I love Memorial Day! I love the fantastic time that I get to have with family and friends, and let's not forget the fantastic food! Who does not love a grand barbeque?! Great food, great family, great friends, and great fun! But what I love the most about Memorial Day? Is that I get to remember and celebrate the awesome sacrifice and service that our men and women in the military have given us over the years to ensure our safety and protect our freedom.

The strength and fortitude of our men and women in service amazes me. They give so much that we may enjoy the liberties that we do have. Even the simple things; such as having a barbeque in our own backyard with a few family and friends. It is often the small things that we take for granted, but mean so much.

I am happy that our troops are coming home each and everyday. And what a celebration it will be for their families and friends to have their loved ones safely home, in the embrace of their loved ones. And for each service person who did not make it home...I salute them, and celebrate them, and remember them for their ultimate sacrifice.

I can recall when my Uncle would come home from the service, and the celebrations that we would have. I remember the fanfare and the celebration that seem to go on for days! My Uncle Louis loved a great barbeque! He was the first to ask who was hosting a barbeque. Who was putting something on the grill? He loved his family and loved a great family get together.

Talk about a smorgasbord of food! We have a very large family with many different tastes! And there was enough food for everyone and their friends that often found their way to the barbeque festivities! No one left empty handed!

Tradition is important. Family traditions that can be passed down through the years. I often find that many of our African American traditions are passed down through our food; through our recipes that we have received from our Grandparents and great Grandparents. Tell the truth: who doesn't love a great potato salad? Or, what about that uncle's special barbeque sauce?

What a way to celebrate this Memorial Day, with so many of our troops coming home, with the best barbeque ever?! And how can you have the best barbeque? With the best recipes of course!

Here is a list of recipes that I am certain will please your hungry guests this Memorial Day weekend! Have fun! Celebrate! Live hard! Love hard! Laugh hard!

Savory, Out of This World Burgers

New Potato Salad & Pasta Salad w/ Crabmeat & Shrimp

Delectable Ribs

Orange Glazed Baby Back Ribs

Grilled Flank Stank & Tomato Salad

Classic Potato Salad & Green Salad Recipes

Sangria Anyone?

What's a celebration without dessert?!

Very Easy Coconut Cake

So Easy Banana Pudding

Red Velvet 2 Ways

Sock It To Me Cake

From My Family To Yours: Happy Memorial Day! Here's To Making Wonderful Memories, With Great Food, Great Friends, and Beautiful Family! Blessings!