarily. Use energy-efficient appliances such as the slow cooker or toaster oven, which can use up to 30% less energy. Be aware of energy wasters such as excessive pre-heating or simmering. Ditch the wraps (such as saran wrap or foil) and make the switch to reusable containers for lunches and leftovers. Put a lid on it! Did you know that cooking with lids could save up to three times the energy? Keep all that steam inside the pot for a more energy-efficient (and faster!) meal. Go fresh—say goodbye to excessively packaged foods, which are often produced using processes that are harmful to the environment. Cooking meals from scratch using fresh ingredients is not only healthier, it’s often less expensive and better for the environment. Decide what you are looking for before you open the fridge, and never keep the door open longer than absolutely necessary.
Water Features For Your Yard A water feature can make a major change in your yard, and there are plenty of different ways to go about adding one. From a simple and small fountain to a koi pond or waterfall, you can use water to create a peaceful sense of a real escape from life in your yard. Small Water Features For small yards or for those looking to add something simple, a basic fountain is easy to add. They come in a variety of types, shapes, and sizes and can fit into any landscaping. Your fountain can be a centerpiece for the yard or can be placed near the patio. You can even get a small tabletop fountain for the patio table. Most fountains are easy enough to install by yourself. They use a pump system that circulates the water and keeps the fountain running. Follow all of the instructions for set-up, use, and care that come with the fountain and you can enjoy the sound of trickling water for many years to come. Adding A Pond A pond is a really eye-catching and special addition to any yard. You will need some space for it, but even smaller yards can manage one. Koi ponds are a very popular choice, as the fish are lovely and create an ambience in the yard. They fit in well with any sort of Japanese or other Asian landscape design, but really extend into other styles as well. Make sure your pond has a system for keeping the water circulating and clean; standing water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and it can get quite dirty over time. It’s best to have a professional install the water system for your pond. Waterfalls You may not be able to have Niagara Falls in your yard to enjoy, but you can get a waterfall added as a feature of your yard. These can be falls that descend over a rock wall, a small stream that runs over consecutive drops in a sloped yard, or something in a corner where water falls down into a small pond. A waterfall adds the sound of moving water to the air all the time. Be sure you have proper drainage for the water system. Water features are a beautiful addition to any yard, and your imagination is really the only limit. Many professionals can help you to design the water feature that is right for your yard and your needs.