Christmas Party; Part 3

Just a few observations about cleaning up after a big Christmas Party.

• The tile floor is sticky, but it seems to be coming up.  I don't even want to know about that!
• Although all three tablecloths were dirty, I'm pleased to report that it isn't permanent and all will be set right.
• The kids play room is a disaster.  All of the Barbies have had their clothes removed.  Perhaps they had a good time, too.  Another thing I don't want to know about. 
• It's a good day when nothing is broken and there are no red wine stains.
• The dog is very tired today.  Like he has something to complain about, dude.
• Thanks to all who brought hostess gifts AND included a card so I know who brought what and can get everyone properly thanked.
• I always have "back-up food."  Extra stuff that can come out in case more is needed, extra guests, poor estimates on my part.  All of it is intact and will make nice plates for us for a couple days.  :)
• I've got an extra pair of shoes, an extra jacket, and a little tee shirt.  If they belong to you, please let me know. 

Christmas Party; Part 2

Morning of the party and I need to get going.  But first, I need a full belly.  Yogurt, peaches and Honey Bunches of Oats cereal.  A big bowl.  It will be a long day. 

Yesterday the table I'll use for food got it's table cloth.  The big serving dishes came out and got washed.  This morning the table which will be for beverages needs to get set up and a few more food items prepared. 

Ham and Cheese Spread
2 pkgs (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sour cream
2 T. dry onion soup mix
1 c. fully cooked ham, diced
1 c. shredded Tillamook medium cheddar
1/4 c. chopped fresh Italian parsley

Combine all but the last ingredient and shape in a ball.  Roll the ball in the parsley.  Get it really cold.  Serve with crackers, veggies or whatever.

I bought a veggie and dip tray from the deli and transferred it to my own service dishes.  Saves on cleaning and cutting and can actually be cheaper depending on how you do it.  Added green and black olives.  There is crackers and pita bread cut in 8ths.

I made a bundt cake late in the day.  The one with a box devils food cake mix, a big box of chocolate pudding mix, a sack of whipped cream mix, water, oil and 4 eggs.  I'm not proud of this, but that's what happened.

The whole shrimp cocktail thing is there for me to resolve every year.  There is horseradish in cocktail sauce.  I don't use horseradish in anything else.  The choice:  (1) buy prepared cocktail sauce, or (2) buy horseradish and make cocktail sauce with the left over horseradish going to waste.  I decided to buy cocktail sauce.

Kid Punch
One tube of frozen condensed pineapple juice.  One large thing, I guess that's 2 litters, of Sprite, and quart of orange sherbet into the punch bowl. It is sweet and gets foamy on the top.  One of those once a year things.  This was my mom's recipe.  Their celebrations were modest because of budget, but these little treats are the things we remember, anyway. 

There were some adult beverages consumed but everyone used good judgement.  I have had years when this was a problem.  People, when you go to your bosses' house, don't get drunk.  Just saying.

Oh, and I kept most of the meatballs with Josh's sauce in the warming drawer of my oven and transferred them out in batches so they stayed hot.  There's like three left after everyone left. A treat for husband for later.  If you have a chance to buy a new oven, make sure it has a warming drawer.  I use mine for something almost ever day.

 

This dog goes to work with us every day.  Husband makes sure he is loaded up in a truck headed that way in the morning and headed home at night, so everyone knows this dog.  He was sure to stay close and watch out for any food that got dropped.

I tried to circulate and talk to all of the wives. Hear anything they wanted to say to me.  I'm not a real social person and sometimes have trouble with small talk, but I think that they need to know who we are and that their husband is well thought of.  I heard my Husband doing the same.

The children got a bit rowdy, but Step Son and our Foreman stepped in and handled it

I went to bed just as soon as eveyone not directly related to me left.  Husband and Step Son stayed up.  They hadn't had much to drink.  I think that may have changed after I went to bed.  Then, during the night, the bedroom door opened.  The dog laid his big head on the edge of the bed near my head and Husband was there.  I'll have some clean up in the morning, but until then...

Remember to surround yourself with good but not perfect people.

Christmas Party; Part 1

I was raised by (2) very type A people.  I entered adulthood highly productive and self sufficient but really, really tired.  These days, I go to Yoga class Monday nights and Belly Dance class Thursday nights.  I attend classes with people who are literally half my age.  On those nights when I am really horrible at my class, I plan to be horrible + 1 the next week.  Martha doesn't live here any more.

Saturday is our big Christmas Party.  Employees of our business and their families are invited.  Everything will be Make-Ahead and Do-Ahead, because that's just how I'm rolling. No stress here. 

Dish #1:  Several nights ago, I made meatballs and stuck them in my freezer, basically my standard meatball recipe with the addition of the yogurt.  I made them small and will heat them with the family barbecue sauce.  I've got some fancy little toothpicks with red and green flags.  Wait 'til ya see!!

Party Meatballs
1 lb ground beef
1 egg
1/2 rolled quick oats
1/4 finely chopped shallot
1 clove garlic
2 t. worcestershire sauce
1/4 c. good quality plain organic yogurt 

Combine and shape into small balls.  Place on a flat, foil lined, metal baking sheet.  Bake in 500 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.  I doubled this.  I have lots of meatballs.  My camera stayed at work this night, so you'll have to see them tomorrow. 

Josh's Awesome Barbecue Sauce

2 c. catchup 

1 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. apple cider vinegar 

1/4 c. soy sauce

2 t. minced garlic

1/2 t. tabasco sauce

Combine ingredients and refrigerate or use.  Josh makes the most awesome grilled ribs with this.  I've often got a mason jar of the stuff in my fridge and use it to marinade or as a dipping sauce. Not fancy, but real and we like it.  Another fresh one is tucked in there now.  I'll combine it with the meat balls tomorrow.

Our business is a construction company.  Construction men eat.  The meatballs should take the edge off. I'll be finding toothpicks with red and green flags everywhere for months but that's okay. Really.

Dish #2
Hummus and Pita Bread
16 oz can garbanzo beans/chick peas, drained and rinsed
1 t. baking soda
1/2 c. sesame tahini sauce
1/4 c. cold water
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
1/2 t. ground cumin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. olive oil or more
1 t. salt or more

Everything into a blender or food processor.  Process until smooth.  It doesn't get as smooth as kind you buy in containers. Refrigerate.  We girls will like this.  I can eat my weight in this stuff.  Husband won't touch it.

In next to the barbecue sauce.  The flavors marry and get better with time, so this is a good make ahead thing.

Coming up:  My take on spreadable cheese, shrimp cocktail, my mom's "kid punch" recipe and a few other things.  Check back. 

Remember to plan ahead and be prepared.  And for God's sake, be happy!!!