whether its the fourth of july outing, a family picnic,a day at the beach here are some good items for the hot summer !!!!Just remember to keep food refrigerated or in a cooler prior to serving.

Appetizer:fresh veggies(carrots,radishes,brocolli florets,celery,cauliflower,cucumber,tomato wedge or cherry tomato)serve this with ranch, blue cheese,or any of your favorite dips!!!

Forget the sandwiches.go for the wraps(they come in alot of flavors and colors). Lets say tomato and basil(this ones usually red) add shredded lettuce,diced tomatoes,diced chicken(home made or prepackaged)shredded cheese peperoni and pizza sauce.fold in the classic burrito fold. cut in half at an angle(looks lovely)wrap in plastic. cool and refreshingly tastey.

dessert..this is a no brains...buy a graham cracker crust pie shell or make your own. buy instant jello pudding (cheese cake flavor) add milk whisk and pour in pie shell....easy cheese cake....perfect every time...top with fresh blue berries or strawberries or drizzle with hersheys chocolate syrup.

take along the watermelon its full of antioxidants!!!!!!

staying at home? cooking on the grill?marinate pork loin in itallian dressing over night.place on grill, sprinkle with garlic salt,parmesan cheese, black pepper.While this is cooking make your secret sauce i use 1 sweet baby rays honey bbq sauce and i add a half cup vinegar.simmer until thick.now if this is friends getting together ask one to bring baked beans,one to bring potato salad and one to bring dessert!!!This will make it a pot luck dinner where every one contributes.......if you have invited men who dont cook ask them to bring beverages or paper product( great cook out and the price is split!!!!)That makes it a money saver

another money saving pot luck dinner ...Itallian night...the hostess makes a large salad and whatever else she chooses in the itallian theme, each of her guest brings an itallian dish,(store bought,homemade,bought from restaraunt ect.......other themes can be substituted as well.......seafood,vegan,casserole night ect.

picnics can be cost wise too everyone contributing a dish.

children love to get in on these gatherings too...let them make sundaes..either ice cream or pudding ones...or if you want healthier make yogurt parfaits...

or let them help with beverages....you cut lemons and let them make koolaid lemonade...add lemons to it.

how about a good punch make 2 quarts lemon lime koolaid(according to pkg)pour in punch bowl, pour in pineapple juice, and right before serving lime sherbert........its soooooooo good(add crushed ice from time to time.