Awesome August: A Recap of August and Labor Day Weekend

So August has been a very quiet month to recap compared to my last four months of recaps! I basically focused majorly on my career, work, and garden with not a ton of time for much else. August was also super hot and humid practically everyday, so it was not even great to do much outside. This is the first summer in a long time where I have not eaten dinner outside all the time due to it being so uncomfortable. I usually am eating outside every day, but I hate walking in feeling so sweaty and sticky. I absolutely love summer, but I'll admit, I'm ready for a cool off and drier weather so I can enjoy the end of the season on my patio or under my pergola with mums and pumpkins!

As I mentioned, I didn't have a plethora of activities that I was involved in this month, but I did do a few things in my beloved hometown and region that deserve a recap, as well as a recap of some of my favorite personal activities.

BREW GARDEN STRONGSVILLE

For my cousin's birthday this past month, we got to check out Brew Garden in Strongsville. This is a local restaurant with two locations--one in Middleburg Heights and one in Strongsville.

This is a great place to go if you love beer, bar food, and sports! The restaurant has huge TVs and a great selection of food--there is a dish for everyone! Both locations have a huge outdoor patio and a great ambience. There is a nice party room, and the inside has up to date, cozy decor.

There are plenty of drinks to choose from, including a local beer of the month. In addition to the extensive beer collection, there is a nice sized wine and drink list.

I definitely recommend for a family get together or watching the Tribe in the Playoffs this Fall!

Large Bar area with plenty of TVs looking into the outdoor patio

SZALAYS SWEET CORN FARM & MARKET

One of the main reasons I extended the August recap into Labor Day weekend was primarily because of this place. I wanted to feature it so anyone who read this and was interested could still stop by in early September to get sweet corn and enjoy the rest of the early fall season with mums and corn mazes!

I'm actually very surprised that I did not make it here until Labor Day. I'm always here sometime in late July or early August to pick up sweet corn and other local farm goods. I guess that just shows how crazy life ended up getting this past month!

Regardless, this is a great place to go for a quick afternoon visit. There is fresh food, corn on the cob, places to sit, music to enjoy, and great food and local goods to take home with you! I ended up getting sweet corn for the Labor Day holiday and sunflowers to help decorate my home during this fall transition time. There are even beautiful mums to take home as well.

Whether you are going for the food or the experience, definitely put this place as a place to visit on your list this September.

GARDEN UPDATES AND RECIPES

As you all know, I absolutely love my garden and was blessed to have a STELLAR garden year this year. I've always done well, but every year gets better and better, and this year was no exception. Because my heaviest harvests come in August, I spend much of the month testing out new recipes, making my old favorite recipes, and just finding all types of new ways to use my goods, while eating healthy and organically.

My Roasted Tomato and Goat Cheese Dip--one of my faves! You can find the recipe here!

Roasted Summer Squash, Zucchini, and Tomatoes with Panko and Cheese. Another super easy recipe. Click here for more info!

I love to make quick pickles, which is another easier way to make pickles, without all the hassle of canning! The pickles last up to three months in the fridge, meaning that you will have pickles through fall! Check out how I do it here.

This roasted tomato recipe (yes, still different than the goat cheese or done up with the squash) is one of my absolute favorites. I want more now! The first photo shows it coming right out of the oven, while the second one (not as pretty but still so tasty) shows it served as a side with salmon. I have it all written up here.

I loved my fresh salsa I made with my garden tomatoes and fresh jalapeno peppers and cilantro. It was super easy and paired perfectly with guacamole. I used this recipe from another fellow blogger.

A few other recipes I made that I loved but did not get great photos of are:

Stuffed Hot Banana Peppers--Soooooo delicious. I made these in the oven. I would not recommending grilling these, as baking them is way better! Here is the recipe I used.

Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce--This was super easy and delicious. It does not give you a heavy sauce, but a light one with a fresh tomato, olive oil, and herb flavor. Test out this Martha Stewart recipe here.

BURNTWOOD TAVERN

I debated on featuring Burntwood Tavern again, as this is an easy stop for dinner or Happy Hour for me, and I talked about it in my May recap, as we went here for Mother's Day brunch; however, since I never really featured it as one of my go-to happy hour places, I figured I would go ahead and do that this month.

I love their house Merlot, which is Coastal Vines Merlot, along with their apps. My go to is the wedge salad, tuna nachos, and Angus sliders. Happy Hour is seven days a week from 3-6 with $4 wines and half off apps.

They have several locations in the Greater Cleveland area, so be sure to check them out!

COLLABORATIONS AND FEATURES

I didn't have any major collaborations this month, but I was pleased to try complimentary hair products from Influenster! I was able to try Sebastian Shaper ID clarifying shampoo, Sebastian Shaper ID texturizing conditioner, and Sebastian Shaper ID Texturizing hairspray! I didn't love the conditioner, but the shampoo made my hair clean without stripping color or making it dry, while the texturizing hairspray (more of a texturizer than hairspray) worked wonders on shaping my bangs while I blow-dry them! If you are looking to texturize fine hair, check these. products out.

Also, don't forget to check out my favorite blog post of the month--Cooper's birthday party!!! You can check that out here.

Even though August may have been quieter, there was still plenty of personal growth and awesome things I got to experience! Stay tuned for the September recap!