I have numerous fond memories involving my father grilling out during the summer months in our backyard in NY. Some may scoff at his way of lighting a grill – but I tell you, it always worked. We had a little cast iron hibachi grill, some charcoal and … a little jar of gasoline. I will say that the charcoal NEVER failed to light and I’m sure by the time we were ready to stick the hot dogs, hamburgers or whatever on the grill – most of the gas had burned off (I think?). It also didn’t matter if it was a nice evening or raining – grilling out was just as fun. It was a time to sit around and talk with family and friends. No stress of the day weighing you down, just the joys of good food and great company.
It also amazes me how certain scents can bring back memories of those lazy summer nights – the smell of chlorine on a towel once you got out of the pool, the scent of Sea & Ski suntan lotion and fresh cut grass are just a few that come to my mind – but the one that does my soul good is the smell of the grill right before my favorite part of the evening occurred – roasting marshmallows with my dad. I would always add some dried leaves to the coals to get them going again. And, who cared that every once in a while you got your marshmallow a little too close to the hot coals and got a little charcoal on it. Mom always said, “…don’t worry, a little charcoal won’t kill ya!”
Here’s to the last of the warm summer nights, lightning bugs and the fun of roasting marshmallows.
– M.M.
The Marvelous Michelina 