End of Summer BBQ’s and Picnics at the Homestead  So, it’s your turn to host a family picnic or BBQ full of friends?  ENJOY!  Simple and delicious are 2 words I try and stick to when doing any get together!  Who wants to be slaving in the kitchen when company is arriving and spending all that fellowship time watching closely over that special recipe so it doesn’t spoil ? Not ME!  I resort to using the grill when I can, (AHEM, when my husband can) and that keeps us all outside enjoying the weather….and I try to keep it so everything is made up ahead of time!  By prepping the day prior…I have no dirty dishes staring at me, a clean kitchen….and peace of mind….everything is ready–I can enjoy myself too and still serve a memorable meal for others!  Here are a few of my families favorite recipes….both for doing up the day before, and both DEEElicious–perfect anytime of year–but especially for a summertime gathering!  Enjoy!  Barthuly’s Baked Beans RecipeBreak out the crockpot, and enjoy 1lb GOOD Bacon cooked and crumbled up, drain, set aside1lb GOOD Ground Beef cook, drain, set aside1 large onion chopped fine, set aside1/4C (give ‘er take) Brown Sugar1tsp Chili Powder2 (or 3) Large Cans Bushs Baked Beans, or Van Camps are also a favorite! Toss it all in the crockpot, stir and let it sit in the Crock for a few hours and YUM!   Don’t have to be SUPER accurate on the measurements and I toss in a little cayenne too–make/adjust to YOUR crowd & to YOUR preferences So Simple, So Good!  Potatoes Romanoff RecipeI could literally eat a ton of these. No joke. So good!!!!!!Disclaimer: Remember me, I am the one that eyeballs all her recipes….but this is real close–and besides on this one –it doesn’t really matter–you mix spuds, cheese, sour cream and green onion and you know it’s gonna be good!  Here we go….Wash up about 8-10 medium/larger sized baker spudsPut into a large pot of boiling water (jackets on–cut in halves)Boil until cooked, remove, drain water…let coolMeanwhile, grate up about 3-4+ Cups of Cheddar Cheese (I love cheese:) Chop up 1/4 to 1/2 cup of green onions (depending on your preferences)You will want to gather the following into a large bowl for mixing this delicious creation up in.2 teaspoons sea salt2 teaspoons fresh ground pepperI also sprinkle in some Johnny’s Seasoning Salt (this is a Northwest thing, I think-not required)One pint of sour cream (may need another cup or 2–this is dependent on how many spuds you cook and how big they actually are Add in 2 of your Cups of grated CheeseAdd in half of your green onionsOnce your spuds have cooled down –peel and grate–add them all into the bowl and mix it all up with your hands. You want the mixture stiff, but moistened just a tad by the sour cream. Once mixed, put the mixture in an oven safe baking dish that has been sprayed or greased lightly. Top with extra cheese and green onions (and maybe some more fresh ground pepper) cover and put in a 375 oven for about 45 minutes or so, removing the foil or cover last 15 minutes.My mother and grandmother have made this for years, for my birthdays and holidays, family gatherings, etc. I make it ahead for some holydays and for Sabbath suppers sometimes–it’s even better made a day ahead and just left to set in the fridge. Toss it in the oven when you’re ready.It is delicious, one of my absolute favorites!!!!!!!!Enjoy your ‘End of Summertime’ BBQ’s, family get togethers, or picnics at your homestead….good eats, family n friends….and keeping it simple & delicious….sounds like a wonderful memory in the making…..ENJOY!Lisa