It was time...

So, here in Nebraska, we've been having AMAZING weather.  

(Eating lunch on a grassy knoll on Friday.  Aaahhh....)

I can't decide if it feels so amazing because it feels as though winter is done for good or if it's simply because it is currently warm in Nebraska without being humid.  The humidity packs a wollop in these here parts and perhaps we're all just basking in the sun on these warm, warm days without the irritation of feeling constantly sticky.  Whatever the case, the weather has been awesome.

And, as we all know, that means barbecue time.

A few years ago, I bought a rinkydink little portable grill.  You know, the kind you have to squat down beside while you check your burger for doneness.  Many a shish kabob, burger, steak, garden burger, pizza, and asparagus spear has been flamed there.  And the people rejoiced.  Always.

With the onset of the beautiful weather, it was time to fire up the old grill.  I slapped that burger on and threw some asparagus on for good measure.  When I attempted to use the tongs to retrieve an asparagus spear that was falling through the grate - something unexpected, and disturbing, happened.

The metal plate fell to pieces, y'all.  Let me repeat.  The metal plate fell to pieces.  I didn't know that was possible.

 (Do you see our predicament there?  That splintered section in the middle?  Yeah, that's supposed to be intact and flat.  Houston, we have a problem.)

Considering it is likely a significant health hazard to be eating food that is being fired from a pile of aluminum, it was time for a new grill.

And this time they had a red one!

Tonight was her inaugural run.  She did awesome.  No flakes of metal in the asparagus or the salmon burger.  YUM.

Please note the pile of empty propane tanks.  We have about 8 now and have no idea what to do with them.  I'm guessing it would be a bad idea to throw them in the dumpster at our apartment complex.  Any suggestions?

Or, we could just forever add to the collection.