Savoring Summer and Ringing in the New School Year with a Lobster Boil Night
Time is quickly getting away and before we move on to all things seasonal I wanted to post about our end-of-summer/back to school dinner that we had the end of August. As the days were getting shorter and the cool breeze of autumn started to creep in, the best way way to savor the last bits of summer was with an end-of-summer lobster boil night! We gathered as a family for dinner out on the patio for a relaxing evening that celebrated the season’s bounty and reflect on the coming up school year. It was definitely a memorable meal under the stars.
Setting the Scene: Coastal Charm Meets Cozy Comfort
Transform your outdoor space into a seaside haven with some simple yet elegant décor. Starting with a navy or striped tablecloth, I layered with coastal nautical accents, candles and beautiful Fall limelight hydrangeas from my garden placed in galvanized vase tins. The rope jute placemats were perfect for the theme. I made sure there were plenty of tin buckets to discard any shells. We love eating dinner outside on the patio and makes for an intimate evening outdoors.
The Main Event: Fresh Lobster and Coastal Classics
The star of the night? Lobster, of course! A classic New England lobster boil brings the best of the coast to the table. The lobster was on sale at the local market, and it was also one of the last family dinners we were going to have with my college son before he left. So I wanted to make the dinner extra special. Start by boiling up a large pot of lobsters, potatoes, corn on the cob, and clams. You can add shrimp or mussels for even more variety. Be sure to have plenty of melted butter, fresh lemon wedges, and seasonings like Old Bay on hand for extra flavor.
For a casual family-style meal, pour the feast out onto a table covered with butcher paper or a large serving board, and let everyone dig in. You can see how we did it for our low-country boil, which we usually do at during our Florida beach week. It’s messy, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect way to enjoy this classic summer dish. But this time I used disposable cake aluminum pans and it worked perfectly and it was an easy cleanup. Make sure that you also pick up lobster shellers and seafood tools. It makes it so much easier to pull out the meat.
Making Memories: Celebrate the Season
An end-of-summer lobster boil is more than just a meal—it’s about gathering with loved ones, celebrating the season, and making memories. Whether you’re dipping lobster in butter, cracking open clams, or simply enjoying the laid-back ambiance of a summer evening, the experience is sure to be one to remember. We loved chatting about what our favorite summer activities we participated in. What our goals were for school and our ambitions. It was a great way to ring in the new school year.
So grab your lobster crackers, gather your friends, and toast to the season’s end with an unforgettable night of food, laughter, and good company. Here’s to making the most of every last summer moment!
