Recipe(tried): Pasta Salad

Hi Lori,
How about a cold pasta salad with Italian Oil/vinegar.
I make one that I first had at my niece's Christmas party, and it's wonderful,
Boil 1 lb. of corkscrew pasta, drain and rinse in cold water.
add a large bottle of your favorite Italian dressing (I use Olive oil/vinegar one), let this sit until you're ready to leave...then add chopped tomatoes, finely diced avocado (make sure it's ripe) sliced canned black olives, drained, and thin slices of purple (Bermuda onion), you can omit the onion, of course, and use some onion powder. no other seasonings are required because the dressing is strong enough...I usually make this ahead and leave in refrigerator the day before a party then add the other ingredients right before I go...because I don't like to leave the tomatoes, onions, and avocado too long. Then just re-toss it before you serve it.
Another idea for a cold salad is what my mom used to make when we were kids...
a cold potato/green bean/onion salad with italian dressing..this is very good, and you can use the canned green Italian style beans,,
You can also make up a "Watermelon Basket" with cantaloupe balls, green and red grapes, pineapple chunks, and of course, the watermelon balls. This is a beautiful presentation you could also add honedew too...I just left a message on one of these boards yesterday for the directions on carving the watermelon basket so check around.
good luck