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Guess Who's Coming To Dinner

I've been taking advantage of our sunny Michigan summer with a lot of outdoor cooking .  I like to call it, Grilling and Chilling.  I don't mind being the one to don the apron and flip a burger or two. I like making sure the guests are happy.

From grill to plate!
From grill to plate!

But I keep getting a return visitor I can't figure out. One who is in danger of becoming part of an afternoon menu.

What's on the handle?
What's on the handle?

Take a look. I know, I couldn't believe it!

Are we interrupting your nap?
Are we interrupting your nap?

This guy is waiting for me every time I pull the cover off the grill!  He's here so much, we named him (I guess it's a him) Toby Weber!

Say hello to Toby Weber!
Say hello to Toby Weber!

At first I was concerned this small tree frog would hop a little too close to the flames, but no matter how hot the fire gets, Toby stays on the handle!  Through the hot dogs, steaks and straight up to the s'mores, this little guy stays by the grill, overseeing the menu!

Look at the yellow markings on his legs.
Look at the yellow markings on his legs.

What's bringing Toby to our deck? Typically tree frogs stay in, well, trees! Research shows they don't usually move to the surface unless they're mating!  Haven't seen any indication of that, so far, it's just been a table for one!

Hungry, party of one, please!
Hungry, party of one, please!

For a little more information, I checked with Sally Petrella of Friends of the Rouge, (remember I was involved in the frog survey earlier this year), who verified Toby is a tree frog out of his element.  Though we see him in the daytime, this variety of frog is supposed to be mainly nocturnal.  Maybe that's why he's usually under the grill cover?

Toby Weber's usual spot.
Toby Weber's usual spot.

Whatever is bringing him to our backyard barbeque, he's becoming a welcome guest.  He's always on time, not messy and never complains about what I'm serving!  I don't know where he goes when I'm finished cooking but he seems to think the Weber is home! Guess I know who's coming to oversee dinner!

Sous Chef Toby!
Sous Chef Toby!

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