"It's Time to get the Pool ready, Dear!"

Yep, that's what I start hearing about this time of the year from our little ones.  They get so excited when the weather begins to warm up and they know that after all of their soccer games are played it will be about time to hang around the pool.

We have a fun tradition that gets the kids involved and they have so much fun being together making everything beautiful.  The girls love to plant the colorful flowers in the big clay pots that Big Da (Denny ) has prepared with soil and the boys  have a great time watering the plants..............and anyone else around!!

We usually plan an afternoon to do the plants, arrange the furniture and pull out the cushions and of course we all want to be rewarded for our hard work and what better way than with "Big Da's" grilled chicken.  This has been a favorite of our two sons forever and it is so wonderful to see their kids loving it too.  I have to tell you Big Da loves the accolades too!

The menu of Big Da's Grilled Chicken is rounded out with a few favorites like mac 'n cheese for the kids and my unreal green tomato and vidalia onion au gratin, grilled garlic bread, and thick sticks of grilled yellow squash.  Dessert goes on the grill too.  pineapple is their favorite.

Big Da's Chicken

Denny believes that food should taste like what it is so he doesn't go in for lots of rubs and seasonings...he keeps it simple.  He uses a paint brush to add a little vegetable oil then sprinkles it well with sea salt and cracked black pepper.

He gets his charcoal grill hot and then he sears the chicken halves on both sides till they look almost charred.  This is to keep in all the juices.  He then sets it on the side, closes it up and joins in the fun of planting while the chicken soaks up all the smokey goodness.  Right at the end he will use his brush again to coat the chicken in his favorite sauce and then let it sit on the slow fire for another 10 to 15 min.  This is some of the best chicken you will ever eat!!

 The Real Deal 

You know how to make mac n cheese and grill squash bread and pineapple so I will go straight to my Green Tomato and Vidalia Onion Au Gratin

This combination is so good you will make it all summer long.

Get out your colorful yellow, orange or red crockery casserole dish for this!

 I love this Vintage Orange Enamel Dish that you can get on Etsy right now! 

Tomato and Vidalia Onion Au Gratin

Grab 4 large green tomatoes and 3 large vidalia onions.

Slice both of these in about fairly thick slices (1/2 ")

Spray the casserole with Pam and lay down one layer of the tomatoes.

Gently season with salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and grated cheese (it is equally good with mozzarella or cheddar).

Layer the onion, season as you did the tomatoes and then continue till the top of the casserole. 


Drizzle a good olive oil over the top, add more cheese and then dust with Panko bread crumbs.. bake uncovered in 350 degree oven for about 35 to 40 minutes till heated well and browned on top.

Get ready for rave reviews from kids and adults. This also makes a great pot luck dish or gift for someone who has not been well. 

Now we have a good start on making the pool look beautiful, the kids have worked and played well and "Big Da" has done it again. Yep, those are great memories.


Until Next Time!


Sandy