Memorial Day is the "official" start of Summer, and a special day we remember those who served our country.

Like most, we celebrate the day with a BBQ.

We enjoyed time in the pool during the day, BBQ'd some marinated steak, and spent our last hour in the hot tub.

Lucky got his share of bbq too.

All in all, it was a beautiful day.

Youth was all about school and work. Then, life evolved to family and home .. and more work.

However, when the kids are grown and living their own life, and you're retired, it's time to reflect and enjoy the Golden Years.

And so, with age and health slowing it all down even more, I have come to appreciate the simple life the most.

Simply put, enjoying nature and lots of simple BBQ.

Traditionally, Summer season begins with Memorial Day Weekend. And, the BBQ is in full swing for the rest of the year.

Besides the occasional outing, we enjoy making lots of simple meals and enjoying our weather and home life.

Besides smoking on Friday, son John did some BBQ for his good friends and their family.

The day was spent at the pool and spa, with BBQ and fun times in our garden and patio.

Jake, Michele and Da Boys are moving to Scottsdale so we enjoyed a last visit before they head North.

Besides the food, fun and sun .. John shared memories and some of his Mead. Da Kids will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary next week.

Lots of laughs, and fun stories with Jake and Michele during our visit.

Son John and Mo have been friends for many years now, and we're always happy to see Da Boys enjoying time with us.

Now, we're celebrating Ramadan .. Mo bought the lamb and we're smoking it. 

We'll be enjoying some BBQ and time in the Outback. As always, I'll be adding some more memories to our scrapbook.

Meanwhile, view some prior "hot times".

We're celebrating Ramadan with some Muslim friends. And, they bought the lamb and we'll be doing the Smoking.

Although, I've never done this before .. I'm excited.

It's a whole 35 lb lamb. I'll be adding some photos from our fun. Meanwhile, check out the live video recipe.

I, and many for my Food Buddies, enjoy and share lots of posts. I'm happy that one of my posts has been cited by Jen's Reviews.

I, and many others, especially enjoy Italian cuisine and feature lots of goodies.

This month, I'm also adding some new videos by a favorite chef, Giada De Laurentis. Check 'em out.

Check out Giada's online recipes too.

About 30% of Tucsonans are Snowbirds, and leave for their 2nd home by the end of May. But, I love Summer in Tucson. Lots of spring blooms, quiet times and carefree life.

We finished our Spring Cleanup and we're already for lots of slow, lazy days of Summer.

Finished the last of my lawn work, and now it's "Miller Time".

Summer is BBQ, and I'm doing lots of fun stuff. Doing my favorites now thru the end of the year.

Tucson is an Endless Summer, with the opportunity for lots of dining al fresco. So, now more than ever, we enjoy doing lots of cuisines outdoors.

I'm already planning on lots and lots of bbq/smoker meals for Summer and beyond. This will allow me to cook in our outdoor kitchen, as well as on our pool deck.

The smoker is located just outside our kitchen, and we have standard gas/coal bbq grills in our gardens and by our pool/spa.

May is the time when everything warms up, and the Snowbirds hit the trail. Meanwhile, we'll be doing lots of outdoor dining with family and friends. Some fond memories of Cinco De Mayo.

Be adding lots more of our adventures to my YouTube Playlist "Papa's Recipes" for more photo parades.

Thanks to Amazon Prime, even having lots of BBQ, Pool and Garden materials delivered. Since, we were away most of last year, lots to do .. 

With our Summer now in full force, it's life is slow. Doing some lawn repairs, setting up Paulina's new Herb Garden, doing our Summer BBQ's.

First up, doing Smoked Brisket and Pulled Pork. Then, all the rest!

​Check out fun recipes. This includes some fun stuff by my favorites "The BBQ Pit Boys".

So many more BBQ, Breads and Ice Cream recipes to make. Check out my recent additions to  YouTube ... "Papa's Recipes".

BTW, you can still view many of our recipes at Papa's Recipes, which is our main recipe site for our long time recipes!