We usually travel over Memorial Day weekend, but this year, we stayed home and enjoyed grilling in the backyard and a day at the pool. On the Thursday evening before the weekend, we went grocery shopping, also making a pitstop at the local meat market, and stocked the fridge and pantry, so we wouldn’t have to leave if we didn’t want to. There was no traffic, no lines and no waiting.

The weekend was rainy, but I didn’t mind. I loved sitting in my porch swing with a good book and watching it fall. We sure needed it.

On our sunny Saturday, I made grilled chicken paninis with pesto, mozzarella and roasted red bell peppers. I wrapped them in aluminum foil, and they tasted even better alfresco by the pool. One evening, we smoked a whole chicken on the Pit Boss.

To go with it, I served a brigh

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