The Good Life

June: (A Little) Work Before Play

Food, family, friends, and fair weather are an unbeatable combination and, for many of us, the best thing about summertime.

Getting ready for a season of outdoor entertaining can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be so. Focus on a few important tasks, and you can be ready for guests in a couple of days, not weeks.

We'll touch on three basic but critical areas to tackle. Get them out of the way now, and let's get the summer started!

Grill Drill. Grills can attract some interesting tenants over the winter. Clean the grill thoroughly, from top to bottom, and pay particular attention to the grates. For serious messes, use a grease-cutting cleaning solution and a power washer, if necessary. Clean or replace dirty or damaged grilling utensils. If you have a gas grill, make sure you check all the connections and have extra propane on hand. Buy plenty of charcoal (it doesn't go bad!). And if you don't already own a cover for your grill, invest in one. It will save you a lot of work all summer, and next spring.

Stock Up. In addition to propane and charcoal, there are a number of non-perishable items that you’ll use all summer long, so why not get your shopping out of the way early? Load up on your favorite condiments, spices, rubs, and sauces; bug repellant, sunblock, and citronella candles; and even bulbs for your outdoor lights. Seasonal items tend to be harder to find come July and August, so beat the rush!

Address the Mess. If you wait until your house and yard are perfect, you’ll never grill your first burger. So, focus and prioritize. This is not the time to clean out the garage. Concentrate on the areas where guests hang out—the deck or patio, and its surroundings—and your outdoor furniture. Dig out the croquet set or volleyball net, slap a coat of paint on that garage door, and you’re good to go! The garage itself can wait (and wait, and wait...).

Accomplish these three things—maybe a weekend's work for a couple of grown-ups and an able-bodied kid or two—and you can take a deep breath, fire up the grill, and toast the tastes of summer.

For some delicious inspiration, check out our easy and appetizing Grilled Chicken Salad recipe this month.