The summer heat has been slightly less oppressive in the last week, as August winds down and we realize autumn is right around the corner.  While there are still tomatoes growing on the vine and my petunias haven’t yet bloomed their last, many of us are already consumed with thoughts of back-to-school time.  Soon we’ll be dealing with a barrage of colorful leaves covering the lawn, and looking forward to tailgate parties and bonfires.

First, though, summer has one last hurrah in the coming weeks- Labor Day is almost here.  For many of us, this national holiday, a tribute to the labor unions and the American worker, means a rest day off from work, a time to spend with family, a last chance to visit an amusement park or the lake before the end of the season.

This year the holiday falls on September 3^rd, and all over the country people will be breaking out corn hole boards and s’mores supplies, packing up the RV or the four-wheelers, and setting out to enjoy one last weekend of summertime fun.

For myself, my family will most likely stay home this year, but that doesn’t mean we won’t celebrate.  I’ve already started going through recipes and deciding the menu for our cookout.  Which of our favorites have I used this year, and which will be the best to cap off this summer?

Burgers, brats, or something more exotic?  I’ll have to poll the guests, and check what’s on sale this week.

Potato salad?  Done it, but it’s always worth repeating.

Fried green tomatoes?  Done that a couple of times too, so put that on the maybe list.

Homemade cherry pie with homemade filling?  I haven’t actually made that this year, so this might be the time, while the cherries are still in season.  Or maybe peach cobbler would be better?  Decisions, decisions.

I’ve got some time to work on the menu.  After all, the most important part of the day is not the food, or the activities, or even the location, but the time spent together.  Labor Day, and any holiday really, is first and foremost a time for families to reconnect.  Everything else is really secondary as we visit, relax, and let the stress of jobs and outside activities melt away.

I hope however you spend your holiday you enjoy yourself, and have the opportunity for some quality time with those you love.

Amy