I know that meteorological summer doesn’t start until mid-June, but for our purposes, summer begins Memorial Day weekend and ends on Labor Day. July 4th is basically the halfway point.

Summer is the BEST time to entertain, especially if you have a yard. It’s so simple. You don’t have to clean the whole house. (People just need access to a clean bathroom. You can close all the other doors.) You don’t need to cook an elaborate meal or break out the good china. You don’t have to iron table linens.

So what can you do?

• Have an old-fashioned cookout. Throw some hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. Open a couple of bags of chips. Put some beers on ice. Slice a chilled watermelon. You’re done!
• Have an upscale barbecue: chicken, fish, even steak. Bake potatoes on the grill. Grill corn on the cob. Get the ice cream maker out of the closet and make some homemade ice cream or make a berry shortcake. Pour some lovely wine and sit outside at candlelit tables.
• Go on a picnic. (You won’t even have to clean your bathroom!)  Sandwiches, fried chicken, store-bought salads, iced tea and lemonade. Brownies for dessert.
• Tapas night! Make pitchers of sangria. Put out plates of cheeses and cured meats. Chips and salsa. Bruschetta. Prosciutto wrapped melon. Fresh fruits.

Just gather some friends and enjoy these long and lovely days.