This weekend is our annual Mabry family reunion. As part of being an adult I have to figure out what dish to bring, since I’m no longer young enough to be included in what my mom brings and I’m too old to bring chips. Time to be a contributing factor to the family reunion.

Our family reunions are pretty laid back, potluck style get together. It usually takes place at one of the relatives homes (there is a good chance it will be at mine next year), tables are set up in the yard, kids running around and conversation about what’s new and the good old days.

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Actually our family reunion is run sort of like a club, every year we elect a President, Secretary and Treasurer. I always thought this was strange, but cool at the same time. The President conducts the meeting to select next years host, elect new officials and pass around the hat to collect cash. The treasure is responsible for the cash and provides funds to the secretary and the next years host. The secretary is in charge of collecting new addresses and sending out the invites. Then we can’t forget to have everyone sign in. Attendees at the family reunion range in ages of less than 1 to 90 years old!

Back on topic now, what dish to bring to the family reunion. By dish I mean anything people can eat consume, no just side dishes. The ladies of the family usually have the bean department well taken care of, we will have our 3 bean casserole,  green bean hotdish, baked beans… I think it is a generational thing. The main meat of the meal is taken care of by the host; pulled pork, BBQ chicken or hamburgers is something we might have. Oh and someone always brings a jello salad!

Here are the few ideas that I have of dishes to bring to my family reunion…

Italian Pasta Salad is super easy to make, keeps well at an outdoor event and is always a crowd pleaser. You just simply cook a bag of Tri Color Rotini Pasta and let it cool and add Italian Dressing. The rest of the salad is up to you.  Popular mix-in to this salad are olives, tomatoes, pepperoni, onions, peppers, and Parmesan cheese. There is no right or wrong way to make it and if you are or have picky eaters then you can make it to your liking.

Another contender is Broccoli Bacon Raisin Salad, also a crowd pleaser but you have to keep it cold since it is mayo based. Instead of making bacon and crumbling it, these Hormel Bacon Crumbles taste just like you did all the work. This recipe from Lauren’s Latest calls for celery which I have never used but it seems like a good added crunch.

Digging into my Pinterest food board archives I found this Chicken Cranberry Sunflower Salad recipe that looks just as appetizing as when I  pinned it years ago. Rule of thumb anything with a Poppy Seed Dressing is bound to be good.

This next dish makes my mouth water just looking at it and it screams summer time. I bet you could even turn it into a drink, minus the feta cheese.

Kids and adults alike can all agree that Marshmallow Treats are one of The greatest treat. Then Better Homes and Gardens goes and steps it up with these Neapolitan Marshmallow Treats aka grown up marshmallow treats. Just cut them up before you go to your Family Reunion and leave them out for the kids and kids at heart to enjoy.

Turn heads when you walk into your Family Reunion with a pail of worms and you place it on the food table! Yes that’s right I am talking about Dirt Cake.  The amazing combination of Oreo’s, Cool Whip, pudding mix and gummy worms.

This one is not your typical dish to pass at a family reunion, but they did go over really well for the Fourth or July Weekend..Adult Freeze Pops! The weekend is calling for warm weather again so I am sure that they will be appreciated. Don’t worry I will bring some that are kid friendly too.

Time to make up my mind and get my grocery list made! Did I mention that we are having Viv’s Birthday party this weekend too so I have to get shopping for that too. And she wants to make the cupcakes all by herself… of her own creation.. this should be interesting.

Love Always … Tam

*Update* I brought the Dirt Cake and it was a hit! I even made it in the pail.

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