August's Outdoor Barbeques

We are nearing the end of August and children are preparing to go back to school, the temperatures will be dropping soon (we hope), and vacation time is coming to an end. But there is still a lot of time left for outdoor barbecuing.

I've been known to step out on the back deck in a freezing snowstorm to light up the grill and barbecue dinner so there's really never a time that you can't enjoy the wonderful flavor of a meal cooked on the grill. Here's some tips before you get started:

1. Scrub the grill (or rebuild it, if you have to).
2. Scour the ice chest.
3. Provide comfortable seating:
Re-strap patio chairs with vinyl webbing
Pressure-wash plastic outdoor furnishings
Fix wobbly benches
4. Provide shade or improve the shade you've got:
Buy a sun umbrella
Clean the vinyl sun umbrella that you already own with an automotive convertible vinyl-top cleaner
Repair the crank mechanism
5. Keep the bugs at bay:
Buy bug spray repellent and repellent wipes
Buy food tents to keep the bugs off the food
6. Keep the garden hose and a spray nozzle handy for anything from hand washing to plate rinsing.
7. Hit the deck: Remove and replace loose planks or rusty, protruding fasteners.

Also see: 180+ recipes for the grill from MSN

What are YOUR favorite grill recipes? Share them in the comments!

House Fire

A close neighbor had their home burn down on early Tuesday morning. They were in bed around 1:00 a.m. when they smelt smoke and realized the house had caught fire. They managed to get themselves and their pets out but the home was a total loss.

Three volunteer fire fighting units responded to the fire which incidentally belonged to the Deputy Fire Chief of our little towns volunteer fire department. Which only shows that tradegy can strike anyone at anytime.

Our hearts go out to this young couple. We have them in our prayers. Although their lives were spared they loss everything. All their photos, heirlooms, keepsakes and belonging were lost. Luckily they have insurance and their home can be rebuilt or replaced. But the personal effects that are lost cannot.

Please take the time to do an assessment of your home. Are you prepared for a tradegy like this? Here's a few tips to prevent fires in your home and keep your family safe.

Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.

Know how to put out a small pan fire by sliding a lid over the flames.

Teach every family member to “Stop, Drop and Roll” if clothes catch fire.

Consider having a home fire sprinkler system installed in your new home, or when you remodel.

Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher.
If you have a fire in your home, once you get out, stay out.
Do not go back inside for any reason.

Some good Links:

Home Safety Council Resource Center,

Home Safety

Home Electrical Safety Tips

Personal Journeys

Our journey through life can take us to some beautiful places and introduce us to people and cultures that influence us forever afterwards. I've had the opportunity of visiting the orient (Japan and Korea), a visit to Vancouver, Canada and about two-thirds of the United States. I've been amazed at the variety of landscapes and lifestyles available for us to choose from.

A little over a year and a half ago, my wife and I made the decision to move from our home in Utah. We discussed our options and set out on an internet search of properties. We could go anywhere but we narrowed our selections down based on weather, community, lifestyle, ecomonics, etc. Over time we found ourselves in a little town in Southeast Texas.

We gave up the cold and snowy Utah winters for the hot and humid Texas summers. But we are pleased with our decision. Here's a few photos of our little ranch. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as we enjoy "walking" them!


View from our pond



A couple of the horses in the south pasture



Looking towards the old barn