The promise of summer greets us each evening as we face brighter evenings and longer days. For many of us, the allure of long summer days has us focusing on outside living spaces this May, anticipating the joys that relaxed entertaining and lazy summer days will bring us in the coming weeks. Join me as I get the most out of May, and enjoy the first signs of summer with these seasonal delights.
BBQ Chicken Wraps
Fire up the grill, It’s BBQ Month. Leave everything to the imagination, and step outside your comfort zone this May – with modern twists to traditional BBQ favorites. While it would be wrong to ignore that fact that May is also National Hamburger Month, grilling does not have to stop at burgers and hotdogs.
Start planning the perfect Memorial Day BBQ now—give yourself a weekly check list of things to do in advance of the big BBQ to ensure you are not left racing around at the last minute. And if you are still looking for ideas on the 23rd, visit Housewife Bliss on May 23rd for ideas from top party planners, chefs and mixologists who will help you build the perfect Memorial Day BBQ.
And when grilling is not an option, reach for your Salad plate to celebrate National Salad Month. We all know the crisp crunch of Iceberg lettuce, the mellow taste of Romaine, but what about:
- Rocket (also knows as Arugula) known for its peppery taste.
- Watercress also offers a pungent and peppery taste.
- Oak Leaf has a very soft leaf and mild flavor.
- Frisee Endive is a bitter leaf that blends well with mild leaves.
- Lambs Lettuce is known for its nutty flavor.
Start your summer party season of with Cinco de Mayo, nothing says casual entertaining like a helping of tacos, margaritas and a gathering of your closest friends. Everything you need for a festive celebration menu is found in my Cinco de Mayo recipe guide on celebrations.com.
Add a dash of eco-style to your summer drinks with glass straws. I discovered these gems last month and simply adore my new set so much that I am giving a Glass Dharma voucher away on Facebook this week, pop over and enter the giveaway.
Enjoy the merriment of Mother’s Day on May 8th by treating your mother to a day filled with memoires, laughter and love. A modern time capsule is the perfect way to bottle up those cherished moments, and keep the spirit of that ‘homemade’ gift alive regardless of how old you are. This year I took inspiration from a BHG Time Capsule.
Soft grass underfoot is one of the delights of summer, keep your lawn in top shape by mowing it in the evening when it is the driest, mowing twice a week at the start of the summer, and then reducing it to weekly when the temperature rises. Be sure to re-seed in heavy traffic areas, and water it in the evening once the sun has set.
May is the right time to check your air conditioning units, change your filters and clean your vents – don’t be left sweating inside, prepare now for that upcoming summer heat.
Fill your refrigerator with in-season fruit and vegetables – May is brimming with fabulous artichokes, asparagus, peas, radishes, melon, figs, strawberries, apricots and raspberries.
Recommended Reading
Know your Salad Leaves | Bring on the Salads
Lobster & Bearnaise Burger | The Daily Meal
Summer Lawn Care Tips | Danny Lipford
Air Conditioner Maintenance | DIY Network
Glass Straws | Glass Dharma
