Good morning and happy Labor Day to my fellow US residents! Although, in all honesty, my family & I never really celebrated or did much for Labor Day. It was just “the end of summer” and an extra day. I even just had to look up the reasoning behind the holiday. It’s a “day to celebrate workers” and started as something to appease labor unions, if you’re wondering. No matter what, though, it gives a good enough reason to gather together in Peter’s family.

We had a large group of family and family friends gather for a pot luck style meal late yesterday afternoon as our Labor Day celebrations. Before leaving for the fun, I whipped up a quick Three Bean & Feta Salad to contribute to the spread.

His sister’s face when I whipped that out was pretty priceless.  

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We spent a good chunk of the day (aka the few hours before the kids would crash hard from not getting full naps), sharing a meal and talking around the table while the group of wee ones tried to keep from causing too much mayhem.

Braedon wanted to join the fun in a bad way. Why do I feel like the kid will be walking at 10 months old? Yeesh!

The family buffet focused on hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, grilled vegetables, a few casseroles, and my lonely bean salad down at the end of the table. Don’t worry – I gave it some love. Although, I did realize I used the wrong stevia and it left a bitter taste in this blend. Oops! Never stray from the recipe you know works, folks!

My plate consisted of Honey Dijon kettle chips (normally not a chips fan but these were addicting), macaroni and cheese, potato salad, grilled squash and zucchini, and the bean salad. Thank goodness for hefty sides so I can fill up a plate! And for Instagram when I forget my camera’s memory card and to charge the batteries. Ain’t no big thing. It was a chill night and I did just that – chilled.

I also plan to do that today. Normally on three day weekends we do our gatherings and celebrations the Sunday before the holiday. This usually means I treat the actually holiday day as any other Monday and busy myself catching up on work or things around the house or running errands. Well, not today, folks!

There is rain rolling in and I’m forcing myself to take a mental health day and relax. I’m not very good at relaxing, but I know I need it, and so that’s what I plan for today. I will see you all tomorrow! And working or not, I hope you find some time to sit back and relax too. Or at least have a glass of iced coffee or cozy cup of tea.  

• What do you like to do to relax?
• Do you normally have big plans for “three day weekend” holidays? Or is just another regular day normally to you too?

Morning and Happy 4th, friends!!! Although it appears many of you are up to your own activities. The blog world has been rather quiet this weekend – and I like that! In my mind it means we have filled our schedules with loved ones, a chance to unwind, and outdoor fun. I know that’s what a quiet day from me meant yesterday.

I spent the day here…

I love the lake! Our friends’ parents have a lake house which they open to our crew every year for a summer lake party. And what better weekend than the 4th of July weekend?!

We gathered with our friends and their families for a full day of lake fun. I spent the day chatting away with everyone. I bet that doesn’t surprise any of you.

Laughing and catching up with good friends relaxes me. It’s like a mental release. Probably why I love blogging so much. 😉

The day also included lots of play with our many children in the lake swimming and floating.

I love the lake. We live only 5 minutes away but don’t have a boat or dock to really use it beyond visiting for a walk, hike, or picnic in its beautiful scenery. Getting to actually use the lake was so fun. I only wish we had a boat big enough to fit all…30??…of us for some tubing or skiing fun all together. We did get to go out in waves though.

All of that playing worked up an appetite…which didn’t pose a problem with the ample amount of food to fill our bellies. Including hummus, veggies, pita chips, mini pigs in a blanket, and buffalo dip.

For dinner we had a potluck style meal with the traditional hamburgers and hotdogs. I filled my plate with a hotdog, a scoop of macaroni and cheese, a scoop of a baked potato casserole thing, and a scoop of a bean salad (which was phenomenal).

Once we finished dinner, the time for dessert came. I know the suspense is killing you on which dessert I decided to make and bring. Well…

I made Katie from Dashing Dish’s cheesecake bars. I followed her recipe almost exactly besides using regular sugar over the sugar substitute. It turned out so well. I got my sweet fix with some of the bars in addition to a slice of to die for homemade key lime pie.

Sweet tooth = satisfied.

Once dinner came and went, we took another hour or so to relax together before we all needed to head out. We all said our goodbyes around 9 pm. The life of parenting young children. At least we all pretty much relate and can still have a heck of a good time. I know I met my holiday fun quota! 

• Do you like the lake?
• Favorite kind of pie?