A Summer Cookie Picnic!

About 1 year ago, my Mom moved from her home town, where she has lived for 84 years, to a small town near us.  It was a difficult decision for her to make, and pretty gutsy.  We found her a beautiful apartment,  a new church, I made her a few maps so she could find her way around the area, and  found a salon where she could have her hair done.  The BIG move went well, and we got  her settled in.  During the past year, she has made an amazing transition.  She is a member of a women's group, is  a weekly volunteer at the local hospital, has worked repeatedly at the Red Cross Blood Drives, has volunteered for the local "Back Pack" program, has taken numerous desserts to church functions, has found her way around this new community and only gotten lost once, that I know of.  And, when she got lost, she was able to figure it out and make it home without a phone call to us!  And most important, she has established a new group of friends! We are so happy and relieved that she is happy in her new home!

My Mom

This spring, my mom decided that she wanted to have a family get together at her new apartment so that the entire family could come to visit and see where she lives.  Of course, planning the meal is always one of the most important aspects.  She decided that she wanted to have "picnic" type foods.  She made a bunch of salads; potato, cabbage, two fruit jello salads, and a fruit salad.  We had cold cuts, ham and roast turkey, cheese slices, hard rolls, hummus and pita, veggies and dip, cheese ball and crackers, mmmmm.  I was responsible for the desserts.  My daughter made a delicious triple chocolate trifle, and I contributed a raspberry pie, pumpkin spice cake, and decorated "picnic" sugar cookies.  I think the food was a hit!  I thought I would share the cookies with you:

You can't have a picnic without hamburgers!

How about some nice fresh, healthy apples!

You don't have to let these pears ripen...mmmm

Nothing like a nice relish tray:  deviled eggs, olives, pickles, guacamole, and of course a munchie...pretzels

I had to include submarine sandwiches, or hoagies, depending on where you're from.

Just a few more sweets...ice cream cones and cupcakes!

I didn't forget the hot dogs!

I was going to make strawberry shortcake, but I thought that these would do!

Blueberry and Cherry pies...check!

Here is the pumpkin spice cake.  I tried a new butter cream icing design, and thought it turned out pretty well!

All in all, the party was a success.  It's always a fun time with our family and my Mom was so happy that they all came.  The family may not realize how much it meant to her, but it really did.  We're very appreciative, too.  There's nothing like being a part of a wonderful family!

Hope you're all having a great week, and I hope you can all experience at least one picnic this summer!  Hurry, the lazy days of summer are almost over!