We Are Family

This menu is designed to feed a crowd with family-pleasing favorites.

Bacon Wrapped Hamburgers: Hamburger patties with cheese and Worcestershire sauce are wrapped in bacon and grilled. (Note: To save time on party day, you can make patties in advance, bacon and all, then freeze. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.)

Strawberry Spinach Salad I: Spinach, almonds, and strawberries create a colorful salad that tastes as good as it looks!

Grandma Ople's Apple Pie: This lovely apple pie is simply sensational. (Notes: Pies can be made the day before. You'll probably want to make two!)

Easy Raspberry Lemonade: This is a refreshing summer beverage the whole family can sip on.

• Plan of attack. It may not be something that can be planned easily on the fly, but a family reunion is a celebration worth the extra effort. The best plan of attack? Get the wheels in motion well ahead of time and enlist a few reliable family members to help with the organization.
• The food. Family-style of course! Along with the main dishes, have others bring additional family favorites--the secret recipes ought to be safe with this bunch.
• The family tree. Depending on how ambitious you get, map out a family tree so everyone can see where they fit it; or take the very literal route and hang pictures of family members on the nearest tree. It’s the thought that counts!
• Getting into the family's business. Ask each person to write an interesting fact about themselves, then have someone read them aloud so others can try to guess which fact belongs to who.
• A family portrait. Before everyone leaves, this is a must! Arrange for a neighbor or friend to stop by the party to get a group shot with a digital camera, then do smaller groups of families (determine the groups beforehand so picture time moves along swiftly). Download pictures to a website where family members can order individual prints (try ShutterFly or Kodak Gallery).