One of the first questions I got after getting engaged (next to “have you set a date?”) was “do you have a theme?” My first reaction was to keep it simple and go with a beach theme since we would be on Martha’s Vineyard. But I quickly nixed it since we chose MV because my fiance’s family owns a house […]
more about: entertaining
Use Aluminum Foil to Clean Your Grill
Don’t toss that piece of aluminum foil that you grilled your veggies on once the coals are cool. Instead use it to help clean off any bits of charred burger or chicken breast that might be lingering on the grate. Simply wad up the foil, grip the ball with a pair of tongs, and use it to scrape off any […]
A July 4th Celebration
My fiancé and I have adopted a new July 4th tradition—as soon as work ends on Friday we decamp with friends to the Catskills for a weekend of eating and country dancing. The tradition itself is not new (in fact, it’s several decades old), but our participation is, and we have already started counting down the days. The highlight of […]
Block Party Games You Can Make
Though I haven’t been to one in years, the annual block party held in my childhood neighborhood has a place among my sweetest summertime memories. There’s no better way to kick off the summer than to get new and old neighbors together for some fun in the sun and a hearty barbecue.
Though traditional block party activities such as the dunk tank and the bounce house are fun, they can be costly. And according to Yahoo, clever DIY games and outdoor activities are popular this summer.
So here are some easy-to-plan and affordable ideas sure to be the hit of your next block party:
A New Meat for Your Grill
There’s nothing that says “summer” to me more than a backyard barbecue—I absolutely love them. Unfortunately for me, I don’t have any outdoor space, so I have to rely on the few people I know who actually do have access to a grill—usually on a rooftop, very occasionally in a yard. So when a friend recently invited me to a […]
Natural Mosquito Control to Keep the Party Outdoors
There’s nothing I enjoy more than warm weather, good friends, and a backyard gathering, but pesky mosquitoes can really spoil the party. I’ve already been to two parties at which guests were sent running indoors to escape the pests.
Bug spray seems like a simple solution, but I’m convinced I’m allergic to it. Plus, nobody likes to smell like they’ve bathed in a chemical cocktail.
To keep the party outdoors, I’ve rounded up some tips for natural mosquito control.
