This Labor Day weekend, I'll be spending my time at the Old Threshers Reunion. It's one of my favorite late-summer traditions, filled with steam engines, antique tractors, wandering through the historic log village, browsing for antiques, and, of course, stopping for ice cream. This year is extra fun since I have one friend visiting who has never been before and another who has, so it's a joy to show them around the grounds and all the attractions that make the event memorable.

September is also going to be a busy and exciting month as I finalize the finishing touches on our annual holiday magazine. It's truly my favorite project of the year, and I can't believe it's already almost here again. Does it mean I'm getting older when I feel like I just packed up the Christmas tree last week? Pre-orders will open the first weekend of October, and I can't wait for you to see what's inside this year's edition!

The food to make for Labor Day.

The next few days are a last hurrah before fall hits, so here are some perfect Labor Day recipes to make for the long weekend:

1. Potato & green bean salad Creamy summer dressing, golden potatoes, and crispy bacon make for a hearty side. Get the recipe

2. Roasted sweet potato salad One of my favorite twists on a classic, with some fall-like flavors. Get the recipe

3. Beer brats with sautéed peppers They're grill-ready and perfect for sharing. Get the recipe

4. Baba ganoush Smoky, creamy dip with some grill flavor. Get the recipe

5. Macaroni salad This version is my family's favorite, but I'm curious how it compares to the one you make. Get the recipe

6. Chicken burgers A juicy and flavorful alternative to the usual burger. Get the recipe

7. Strawberry poke cake Fruit-filled and super nostalgic. Get the recipe

8. Family favorite potato salad There's always room for this potato salad at the table! Get the recipe

9. Fruit pizza A sugar-cookie base and cream cheese frosting topped with fruit. Get the recipe

10. Caprese pasta salad Juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and pasta. Get the recipe

11. Panzanella Seasonal produce tossed with vinaigrette and crusty bread. Get the recipe

12. Grilled cabbage salad Charred cabbage tossed in a honey-Dijon-lemon dressing. Get the recipe

13. Tomato zucchini summer pasta Two great summer vegetables come together in a simple pasta dish. Get the recipe

14. Ratatouille A celebration of all the late-summer veggies in one easy-to-make dish. Get the recipe

15. Canned dill pickles Classic dill pickles you can jar now and enjoy long after summer ends. Get the recipe

16. Canned pickled peppers Super vibrant and a bit spicy, these peppers are great on everything! Get the recipe

And in case you missed any of my new recipes from this month, you can find them all here:

• ​Tomato salad​
• ​Aperol margarita​
• ​Grilled sweet corn salad​
• ​Mexican street corn dip​
• And 5 different quick pickles: pickled eggs, sweet pickles, pickled red onions, pickled beets, and pickled jalapeños.

Let's talk about Kip.

Kip has been enjoying the cooler late-summer weather that we're having this weekend. He absolutely loves his time outside, and if he could talk, I'm sure he would call himself an "autumn puppy." You'd think he could talk if you heard the audible conversations I have with him each day.

This past month, though, he's had a little setback with a growth on his toe that we think is allergy-related. He's been getting doses of Cytopoint to help with his seasonal allergies, which is pretty common for dogs this time of year. Due to his Meningomyelitis, his immune system can be a bit sensitive, so things like this pop up from time to time. His vet reassured me that even her own dog deals with similar issues on their paws, so I'm hopeful the growth will subside once fall really sets in.

When he's not dealing with that, Kip is as playful as ever. One of his favorite routines is sitting in the backyard under the big silver maple, waiting with his frisbee for someone to come close. The moment you do, he grabs it and starts an energetic round of chase. He doesn't like to let go right away, but once he does, he wants you to throw it as hard and as far as possible so he can sprint after it. There's no way he could ever leap into the air to catch it, but the exhilaration of racing it down before it hits the ground is so fun to see. He'll happily wait (with a few audible sighs, of course) as long as it takes for you to come try to wrestle that frisbee from him.

Here's to a Labor Day weekend filled with good food, warm memories, and a little nostalgia with every bite. Whether you're making one of my recipes or one of your own favorites, here's hoping your weekend ends summer on the best note. Until next month, when I'll be back with more seasonal inspiration, I hope your September starts with plenty of joy and lots of flavor.