I bet you never thought of all the ways your patio can make your life easier.  While your in-laws might frown at paper plates in the kitchen, they might expect them on the patio.  (But don’t think you’re off the hook.  They’ll probably still find something to complain about.  After all, they’re in-laws.  It’s their job.) Somehow, dinner outside can be more informal and relaxed than the same dinner served inside.  And foods usually taste better when cooked on a grill, anyway.  

Cooking outside means you don’t have five courses going in and coming out of the oven, all at different temperatures, for different lengths of time.  You have one grill, and you can manage the temperature and cook a main course and several sides at the same time, all by placing the items in different places on the grill.  And foil is your friend! By sealing all side dishes in disposable aluminum packets before cooking, you eliminate even more dishwashing.  Cleaning consists of removing the foil and disposing of it.  Can’t get much easier than that. 

Less time in front of the oven and the sink translates into more time to relax on your modern outdoor furniture with your family and guests.  And after a long day, who wouldn’t want that?