mmm-yoso is the name of the blog…written mostly by Kirk and sometimes by Cathy. Today is a sometimes day, since Kirk is in Peru and all…
Hi. Since you didn’t know me a year ago at this time, we never spent a summer together. We did, but I barely mentioned it. I took pictures anyhow and thought I’d just pass along some backyard cooking tips at you can use for yourself at home, or for when you have to bring something to an outdoor party. It isn’t like we don’t have those out here all year round anyhow. Then I will appease your voyeuristic tendencies and let you know other things I have eaten this summer.
There is a new Albertsons downtown, on about 12th between Market and G streets. It is way fancy. They sell these cheese Kaiser rolls…6 for $1.99…they don’t sell these at the Albertsons in Santee. Makes everything taste better, even a plain cheese sandwich.
So, cooking a burger- push it down/make it a little thinner in the center. Then when it shrinks down, it becomes level and stays flat and round. Don’t keep flipping it over. Three times at most. Be patient.
Always toast the bun, either on the grill or in a fry pan indoors. It just tastes better.
Potato salad. As many hard boiled eggs as potatoes. Real mayonnaise. Fresh dill. Salt and white pepper. (you don’t see white pepper when it’s mixed in, but you still get that touch of heat/flavor from it.) (We use white pepper in mashed potatoes also-same reason).
See these three ingredients?
Watermelon, fresh mint, frozen limeade concentrate? Memorize them and then DON’T TELL ANYONE.
Chop the watermelon. Chop the mint. Let the limeade thaw. Don’t add water, just pour the thawed concentrate on it all. Smile when someone asks you what is in it. If, for some reason, there are leftovers, make some *really nice* smoothies the next day.
Here are some photographs of a pool part we went to this past summer.
My friend, Mrs. T., had it in honor of her dad’s birthday.
She made chicken, burgers and hot dogs and we brought the rest and it was a great potluck.
Chips, bowls of home made guacamole, pots of chili, cheese, snacks. There were fresh fruit places and fresh vegetable plates too.
Cake and Ice cream, of course. Two cakes, to be more precise. 
Mrs. T spent time every day making a pint or two of unique ice creams or sherbets to have to serve with the ice cream.
She used real cookies, peanut butter, candy bars, orange, lemon, and lime juice from fruit trees in her yard, fresh strawberries and just about everything you could think of. It made the party just perfect.
One of my dear friends, Mrs. B. has a back yard and and garden filled with miracles.
She gave me these citrus selections from her trees and more than these photographed tomatoes, along with a pot of fresh made tomato sauce that I took home and froze into packets. I thought you would enjoy these photos. The small green ones did eventually turn red, by the way. Every day I would snack on some and the darkest red tomatoes would be gone, but the next day…there would be more.
Some days this past summer were really hot and I did not want to cook.
We would go to In-N- Out. This is what we always get.
His is a Double Double with no onions and mine is just a Double (no cheese) with both raw and grilled onions. Fries.
Then there is Costo . In San Diego. the eating area is on the outside of the store, making it convenient on hot days. We don’t even have to walk inside.
A huge slice of cheese pizza is enough to share. (1.75) 
The hot dogs and Polish dogs come with a soft drink for $1.50. I ask for a side of kraut and put deli mustard and onions on mine. Cheap, easy, plentiful. No clean up at home.
Finally, a sad commentary into proving I am not much of a Gourmand. 
Sometimes I *need* to have Bugles. WITH Asahi.
and sometimes, just sometimes…oh they brought back Banana Twinkies…this box will last me all year…and the last one will taste as fresh as the first. I grew up with Banana Twinkies. That package saying they are "new" is a lie.
I hope all of you have had a nice summer. It is almost Autumn and time for ‘cold weather’ meals and baking. I can’t wait.
I’ll be back with more interesting blogging tomorrow night.