5 Things you MUST know in order to throw a successful Tailgate Party, Kicking off for Football Season 2011!

Surprisingly enough, there’s more to tailgating than dropping the tail & throwing back a few beers and hotdogs before kickoff. The devil is definitely in the details when it comes to planning, but no worries, we have the perfect recipe for a raving success that will have everyone waiting in line for the next game!

1. Set-up Early & Invite your neighbors!

o   Rise and shine! Everyone knows that preparation is key so pack everything up and head out bright&early to get the early bird’s pickings of venue.

o   The best way to guarantee a great time is to make sure you’re surrounded by friends. So pick up the phone, make the call and tell ‘em to bring a few treats to share for some friendly feasting.

o   The easiest way to make new buddies is through their belly! With great grilling and great friends you can never know how many will stop by for a taste of the good times so always be sure to bring a surplus of snacks and beverages.

 2. It’s not a tailgate party unless you’re grilling…!

There’s no better way to set the mood than to throw some charcoal on the grill and light it up! A simple scent is enough to get the traditional tailgate atmosphere rolling. Throw in some great tunes and you’ll be set! Veggies, burgers, hotdogs, brats, and steaks—the list is endless! If its fresh, marinated, and there’s room on the grill, throw it on and let the grilling begin! Nothing like that fresh sizzle as the meat hits the rack. Don’t forget the condiments.

 3. Bloody Mary’s on the house!

o   A child’s nightmare but every adult’s tailgate dream! A classic tailgate party is never complete without a homemade Bloody Mary, so do yourself a favor and don’t forget the ice and blender please!

o   Other basic beverage necessities for the rest can include but aren’t limited to; beer, beer, beer! And maybe some sodas and bottled water for the younger party goers.

4. Don’t forget the ice chest.

Besides the grill, your ice chest is the second most important necessity. It is absolutely essential to have a cool place to keep the meat chilled and the drinks at a lovely temp.

 5. Finger food only please!

o   Dragging everything out is hassle enough so the best way to make it easier on yourself for clean up time is to ditch the forks, spoons, and knives (except for those that are essential for grilling and blending of course).

o   Chips, dip, corn on the cob, hot dogs…all finger food so bring plenty of them! One big trash bag will be all you need to paper plates, bones, and napkins.

o   Do yourself a favor, don’t break your back! Ask your friends to bring some snacks too, potluck style! It’s a great way to try new treats and exchange recipes.

Tailgating is not for the faint of heart but with a few tips like this, you’ll be grilling up a storm of good times. Here’s your recipe for good food, good friends, good drinks, and GREAT grilling! Enjoy!

Check out my brother Dan grilling ribs for his buddies! He loves slow grilling a rack of ribs after marinating them for an hour in our lovely Sassy Sauce. After an hour & a half of grilling, he drizzles the remainder of the sauce over the tender ribs and throws some homemade coleslaw and beans to complete this fabulous weekend entree!

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Well, no tailgating this morning, 49er town is being drenched, indoor food only… It’s doable!

Chips are better when dry, hot dog buns too…after all the oven does work…and we can make Bloody Mary’s on the counter almost as easily as on the back of a truck! It’s tough to get this all ready by 10am but we’ll give it a shot.

Four plays 72 yards and six points…well seven, but the spread offense looks like it works, who knew…a great 20 yard run from Frank and a darn good play fake from Alex gets Vernon in the end zone…it’s a great way to start, but we have been here before, let’s stay calm …49ers get the ball back on a safety blitz from Dashon, it’s a good thing, but still too many penalties…

Horrors! Our Quarterback is down! …Anthony where were you? were you day dreaming? How did you miss Mr. Johnson he is rather large!…Holy Cow Alex is hurt…well ok Carr is in, he hasn’t got the strongest arm in town but he can be effective… false start another penalty… as for the manners in Carolina…what is up with our friend Mr. Smith?

It was definitely un-sportsman like young man… but what goes around comes around, 49ers get the ball back thanks to Nate and Parys… thank you Ned for the field goal… still too many mistakes though, wow what a great pick from Ray with a little help from Travis… Who would have thunk it, the big guy, pick six off a Panther screen, 31 yards to the house! More penalties, that’s eleven… I’m thinking this is a coaching thing… 23 – 20, not the outcome we wanted.

49ers are off to London…memo to Roger Goodell football is an American thing…we like the Brits and all but really!

On a serious note, enforcing the no spearing rule… it’s about time…defensive players can learn to adjust…if Mr. Harrison want to retire all the better…and discussing the issue of player safety with Ray Lewis is more than ridiculous

Momster out!

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What a beautiful day, at our “City by the Bay”… mid seventies, clear not too much wind, an ideal day for tailgating and some football…The early birds are here!

After all there is a party to throw! …There are a few new faces, even if a few of them are wearing green jerseys…holy cow what next…Well no matter, let’s get everyone fed… meat  is always comforting not to mention beer! And by the way a killer Pinot… thanx John! Let’s not forget our “Top Dog” buddy, Jim… the best hot dogs anywhere!

So, I guess we have to ask the question …Can we beat The Eagles? Or do our 49ers go “0 & 5”… Coach: did we have that talk about clock management, sending in the right play, catching the ball when it hits you in the hands, not holding because holding is bad, making sure bad guys don’t knock down the Quarterback, that’s bad too, running the right rout or anything else likely to lead to us remaining at the bottom of a weak division?

We are running out of time…Hopefully today will be the day.

Eagles 27 49ers 24… Ok, IT’S  T I M E  T O  P A N I C … you have got to be kidding me… JED: are you paying attention? this is one huge mess…Yes we still have a mathematical chance, but we have to play very differently very very differently… and don’t go blaming Alex for everything either…fumbling when you get hit in the back doesn’t count as a fumble…tipped passes that result in an interception are not the same as an interception… five fumbles, a complete lack of coordination… I can’t watch anymore!

What the heck is going on?…  I have to say it looks like it comes from the top…our personal is pretty darn good…we just aren’t executing, it doesn’t seem like we know what we are doing…

This is really bad guys…really bad! …You better think of something

Momster …out

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Game Time! Whatever it is, it can wait…BBQ is ready, that’s right: we do BBQ in California, KC isn’t the ONLY place that has it…The drinks are cold …However, some of us are still on coffee … whatever! Sit down pay attention! Get ready for some football !

You’re kiddin me….I have had more fun at the dentist! Was there any kind of a “game plan”?  31-10 and it wasn’t even that close… Coach: you are killing me, not to mention the party….OK, to start with, what’s up with that missed tackle by Travis in the first quarter, I know McCluster is fast but how about a tad more effort – pursuit, something…and I hate to bring it up but that TD was on a pick! … picks are bad, but you know that part…and  F I V E  sacks? Psst, Alex throws better on his feet!  Where was the O – line …And, I hate to say I told you so, but these deflected passes are still a problem, big one… Coach, Coach, Coach: This team has plenty of talent, it clearly was not managed this afternoon…Sooner or later you have to pull it together…especially if you do not like pesky reporters, and more than slightly annoyed Momsters.

49er Fans get it! We have “been there” We expect more, much more!

There is something very sad about a room full of depressed football fans…not sure if any amount of BBQ, chips, dips, wings or Bloody Marys will brighten their spirits… and as it turns out we didn’t get any help from De-Raiders.

Sad Day

Momster

Despite Bay Area traffic and a slower than slow Bay Bridge, The Section Q Gang arrived undaunted… But, just what is up with this wind?

Memo to stadium management, “less wind is better”

None the less , tickets in hand, hopes high … let’s get set up…Tables, chairs, grills  over there… coolers on the other side… Holy Cow! Where is the “TAB”?, momentary panic, check down to Ginger ale… Memo to self, double check coolers before you leave the house…Who has the holy football?…. Fine, just hang on to it! … Are the Bloody Marys ready?

Cathy has brought her famous Sassy Sauce…soon to be more famous served over grilled ribs, always the best…Some terrific fresh “made at the sight” guacamole…All kinds of hot dogs with all kinds of fixins… ”The Stick” is hoppin, the grills are grillin…all is well in Section Q…  The usual suspects are in attendance; along with some new comers…throw back jerseys everywhere…it’s almost game time! Wonder if the stadium manager got the memo about the wind?

What is up with that snap?… But, quick thinking by Alex, kicking it out the back… However, Saints get the sefety and the ball and the score …no surprise, Drew can score…This type of SNAFU would prove to be deadly by night’s end!  Despite out gaining the champs 417- 287, and seven more first downs… Saints win 25-22…The good  news, once again, Patrick Willis came up big on “D”, what a lick on #25…”O” line: loads of improvement this week…Adam: nice job filling in for Chilo…However, these tipped passes are still a little bit of a problem… The great news is the performance from Alex Smith, especially that last drive! 82 yards of no panic, clear thinking poise…he spread the ball around, Frank, Michael and Josh great job ! …and when he had to run…He did! and he protected the ball… switched it to the outside (left) in case you missed it.

Speaking of protecting the ball… Coach: Momster thinks…respectfully submits that a conversation with young Mr. Adams is in order… he did fumble ok, ok but he coulda/shoulda  kicked it out of bounds, might just be opening night jitters…but a quick chat! …I think we gave the champs a run for their money!!! KC is next

Quiet Corner: The View from Section Q would like to express our condolences to the family and friends of Kenny McKinley. While undoubtedly there is more to come, the grief is here and has to be acknowledged.  Maybe in his memory, each of us could put down our devices and take a friend out for a cup of coffee and listen, really listen.

Momster

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Another season is upon us…the Section Q gang is ready, we’re always up for a party!… But, we did our homework, we spent the off season tuned into “The Combine”, injury reports, training camp and the histrionics … those are always fun …

YES  Section Q is ready for some football!

49ERS are in Seattle today so we tailgate remotely… but no less intently…so what if the neighbors think we’re a little loony … they may be Raider fans…perish the thought!

Okay that was more than a little disappointing… Seahawks win 31-6 …And after such a thrilling start … Nate Clements is the man…what a pick on Matt Hasslebeck… Go Alex, nice drive down the field…couple of first downs, nothing fancy just moving the chains…great “almost” TD to Josh Morgan…Memo to receivers – both elbows must be in the end zone ! …Going for it on fourth down, okay cool, just didn’t work this time…Gotta find a way to convert on 3rd down… Trips  to the red zone should yield TD’s  mostly, but thank goodness for Joe Nedney, such a nice young man … Let us not forget  the 49ER “D” held the Hawks to three consecutive 3 and outs…But, these deflected passes….Humm, memo # 2, if it hits you in the hands – catch it !…Shawntae, don’t panic, about the TD to Deion Branch…stuff happens, rub some dirt in it you’ll be fine…”O” line – Humm… More help for Frank, probably a good idea, but overall a solid job for the Rookies…

So Coach: Momster thinks this was the wrong game plan, I know you are the boss but Holy Cow… I predicted 12 wins, this is bad for my image!  One last question… Exactly why did our young  Mr. Crabtree feel free to skip training camp ?

It’s time to make sure Section Q is set for MNF, “The Champs” will be in town and we want to put our best game face on … Momster is happy to report that almost everyone has checked in…we have a few hold outs but with some tough negotiating, a few Bloody Marys and half a pound of ribs, we should have a deal…

On a serious note…This being the 9th anniversary of 9/11… We would like to thank the coaching and support staff of “The New York Football Giants” for remembering our fallen heroes. The caps emblazoned with FDNY, NYPD and Port Authority were a welcome and tasteful tribute.

Momster