Backyard Shish Kabobs + [A Few Recipes]

April 11, 2014

This warm weather is warming my soul and it feels good. Winter seemed extra long this year and it left me yearning for sunshine and time spent outside. Mostly I'm only grateful for the cold weather because it is making me truly appreciate these lovely spring temperatures. I do hope they're around to stay. 

With this warmer weather comes the urge to have people over for backyard grilling and outdoor games. Since I've been married I have found that I'm a natural entertainer, at least I like to think so. It just feels like my thing and I'm loving it.  My heart craves throwing little parties, so I try to find any excuse or reason to invite my people over for some time together. There's just something so fulfilling about fellowship. Don't you agree?!

Last Saturday was a day just calling for a group of people, good food, and conversation. With too much time passing between the last visit with the Paulettes, it was a no brainer for us to all get together. Quickly, we added the other Hills to our plans, because we love them too and the six of us together is such a cool gathering of like-people. You know those friends of yours that feel like family and the family that feels like the closest of friends? Husband and I are blessed to know both types of relationships and by those people we are increasingly blessed. 

Our day went a little like this: several round of frisbee golf for the men, meaningful, enjoyable chat time for the gals, shish kabob making, corn shucking, backyard grilling, more conversation, entertainment by two of the cutest twins I know, cornhole, the Final Four, dessert, and goodbyes. Oh, Saturday how I loved you so!

In honor of the spring weather I tried to come up with a fitting drink. The result was a peach lemonade. Really any kind of lemonade combined with fruit is pretty delicious and festive for the spring and summer seasons.

Peach Lemonade
  • What You'll Need:
    • 2 cans of frozen lemonade concentrate
    • Small package of frozen peaches
    • 1 fresh lemon
    • 2 fresh peaches
  • What You'll Do:
    • In a container, combine the frozen lemonade, preparing as directed on the can. 
    • Purée the frozen peaches in a food processor and then add to the already prepared lemonade. Stir well. If you're looking for a sweeter drink, I'm sure you could add a tablespoon or two to the peach purée, but we didn't try that. So taste as you go if you want to add sugar. 
    • Cut the fresh peaches and lemon and add them to the drink mixture. Pair with fun straws and you're good to go!

Don't you just love shish kabobs, and aren't they such pretty food?? Their colors scream warm weather and sunshine. We found a recipe to marinade the beef in before grilling it, and oh my 'lanta it was incredible. I want to share it with you so you can try it out too! You'll most likely already have all of these ingredients (besides the sherry, which we just happened to have from another recipe we tried out earlier in the week).

Shish Kabob Marinade
  • What You'll Need (based on 2 lbs of beef):
    • 1 cup vegetable oil
    • 2/3 cup sherry
    • 2/3 cup soy sauce
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 1 TSP minced ginger root
  • What You'll Do:
    • In a tupperware or dish with a covered lid, combine all of the ingredients plus the beef tips.  Mix well.
    • Place in the fridge for approximately six-seven hours. 
    • Put your shish kabobs together, and using a brush, coat the other shish kabobs toppings with the marinade.


Mouthwatering, huh? You won't regret shish kabobs, especially after marinading in the above sauce. So good! I recommend spreading the shish kabob ingredients out buffet style for everyone to make their own. Pair it with corn on the cob, baked potatoes, and fruit salad and you have an absolute winning dinner. Not to mention it's simple to make and won't take away from your time with your guests. Everyone gets involved in making them too! 


We devoured all of the food and let it settle over a little friendly cornhole competition. If only the sun had stayed out longer and the day would have moved slower! This kind of day needs to happen all the time and it's a goal of mine to have as many backyard moments like this all summer long!