The Best Summer Memories Always Happen Around a Table
The Best Summer Memories Always Happen Around a Table
Summer has always been my favorite season.
Maybe it's the longer days.
Maybe it's the sunshine.
Maybe it's the excitement of knowing there always seems to be something to look forward to.
A day at the beach.
An outdoor concert.
A weekend getaway.
An afternoon in the garden.
Or a last-minute text that simply says,
"We're getting together tonight... you in?"
There's just something about summer that makes gathering easier.
Nobody minds sitting outside.
Dinner doesn't have to be fancy.
Someone brings burgers.
Someone else brings watermelon.
Everyone brings a chair.
And somehow...
those simple evenings become the ones we remember years later.
Summer Doesn't Need to Be Perfect
One of my favorite things about summer entertaining is that it takes all the pressure off.
Nobody expects a formal dinner party.
Everyone loves a potluck.
Paper plates are perfectly acceptable.
Kids running barefoot through the yard.
The adults stand around talking while someone inevitably says,
"Can I help with anything?"
(Usually while already eating.)
Those are my favorite kinds of evenings.
Around Here, We Never Show Up Empty-Handed
Whether we're headed to a backyard cookout, meeting friends at the beach for sunset, or gathering around someone's patio table...
We never show up empty-handed.
Sometimes it's a big bowl of pasta salad.
Sometimes it's fresh watermelon from the farmers market.
Sometimes it's brownies that somehow disappear before we even leave the house.
And sometimes it's whatever fun recipe we saw on Instagram that week and couldn't wait to try.
(If you're anything like us, you've probably saved hundreds of recipes you'll "definitely make someday.")
Of course, there's almost always a little Backyard Brine along for the ride.
We love bringing food... because sharing food is simply the best!
Our Favorite Summer Gatherings
Sunset at the BeachSimple turkey sandwiches.
Fresh watermelon.
A bag of North Fork chips.
A jar of Sweet Heat.
Bare feet in the sand and watching the sun disappear into the water.
Honestly... that's pretty hard to beat.
Concert in the ParkA blanket.
Cheese and crackers.
Fresh fruit.
A little container of Everything Bread & Butters.
Simple food always tastes a little better when there's live music playing.
Potluck with FriendsThis is where everyone shines.
Someone makes their famous deviled eggs.
Someone else brings the taco dip everyone asks for.
There's always one dessert that disappears first.
We usually bring The Backyard Box, because it gives everyone something different to try, and it's always fun hearing which flavor becomes everyone's favorite.
Relish the Facts
Did you know?
Some of the strongest memories we create are connected to food.
Scientists call it the "Proust Effect", when certain tastes and smells can instantly bring back vivid memories of people, places, and special moments.
Maybe that's why the best summer gatherings are the ones we remember long after the plates have been cleared.
What's Cookin' in the Backyard?
One of my favorite ways to unwind is spending a day at the beach with a stack of food magazines.
Some people bring novels...
I bring Southern Living and Food & Wine.
There's just something about flipping through the pages, finding a beautiful recipe, and folding down the corner because I know I'm going to make it.
(I'll admit... I have quite a collection of dog-eared magazines at home.)
Of course, Instagram gets me too.
Our latest kitchen experiment was the viral Chicken Crust Pizza that's been popping up everywhere.
Now, I'll be honest...
I'm a pizza girl.
I also try not to eat quite so many carbs, so this recipe definitely caught my attention.
The verdict?
It was surprisingly good!
Will it replace a great New York pizza?
Absolutely not.
But for a protein-packed weeknight dinner, we'd happily make it again.
One of the things Randy and I love most is cooking together.
Sometimes inspiration comes from our garden.
Sometimes it comes from a magazine.
Sometimes it's a random Instagram Reel we couldn't scroll past.
You never know where your next favorite recipe is waiting.
If you've tried a recipe lately that your family loved, we'd love to hear about it! Reply to our newsletter or tag us on Instagram—we're always looking for our next kitchen adventure.
A Backyard Note
One day...
We'll all forget what was on the playlist.
We'll forget who won the cornhole tournament.
We'll probably even forget exactly what we ate.
But we'll remember who was there.
The laughter.
The stories.
The feeling of not wanting the evening to end.
If our jars get to be a small part of those memories...
Well...
That's exactly why we started Backyard Brine.
Build Your Own Backyard Box
Summer is made for sharing.
The Backyard Box = You Choose Custom 6 Pack lets you mix and match your favorite pickles and gourmet condiments so you're always ready when someone says,
"We're getting together tonight."
Pack it.
Pass it around.
Make a memory.
[Shop The Backyard Box →]