Planning a party, and doing OK
Every year I have a few large parties. My summer extravaganza is for the July 4th holiday, the other, during the doldrums of winter, is held under the guise of being a Superbowl party. Truth be told, I don't give a darned about football, but I do love having a good time with my family and friends.
What to serve is always my main concern. I ask people to bring an appetizer, so that part of the planning is taken is out of my hands. However, in today's culture of "I am allergic", "I have a condition", "I am lactose intolerant", " the smell of peanuts can send me to the ER", "I am on a special diet", "I'm a vegetarian but eat fish", or "I am a vegan and won't eat anything that was cooked in a pan that meat was once sauteed", can make a hostess' head spin. The vegetarian thing, I have down as two of my children have lived that way for many years. I have quite a few recipes where I can substitute soy and nobody is the wiser. After all these years, no guest has ever left my house and driven to the hospital or called the next day to tell me they are having gastronomical problems. I put myself in the winning column for that. I have had some "accidents" with dishes I have served, but they have been very few and it usually have to do with a forgotten (sometimes important) ingredient. However, we serve plenty of beer and wine and nobody has seemed to notice my faux pas.
Every year I have a "Superbowl party pool" where guests throw $5.00 in a basket and answer 25 questions about what they are going to watch that day. One of the questions is "Will Arleen burn something?" and I can tell you that some guests bet against me. It's a 5 pointer (where most dealing with the football game are 2 or 3 points), and can determine if you win the $100+ prize. This is where I find out who my true friends are and who will be left out of the will. There is a lot of pressure on me to hear that buzzer go off on the oven and this year I know I will be up for the task. I am also going to set a timer on my cell phone, my new iPad and the egg timer. I will show them I can have a party that does not set off the smoke alarm. Bet on me people, bet on me.
As far as my fake plastic fingernails are concerned, my dear friends, I will double-glue them. No explanation needed.
Sounds like a lot of fun on MANY levels.
ReplyDeleteWe always have a good time - better yet if there is a story to be told the next day.
DeleteI love how you've incorporated so many aspects of humor into your party prep!
ReplyDeletePearl
Thank you Pearl. In my case the truth is always funnier than fiction.
DeleteSounds like a blast! I am betting on you, Arleen. :-) I love all your alarms.
ReplyDeleteWhen I serve 5 alarm chili, it could be literally.
DeleteI burnt carrots in the microwave yesterday. I can't even imagine! But you have my bet, too. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, so much pressure now.
DeleteI got a good laugh as I read this post Arleen! Your parties are always memorable, I bet! I have worn "fake" fingernails so long that I can't go without them now! I've lost a few over the years in a dish or two . . . but it's a secret!
ReplyDeleteA couple weeks ago I was using one of those baked potato bags you find at craft bazaars to bake potatoes in the microwave. The house was entirely full of smoke, all the smoke detectors blaring, and neither my husband or I looked up at the microwave. The bag was blazing!
I like the idea of using multiple timers! I'm going to do that the next time I put something in the oven. If I'm in another room, I don't hear it go off, and I've burned many things lately.
Have a great Super Bowl Party!
Faux nails are part of my personna and as such, many people have stories about them. My children know to count how many are on my fingers before biting into any food. I think it adds color to the dish.
DeleteI could not survive without multiple timers, and I use 'em for all kinds of things. (Kind of like an external memory.) I'm betting on you. Gonna be an awesome party, but my invitation must've gotten lost in the mail. Same darned thing happened when William & Kate got married ...
ReplyDeleteI did not get my invitation for Wills and Kate's wedding either. They don't know what they missed as the two of us would have rocked that stogy old party,
DeleteDear Arleen,
ReplyDeleteLike Sandi, I laughed aloud when reading your party posting. All those things that people say! I loved it. And as a vegetarian (I don't eat meat, chicken, or fish, but do eat eggs, milk, and cheese) I've had to explain my eating habits to many friends. But I always assure them that a peanut butter sandwich with a little jelly will be just fine!
The questionnaire and the $100+ pot added to your meal and the general ambience must make your annual party the talk of the town.
Peace.
What a wonderful and fun post. I am still giggling. I am betting on you. Whenever I have a group over, I always tell them the worse that can happen is we order out for pizza. Relax and enjoy the fun!
ReplyDeleteOK Bonnie, you are in the will. To my family, let this be a lesson to you, don't bet against your mama.
DeleteHave a great time Arleen. Sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteWe will have fun, but I am sure there will be some stories afterwards.
DeleteSounds great - send directions! sandie
ReplyDeleteTake a right at Possum Hollow Road, after about a mile turn right onto Hare's Hill Corner, go two blocks and make a left at Squirrel's Turn Rd. You can't miss us, there is a big old grey cat sitting out front.
ReplyDeleteMy money's on you. Have a blast!
ReplyDeleteOk, I am putting you in the will also.
Deletewell hope I get an invite
ReplyDeleteIt's in the mail, John.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you will have a great time Arleen - the preparations sound fun to start with.
ReplyDeleteThe fingernails, double glued? You would worry me some if I were there. You will have to describe any disasters, in full detail, with photos!
ReplyDeleteNot to worry Susan, I wear gloves when cooking.
Delete