Tonight is my yearly Neighborhood Christmas Party. It's something that we all look forward to. I have several elderly neighbors that don't get out much so it is a real treat for them. Here's how I pull it off without being in the kitchen too much...
Invitations are printed using Word and regular printer paper. No fancy stationary. My children deliver the announcements by hand, running door to door, handing out candy too. There is no RSVP on the invites so I don't have to worry about keeping a count. Not many people on the block miss the party, because I have it on a week day evening and keep it short. Just 6:30-8:30. Making sure to have an ending time. The invites state that it is a cookie party. You've probably heard of cookie swaps, but we don't do that. I only ask that each family bring a plate of cookies, store bought or home made. As for me, I bought a beautiful tray of Christmas cookies from Costco for $16.00 and I'll also be making some chocolate chip cookies from refrigerator cookie dough. Even I can do that! The dining room table is left empty with exception of a simple centerpiece and before too long it is covered with pretty, tasty treats. The only other thing I have to supply is lots of soda, cups, small plates and small napkins.
Now of course, I have to clean my house from top to bottom, but luckily the whole family pitches in.
The neighbor's all have a wonderful time catching up with each other and usually get to take a few cookies home with them. There is not much clean up at the end of the night either thank goodness!
Only one problem this year...my house was fully decorated and lit up this morning, but the tree lights just went out!!! ARGH. I have one of those dumb pre-lit trees and this isn't the first time I've had to spend 2 hours wiggling bulbs until the lights come back on. I'll never buy one of these again. Make sure you watch the video of my toddler and kitten running around under the tree. It's over on my other blog.
www.sillylittlesparrow.com
Happy Entertaining!!
Turkey Update
It's Friday night. I'm feeling like Violet from Willy Wonka after she eats the chewing gum with blueberry dessert. We ate and ate and ate yesterday and then today we ate some more!
Favorites?
My Mother made a perfect Asparagus Casserole with boiled eggs and cheese. My Aunt made the most delicious green beans with almonds, garlic and something cruchy on top. And my cousin brought a splendidly sweet butterscotch cream cheese bar something 'er other.
So for next year, here's my best Thanksgiving tip for you non-cookers like me...
Family or not, make sure you invite people who like to cook and let them bring the food! :)
Have a good weekend!
Favorites?
My Mother made a perfect Asparagus Casserole with boiled eggs and cheese. My Aunt made the most delicious green beans with almonds, garlic and something cruchy on top. And my cousin brought a splendidly sweet butterscotch cream cheese bar something 'er other.
So for next year, here's my best Thanksgiving tip for you non-cookers like me...
Family or not, make sure you invite people who like to cook and let them bring the food! :)
Have a good weekend!
Gathering In Gratitude
This Thanksgiving I am thankful that I do not have to cook the whole turkey dinner by myself! My extended family always pitches in. Our kitchen counter top will be covered with over 10 different dishes. The most recently updated menu consists of...
turkey, ham and roast beef, corn casserole, mashed potato casserole, and asparagus casserole, 2 different types of stuffing, green beans, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, rolls and whole-berry cranberry sauce.
I'm sure we'll end up with at least one more dessert and probably several appetizers to tie us over while the food is warming up.
Now, you're probably thinking that there must be at least 25 people coming for dinner, but you're wrong! There are only 7 adults and 4 kids. Are we out of our minds??! The answer to that question is a big yes! You're also probably wondering if we are weight conscientious people. The answer to that question is kind of obvious. I think we're like a lot of families these days. We just don't know what a normal portion is anymore.
What does a special occasion meal look like at your house?
turkey, ham and roast beef, corn casserole, mashed potato casserole, and asparagus casserole, 2 different types of stuffing, green beans, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, rolls and whole-berry cranberry sauce.
I'm sure we'll end up with at least one more dessert and probably several appetizers to tie us over while the food is warming up.
Now, you're probably thinking that there must be at least 25 people coming for dinner, but you're wrong! There are only 7 adults and 4 kids. Are we out of our minds??! The answer to that question is a big yes! You're also probably wondering if we are weight conscientious people. The answer to that question is kind of obvious. I think we're like a lot of families these days. We just don't know what a normal portion is anymore.
What does a special occasion meal look like at your house?
The Beauty of Green Meat
With grocery prices sky rocketing, I always peruse the "oops we baked too much" section and the "green meat" section of the grocery store. The meat is not actually green, but the price is lowered because the sell by date is close. I wonder if some of you who would even consider buying old meat. I guess I like living on the edge.
Look at the money you're saving. For instance, today, I bought 4 1/2 pounds of chicken thighs for just over $6. Sell by date is tomorrow! Can't pass that up. But here's the key, make sure you have time to cook it today or the next! Otherwise you'll have to chuck it. $6 down the drain and you feel like a fool.
So what did I do with the chicken? I skinned it, threw it in 2 casserole dishes (one for my family and one for a sick friend) dumped in some Minute Rice, a couple cans of cream of chicken soup, some random seasonings (paprika makes it pretty) and water. Covered it with foil and baked it for a bit. It's useless to tell you exactly how long I baked it because my oven is ancient and doesn't have an accurate temperature setting. But I think you'd be safe to bake it @ 350 for about 45 minutes. I removed the foil for the last 15 minutes or so. My kids love this meal and my sick friend has been warned that it's "Green Meat."
Look at the money you're saving. For instance, today, I bought 4 1/2 pounds of chicken thighs for just over $6. Sell by date is tomorrow! Can't pass that up. But here's the key, make sure you have time to cook it today or the next! Otherwise you'll have to chuck it. $6 down the drain and you feel like a fool.
So what did I do with the chicken? I skinned it, threw it in 2 casserole dishes (one for my family and one for a sick friend) dumped in some Minute Rice, a couple cans of cream of chicken soup, some random seasonings (paprika makes it pretty) and water. Covered it with foil and baked it for a bit. It's useless to tell you exactly how long I baked it because my oven is ancient and doesn't have an accurate temperature setting. But I think you'd be safe to bake it @ 350 for about 45 minutes. I removed the foil for the last 15 minutes or so. My kids love this meal and my sick friend has been warned that it's "Green Meat."
Good reason to pick up McDonald's
I've had an actual pain in the neck this week. I'm getting old I guess, but I haven't been able to stand up straight, much less cook a meal. Luckily we had left-overs in the fridge, or we might not have eaten. But today is Friday....this morning I cleaned out the fridge for the garbage truck. The left-overs were one day too old. We're out of everything now. My husband is working, so I'm running up to McDonald's to feed the kids.
Guess the 99 cent hamburgers won't kill us just this once....ha ha
Guess the 99 cent hamburgers won't kill us just this once....ha ha
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