BBQ

4 Summer Party Ideas To Make Your Next Summer Bash A Hit

04/20/2017 By Jenn 1 Comment

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There’s nothing like having a good cookout in the summer with family and friends from the neighborhood. A simple summer celebration can turn into the best summer bash in no time with a few additions like special activities and the best food. Do a little research to see what others in the neighborhood are doing so that you don’t copy anyone, making your bash completely unique.

Here are 4 Summer Party Ideas To Make Your Bash A Hit!

Light It Up

Your backyard bash can sparkle in the evening with a few sparklers and fireworks. Make sure that the fireworks that you use are legal in your state. Also, you can put glow sticks in clear jars to light up the tables, giving a fun glow to the evening. Let guests bring their favorite fireworks to set off so that everyone can join in on the fun.

Game Time

You want to have plenty of games for your guests. Find games that are fun for adults and games that children can play as well. Offer prizes for the winners, such as a gift card to a restaurant or even money. If guests enjoy the time at your bash, they will want to come back in the future, which means you’ll have new friends at every turn. Hula hoops and bubbles also work along with sidewalk chalk so that you can remember the event.

Make a Splash

If you don’t already have one for your yard, get a pool, like those that The Pool Store has, for people to enjoy at your bash. It can be something simple like the inflatable pools that are four-feet high. As long as you offer a way for guests to get cool, then they will usually be very grateful. Have a few pool toys and floats, especially for the younger crowd as they enjoy doing things other than just swimming in circles. Set up a smaller pool for toddlers so that they can enjoy the time as well and you don’t have to worry about them so much.

Feed the Belly

No summer party is complete without delicious food. If you want to save a little money, then ask others to bring their favorite dishes. Offer a balance of traditional foods, like burgers and hot dogs, along with a few new items, like this tropical pineapple dip or bratwurst on the grill. Kale chips are an idea if you want a side item that is healthy but fun to eat.

Your summer party will be one to remember if you pay attention to detail. Provide entertainment in various forms, such as games and music. Also, don’t forget the decorations as you don’t want a simple party with nothing to look at but grass and tables. With these 4 summer party ideas your friends and family will have a great time!

What are your favorite summer party ideas when you throw a backyard bash?

This is a guest post written by Hannah Whittenly. Hannah is a freelance writer from Sacramento, California. A mother of two, Hannah enjoys writing on blogs of all niches.

Mouthwatering Babyback Ribs BBQ Grilled Cheese

09/19/2016 By Jenn 10 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

Mouthwatering Babyback Ribs BBQ Grilled Cheese

This BBQ Grilled Cheese is a perfect way to use up those left over babyback ribs for lunches the next day or make a dinner using them. I love cooking larger batches of meats just for this reason. It makes my weeks go so much smoother when I basically just revamp a meal we had the night before.

The BBQ Grilled Cheese is a great twist on a classic grilled cheese that my whole family enjoys. Think pulled pork sandwich but even better with melted colby jack cheese (or any you like that is my fave) on buttery toasted bread! YUM!

Babyback Ribs BBQ Grilled Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

1 rack of babyback ribs (recipe to follow, the grilled cheese recipe uses leftovers for the next day or two)
bread of your choice
colby jack or cheddar cheese slices
butter
BBQ sauce of your choice
blackening seasoning
sat & pepper

Directions for making the babyback ribs

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Flip the ribs over and remove the membrane skin from the entire length of the ribs. This is a clear membrane but once you begin to peel it up it should remove easily. Once the membrane is removed, flip the ribs back over and season with salt and pepper and blackening.
Fill a 9×13 baking dish with 2″ of water. You may need to cut the ribs in half to get them to fit in the pan.
Cover the ribs with foil and bake for 2 1/2 – 3 hours. Remove from the oven.
Now, this next step is optional but we finish ours on the grill. The ribs are already cooked so my husband heats the grill, throws the ribs on for a few minutes and slathers them with BBQ sauce.
If you would prefer to not turn the grill on, simply move your oven rack to the 2nd or 3rd notch and turn the broiler on medium/high.
Remove the ribs from the baking dish and place on a baking sheet. Slather with BBQ sauce and place under the broiler for 5-10 minutes to allow the BBQ sauce to crystalize. Remove from the oven a serve.
If there are leftovers (we usually have leftovers because we make 2-3 racks at a time), simply remove the excess meat from the bones, place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for several days.

BBQ Grilled Cheese Directions

Butter 2 outside pieces of bread. Lay one slice of bread butter side down in a frying pan.
Add a heaping scoop of the leftover BBQ pork.
Next, add a layer of cheese and then top with the second slice of bread, butter side up.
Heat on the frying pan 5-10 minutes on medium/high heat until the bottom bread has browned.
Flip and allow the other side to brown.
Remove from the heat and serve with chips and your favorite BBQ sauce for dunking.
ENJOY!

Mouthwatering Babyback Ribs BBQ Grilled Cheese

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

1 rack of babyback ribs recipe to follow, the grilled cheese recipe uses leftovers for the next day or two
bread of your choice
colby jack or cheddar cheese slices
butter
BBQ sauce of your choice
blackening seasoning
sat & pepper

Instructions

Directions for making the babyback ribs
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Flip the ribs over and remove the membrane skin from the entire length of the ribs. This is a clear membrane but once you begin to peel it up it should remove easily. Once the membrane is removed, flip the ribs back over and season with salt and pepper and blackening.
Fill a 9×13 baking dish with 2″ of water. You may need to cut the ribs in half to get them to fit in the pan.
Cover the ribs with foil and bake for 2 1/2 – 3 hours. Remove from the oven.
Now, this next step is optional but we finish ours on the grill. The ribs are already cooked so my husband heats the grill, throws the ribs on for a few minutes and slathers them with BBQ sauce.
If you would prefer to not turn the grill on, simply move your oven rack to the 2nd or 3rd notch and turn the broiler on medium/high.
Remove the ribs from the baking dish and place on a baking sheet. Slather with BBQ sauce and place under the broiler for 5-10 minutes to allow the BBQ sauce to crystalize. Remove from the oven a serve.
If there are leftovers (we usually have leftovers because we make 2-3 racks at a time), simply remove the excess meat from the bones, place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for several days.
BBQ Grilled Cheese Directions
Butter 2 outside pieces of bread. Lay one slice of bread butter side down in a frying pan.
Add a heaping scoop of the leftover BBQ pork.
Next, add a layer of cheese and then top with the second slice of bread, butter side up.
Heat on the frying pan 5-10 minutes on medium/high heat until the bottom bread has browned.
Flip and allow the other side to brown.
Remove from the heat and serve with chips and your favorite BBQ sauce for dunking.
ENJOY!

Febreze Tower Air Purifier Review

07/10/2016 By Jenn 12 Comments

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Disclosure: I was provided the mentioned products to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

Entertaining is always higher during the summer months, so it’s important to have your house smelling fresh and clean but also free from dust and pollen that may trace inside from your guests. I was so excited when we had our annual Forth Of July party to be able to test out the Febreze Tower HEPA-Type Air Purifier!

The Febreze Tower Air Purifier was amazing and kept my house smelling awesome with all kids and guests coming in and out all day!

What I loved most about the Febreze Air Purifier was the 3 different settings, I kept mine on high for the party and it was not loud at all. I was so impressed that it did not overpower my guests talking.

More importantly with the linen and sky scent cartridge which comes included it kept my house smelling amazing all day long, but to over powering like some air fresheners could be. With a cat and kids in the house this is always important to me. I do not like the overpowering smell of the chemically air fresheners. You can even adjust the settings for the scent cartridge which is nice and not overpowering even at the highest level.

The Febreze Tower Air Purifier was so simple to operate just open the back to unwrap the filers and stick in the little scent cartridge and your good to go! This model comes with 2 filters which I liked!

Febreze Tower Air Purifier Specifications:

Dual-action HEPA-type filter captures up to 99% of airborne pollutants & allergens such as dust, smoke, pollen and pet hair & dander that passes through the filter
Designed for large sized rooms, Febreze freshness scent control dial allows you to control scent intensity
Includes 1 Linen & Sky™ scent cartridge
Circulates & filters room air up to 5 times an hour
Manual Controls with easy-grip knob
3 air cleaning levels
Electronic filter and scent replacement indicators
ENERGY STAR qualified
Recommended for large rooms (170 sq. ft.)
Can also be used with Spring & Renewal™ scent cartridge (sold separately)
3 Year Warranty

The Febreze Tower Air Purifier retails for just under $100 and you can pick one up on their website or Amazon along with replacement filters and scent refills!

How to Host a Great Summer BBQ Party

05/16/2016 By Jenn 8 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

This post brought to you by HotRef Party Favors. The content and opinions expressed below are that of More Than A Mom Of Three .

It’s hard to believe that summer is right around the corner. Since summer is almost here, it’s the perfect time to have a summer BBQ party. Around here, we’re not into just any summer BBQ party, we like to do it right.

Check out my tips for hosting a great summer BBQ party.

Start planning early- When it comes to having a great summer BBQ party, you really need to start early. By starting early, you can make a list and ensure you don’t forget anything. When it comes to planning early, it’s always a hit. For some reason, when you plan early, you are less stressed out and just able to get a lot more done. If you have kids like I do, I try to get up early on the day of the BBQ to get things done, so the kids don’t distract me. Plan out your meal- One of my favorite tricks to having a great BBQ party during the summer months is to actually plan out our meals. I love to have a few main dishes, sides, and drinks ready. I know that the guests that come to our party have different tastes, so it’s nice to switch everything up when I can. Don’t you love having a few choices when you go to a party? The Right BBQ Décor items- What’s a BBQ without the proper décor? I don’t know about you, but you have to dress to impress when it comes to hosting a great summer BBQ. You can grab an awesome BBQ set to help cook your food, dress up the table with mini BBQ mason jars, or go all out and have everyone’s water bottles personalized. Whenever I’m looking at décor items for our BBQs I always head over to HotRef Party Favors. They have everything you need to host a fun and entertaining summer BBQ party! When it comes to having a summer BBQ, what are your tips for hosting a great one? I’d love to hear your tips!

Tulip Tomatoes Stuffed With A Cucumber Cream Cheese Dip

04/14/2015 By Jenn 45 Comments

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These tulip tomatoes are a healthy side dish perfect for any spring or summer occasion. Truly wow your guests at this work of art that you have created in just under 30 minutes. They will think that you spent hours in the kitchen. They are so pretty to look at, you almost don’t want to eat them.

The tulip tomatoes are made with mostly fresh ingredients like cucumber, tomatoes, and chives making them light and delicious. You might not be able to eat just one.

Make them or an appetizer for your next party, believe me, they will be a hit!

Tulip Tomatoes Stuffed With A Cucumber Cream Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

15 Large Cherry Tomatoes
16 stalks of chives
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cucumber
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. With the stem side down, cut across in the top of each cherry tomato (about ¾ down the tomato).

2. Using a spoon (grapefruit spoon works very well here) gently scrape out the tomato seeds.

3. Take a grilling skewer or toothpick and make a hole where the stem currently is. You may need to twist the skewer

in a circle a few times to make room for the chive to fit through.

4. Finely chop or grate the cucumber.

5. Mix cream cheese, cucumber, and basil in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Add a teaspoon of cream cheese mixture into each tomato tulip (adjust depending on the size of your tomatoes).

7. Insert a chive into the hole at the bottom of each tomato.

8. Use a damp paper towel to clean any excess cream cheese filling from outside of tomatoes.

9. Prepare the tulip tomato bouquet on a large plate or platter. Use the extra chive stalk to wrap around the tulip stems to

complete the bouquet.

10. ENJOY!

Other crowd-pleasing dishes you may want to try:

35 Mouthwatering BBQ Recipes

06/23/2014 By Jenn 31 Comments

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When summer rolls around at my house, we use our BBQ at least a few nights a week. I love when I get to relax a bit and have my husband grill and I make the sides. The kids even get excited over anything cooked on the BBQ and willingly help set the table for me. BBQ’s here have become a family event even on those crazy weeknights, that you can just whip something up on the grill.

There are so many things you can make on the BBQ from your jazzed up burgers, side dishes or even a few savory summery desserts. I have found 35 mouthwatering BBQ recipes for you to make on the grill this grilling season. Whether you are hosting a BBQ or just need BBQ recipes for your family there is something for everyone.

35 Mouthwatering BBQ Recipes

Tell me, what is your all time favorite BBQ recipes?