Rib Racks

Today's purchase was a reversible roast and rib rack from Cost Plus World Market for about 15 bucks. I had several racks of ribs to do for a pot luck and I couldn't fit them all in the smoker just by laying them down on the grates. If cooking real estate is an issue, definitely pick one of these up. I have a 22 inch diameter cooking surface on my smoker. This fits in nicely and you can put six racks of ribs in this thing and arrange the rib ends (if you are doing whole spare ribs and break them down like I do) around the sides in whatever space is left over.

Labor Day

This Labor Day, as were Labor Days of years gone by, was a simple affair of getting together with some friends or neighbors, eating some food off the grill or smoker, and just hanging out and enjoying the last day before school starts. It's a relaxing, slow paced day. All of my friends have always enjoyed labor day weekend.

So I was particularly surprised this year when I was hearing quite a few people talk about labor day being lame. I understand this sentiment a bit from kids that aren't back in school yet. After all, this is the sign of the end of summer. What kid wants summer vacation to end? But from grown ups this view puzzles me. If you are a sports fan you have the start of football season. Baseball pennant races in full swing. It's a three day weekend. In almost every corner of the United States some of the best weather is to be had at this time of year, as the heat and humidity of summer is being transformed into the coolness and crispness of fall. Also, did I mention THREE DAY WEEKEND!

So we have yet another trend in modern society that I don't understand. So be it. I enjoyed my labor day. I hope you did too.