In just over a week, nine family members will gather together at the family cabin in Wisconsin. I offered to plan meals and do most of the grocery shipping. Before I bought anything, I sent a menu to my daughter and asked her if anyone was allergic to foods on the list. To spread out the cost of food I've been buying a few things each week. Today I baked cherry-almond cupcakes for dessert and will frost them at the cabin. Tomorrow I'm making sour cream coffee cake. I'll freeze the cakes in aluminum foil pans with plastic lids. I'm also going to make salad dressing and teriyaki marinade. Snacks are another item on my grocery list and I've already bought applesauce cups for the toddler in the family and will bring some fruit. Planning and cooking ahead will give more time to enjoy the family -- the whole idea of the weekend. It should be fun!