Labor Day is always bittersweet. A long weekend that marks the unofficial start of fall but also the end of summer. The city becomes almost barren as people flock to beaches and summer homes, trying to squeeze in those last few moments of sunshine. The summer always flies by, but this year has been exceptionally brief. Maybe it was because of our overambitious travel schedule–I can count two weekends between Memorial Day and now when we were actually home in Brooklyn all weekend–or maybe it’s because this summer was so mild it never felt like a summer. We escaped to the Rockaways once, only for a few hours. No summer movies, street festivals, far too few BBQs. Everything just went so fast. Soon we leave for vacation and my fear is the fall will also quickly pass and we’ll arrive back smack in the middle of another brutal winter.

But now isn’t the time to fear winter. It’s the time to celebrate, one last hurrah for the summer before the leaves begin to change from green to orange to red. To help round out your Labor Day menu, here are some of my favorite recipes.

Starters & Drinks

Not So Perfect Deviled Eggs

Perfect Mojito Pitcher

Watermelon Feta Salad

The Main Event

Bruschetta Pork Cutlets

Crockpot Pulled Pork Sliders

Skirt Steak with Fresh Corn Salad

A Sweet Treat

Apricot Bread Pudding with Almond Cream

Brown Sugar Cupcakes with Peach Lavender Jam

Mini Tiramisu Cups