Ah, Labor Day…a holiday to salute the working men and women of this country. And it’s been a tough year for many a laborer. The coming year is bound to be better.
For many of us, Labor Day has a touch of melancholy. It’s about saying so long to the warm, carefree days of summer. The pool’s closing, kids are back in school.
Our little secret—our way to bid summer farewell—is to get a little closer to Mother Nature while she’s still wearing her summer clothes.
Move your dinner table outdoors for the day. Not just out on the deck or patio, but out there with the trees, birds and squirrels. You’d be surprised what a difference it makes in the meal ambiance. We tried it and loved it, and felt more a part of our summer surroundings.
Labor Day Recipe Ideas
We’ve got some holiday recipe recommendations, of course—and most require a minimum of labor! 
For the main dish, we suggest smoky, fall-off-the-bone Grilled Ribs, done the easy way.
If you need a little something to tide folks over till the ribs are ready, this simple Sewing Club Dip recipe goes great with chips or fresh veggies. For the recipe and to find out how it got its name, just give it a click.
Roasted corn on the cob is a summer classic. Why not dress it up with one or more of our Compound Butter recipes. Each of these offers a great way to add wow to your cookout.
Here’s another side dish that just might steal the show: our Country Green Beans recipe serves ’em up the way grandma did, with bacon, potatoes, ham hocks and onions. Oh, my.
While tomatoes are still at their ripe-on-the-vine finest, you should take some of those home-grown beauties and try our Heirloom Tomatoes with Feta Cheese salad. It’s simple and sensational.
For dessert, if you still have room, dish up a “Blackberry Cobbler”:http://foodchannel.com/recipes/2060-blackberry-cobbler—topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. What a wonderful way to say goodbye to summer’s final holiday.
