I like great quality meat. But I like a good bargain, too. And I have to start planning for Labor Day now. It will sneak up on me.

So this Labor Day holiday I’m going to stock up on some of our neighborhood favorites – because inevitably, the neighborhood ends up in our back yard.

I really love that because I like being in control. I’m neurotic that way. We have burgers, steaks and chicken. Everyone’s happy.

We eat the food I like, listen to the music I enjoy – you get the picture. So why wouldn’t I want the festivities at my house? What’s a few crumbs on the counter among friends when I can make sure I have Teriyaki sauce for my ribeye? See how that works?

I’m looking forward to Labor Day because it’s that last grasp at a summer feeling. People are off work, it’s still warm out where we live and folks are in the mood to have fun. I like that.

So come on, Labor Day! I’m ready for ya!

I’m just not ready for you to be over.

Photo courtesy of Kansas City Steak Company.

We went to the river with family this weekend. And as we do not happen to live anywhere near a river, that required a five-hour drive.

With two boys.

Under the age of 10.

Plus a dog.

Once we arrived we felt we deserved something yummy – and to us, that means steak!

We fired up that old charcoal grill down by the river and grilled away while the kids and dog frolicked.

Paradise.

And, as we were on a RIVER, the serveware left a lot to be desired. A piece of aluminum foil had to do as our platter.

Because we’re classy like that, we set it on top of a cooler.

Come and get it!

What we learned is that we don’t care what it’s served on as long as we cook it ourselves and we can fix it up the way each of us likes it.

It was heavenly and we didn’t want it to end. But, alas, summer always does.

We made some great memories while it lasted.

And we’ll always have the steak . . .

Here’s some eye candy for ya . . .

. . . and some more . . .

We had fun this past weekend just grillin’ and chillin’ – doing what summer means to us. I’ll bet you feel the same way.

Those simple pleasures are what I live for.

We sat around and didn’t think once about what we didn’t have. It was all about the here and now. What was in front of us. And it seemed pretty good.

A nice steak cooked exactly the way I like it takes me to a place where everything is awesome. At least for that moment.

Until a beach ball hit our heads or our drinks were spilled by a flying Frisbee.

But you know what I mean.

If I can be happy just sitting and being – that’s success to me. And it felt good for the time I had it.

Thank you, summer. And thank you, steak.