Our home tends to be a meeting place. My husband and I have always been fortunate, not only to belong to very close families, but also to have the two separate groups be very close as well. His nephews called my mother “Mimom” like her grandchildren did and our mothers often vacationed together. His father invites my sister and her family to his parties and they share photos and recipes over the Internet. We use every opportunity to appreciate and cultivate this close relationship by doing a lot of entertaining.
This weekend will be the official opening of the barbecue season and I just can’t wait. Not only will I be surrounded by the people I love, who are all relaxed and comfortable together, but we will be doing it under a (hopefully) clear blue sky.
Welcome burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill, accompanied by coleslaw and potato salad! Welcome sliced watermelon, fresh picked strawberries and corn on the cob. Welcome water ice and Hubby’s famous peach pie. I can taste it all!
Welcome plastic table cloths and plastic cups brimmingwith homemade iced tea. Welcome coolers filled with beer and juice boxes, cans of lemonade and pitchers of my nieces special sangria. Welcome to the net tents that cover the platters and keep the flies at bay.
Welcome back to the yard game and the lawn chairs, to tables with umbrellas and citronella candles. Welcome jars of bubbles and sidewalk chalk just to keep the little ones occupied and welcome to the tire swing that has served us faithfully since my own children were little enough to enjoy it.
But mostly, welcome friends we’ve lost touch with over the long cold winter. Welcome tofamily who arrive, inevitable carrying dishes of salads and desserts to add to our bounty. Welcome laughter and good natured ribbing and the new babies wearing sun hats. Welcome to the smell of sunblock and the feel of the sun on my skin.
Welcome summer.😊
The Weekly Smile is brought to you by Trent’s World. Stop over and collect a few more smiles or even leave one of your own!
The View from the Porch 
Warm weather brings such a wonderful awakening. That’s so awesome that your family is so close, in distance and relationship. I’m in Canada, my parents are in MD and brother and his wife and kids are in South Korea. Wish we lived closer!
It’s extra hard to stay close with that much distance between everyone. Bet you have great reunions.
Unfortunately they don’t happen very often. But they’re great when then do!
what a lovely family you have, awesome pics
welcome to some fun in the sun
~B
Thank goodness!!! I need my sunshine and yes, my family is a lot of fun. 😊
☺☺
Sounds like you have a wonderful family who love each other and enjoy being with each other. What a special blessing for you! ❤️😍🌈
We are very lucky!!
Looks like you had a great time..:)
Those photos are actually past BBQs. But we did have a nice day despite the cloudy weather. 😊
It sounds wonderful, Nancy! Enjoy!
Thank you!
A Wonderful start to summer, warm sun, picnic tables, barbecues, and best of all family and friends! Enjoy!☀️