Summer evenings are great opportunities to gather the friends
and family for an outdoor hangout. “We entertain outdoors about
once a month, for family or neighbours,” says Puce resident Wendy
Stark. The warmer temperatures begin to last into the evening
starting around mid-May, making it comfortable to be outdoors once
the sun goes down. Check the forecast for surprise rain showers that
might ruin your evening.
Your backyard bliss can mean many different things. My parents
have a full vegetable garden, swimming pool and flowers galore; but
I’m just happy if my grass is cut. Your backyard, patio or deck really
can be like an extra room during the summer months, so put it to
good use.
Sarah Kish, of Windsor, uses tiki torches and solar lights to make
traversing the backyard safe. “We don’t worry about decorating so
much, we just clean up and light some nice-smelling candles.”
Sometimes a simple string of mini Christmas lights can jazz
things up and light the way at the same time. Stark has an arbour
with a fan in it, convenient for keeping guests cool on warmer nights.
A pop-up shelter can be beneficial if it sprinkles, or to keep the sun
off your guests earlier in the evening - or even to shelter food from
the sun’s hot rays. If you’re lucky enough to live where a campfire or
chiminea is allowed (outside the City of Windsor limits), a few
flames can warm up cooler nights, or just provide some ambience.
Set up small groupings of chairs and side tables to provide
different conversation areas. This can also encourage your guests to
mix and mingle, as well as feel free to walk around and admire your
landscaping efforts.
The crucial question of a backyard barbecue is, of course, what
to cook. A potluck might work well for your gathering - provide the
main course and have guests bring snacks or salads. “We make as
much as we can the day before, like cold salads, so you only have the
meat to cook on the day of,” says Stark. “I feel like backyard
entertaining shouldn’t be too fussy.” She keeps things simple with
fruit desserts and basic toppings for burgers.
Kish makes sure she has quinoa salad ready for her vegetarian
friends, “In addition to hotdogs, sausages, and burgers for those who
eat meat!” She also stocks up on snacks like potato chips - easy to
store, serve and share. “We usually keep a cooler outside with cold
drinks in it, and we use paper plates and plastic cups to keep things
simple.”
If you plan to serve a meal at a specific time, let your guests
know ahead. Keep the party going by spacing out dinner and dessert.
Whatever you serve, be sure to handle, serve and store your food
safely. Cold food needs to be kept cold, and hot food needs to be kept
hot; click here for Health Canada’s summer food safety guidelines.
You want your guests to remember what a good time they had – not
that everyone got food poisoning!
Did you know mosquitos are drawn to motion? Ignore those few
critters that fly around you, because swatting at them only attracts
more. Eliminate conditions where bugs breed: standing water is a big
Neat
Ideas
Bring ottomans outside for soft places
to sit. Throw pillows and blankets you
don’t mind having outside are a good
source of seating too.
Rotate potted plants or flowers around
to decorate your patio area. Have an
area you don’t want people walking
in? Use potted plants to create a
boundary that can’t be crossed.
Fruit or small river rocks can weigh
down tablecloths or napkin stacks.
Use tinfoil muffin cups to hold tea
lights and avoid getting wax on the
table.
Place candles in mason jars to protect
them from the elements - these will get
hot, be careful!
Be easy to find: tie balloons to your
front porch railing and gate, or include
signage to direct guests to the entrance
to the backyard.
Eva’s fave: Keep
Shelley’s fave:
paint a Twister
board on the
grass
your drinks cool and
plain drinks flavoured
by using a popsicle as
a stir stick
June 2014 - The HUB 11