Some Like It Hot: Summertime Barbecue

My relatives joke that you can always tell that someone was raised in the South when you hear them use “barbecue” as a verb. Barbecues – and barbecuing – is just that important to us. And no season is better for barbecue than summer!

We’re celebrating summer barbecues at the Lifestyles Channel. Bloggers offer their collective take on food, summer and fun:

At One Book Two Book, Mary Emma Allen combines reading and cooking for kids this summer in “Build It” with Food – Let’s Get Cooking!

Katelyn from Stamping Mad likes to add a special touch to cookouts with colorful handmade invitations.

Speaking of handmade, Mary Emma Allen has been featuring Christmas in July at Quilting and Patchwork. Check out these 13 Holiday Recipes for Quilters to Enjoy.

Corey and Kerri Aldrich (married b5media bloggers – like Chris and I) offer their perspective on who really wears the pants at the grill.

Despite what my uncles think, grilling isn’t just for pork, steaks, chicken and burgers: you could try grilling halloumi – cheese! It’s what’s for dinner.

If you do plan on grilling meat, consider trying a yummy sauce – at Kettle and Cup, Marye suggests Spicy Coffee Barbecue Sauce. While I haven’t tried it yet, it’s definitely going on my list. It feels like a twist on red eye gravy.

Marye also reminds us that there’s more to barbecue than you think. Check out Baking Delight’s All About Barbecue.

Cyndi offers up nontraditional fun family fare at Busy Family Meals with a great recipe: chicken Skewers with pineapple-macadamia nut sauce. It’s a tasty tropical mix for when it’s hot, hot, hot!

Cool things off with a fun summer dessert from She Knows Parties. Linette offers not one – but fifty – fun summer dessert ideas.

The great thing about barbecues is that you don’t have to go far. Make it a staycation! Kadi at Guerrilla Parenting shares her staycation experiences in photos – with a great recipe thrown in for fun!

Chris also stays local – with a look at domestic (US) beers just meant for summer. Drink up at Brewha-ha.com!

If beer isn’t your, well, cup of tea, consider a cocktail. Colleen suggests a classic gin and tonic over at Drinks After Dark.

Entertainment is key at a barbecue. Susan goes big and bold at Play Library with a look at an inflatable movie screen.

Of course, don’t forget about the guests that you don’t want at a party – mosquitoes! Marye offers up homemade mosquito repellent at Simply Home Remedies.

Finally, clean up doesn’t have to be all about the trash. Peg, at Tree Hugging Family, encourages you to make it easy on yourself – consider throwing a reusable, recycled and “disposable” party.