*Record cassettes or video tapes, and send them back and forth. Your kids can sing their favorite songs and read their favorite stories.

*Let your children memorize their grandparents' phone #. Let it be one number they can call anytime without permission.

*Send pieces of art, school work and drawings.

*Grandma and Grandpa can have a special bond with your kids by sending them care packages every once in awhile. They can include mementos, educational tools and maybe a treat.

If you help cultivate a relationship like this, your children can learn valuable family morals and traditions. Not to mention wisdom! Don't deprive them from an important bond, just because they live in separate places. They just might carry tradition on to their own grandchildren!

In pot, over medium-high heat, brown bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Pour off fat from pot, as much as possible. Add green beans, potatoes, onion, salt, pepper, savory and chicken stock. Stir gently. Simmer 25 mins. or until potatoes are tender and beans are crisp-tender. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped parsley and add a lemon twist for color.

*****

Assorted Sandwich Tray- Using rolls, bread (white, wheat, nut, raisin, rye, or specialty), pita, or French bread- *

Chopped chicken, raisins, mayonnaise Roast beef, sliced onions, anchovy fillets, mustard Peanut butter, crisp bacon

Mashed sardines, dry mustard, hard-cooked egg, sweet pickle relish Avocado, chopped onion, lemon juice, salt, pepper, crisp bacon

Sliced American cheese, boiled ham, mustard

Chopped frankfurters, dry mustard, sweet pickle relish, salad dressing Sliced turkey, tomato, bacon, lettuce

Or a combination that you have never tried before *****

ORANGE CREAM 2 pkgs. (3 ozs.) orange flavored gelatin>br? 1-1/2 cups boiling water

2 cans (11 ozs.) mandarin oranges, drained

1 can (8 ozs.) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

1 can (6 ozs.) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

Topping:

1 pkg. (8 ozs.) cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup whole milk

1 pkg. (3 ozs.) instant vanilla pudding instant In bowl, dissolve orange gelatin in boiling water. Stir to complete dissolve. Add fruit and orange juice. Do not dilute orange juice with water, just take it directly from can.

Coat a pan with non-stick spray. Do not use butter or shortening. Add gelatin mixture. Refrigerate until firm.

In a bowl., beat cream cheese in a mixer until very light. Slowly add whole milk and pudding. Continue blending until smooth with no lumps. Spread over fruit layer. Chill until firm.

*****

Whatever your choice of dishes, you can have a lot of fun with friends and family. In fact, this party theme can be used for picnics and outdoor cooking. Have someone bring kabobs, another stuffed hamburger patties. Ice cold salads, and smooth, tasty desserts will round out menu.

Everyone feels they have contributed to party, they take home a great gift they use over and over again, and you will have had opportunity to try a dozen different recipes, while only preparing one. Not a bad compromise! ENJOY

©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 April