• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • BLOG
  • Meet Sarah
  • Shop With Me
    • My Amazon Store
    • LIKEtoKNOW.it
    • Buy Plexus (the pink drink!))
    • Buy Arbonne
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
The Fashionable Housewife

The Fashionable Housewife

Because Moms Should Look Good, Too!

  • Fashion
    • Today’s Outfit
    • Outfit Ideas
    • Spring Fashion
    • Summer Fashion
    • Fall Fashion
    • Winter Fashion
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Skin Care
    • Makeup
    • Nail Polish
    • Organic or Eco-Friendly
    • Hair Removal
    • Sun Protection
    • Cosmetic Surgery
  • Health
    • Fitness
    • Weight Loss
    • Pregnancy
    • Vitamins & Supplements
    • About The Dukan Diet
    • Review of i-Lipo Laser Liposuction Treatment
  • Home Life
    • Home Improvement
    • Home Decor
    • Outdoors
    • DIY & Crafts
    • Homesteading
    • Finances
  • Marriage
  • Faith
  • Parenting
    • Baby Gear
    • Babywearing
    • Breastfeeding
    • Cloth Diapers & Diapering
    • Pregnancy
    • Natural Birth
  • Homeschooling
    • Raising Wild Saints
  • Recipes
    • Food & Snacks
    • Baby Food
    • Gluten Free
    • Keto
    • Coffee
    • Cocktails
  • Travel
    • Story Land in Glen, NH
  • Shop My Looks

Spring Fun! Tips To Host The Perfect BBQ

Modified on March 23, 2023 at 1:52 PM

Sharing is caring!

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

A Helpful Guide to Hosting the Perfect BBQ

Spring weather is knocking on your door, and there isn’t a better time to break out the barbeque to welcome the warm weather back. After a long and cold winter, getting back into the habit of BBQ season can have you feeling a little rusty. 

And while nobody needs a reason to host a BBQ, turning it into an event for the start of the season offers the perfect opportunity to invite all your friends around, break out the disposable vapes for those that indulge, and effortlessly slip back into hosting duties. 

Dust Down Your BBQ

If your barbeque has been sitting in the shed for the past year, it is time to get it out for a clean. Ideally, you restore it well ahead of when you need it, but if time got away from you, there are a few simple tricks to get it back up to standard. 

The easiest way is to heat it up to remove any stuck-on food still hanging around. This technique will remove any stubborn remains and allow you to start fresh. Alternatively, if your machine is past its prime, use this opportunity to purchase something new. 

Creating the Guestlist

As the weather gets warmer, more events start to pop up, filling up a schedule reasonably quickly. This can make it challenging to find a weekend that suits everyone you hope to include. Send out e-vites in advance to guarantee your guest list and open up a line of communication that is easy to upkeep. 

When deciding on numbers, use the space available to dictate how many guests you choose to invite. Feeling cramped or needing more places to sit and eat can quickly ruin the day’s mood. If you plan to use additional garden furniture, take this into consideration when assessing your space allowance. 

Preparation is Key

Preparing in advance is the easiest way to ensure you don’t feel overwhelmed on the day. There are many ways to get ahead of the schedule when it comes to a BBQ that will leave you feeling relaxed and your food tasting delicious. 

The perfect marinade can take your entire BBQ experience to the next level. Your meat should sit in the marinade for at least a day for maximum effect, so preparation is key. You can prep vegetables, salads, and desserts in advance too.

On the morning of, set up the outdoor area you will be using with seating, tables, and trash bins to keep the place clean. And finally, set out the tools you will need in advance to avoid rushing around in a last-minute panic looking for them. 

Include Variety

While meat is the traditional ingredient for any good BBQ, you don’t have to feel restricted to cooking it as your only protein. Instead, turn to food like chicken and fish to expand your options and try something new. 

New research shows that salmon, prawns, and tuna steaks are among some of the most popular BBQ dishes and including these tasty options will allow you to appeal to a broader audience. Furthermore, pizza is becoming an increasingly popular choice for the modern barbeque and can be an easy finger-food starter with drinks. 

Cater to Guests

To ensure all your guests have something tasty to eat, don’t forget the vegetable alternatives that can be easily included in your menu. Grilled corn on the cob, halloumi and pepper skewers, and cauliflower steaks sprinkled with turmeric will keep your vegetarian friends smiling and act as delicious side dishes to the meat main. 

Think Drinks

You may be after the perfect menu, but no barbeque is complete without refreshing drinks. Of course, you can stick with the classic beer, wine, soft drinks, and water, but if you want to make an impression on arrival, find an easy statement cocktail to serve your guests. 

As the day progresses, keeping things cool should be your top priority, and to avoid having to march back and forth all day, set up a drinks station in a shaded area of the garden. Fill metal buckets or cool boxes with plenty of ice to keep drinks chilled, including beers, wines, and spritzers. For the non-drinkers, a selection of soft drinks, summer drink mixers, and water will go down a treat. 

The Perfect Setting

The way you set up your hosting area is primarily influenced by the space available to you. It is best to have a central table for guests to sit and eat, with additional seating in the garden for those wanting somewhere more secluded, with one or two side tables for drinks and food. 

String some bunting along the fence, wall, or across the front of the tables for simple decorations. Choose a color theme and match your serving dishes and plates with cups and cutlery to tie your vision together. 

As a finishing touch, include a small floral centerpiece to each table as a nod to the incoming season, with small tea lights dotted around for when the sun sets. 

Related posts:

4 Budget Tips for Your Next Backyard Makeover4 Budget Tips for Your Next Backyard Makeover How To Create The Perfect Backyard for Summer EntertainmentHow To Create The Perfect Backyard for Summer Entertainment 5 Tips for Hosting The Perfect Winter Barbecue5 Tips for Hosting The Perfect Winter Barbecue How to Breathe New Life into Your BackyardHow to Breathe New Life into Your Backyard Garden 

Posted By The Fashionable Housewife
on March 23, 2023 at 1:52 PM
Filed Under: Home Life, Outdoors
Tagged With: backyard, backyard party, backyard space, bbq, bbq season

About The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard is the Editor in Chief of The Fashionable Housewife blog and Founder of Fashionable Media. Married to a sexy Molecular Biologist, housewife, mom to 5, homeschooler, Certified Personal Nutritionist and entrepreneur who's mission is to help moms just like you look and feel GREAT! Other interests include dancing, yoga, positive intactivism, natural birth and breastfeeding support, babywearing, paleo & gluten-free cooking, and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle to all.

Disclaimer

The Fashionable Housewife is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for blogs and websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission on purchases made through our links. There is no extra cost to you! For more info, please see our Disclosure & Privacy Policy.

Previous Post: « 7 Things Couples Can Do in Gatlinburg
Next Post: 4 Reasons To Consider Getting a Hair Transplant »

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Hello, there!

Sarah-Jean Ballard

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful kids!

I enjoy homesteading, reading, writing, cooking, baking, crafting, home decorating, Xtend Barre, and of course, fashion!

This blog is a place for me to share how we live and what I love most. I’m on a mission to help busy moms like you, be fashionable too! Read More…

Never miss a post


Use code FASHION10 to get 10% off your order at www.mapleandlark.com





Use our exclusive coupon code
LS-SARAHJEAN for $20 off your first order!


DHgate fashion dresses for sale

Use coupon code ‘FHW‘
to get 20% off your order!!!

Latest on Instagram

fashionablewife

𝒯𝒽ℯℱ𝒶𝓈𝒽𝒾ℴ𝓃𝒶𝒷𝓁ℯℋℴ𝓊𝓈ℯ𝓌𝒾𝒻ℯ
Christian, Wife, Mama x 5. livin' in NH
Fashion, Food, Health, & Home
✉️ Email me, let’s work together!

𝕊𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕙 | Fashionable Homemaker & Large Family Life
You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
I’m addicted and I just can’t get enough 😂🫣

I’m loving my no -toxic, non-stick cookware from @caraway_home  It’s as beautiful as it is easy to cook with. And it makes my kitchen look prettier too! 💁🏼‍♀️

Want to learn more about why I’m obsessed with these pots and pans? Visit my blog and search CARAWAY! Or scroll through my feed! 🥳

#homemaker #housewifelife #homestyler #momlife
Today was my due date for Dylan. Considering he w Today was my due date for Dylan.

Considering he was my 6th child, it's possible he would have been here by now. It’s been extra hard for me this week. 

Despite my best efforts to be strong and stay positive, I am completely brokenhearted. I’m just being honest. I could pretend I’m fine, but that doesn't do me or anyone else any good to be dishonest about the pain of miscarriage or the grief that comes with losing a child. 

My heart is completely shattered from having an empty womb and an empty nursery. An empty bassinet in the corner and unused tiny newborn outfits, all washed, folded, and ready… for nothing. 

It makes me physically sick to my stomach when I think about it all and I can't even fathom how I got here. How did I get here? 

This isn't how it's supposed to be! I should be holding a newborn right now! It’s so unfair. 

In an instant, my baby was gone and there was nothing I could do to change that. 

It doesn't matter how much time passes or what else happens in life, I will always miss him. My heart with always long for my baby. 

Those who haven't experienced loss tell you that "Don’t worry! Things will get better, just focus on the positive!" but people who actually know this grief and what it actually feels like to lose a baby, won’t tell you that. They know this hard road. They understand that unfortunately you don't just “get over it.” 

The grief doesn't just go away, even if you try to ignore it, it's still there. Like the sun. You don’t have to look at it to know it’s there. You can turn your back on it but it will still warm your skin. 

The grief from losing a child is unbearable. 
It is unpredictable.
It is unforgiving.
It is relentless.
It is all-consuming.
And it completely shatters you when you don’t expect it. 

You don’t get over it. You don’t forget. You simply learn to live with it. And I’m learning to live with it every day. 

It’s been 137 days I’ve had to live without my baby. 

Lord Jesus, please… hold me extra tight tonight. 

#babyloss #babylossawareness #babylosssupport #babylosscommunity #babylosssurvivor #stillbornstillloved #stillbornawareness #stillbirth #miscarriagesupport #miscarriageawareness

Footer

coffee

Each product we feature on The Fashionable Housewife has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links in our posts, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting us!

You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
  • Home
  • Meet Sarah
  • Contact Us
  • Disclosures & Privacy Policy

[Est 2005] Copyright © 2023 Sarah-Jean Ballard and Fashionable Media | Beloved Theme

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
0 shares