Via Hostess with the Mostess

We’re hosting a summer barbecue and you’re all invited! I’m coming to you from Kansas City, so I know a thing or twenty about gooooood BBQ. Grab a cold drink, a few napkins, and let’s check out some of the greatest recipes, outdoor decor, games, and more!

Everyone knows that the key to a good barbecue is the sauce.

Being from KC, I have to say that the very best sauce is from Oklahoma Joe’s (the best BBQ comes from old gas stations!!) The Night of the Living Barbeque Sauce is probably the greatest thing you’ll ever taste. Ever.

Want a bbq sauce you can make yourself? Here are some fantastic recipes that are not to be missed!

Skinny Eats cooked up the taste of my town with no high fructose corn syrup allowed BBQ sauce. You will LOVE it!

Fantastic Eats calls this “the Best Homemade BBQ Sauce Ever” and we are not one to argue this point. Good doesn’t even come close to describing this one!

Prefer a rub to sauce? Check out this delicious Father’s Day rub from Delia Creates. This is on the menu for this weekend! Can you say yum? And guess what? I do a rub on tofu sometimes, too. Don’t tell anyone though, I might get kicked out of the city!

While the protein is usually the star of any good barbecue, these sides are not to be missed!

Grilled Corn with Jalapeno-Lime Aioli and Parmesan Cheese. Oh, my goodness! If you do nothing else in life, make this. Really.

This is my go to side. Invite me over and I’m making BBQ Ranch Quinoa Salad. You can even make this one vegan! And if you want something a little more traditional check out this Creamy Grilled Potato Salad, you won’t be sorry!

I’m also a HUGE fan of grilled desserts. I mean, come on. There is something so delicious about grilling pineapple and peaches on the grill, don’t you think?

My mom made these grilled brown sugar glazed pineapple a few weeks ago and I can’t stop thinking about them! About 10 minutes and 3 ingredients — doesn’t get any better than that!

I have always wanted to try these grilled bananas with chocolate and marshmallows. Doesn’t that sound amazing?! Adding it to my waistline menu this weekend for sure.

I can already feel like maybe I need to move around a little. Too much delicious food! How about some games?

Jarts or lawn darts (the old pointy, “you’ll shoot your eye out kid” kind) have been the go to activity for the adults in my family for years. But if you want to live less dangerously, here are some fantastic diy backyard games for adults and kids alike.

I’m crazy about this diy dunk tank over on The Happy Housewife. She also has some fantastic tutorials for cornhole (or whatever you call it in your neck of the woods) and ring toss in post about backyard games.

How about a GIANT game of dominoes? I really, really want to make these this summer. I’m also still loving the water blobs, giant Jenga, and lawn Twister that are popular on Pinterest. How about you?

Soooo, we’ve eaten a lot, played some games, and way before that we probably should have decorated with some gingham and bandanas, huh?

This Vintage Memorial Day BBQ hosted by The Art Abyss is nothing short of perfect. How in the world do we get on the next invite list?!

I’m going to start a little more simply with this adorable diy bandana picnic quilt and a few of these tissue paper garlands.These diy burlap BBQ decorations are pretty cute, too!

Thanks for coming to my virtual barbecue, y’all! I can’t wait to see pics of all the parties you throw — invites would be pretty great, too. You already know what I’m bringing!

P.S. Now you’re all set to throw a surprise Father’s Day BBQ this weekend! He’ll love it!