By Friday afternoon our little town’s population began to increase with the number of people coming for their last summer outing at the lake. The waves began to bob as the lake slowly filled with bright, neon rafts, jet-skis, speed boats, and sailboats … and laughter could be heard from backyard decks and docks.
It was a quiet weekend for us, relatively speaking (what a pun!) with only our own dear little family coming to visit for Labor Day.
However, no matter how small the gathering, getting ready for “our gang” is always labor intensive … and after all, seemed apropos for Labor Day weekend! 😉
TO DO LIST:
Edging & weed-eating … ✔️✔️
Lawn mowed … ✔️
Decks cleaned with blower … ✔️
Floats & Water Toys aired up … ✔️
Canoe checked for “sea-worthiness” … ✔️
House cleaned … ✔️
Grocery shopping … ✔️ Menus Made … ✔️
BBQ BEANS made & crock pot filled … ✔️
Salad prepared … Teas made … all chilling in the refrigerator … ✔️✔️✔️
TIME FOR FAMILY & FUN! … ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
And afterwards … everyone is ready for dinner!
Below, I’ve included 2 of our family-favorite recipes! Both are easy and delicious and we enjoyed both of these sides on our Labor Day picnic.
The first recipe is my own recipe for DELICIOUS BBQ BEANS. We love the smoky flavor of the bacon that intensifies as it cooks in the the crock pot and the enhanced layering of flavor that the bell pepper adds! I also love that it is baking in the crock pot while I’m away or other dishes are being prepared, freeing up the grill and oven!
The second recipe I have included is Paula Deen’s Frito & Corn Salad. This salad is so quick and easy to “put together” and so far, we have never had anyone who doesn’t love it! Cold salads are always a favorite during our hot summer months and the spicy, crisp addition of the Fritoes adds just the right amount of crunch to the sweet flavor of the corn.
And … always a sweet ending to any celebration is our Sand Pail Ice Cream Dessert. It is our family tradition that we have been enjoying and making together, since our chidren were small! We still look forward and include making it together in our summertime traditions, every summer!
I’ll include pictures and instructions for that fun & easy treat … soon!
The last rays of the day … ending another Labor Day.
From my cottage to your’s! ~ Trenda
Cottage Green on the Lake 