We Got the Grill: What’s Cooking This Season?>>

I’m so excited — we finally have a grill! I get this happy whenever a new kitchen gadget arrives. After my little grilling experiment last week, I couldn’t stop thinking about owning a proper grill, so my boyfriend Mr. N and I went shopping over the weekend.

We chose the small charcoal grill you see above. Charcoal suits me perfectly because I love that smoky flavor; I’m not much for gas grills. Watching charcoal spark and smoke makes me feel like a proper backyard cook.

So what do you do when you get a grill? You grill, of course.

That photo turned out to be the one I didn’t plan to lead with, but don’t let my expression fool you — I love the smoke and aroma of charcoal grilling.

For our first cookout I prepared chicken wings and thighs, marinated overnight in a blend of garlic, ginger, onions, celery, cilantro, salt, and chicken seasoning. I also tossed in a small steak I had. Everything rested in the refrigerator until grilling time.

Husband of life

Moments like this are simple blessings — time with the ones you love, good food, and fresh air.

The aroma was irresistible — the sizzle and smoke were everything.

I made my own soya spice to brush on the meat while it grilled. Simple seasonings can make a huge difference.

Here’s the little steak I grilled. We prefer our meat cooked through and nicely browned in the middle — not pink and bloody. A good char and even cooking are important to us.

On another note, our church recently taught about cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit. If you face tough decisions, remember the Spirit is there to guide you. I find that when I rely only on my own understanding, things get difficult. When I surrender and let God lead, the day goes much more smoothly. It’s about trusting Him.

Wishing you a fruitful week!