If the usual vilification is over.... maybe this isn't quite the disaster everyone is telling you it has to be. Is this going to be a potluck? If so, has anyone asked them to say what they're bringing? Otherwise, have to assume all is going to be provided. How many shortcuts do you want to take? How many kids? How many roasters/slow cookers can you round up? Pulled pork/beef is easy - just season & slow cook 'em in the roaster and put on the BBQ sauce (homemade or store bought), sloppy joes... Brats, polish, dogs can go on the grill and/or in a roaster. You could also do meatballs/cocktail franks for appetizers. Scalloped/Au Gratin potatoes usually send back a clean dish. Bakery buns do well for sandwiches. A smoked turkey is very popular at our picnics and I made a ham one year which is always popular. Chicken salad can be sandwiches or a side. Could even do coldcuts and make your own sandwiches or a taco bar. Sides? Beans seem traditional. As is potato salad and slaw. Pasta salads, green salad, strawberry salad, corn on the cob, wild rice salad, bean salad and take whatever shortcuts desired. Desserts? Ice cream (sandwiches are easier), cookies/bars, apple pie if you want to go All-American, watermelon, grapes or any fruit... Snacks? Chips, nuts, platter of crudités, dips, salsa... Beverages? Water & lemonade are simple and popular. Cooler of pop & water is simple and a 5 gallon dispenser of lemonade is simple too. Alcohol of your choosing. Juice boxes for little kids? Supplies? Paper plates, plastic SFK, I like to use paper towels rather than napkins since a roll won't blow away like a stack of napkins. Garbage cans with liners spread around. Charcoal/propane. There's always the concern if people are going to demand special food because they have dietary issues, which I usually say is their issue at an affair like this. Also put out a call for tables, BYO chairs. It really doesn't have to be a big thing. Or it can be elaborate with crystal wine glasses, Dom Perignon or Cristal? Caviar. Or could hire someone to roast a pig. Does anyone have a volleyball net/ball? Basketball/hoop? Football? Horseshoes? Bat/softball? I usually enjoy the "simpler is better" philosophy. Have fun.

We will head south on Wednesday. Probably come home on Sunday. Then again we may stay longer. We never know once we get there. I will take my sewing machine and do some sewing for the grandaughters for summer. Never to early to get started. Happy New Years to all. Stay safe in your travels... Susie

I have had the shingles for the past 5 weeks, and am hoping it will be fully healed in another 2 weeks. Also last week, Easter break week, everyone in my house got a nasty stomach virus with fever.... so glad that is over..... hoping our taste buds return to normal soon. I am not quilting this weekend ... I have a roof leak in my sewing room near my desk so not using the sewing machine until the roof is fixed.... the roofer is suppose to come when we have dry weather and fix it, hoping that is soon as I had planned on May being the month I resume working on my Crazy Quilt making blocks. This week though am crocheting some doilies and this weekend my son has a huge Middle Ages school assignment that is due Wednesday which is bound to occupy a large bit of my time this weekend. Hope everyone has a good weekend. Best to you all, Sandra

Martinca, I will never forget an article once in one of the very chi-chi decor magazines, about a woman and her decorator who remodeled her private jet(!). The line that will live in my mind was one of those obnoxious humblebrag little jewels along of the lines that the Mrs. 'just wanted a new bathroom cabinet with a drawer for her makeup on the jet'. Oooooookay ;). As for us, we had a wonderful 4th. We're down in the Keys house for the week; my daughter and her lifelong BFF (we think of her as our second girl) are down from DC-fun fact, it's been cooler in Florida than where they live!-and my DIL had the day off so was here too-son had to work. My sister came down and we went to the local parade which happens to stage and launch literally at the end of our block so a coupla folding chairs and bingo, morning entertainment. Then another friend of daughter's drove down, my dad spontaneously decided to come as well and we also had my cousin, her husband, his sister and BIL who sailed their boat down for the holiday week. Some folks went out diving while others lounged beside or in the pool. We did a simple cookout, and by early evening some of the young folks went out to party and see fireworks, the local visitors went home, my sister decided to stay overnight and a wonderful time was had by all. This house has turned out to exceed our wildest hopes as a gathering spot for holidays so another lovely memory of a perfect day is in the books.