Having a party is a huge part of Barbequia and while we are the partyingest people on the planet, it doesn’t mean you have to get drunk or otherwise altered to have a good time.
A party in Barbequia can be just like what is traditionally viewed as a party, but more often than not it is very different.
While we are all about good food shared with friends and family, good beer and wine and a big to do, we will cover those celebrations more in the section on Traditions. For now, we will cover making the dull and mundane fun again by making it a party.
In Barbequia we strive to honor the child in all of us (a big part of who we really are) by finding wonder in simplicity, beauty in nature, no need to judge, and fun in a party. So, when you feel down, like life is kinda dull, or if you just feel like you need to kick it up a notch – make it a party! The philosophy behind this concept is simple; it is nearly impossible to NOT have a lighthearted day when you are having a party.
Now when it is all said and done, we could say that we are living Barbequia if every day is a light hearted day because a light hearted day means we are happy, free of judgment, full of love and enjoying the experience of life. So, for the time between our present reality and actually living a full-time Barbequian lifestyle (in other words from now on, since we know we master nothing.) for those days that just need a boost, make it a party!
Several years ago, Rach and I allowed ourselves to reach a point in our relationship where it just seemed blasé, no “spark” and we felt stuck in a rut. We talked a bit about it but never concluded anything but agreement that we were in a rut. One day shortly after our discussing the matter, I was given an invitation to a “Bringing it Back Party” the next day after work. When I arrived home, there were balloons on the outside of the house and a sign that read, “Bringing it Back Party Inside”. I went in the house to discover balloons; a fire in the fireplace and Rach had made a wonderful dinner that we ate on the floor in front of the fire. By the end of the evening, lets just say it wasn’t dull any more.
We can make it a party for just about any occasion and while exotic food is fun, most of our parties are done with whatever is in the pantry maybe accented with a special treat or item on the menu.
Friday nights were somewhat of a downer for us at one point due to my weird work schedule; I worked Saturday so it wasn’t really my Friday. With this in mind, we had a standing FNSU Party (Friday Night Stand UP) and watched stand up comedians on the comedy channel on TV. Rach would whip up a gourmet dinner with whatever she found in the kitchen, but she always had a treat for dessert or something special on the menu. Suddenly I was looking forward to Friday and particularly Friday night.
Theme night makes a great party too. Do an oriental, Polynesian or other ethnic themed dinner. Sophistinight parties are fun too. Spam and Ritz crackers (in lieu of foi gras and water crackers), Hamburger Helper with a side of mixed vegetables, rolls and Jello cubes for dessert, all served using your best china or stoneware, best flatware and crystal and you have to behave as if you were having dinner at the 4Seasons.
Kids love the concept of making it a party and as far as we can tell they don’t outgrow it. Our son Jeff is an adult but he still loves to come over to our house, throw a log on the fire and have a pizza party – which means we all hang out, watch a movie and eat pizza together.
Celebrate your pets birthdays, all holidays, make up your own holidays, and most of all, use your imagination for as many ways as you can to have a party and a light hearted day.
