it's so very easy to get to the park i wouldn't worry with it, john. or you could use tyndall's idea. "tj's shindig" may get a few lookers wantin' some pig, though! :) glad you'll be able to truely enjoy the food this go round. course there may not be much left for anyone else.... nan, i think it's an awesome idea to put our 'handles' on the back. i'm doing it with my stuff. i know i asked trina some ?'s about plants of hers i got last fall. just got the avocadoes today for the guac. they are really, really hard. cross your collective fingers they ripen to the point i can use them sat. i may have to do a chunky kind if they aren't soft enough.

Friends of ours had a Beach Blanket Bingo party every year in the middle of winter. Just to pick everybody's spirits up waiting for the snow to melt. We would all dress up in our best beach attire, flowered shirts, sunglasses, bathing suits, straw beach hats,etc. There would be sand in one plastic kiddie pool and water in another. We would play volleyball (with a soft plastic beachball), limbo, dance, eat and drink and have a great time. One fellow was crowned as Moondoggie and a gal was crowned as Gidget. It was so much fun! NancyLouise

I am going to make the burgers tomorrow and freeze them...its just going to be easier for me. I have 5 lbs of ground chicken and I don't know how much beef to buy. I have decided to used a very mild seasoning on the chicken...a combo of chili powder, garlic, minced onion (for moisture) and lime zest. The beef will just have steak seasoning. I will get the produce Friday...just sauted green and red bell pepper and onion for the sausages. Lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle for the burgers. The plan is to cook up some bacon for a topping as well as some grilled mushrooms and I plan to make pickled red onion. The cheese will be good ole cooper sharp, swiss and provelone. The buns will be kings hawiian, potato buns and just you stardard packaged rolls. For a side dish I was thinking about making a baked potatoes...the jury is still out on this!! I can par bake then in the cooler morning and finish on one of the grills. How does that sound?? I do plan on offering some sort of dip...maybe a hoagie dip or bean dip-both contain no mayo. I already have bags of doritos, chips and cheese its. WE have a large cooler for the sodas and a small fridge in the family room-right off the back patio. The beer will be kept in the kitchen fridge so I can keep an eye on *some* of Drews friends LOL!! I have a galvanized bucket that I will put some beer/ice in and set out for the adults. I will def go to the dollar store and get some bubbles and chalk for the wee ones. I have several citronella candles, 2 glass torches and a bug zapper...what else can I do to keep the skeeters away?? I have avon bug spray that I like to use-would it be ok to get some spray and just leave it out for guest to use or would that be too tacky?? Finally the pool...no I do not have a pool but my next door neighbor does and its just your basic 4ft above ground pool. He has never had the pool up and working since I have been here. As such there is several inches of rain water build up on top of the cover. (I had someone from the boro out and she saw the pool and gave him a letter to clean it up) anyhoo-he did clean it up but ther is water standing again and its the big source of my skeeters....SO-do you think I should get some of those tablets you put in standing water and ask him to toss them in?? or should I just throw them in myself (he's not a very friendly fellow LOL) This is my first cook out...ever LOL Can you tell?? I've hosted all sort of parties in my old home but never a cook out and I'm a tad nervous LOL!! Cheers! Susie

Yes Nicole the Flying Dog folks make great beer !! We are having the pale ale . Look for it at your local supplier. Always glad to add to knowledge !! natal : missed a bunch of posts !! deep breath taken :) tomorrow is a new day !! stinky : cold bottle instead ...the shade isn't too bad and the pool is most welcome ! yes jgtbm> it had some really seriously rotted limbs that weighed 1000 # at least...we are entering the worst storm season for hurricanes so we were worried. All homes have projects don't they?? marti : I wish :) I could use a NEW battery !! Jan, you will love the stuff. I put it on and leave it for about 10 min and then go back and take wet fingers and smoosh it into the mortar line and then onto the brick surface also as I wanted to bond the loose paint at the edges. I have tried to get it to come loose and it is sticking perfectly. I am well pleased with the product. Of course won't look good if the bricks aren't painted as mine are. Hope you will post when you do yours. c