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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Jan 11 2011 at 9:12am | IP Logged
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This Sunday, our baby is being baptized. I am in the process of getting my house in order (a big project!) for out of town family guests that will be here. After the baptism we will have a celebration here and there will be about 50-60 people coming.
On top of getting the house ready I am dealing with what I fear is the beginning of mastitis.
So ... I have to face my limitations!
I gave in and bought some trays of "pulled pork" from Gordons that we will serve, and I ordered a cake from a bakery here in town. A good friend offered to bring cole slaw.
I'm wondering, what other sorts of things would you serve? I really need to keep this easy but I want it to be nice. I'm thinking of some sort of potato dish (we don't care much for store bought potato salad) and some sort of fruit dish. I'm also looking for a punch recipe.
Any ideas or recipes?
TIA!
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
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jillian
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| Posted: Jan 11 2011 at 9:36am | IP Logged
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Punch recipe I know a lot of people do:
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/1800/Cool-Sparkling-Pu nch127052.shtml
Something like this is light and yummy.
You could do some yummy ranch mashed potatoes as a potato dish. Maybe a fruit or veggie tray from the store.
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hylabrook1
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Grab some BIG bags of chips - whatever kind is on sale.  Veggies and dip?
Are you doing this alone or are other friends/relatives helping with food prep or bringing things (besides your lovely cole slaw friend?) Cheese and crackers is (are?) easy to put out.
Peace,
Nancy
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Chris V
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You could make (or buy!) some Kaiser rolls for the pulled pork (for little sandwichs); or how about corn on the cob (I know corn is out of season ... but you may be able to find some). Corn bread also goes good with pulled pork. I was thinking veggie trays, but they are a lot of work to prepare and much to expensive to buy already pre-prepared. ... how about a 5 bean salad (it's easy, hearty, and can be made ahead of time).
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Jan 11 2011 at 10:34am | IP Logged
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Baked beans are good if you want a warm dish...
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mamaslearning
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| Posted: Jan 11 2011 at 10:43am | IP Logged
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Here's a punch I like:
2 bottles Ginger Ale
6 cups OJ
1 can frozen lemonade (thawed)
Very tasty.
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JennGM
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| Posted: Jan 11 2011 at 11:29am | IP Logged
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Keep it storebought and Really simple since mastitis means take it easy. This isn't the time to impress people with homemade, but a time to conserve energy. It might cost a bit more for paper plates and such, but the cost benefit of Mom being able to be around AFTER the baptism and not having to take to the bed is priceless. I had mastitis after first baptism and I did no work, but just all the activity and visiting was hard. So I've learned.
First of all, take care of yourself. Take some naps, drink lots of water, and I found at the beginning of signs take the homeopathic phytolacca regularly, and don't do things like vacuuming or washing floors. Delegate, delegate, delegate and rest.
For my baptisms I mostly have store-bought stuff. For my oldest it was have it all bought at Red, Hot, and Blue.
*Rolls Potato rolls, small ones that can used as sandwiches or just as a side bread.
*Barbecue Sauce
*Chips Potato chips and Tortilla Chips
*Salsa
*Carrots -- baby carrots, open the bag and put in a bowl
*Precut veggies if you want an array.
*Dip, like Helluva or sour cream mixed with Hidden Valley Ranch Dip.
*Green salad -- Bag of lettuce or salad, bottle of dressing.
*Beans -- Open the can, pour into glass casserole dish, microwave, or heat on stove, or put in crockpot before Baptism. I find the Bushs's Beans (onion flavor my choice) are tasty.
*Cake and cookies -- storebought or beg someone to bring.
Paper plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups (permanent marker to mark cups)
Drinks would be water, premade unsweetened tea (ChickFil-A sells by gallon), lemonade)
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Jennifer G. Miller
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JennGM
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Oh, I would buy cole slaw and potato salad; if you don't like them, then don't bother.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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mamasue
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| Posted: Jan 11 2011 at 11:45am | IP Logged
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I would definitely ask your guests to bring food. I know it's hard to ask for help, believe me, I would prefer to do it myself. 50-60 people is a lot and if just half the families bring somehing it would be a huge help, even if theyare simples things like cookies, veggie trays, fruit, pre made pasta or potato salad...
Ask for help with the food and maybe hire a teen (or two) from the family, homeschool group or church to help clean up...
God bless your baby on his/ her big day!!
Suzette
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ladybugs
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I have found too that most people want to help and understand the need for help!
Whenever we're invited anywhere, I ask, "What can I bring?" Take people up on it if they ask and if they don't, ask them.....
Have a wonderful celebration!
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Mackfam
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Oh dear...I'm running to pull pizzas out of the oven so I don't have time to read all the great responses here already. If I'm redundant just ignore the suggestions and know I'm sending  and  your way!
Beginning of mastitis = simple & storebought!!!
Send dh to the store with a list:
** Special cookies of every kind are always a hit - LOTS!
** Grab packages of pre-sliced cheese and deli meat and have the big kids roll meat and arrange cheese on a tray - add sourdough rolls. Set out squeeze mayo and mustard. A couple of large trays like this would be great!
** Set out an olive and pickle tray - all storebought.
** Big bowl of chex party mix for munchies
** Nice nuts like cashews and walnuts
** Carrots, cucumbers and dill dip - always a hit!
** Bowls of different chips
** Punch --> a very good friend of mine had this punch at her Christmas party and it was super simple and so yummy....1 (2liter) chilled container of Sprite or 7Up and 1 (half gallon) chilled container of fruit punch. Plastic cups!!!
** I might set up a small punch station if a big kid could be responsible for mixing and keeping it tidy and filled...if not...I'd go the fruit juice, soft drink route with a HUGE bowl of ice and call it good enough!!!
Good luck, Becky! I'm thinking of you! God bless that precious fella on his baptism!
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Jen Mackintosh
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JodieLyn
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instead of ice put a container of sherbet into your punch.. it keeps it cold and makes it sorta frothy and it good.. rather than watering things down as the ice melts
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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lovebeingamom
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What about Baked Potato Salad as a side dish??? It is way super yummy!
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: Jan 11 2011 at 9:32pm | IP Logged
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I would serve sliced bread or rolls with the pork.
Fruit: We always just set out trays of washed grapes and whatever else is in season (clementines since they're easy for kids to peel and don't have seeds? Apples? Our Sam's here has bags of pre-sliced apples that we have used for big parties.). We just had a group over Friday and I bought a big bag of frozen fruit and let it thaw and served it in a bowl. It made it's own juice as it melted. I didn't even have to add anything and everyone loved it. (We did peaches, pineapple, mango and something else, but they had bags that were all berries that looked good too.)
We always do veggie trays with dip too. Sometimes you can find pre-cut at Sam's or Costco for a good price.
If you want potatoes, I'd do mashed with stuff added (sour cream or cheese, chives -- sort of like a baked potato but mashed). I love potato salad but tend to overcook the potatoes so I don't often make it. To "mash" the potatoes I use the electric beater so it's easy.
Baked beans: Last year I was too overwhelmed to make from scratch so I followed a local BBQ restaurant owners advice. I bought canned pinto beans and added bottled BBQ sauce and other spices. Everyone thought it turned out good -- and so easy.
Becky, you have to take care of yourself!! If all else fails remember that's what is most important. Your family and friends will be happy to just be together and won't care what you serve. Ask for others to bring food or buy bagged salad or frozen fruit, chips and rolls and be done. It will be beautiful no matter what.
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Nique
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Here's a REALLY EASY recipe kids like. Prepare everything in your crockpot, put it on warm, and it'll be ready when you get back from the Baptism!
WEE FRANKS
1/2 c. ketchup
1/2 c. currant jelly, red or black or blueberry jelly
1 tsp. dry onion flakes
1 lb. wieners, cut bite size
toothpicks
Measure ketchup, jelly and onion into crockpot Stir. Add wieners. Stir again. Makes 72.
**Double the batch, it's gonna go fast**
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Jan 12 2011 at 5:54am | IP Logged
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Thank you for all the great ideas! I neglected to say that we had bought rolls to serve the pork with. I like the baked beans idea and the recipes sound great. Unfortunatley, this morning I can tell everything else is just going to have to be from a bag or pre-made tray.
I'm not sure why but Patrick has decided he would rather sleep than eat lately, which wouldn't be bad really, except his nursing less is causing more problems! I think it's time to get out the breast pump ... which isn't going to be pleasant ... 
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Becky
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 12 2011 at 2:27pm | IP Logged
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I'm sure you know but... be sure to count how often that little one is eating.. to be sure he's getting enough even with extra sleeping..
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: What would you serve
