Thursday, January 26, 2012

What To Serve; It Is All So Difficult Today

Wine and Cheese clipart
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.
Happy Woman Listening to Music in Headphones clipart

As far as my fake plastic fingernails are concerned, my dear friends, I will double-glue them.  No explanation needed.

Cartoon of a Noise Maker with Decorations Clipart Picture
Yes, it is the party of the year.

 Colorful Balloons And Streamers Clipart ImageA Cartoon Tiger Drinking Champagne and Celebrating New Years. clipartWoman Getting Intoxicated at an Office Party clipart

26 comments:

  1. Sounds like a lot of fun on MANY levels.

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    1. We always have a good time - better yet if there is a story to be told the next day.

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  2. I love how you've incorporated so many aspects of humor into your party prep!

    Pearl

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    1. Thank you Pearl. In my case the truth is always funnier than fiction.

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  3. Sounds like a blast! I am betting on you, Arleen. :-) I love all your alarms.

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  4. I burnt carrots in the microwave yesterday. I can't even imagine! But you have my bet, too. :)

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  5. I 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!

    A 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!

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    1. 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.

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  6. I 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 ...

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    1. I 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,

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  7. Dear Arleen,
    Like 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.

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  8. 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!

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    1. OK Bonnie, you are in the will. To my family, let this be a lesson to you, don't bet against your mama.

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  9. Have a great time Arleen. Sounds fun.

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    1. We will have fun, but I am sure there will be some stories afterwards.

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  10. Sounds great - send directions! sandie

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  11. Take 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.

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  12. My money's on you. Have a blast!

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  13. I am sure you will have a great time Arleen - the preparations sound fun to start with.

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  14. The fingernails, double glued? You would worry me some if I were there. You will have to describe any disasters, in full detail, with photos!

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