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Sunday, June 14, 2009

Kickoff to Summer....Part Two


For day two of my friend Debbie's Kickoff to Summer BBQ event I am going to turn back the clock a couple of weeks to a family event, my nephew Brian's high school graduation party, that I was lucky enough to attend in Conroe, Texas. Here is the good looking kid in his graduation gown with diploma in hand. Way to go Brian!!! He's bound for Saint Xavier University in Chicago on a scholarship and plans to major in Organizational Psychology. He's got it all planned out!


I have to brag a little bit...look at his ropes and medals!



Growing up, for nearly every major event that happened when it was warm enough to be outside (most months of the year in Louisiana & Texas), our family celebrated with a BBQ and we always had lots of extended family and friends over. Living up in the farthest Northwest corner of the lower 48, far away from my parents and brothers and sister, I miss out on these family get togethers. I was so happy to be able to fly out for the weekend to see my smart nephew get his diploma AND to enjoy a party in his honor.



My brother and his wife have a great home for entertaining and it's just one of those place that people like to be! This event was a great kick off to my summer. Looks like Brian and his friends enjoyed it too.



Besides swimming...there was plenty to eat! On the BBQ menu was country ribs, sausage, hamburgers and hotdogs plus boudin!


Here are my Dad and my brother Mark....dueling BBQ!


Here's some of the finished product


If BBQ weren't enough there was something else on the menu that I was MORE interested in. Something I only get to eat once a year if I'm lucky....Boiled Crawfish! Here they are taking their salt bath before boiling.


And here the the supplies for the boil



I lost my pics of the little guys boiling, but here they are all done and ready to eat. Looks like someone couldn't wait....


Here are the men folk digging in..looks like the might be spicy...might Dad was reaching for his glass!



Potatoes, corn and garlic (mmmmm) went into the boil too.


Even better than the food was being with my family. Everyone was in the pic, even new baby Clara, except for Randy and Jigs who were holding down the fort back in Washington.


Happy Summer!


Don't forget the next big event over at Kathleen's Blog, Cuisine Kathleen on June 23rd! Get out your whites. White dishes, white flowers, white tablecloth's, even white food!


SHOW ME YOUR WHITE event, JUNE 23rd

10 comments:

Printersdevil said...

The food looks wonderful. I have to admit that I have never tried crawfish. Something about the idea of it doesn't appeal to me.

Kathleen said...

That was fun! Congrats to Brian, and hope he keeps up his excellent record in college..

I know you had a great time with your family, so glad you got to go!

Now I still hold a grudge against those crawfish. I always had to teach a unit on them and one pinched me and wouldn't let go.
Do you know how to tell the male from the female....The kids were always very interested in that!

Marsha said...

That was really fun to see this family celebration BBQ - thank you so much for sharing it. I clicked the family photo and your two grand nieces are both getting so big.

I too have never had a crawfish - if they turn out spicy is the corn, potatoes and garlic really spicy too? I would try it all - it looks so fun and GOOD but I bet the company would be even better!!

Carol said...

Looks like an awesome time for all, Suzy! Congrats to Brian!

I would love to come to your family bbq's, so warm and inviting and enough food to feed an army! Looks amazing! Love the dueling grillers, LOL!

SarahKate said...

Those crawfish look AMAZING! What a brilliant summer celebration!

Foley said...

Congrats to Brian ! You and the rest of the family must be so proud...
What a get-together. Have never had crawfish..keep getting visions of someone biting the head off one..lol But even with that vision the boil looks fantastic!!

♥peachkins♥ said...

I love swimming and barbecues!

Congrats Brian!

A Grain of Salt said...

Suzy, what a fun-filled BBQ. Lots of great food. I'm so happy for you to have been there with your family. Your nephew is a cutie and smart too!

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Suzy, I don't know how I missed this. Congrats to Brian! I can feel the warmth in your family, and would feel very welcome at your family bbq. They certainly know how to enjoy good food and each other's company. I'm glad that you get to see them on a regular basis, despite the distance.

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Such a wonderful family BBQ! I loved all of the pics and I see intelligence runs in the family ;)

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