Mama, take a deep breath & let’s eat some summer pasta salad together.

You’ve made it through another summer.
The water bottles, the sunscreen, the snacks always packed in your bag, the endless chorus of “I’m hungry” or “what are we doing today?”—you did it. You’ve navigated the chaos of playdates, family trips, and maybe some long afternoons that felt like they would never end. And here you are, standing at the edge of a new school year.

This season can feel like a blur. There’s a rush to squeeze in just one more trip to the pool, one more popsicle on the porch, one more late bedtime before schedules tighten again. But before you jump headfirst into fall routines, I want you to pause. Really pause.

Because these last golden weeks of summer? They’re worth savoring.

Why Slowing Down Matters Right Now

As moms, we so often think about everyone else’s memories. Are the kids having fun? Did we make enough of summer? Did we do enough? But what about you? What about your chance to just sit, to soak up the warmth, to smile at your family around the table without rushing to the next thing?

That’s what Labor Day weekend can be. A chance to take a breath. A reminder that simple can be just as meaningful—maybe even more.

And when it comes to food, simple is exactly what we need. Not a complicated recipe with six different sauces and a sink full of dishes. Just something fresh, filling, and easy. Something you can make ahead, toss in a bowl, and enjoy outside on your deck or patio with the people you love.

Enter: Summer Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad

This dish is like a love letter to summer. Grilled chicken that’s juicy and smoky from the barbecue. Pasta that makes it hearty enough to fill hungry little bellies. Crisp, colorful veggies that keep it fresh and bright. And a dressing that ties everything together without being heavy.

It’s the kind of meal you can eat warm right after the chicken comes off the grill, or chilled the next day straight from the fridge. It’s kid-friendly, adult-approved, and flexible—you can toss in whatever veggies you have in the fridge, and it will still taste amazing.

And maybe best of all? You only need your grill, one pot for pasta, and a big mixing bowl. That’s it. No mountain of dishes, no fussy steps. Which means more time for you to sit down, kick off your sandals, and enjoy that feeling of late-summer ease.

Easy, no-fuss summer dinner on the grill

Here’s a simple formula:

Grill some chicken breasts or thighs with olive oil, salt, and pepper (or your favorite marinade).
Boil your pasta—spirals or bowties are perfect for catching dressing and little bites of veggies.
Chop up summer vegetables—think cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, or even sweet corn off the cob.
Toss it all together with a light dressing (olive oil, lemon, garlic, maybe a sprinkle of parmesan) and some fresh herbs if you have them.

It’s simple, it’s colorful, and it tastes like sunshine.

Memorable summer dinner on the grill

It’s Labor Day weekend. The kids are chasing each other in the yard, someone’s music drifts through the neighborhood, the grill is still warm. You’ve set the pasta salad on the table with a pitcher of iced tea or lemonade. Everyone fills their plates, and for a moment—you’re not rushing, you’re not juggling—you’re just there.

Laughing. Eating. Savoring.

That’s what I want for you this weekend.

Mama, This is your Permission Slip to sit down.

You don’t need to go over the top. You don’t need to impress anyone. What your family wants most is you—relaxed, smiling, sitting with them. And what you need most is to let yourself have that moment.

This pasta salad is just the beginning. It’s a reminder that life doesn’t have to be complicated to be beautiful. Sometimes the simplest meals are the ones that hold the best memories.

So here’s to slowing down. To letting the laundry wait. To savoring these last few golden sunsets of summer with a plate full of good food and a heart full of gratitude.

Make the pasta salad, mama. Then go sit on the patio and soak it all in. You deserve it.

Ella Waite