Generally we don't go to the lake then because Alabama's football season opener is the Saturday of the holiday weekend and TheHub and Son(whichever is available and wants to go) head to a different city (often Atlanta) to watch the game. This year the opener is in Miami and they don't want to go there just to watch a ball game. For the first time in years, I will actually share the tv with someone else on game day.
Obviously we asked Son2 and almost DIL2, but I was at a loss about asking anyone else. I know Mom hates it there and if she won't come My Beloved Sister and BIL can't come either. (One of us stays in town for Mom emergencies when the other leaves)
We were about halfway home when I thought about inviting TheHub's sister and brother-in-law, and our niece (his brother's daughter) and her adorable son. SIL lives about 4 hours east (north of Atlanta) and our niece is about 3 hours south of us near the coast. It was a long shot they they both would be able to visit but it worked out. I am so glad I thought of them and really do look forward to spending time with all of them. (Did I mention how stinking adorable J.P. is?)
They will be arriving Saturday mid morning which is wonderful. It gives us Friday night to make sure all the little critter bodies (ants and millipedes, which seem to fall from thin air when the cabin is empty) are swept, and the spider webs at the door are knocked down. (And yes, I know battling the spiders is futile and honestly when it is just us we leave them intact except for what is necessary to get through the door. They are a great first line of defense in keeping the mosquitos from entering the place.) The beds are made and the bathrooms are ready, so just dusting and sweeping are really needed to be ready for them.
Additionally, TheHub's cousin lost her husband a couple of weeks ago. She lives about an hour south of the lake place so he called her and invited her up for Sunday. She and her (adult ) son are coming for the day and hopefully they will be there early. We would have invited TheHub's brother and his wife too, but they have a place on the gulf and have plans with their son and his wife there. Salt water and waves trump the lake everyday!
We decided food is important but we also decided we did not want to spend our time cooking rather than enjoying our family. We planned a menu and most of it can be done ahead of time. I plan to spend today and tomorrow morning getting the food ready so all I really will have to do (mostly) is heat and serve.
Weekend menu
Saturday
Mid morning
some sort of sweet roll just in case anyone gets there early
Lunch
Hot dogs, chips, cole slaw
Dinner
BBQ, ribs (bought and brought in) corn on the cob, green beans, sliced tomatoes, sliced cukes, rolls and Keto cheesecakes (I am not telling they are Keto. I took them to my family reunion last week and they all were eaten so I am guessing they got the non-Keto seal of approval)
Game Snacks:
Chips, dip, tortilla chips, salsa, crudité.
Sunday
Breakfast
Sister Schubert or Millie Ray rolls (freezer section of the grocery store. If you can't find these I do feel sorry for you because they are delicious)
Scrambled eggs and bacon
pancake options (regular or blueberry)
Lunch
BBQ chicken (both traditional and white sauce) potato salad, baked beans, tossed salad, rolls, and strawberry shortcake (Yes, I am buying those little cake things they sell next to the strawberries. Sue me!)
Supper
Burgers with all the fixings, chips and any warmed up leftovers anyone wants, cookies.
Monday
Breakfast
Pancake options, eggs and bacon
Lunch
Leftovers or grilled cheese sandwiches
Now I have to get my tail up and start prepping. Anything that can be chopped, sliced, baked, blended, infused, or beaten is happening today and tomorrow morning. Then we are off for a wonderful weekend!
What are your Labor Day weekend plans (if you live in the states) or your first weekend in September if not, or your plans for the weekend for whatever calendar you follow?
Sounds like great food and great company too! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWe plan on enjoying their company!
DeleteI am still waiting for my invite to the lake.......
ReplyDeleteThe menu sounds lovely and simple(mostly). Have great fun with your fam!
Anytime you are near Alabama come on down. Consider it an open invitation.
DeleteSluggy and I would like to come together, you have fun you hear me, don't work too hard.
ReplyDeleteDitto my reply to Sluggy!
DeleteBelieve it or not, I didn't realize it was almost Labor Day until Wednesday night. It sounds like your menu will be easy to execute and delicious. I will be here. I don't like exbf driving on holidays.
ReplyDeleteI am aiming for easy and filling! Have a nice stay at home weekend!
DeleteHave a heap of fun. I am glad that you can prepare in advance (mostly).
ReplyDeleteThis weekend there is a kite festival I hope to see. The last two years the big kites haven't taken to the air (too much or too little wind). I have my fingers crossed.
Crossing my fingers with you for wind. A kite festival sounds like a lot of fun.
DeleteI've never heard of Sister Schubert or Millie Ray rolls so please go right ahead and feel sorry for me. I have no Labor Day plans. I might be holding down the fort at work.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I am feeling sorry for you now. I know Millie Ray's is a local product but I think Sister Schubert has at least a regional distribution. O just checked their website and it looks like Sister Schubert can be found at nearly all Publix's in J'ville. Their cinnamon and orange rolls are divine.
DeleteSounds as if a visit to Publix is in order.
DeleteOur business has suddenly geared up so I am afraid I will be working a little bit this weekend - but will be sure to get a bit of fun in too. You have a blast, sounds fun and the advance prep idea is definitey the way to go
ReplyDeleteHope you get some fun time in the middle of working!
DeleteGosh you are organized. I was like that many years ago. Met my UK family over on the west coast of France in 1996 I think - we both had campers and organized the heck out of our 10 days of meals for 9 of us. One day we decided to walk to the supermarket, it was about 40 degrees and we were trudging through sand. My brother bought 2 huge watermelons - so we made him carry those devils back! I've ran out of steam now I must say but there's only me to organize anyway, although I'm looking forward to cooking more "efficiently" (less waste and less spending) when I retire.
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen at the lake place is small so organization is critical. In my everyday walking around life organization is optional, depending on my mood. (Plus you would not believe some of the crappy meals we eat just to avoid food waste)
DeleteSounds like you've got the holiday weekend all planned and catered! I hope you enjoyed the company and the food. I have spent the weekend relaxing. :)
ReplyDeleteI did not relax a lot but enjoyed the guests.
DeleteSounds like you had a terrific holiday weekend. Certainly the menu was excellent. Fun read -- thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice weekend, now onward to wedding stuff!
DeleteGood stuff here and a good holiday for you and yours. Good company and good food!
ReplyDeleteThe company was what made it. The food was secondary!
Delete