The Ultimate Male Bonding Experience!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... the best part of spring and summer....... grilling out... backyard parties..... pool parties.......potlucks.... pretty much anything that has to do with being outside by the pool and eating food!  This activity is a right of passage for some of the men in my family..... the passing of the BBQ Tools..... the secret rub recipe...... the passing of the applewood smoked ribs responsibility... (only the most committed of the smokers gets up at 4 am to get the flames started)  

The things I have learned from this MALE BONDING tradition are as follows:

1. This activity is only accomplished successfully with a cold beer and a cigar in hand.

2. Men have a secret language when it comes to grilling meat....... the bigger the meat.... the better

3. The secret is in the sauce..... and it is a secret (except for the wife who has to shop for ingredients)

4. The BBQ ritual is rotated among households so the men can show off their primal skills to the other men in the tribe

5. Beer is empty........ get fresh beer............

6. The secret is in the coals..... some argue the right temperature to start cooking... others argue gas is the way to go

7. Men that smoke meat are true champions among their tribe and revered as heroes by the other men.

8. WOMEN are not allowed to mingle around the grill....... this is man territory only...... 

9. No matter how old you are..... your father will still tell you , "you are doing it wrong".... 

10.  You are not cool if your grill does not have a bottle opener permanently attached!

I love having friends and family over to grill out.... my husband disappears to babysit the grill.. and make a huge mess in my kitchen with his "rubs"... bowls of sauces... trimming of the meats... just to prepare for the grill.  While I prepare the side dishes..... (which we always have enough food to feed an army)... and get the Jimmy Buffet Margarita Machine FIRED UP!

Friends bring their coolers of extra adult beverages and side dishes to contribute to the festivities. We fire up the hot tub, pool water is perfect and floaties are waiting.  The smell of suntan lotion, smoke from the grill, the savory meats cooking away.. the laughter of friends sharing their latest work stories and fish stories.  The TropRock tunes are casting the sound of the tropics overhead.........the scene has been set and the party has started.  

Often these gatherings go until the sun has gone down..... everyone heads home with a full belly and a fresh sunburn.  But, before they go......... we already have the next house party planned and the hosting MALE has announced his meat of choice to prepare......... looks like we are having brisket at Mark's house!