Oh, how I love 3-day weekends! It seems like there’s so much more time to have fun, relax, and also get a couple of productive things done than during a regular weekend. That extra day really makes a difference, don’t you agree?
I spent a ton of time outside over the weekend — just how Labor Day weekend should be. Inspired from watching all of the U.S. Open action, I kicked my long weekend off with a tennis session with my hubby…
…and then we headed over to the beach for a sunset picnic:
Peanut butter, banana, honey & cinnamon on whole wheat — mmm!
We also had a chance to stroll around the farmers’ market and pick up some local goodness….
…grill a margherita pizza for dinner one night… 
…and go on a hike with our dingo at our nearby favorite park: 
Something we spent a lot of time doing over Labor Day weekend was entertaining in the backyard. With temperatures in the 80s with clear sunshine, it was perfect pool party weather! On both Saturday and Monday, we had some friends over for some fun in the sun. Not to toot my own horn, but I put together a pretty awesome spread for Monday’s get together:
I whipped up homemade salsa with locally grown tomatoes…
…peanut butter & jelly oatmeal bars (recipe to be posted on here soon!)…
…caprese pasta salad, which I followed Cookie Monster Cooking’s recipe for…
…and I also whipped up the recipe that I’m sharing today, a heavenly chocolate fruit dip!
This dip was born out of me wanting a dish that was dessert-like, but also incorporated some of the delicious fruit I had just bought at the market.
I mean how beautiful is all of this vibrant summertime fruit?! What resulted was a creamy chocolate lovers’ dip that was a perfect poolside treat. 
Chocolate Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz light cream cheese
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup + 2 TBSP maple syrup
- 1 TSP vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips roughly chopped
Instructions
- Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add in yogurt, cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Beat again until whipped smooth.
- Add in the chopped chocolate chips, and mix into the dip with a large wooden spoon.
- Pour into a serving bowl, and refrigerate until you're ready to serve it.
Nutrition
I had so much fun hanging with friends at our house this weekend, and now we have some leftovers to enjoy this week too! I think that a few Mexican dinners will be happening this week that incorporate some of my homemade salsa. 
With all of the entertaining that we did over Labor Day, our new beverage tub from Personal Creations really came in handy:
The lovely folks at Personal Creations sent me the tub as a gift, and it came just in time for the holiday weekend. I’m loving it as a fun way to keep our beverages nice and cool while we’re hanging out poolside, and my last name engraved on it is a nice touch.
I definitely enjoyed strolling out of the pool to get a nice cool glass of chardonnay steps away… plus I think it just looks cool under our cabana next to our patio furniture!
One last thing before I go today: The winner of my Freekeh Foods giveaway is Serena Powell. I’ve emailed you for your contact info, Serena!
Tell me… Did you do any entertaining this weekend? What fruit are you loving the most lately?
Disclaimer: While I received a complimentary gift from Personal Creations, this post is my not sponsored and as always, all opinions expressed are genuinely my own.
You did such a nice job! I would have loved to come to your place for Labor Day. That fruit dip sounds amazing! And so does everything else. 🙂
We hung out at home an caught up on work. Fun stuff!
Your weekend looks fantastic and delicious!! I love the US Open so much! I am so sad that this is the first time in about 4 or 5 years that we aren’t going to the Men’s Semi-Finals. Boo!
Will I didn’t entertain but did go to a bon fire-toasted Marshmellows and baileys-yum! This food is making me hungry and I just ate, also wishing I lived by the ocean/mtns!
Raspberries from my friends farm are so good right now, may pick some this week.
YAY FOR A FUN AND TASTY WEEKEND!! Mine was not as amazing as yours ha!
I’ve been LOVING peaches lately. I was never a peach person, but after getting some from a local farm a few weeks ago, i’m all about them lately! That dip sounds so good! And so easy!
Love that beverage tub too!
And of course your homemade pizza is making me drool…and I JUST ate lunch! haha
This looks like the perfect long weekend! I think i need to come over to your place one day, because those snacks look REEEEEAL good 😉
I went home to Calgary for the weekend and hungout with the family! It was super relaxing and lovely to see everyone
I wish all weekends were long weekend! haha That would be the life! 🙂
You put together an awesome spread! I’m excited to see those oat bars! They sound amazing! And thanks for including one of my recipes!!
I’m from the UK so we don’t celebrate labor day here, so just a regular weekend for me. That fruit dip looks really lovely and a lot healthier than the usual melted chocolate that is often served with fruit. Lovely spread you put on 🙂
Firstly, that banana and peanut butter sandwich looks epic! I am all over that.
We make a dip very similar to this and it is just perfect with strawberries dipped in it.