Hello! Every summer Johnny’s job has a company picnic with food trucks and raffle prizes. He has worked there for five years and has never won squat until this year. There were plenty of great prizes to be had and, unfortunately, Johnny got the one thing we can’t use: A mini charcoal grill called the Smokey Joe lol. Any type of grill is grounds for eviction in Timber Top because it is such a huge fire hazard in our wooded community. So, the Smokey Joe found a new home at my in-laws’ house. When Johnny took his winnings home from the picnic, we had no idea when we were ever going to use it. Then, it pulled through in the clutch for a Labor Day cookout with Johnny’s mom and dad:

Johnny had the brilliant idea of arranging our cookout get together and using the new grill to make my veggie burgers and hot dogs to avoid contamination. He is so thoughtful! After working a little shift on Monday morning, we headed over to chez parents to start the festivities and it was just the best time. Johnny’s mom manned their grill, Johnny’s dad handled the Dutch oven peach cobbler, and Johnny and I worked together on the Smokey Joe as it was my first grilling experience. By the time we were done at our respective stations, we had a delicious meal in store for us. The veggie burgers and hot dogs hit the spot but top marks definitely go to the peach cobbler. I have been asking Johnny’s dad to make it for forever and he deemed our cookout as the perfect occasion. It was as heavenly as I imaged it to be!

After we were beyond full, we retired inside because it was getting kind of chilly out. This was a nice change of pace from the ninety degree days we were having last week but it was still a shock to the system! As we warmed up, we chatted away and got all the doggo snuggles from the precious Odie. It was about all we could muster while being in a full blown food coma lol. Before we left, Johnny’s mom loaded us up with leftovers and an amazing surprise – some gorgeous vintage lamps that belonged to Johnny’s grandma. I can’t wait to show all of you. 😀

This was the first time Johnny and I have actively made Labor Day plans and our cookout was the most wonderful way to spend it. Even though we can’t use the Smokey Joe at our apartment, it proved to be an awesome prize after all!

What do you like to bring to a cookout? How did you spend Labor Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah