Task it Tuesday - May 5

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

This week's list looks similar to last week's. I didn't get to my planner, but I really need to do it. If I can make it through one year, I can stick to a planner every year, which is my goal. I'm not reading my Bible as much as I should either. My concentration for reading anything of substance is low right now. I do, however, make a point to read a verse or two each day.

The oven stopped working Sunday, so that has made suppertime more challenging. Thankfully, it has warmed up here (though we are expecting a teeny bit of snow on Saturday) so I can use the grill.

I've got some cute children's books to review for Friday at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. I am also reading the next book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series.

Here are my to-do items:

1. Update my planner (need to get back to this)
2. Bible reading
3. Meetings 
4. Book reviews
5. Continue closing out my father-in-law's affairs (this might take a while)
6. Cooking (good thing I love it)
7. Order craft supplies (new content for A Christmas Kindness has crafts that I need to photograph)
8. Prepare for Friday's closing 
9. Clean bonus room

How are you doing on your to-do list? Do you have a productive week planned?

McCormick Grill Mates® Grill Ambassadors Party

Last weekend for our anniversary I hosted a McCormick Grill Mates® Grill Ambassadors Party. The sponsor sent me a fabulous kit that included:

■Party Booklet
■Grill Mates® Spiced Brandy & Herb Marinade
■Grill Mates® Slow and Low Memphis Pit BBQ Rub
■Grill Mates® Montreal Steak Seasoning Blend
■Grill Mates® Molasses Bacon Seasoning Blend
■Grill Mates® Brown Sugar Bourbon BBQ Sauce

I invited 10 people on Facebook and asked them to come on over. The menu ended up changing--as did the date. Originally it was supposed to be Monday, May 28th, but we held it on Sunday instead. We had chicken, pork, steak, grilled asparagus, grilled carrots and corn on the cob. I have photos, but I need the hubby to download them from the camera (I really need to learn how to do that), so I'll add them later.

The only package out of the kit I did not use for the party was the Slow and Low Memphis Pit BBQ Rub. I didn't have ribs here, and since they are the Lil Diva's favorite, I want to make sure she doesn't have to share them too much. 

Everyone raved about the food. My girls loved the chicken slathered with Brown Sugar Bourbon BBQ Sauce. I also added the sauce to two pieces of boneless pork loin. I turned the Montreal Steak Seasoning Blend into a marinade and left the steak into it for a couple of hours. The Spiced Brandy & Herb Marinade was used on some of the chicken, while I put Molasses Bacon Seasoning Blend on two pieces of pork and one piece of chicken. That last one didn't seem to be a huge hit, but everything else was a home run.

Afterwards we played tag and hopscotch with the kids and made S'mores for dessert. It was a great time. The best part, I have several great products to use for another grilling party. I can't wait!

Pre-made Marinades or Homemade?

This Sunday was Mother's Day and my in-laws' 56th wedding anniversary, so I decided to invite them over for supper. Since unlike most days lately, the sun was shining, I decide to haul out the grill for steak, ribs and chicken. The ribs came from Schwan’s™ so they were fully cooked and pre-seasoned. They also included a package of barbecue sauce. They were delicious.

When I worked outside the house, I would buy those bottled 30-minute marinades. Now, it just seems like cheating. I never measure when I make my own marinades and I no longer follow a recipe. I simply add ingredients I feel work best for the meat I am cooking and go from there. A few times, this hasn't given me the flavor I was looking for, but it works for the most part. The following two marinades are what I've come up with on my own. If they are similar to something you've seen somewhere else, it's not intentional. I haven't gone scouring the Internet to see if what I toss together for my family is like someone else's mix.

Steak: olive oil, red wine, dry mustard, bay leaves, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

If I had to guess at the measurements, here is what I would say:

• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of dry mustard
• 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder

Toss everything together in a glass bowl, add steak (4- 6 oz.) , cover, and marinate at least 4 hours.

Chicken: lemon juice, fat-free Italian dressing, olive oil, oregano, marjoram, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Estimated measurements:

• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup fat-free Italian dressing
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon of marjoram
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Toss everything together in a glass bowl, add chicken (3 - 4 skinless breasts), cover, and marinate at least 4 hours.

Do you use those pre-made marinades? Do you have a favorite meat you like to marinade?

Summer Entertaining Will Be Here Before You Know It

I've been considering what furniture to purchase for our deck this year. We have a patio table and six chairs, but what I would really like is something sturdy that doesn't take up a lot of room, we can add for company. Our house tends to be the one the kids hang out at. I cook on the grill most nights during the summer, and when the in-laws and my son and his wife come over, I can't fit everyone at our current table. The problem is I don't have a lot of room. Our deck is 14' x 20' with atrium doors on either side. Smack dab in the middle of the doors is where the house juts out 2 1/2 feet for our living room gas fireplace. I don't want to block access to the doors, so it requires creative furniture arranging.

In addition to being a discount pool supply retailer, PoolGear Plus® carries a wonderful selection of outdoor furniture. I found this Patio Bar Set, including a rectangular table (74" long X 24" wide X 36" high) and 4 barstools that are 26" high. Durable and lightweight, the pieces snap together for easy assembly. I like that it's maintenance free--no cushions to tuck away or wash. It also looks like it will stand up to the wear and tear from the girls and their friends. Some of the little ones are only five years old, so I'm glad the table is too high.

The tabletop comes in Gray, Redwood, Taupe, and Portobello to match any decor. With the cedar stain on our deck, I think I'll go for Taupe or Gray to contrast against the darker stain. It would also match well with the cushions from our patio table.

Will you be updating any patio furniture this year? Do you enjoy outdoor entertaining during the summer?


This post is sponsored by PoolGear Plus, the fastest-growing catalog and internet company in the U.S.