Instead of Taking an Afternoon Snooze, Try Throwin' Sum Shoes!

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This summer, throw a shindig all yer pardners will love: a Western-themed outdoor barbecue with horseshoes. I like to get into the spirit by donning some jeans and cowboy boots. At this All-American summer lawn party, I toss in a few bales of hay to create the mood, add a water trough full of beverages on ice and invite my guests to play some friendly two-against-two games of horseshoes.

Because barbecuing takes the mess out of the kitchen, the only pitchin' in guests will have to do is to play the game! I always like to create a playful mood, so I theme my menu items. Think "tossed" salad, "staked" steaks, "horseshoe-string" potatoes, "count-em-up" corn and "dead-ringer" raspberry cobbler. Yum.

Table decor is easy, too. Bandanas tied with raffia make great napkins, and the raffia looks like hay. If you've got a horse saddle, use it as a centerpiece. Add a few potted succulents on the table and you've got yerself all the makin's of a bodacious good time. Now this is how the West is fun!