So, the person organizing the whole event has called you and let you know that your family needs to feed the entire crew for one evening meal. Great! What do you make for 20, 30, 40, or more people--maybe even 75 to 100?!!! Here are a couple of ideas and recipes that can be easily modified to feed everyone from a small crowd to an army platoon.
THE MENU:
Barbecued Pork (or beef) Sandwiches
Baked Beans
Potato Salad
Fruit Salad
THE RECIPES:
Barbecue Pork Sandwiches
One four pound pork roast will feed about 6-10 people depending on appetites. (So using this average plan on 8 pounds of meat for 20 people, 16 pounds for 40, etc.)
One 18 ounce bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce for each four pound roast. (This you can modify a little one way or the other--do you like drippy, sausey, sandwiches or just enough sauce to hold the meat together? Add or subtract according to desired results)
Large hamburger buns--enough for all adults to have two and children to have one each. I prefer the onion buns, but a nice variety--onion, potato, sesame seed, and poppy seed--would be a great idea.
I like to provide extra barbecue sauce and mayo for the condiments on this sandwich.
Combine roast(s) in appropriate sized dutch oven, crock pots, or oven roasting pans. (Maybe all three depending on how much you are making!) Pour barbecue sauce over the top, cover, and begin to slowly cook. You want to cook this for about 6 to 10 hours. Don't let it get dry!!! Add more sauce or water if needed as the meat cooks.
When the meat is fork tender, remove any bones and fat then shred the meat. Stir well with the sauce. Serve on the hamburger buns.
Be Safe!!! Keep the meat warm while serving!!!! It will need to maintain a temperature above 145 degrees F in order to stay safe for consumption.
Baked Beans:
This recipe will feed about 10 to 12 people and can easily be doubled, tripled, etc. It can also be cut in half. No matter the amount you need to make, this is THE BEST baked bean recipe EVER!!!
1- 53 ounce can of pork-n-beans
1 pound bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
2 med. onions
2 large green bell peppers
1 1/2 tsp worstershire sauce
1 cup katsup
3/4 cup brown sugar ( I add a little more)
1/4 cup molasses
Chop onions and bell peppers. Combine all ingredients into large casserole dish(s) and stir. Cover with lid or tin foil and bake at 325 for 3 to 4 hours stirring occasionally. Uncover for the last 30 minutes.
This can be served hot or cold. (I prefer it hot, HoneyBunny thinks it's best cold.)
Potato Salad:
What summer picnic is complete without potato salad? This is a Family ReUnion staple!! ****REMEMBER!!! potato salad contains eggs even if you don't add boiled eggs to it!! Mayo is made with eggs!!! and eggs have to stay COLD or a very nasty bug called salmonella begins forming. This is a terrible way for the family to remember the meal you made!! Please make sure all potato salad stays at a temperature below 40 degrees. I keep it on ice in a cooler or set in a larger bowl that is full of ice. And keeping it covered helps the whole thing stay cool.
-Potatoes that have been baked or boiled and cubed. Don't cook them until they are mushy! Stop cooking them when they are fork tender but still firm. Baked potatoes are best, fastest, and easiest to clean up afterwards because there is no mess or pans!
-Enough Mayo to make a creamy consistency of the whole mixture.
-Enough mustard to give it a good zip!
-Boiled, chopped eggs
-Minced onions
-Sweet or dill relish (which ever you prefer)
I plan on one potato for about every 3 people. The rest of the ingredients are added to the cooked, cubed potatoes in the bowl. I just keep adding until it tastes right to me!!! and it looks good and creamy.
Fruit Salad:
This is a no-brainer! Get some cantalope, watermelon, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, honeydew, etc. Cut it all into bite size pieces (except the grapes and blueberries of course!) and combine LIGHTLY in a very large bowl. I add what I believe will be an appropriate amount of sugar and TA-DA! Fruit Salad. I love this well chilled, but it can endure getting a little warm without the adverse affects that pasta and potato salads suffer in the heat.
Oh, and by the way, this is especially good if you can get several children to wash up and help with all of the cutting up or melon ball forming!
There it is! A full menu of simple, yummy, summer time, family reunion approved food.
**For the next post I will give a recipe for a VERY FANCY main course that can take the place of the barbecue sandwiches if you want something really special.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Top 10 Family ReUnion Games
Most of the time the only ones that get involved in playing games at the family reunion are all of the kids. However, adults can certainly join in! I have gathered these ideas from friends, books, and personal participation. Be sure to have some fun, small prizes on hand to give out to the winner(s).
1. This game sounds incredibly fun! All who wish to participate ties a blown-up balloon to each ankle. Once everyone has two balloons on their ankle, the fun starts. Chase eachother around attempting to pop each others balloons. The one left with a balloon that is still not popped is the winner!
2. Wheel barrow races. Always fun, always a popular game to play.
3. Three-legged races. Divide up into couples, tie one leg of each person in the couple together. "On your mark, get set, run!" The couple that makes it to the finish line wins!
4. Egg toss. This can get a little messy so if you don't have ready access to a water fight afterwards. Try the same game with a water balloon if desired. Everyone forms two lines that face eachother. One line will get the egg and carefully begin tossing the egg to the person across from them. Then they toss the egg back. Each time the egg is tossed you move one step back away from eachother. Which ever team's egg remains unbroken the longest wins.
5. Potato roll. Have each person line up with a potato on the ground in front of them. At the word "go!", each person begins rolling the potato along the ground with a stick or spoon. The first person, and potato, to reach the finish line is the winner.
6. Limbo. Warning: Adults with bad backs should not participate in this one! But for everyone else it is a lot of fun.
7. Freeze tag. For some reason this was always one on my favorites. One person is selected to be "it". The rest of the group runs from this person. When you are tagged by this person you have to "freeze" instantly wherever you are, in whatever position you are in. The last person "frozen" becomes the next person who is "it". Now if you want a little more challenge--the people that are still not frozen can touch someone who is frozen and that person is free to run again.
8. Another fun tag game is Cartoon tag. All the same tag ideas but this time as the "it" person goes to tag you if you can name a cartoon character first then you are "safe". For an extra challenge: tell all who are participating that there can be no repeated cartoon character names--repeat a name and you are "out". Last one tagged is now "it". This can be played with any names really--favorite tv characters, ancestor's names, names of people participating, etc.
9. Paper chase. Everyone lines up at the starting line. Each person balances a book on their head and at "go" begins to race to the finish line. The person who makes it to the finish line first, without loosing their book off of their head is the winner. Each person that looses their book off their head is automatically "out" and leaves the race to cheer on the others.
10. Hide-N-Seek in the dark, or Kick The Can. This was a long time favorite of all the cousins in my family. We would play this outside at my grandparents house. They lived on a farm so there were lean-to's, hay sheds, cow barns, chicken houses, milk houses, wood sheds, and granaries. The "it" person could've spent all night looking. However, in this game the object is to make it to "base" or to the can before being discovered in your hiding place or tagged on your way in. Once you kick the can or reach base you call out "free!" and you are now exempt from being "it". The last person found or tagged is "it". If everyone makes it in "free" then the "it" person has to try again. Trust me, 25-30 kids can entertain themselves for the entire evening, every evening with this game. It's a sneaky, spy game and what kid doesn't like to play "spies"? ****I don't recommend this game for family reunions that are taking place in the forest though. You are just asking to have the local "Search and Rescue" out looking for some lost child****
So, there you have it! My Top 10 Favorite Family ReUnion games!
1. This game sounds incredibly fun! All who wish to participate ties a blown-up balloon to each ankle. Once everyone has two balloons on their ankle, the fun starts. Chase eachother around attempting to pop each others balloons. The one left with a balloon that is still not popped is the winner!
2. Wheel barrow races. Always fun, always a popular game to play.
3. Three-legged races. Divide up into couples, tie one leg of each person in the couple together. "On your mark, get set, run!" The couple that makes it to the finish line wins!
4. Egg toss. This can get a little messy so if you don't have ready access to a water fight afterwards. Try the same game with a water balloon if desired. Everyone forms two lines that face eachother. One line will get the egg and carefully begin tossing the egg to the person across from them. Then they toss the egg back. Each time the egg is tossed you move one step back away from eachother. Which ever team's egg remains unbroken the longest wins.
5. Potato roll. Have each person line up with a potato on the ground in front of them. At the word "go!", each person begins rolling the potato along the ground with a stick or spoon. The first person, and potato, to reach the finish line is the winner.
6. Limbo. Warning: Adults with bad backs should not participate in this one! But for everyone else it is a lot of fun.
7. Freeze tag. For some reason this was always one on my favorites. One person is selected to be "it". The rest of the group runs from this person. When you are tagged by this person you have to "freeze" instantly wherever you are, in whatever position you are in. The last person "frozen" becomes the next person who is "it". Now if you want a little more challenge--the people that are still not frozen can touch someone who is frozen and that person is free to run again.
8. Another fun tag game is Cartoon tag. All the same tag ideas but this time as the "it" person goes to tag you if you can name a cartoon character first then you are "safe". For an extra challenge: tell all who are participating that there can be no repeated cartoon character names--repeat a name and you are "out". Last one tagged is now "it". This can be played with any names really--favorite tv characters, ancestor's names, names of people participating, etc.
9. Paper chase. Everyone lines up at the starting line. Each person balances a book on their head and at "go" begins to race to the finish line. The person who makes it to the finish line first, without loosing their book off of their head is the winner. Each person that looses their book off their head is automatically "out" and leaves the race to cheer on the others.
10. Hide-N-Seek in the dark, or Kick The Can. This was a long time favorite of all the cousins in my family. We would play this outside at my grandparents house. They lived on a farm so there were lean-to's, hay sheds, cow barns, chicken houses, milk houses, wood sheds, and granaries. The "it" person could've spent all night looking. However, in this game the object is to make it to "base" or to the can before being discovered in your hiding place or tagged on your way in. Once you kick the can or reach base you call out "free!" and you are now exempt from being "it". The last person found or tagged is "it". If everyone makes it in "free" then the "it" person has to try again. Trust me, 25-30 kids can entertain themselves for the entire evening, every evening with this game. It's a sneaky, spy game and what kid doesn't like to play "spies"? ****I don't recommend this game for family reunions that are taking place in the forest though. You are just asking to have the local "Search and Rescue" out looking for some lost child****
So, there you have it! My Top 10 Favorite Family ReUnion games!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Summer Is for Family Reunions--The Series
Every Summer one can over-hear, read about, or see pictures from someones family reunion that is either in the plans or has taken place. I find it interesting that they all seem to take place in the Summer time. What is it about Summer that says, "Family Reunion season"? Is it the type of foods that will be served? The idea that all the family can bring their RV's and tents and camp all together? Maybe it's the crafts for all of the grandkids, neices, nephews, and cousins. Whatever the reason, Summer is the season for Family Reunions!
Over the next few weeks I will be posting some great ideas and recipes I have either made, eaten, or done at Family Reunions.
So stay tuned.............................
Over the next few weeks I will be posting some great ideas and recipes I have either made, eaten, or done at Family Reunions.
So stay tuned.............................
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
"Bounce"-ing Along
I received this as an e-mail from a friend and thought I would pass it along. I haven't tried all of these uses for "Bounce" so feel free to let me know how they work for you! The dryer sheets DEFINATELY make everything smell fresh and clean!!
"My mail carrier told me that the US Postal service sent out a message to all letter carriers to put a sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to keep yellow-jackets away. Use them all the time when playing baseball and soccer. I use it when I am working outside. It really works. The insects just veer around you.
All this time you've just been putting Bounce in the dryer!
1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.
2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.
3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.
4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.
5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.
6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.
7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.
8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.
9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.
10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.
11 Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.
12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.
13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean... The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.
14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets . Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket. 15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the lose hairs.
16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.
17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.
18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry... Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.
19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight. 20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.
21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh...
22. Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe lovebugs off easily with the wet Bounce."
"My mail carrier told me that the US Postal service sent out a message to all letter carriers to put a sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to keep yellow-jackets away. Use them all the time when playing baseball and soccer. I use it when I am working outside. It really works. The insects just veer around you.
All this time you've just been putting Bounce in the dryer!
1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.
2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.
3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.
4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.
5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.
6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.
7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.
8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.
9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.
10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.
11 Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.
12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.
13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean... The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.
14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets . Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket. 15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the lose hairs.
16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.
17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.
18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry... Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.
19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight. 20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.
21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh...
22. Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe lovebugs off easily with the wet Bounce."
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