Whyyyyyyyyyyyy did I say I'd host Easter!?!?!

OMG, I've never hosted anything in my life!!! What the heck was I thinking!?!?

Since we have the 'new' house, I volunteered. Clearly forgetting that I can't cook, I don't have a dining room table (the IKEA one I do have isn't exactly suitable for 17 people), and I'll be 7 months pregnant!!!


Seriously, my family is 'looking forward to it'. I have a menu (sort of). Any ideas are welcome!!

* Turkey
* Pork Roast
* Roast Beef
* Stuffing (2 types, b/c not everyone eats pork!)
* Mashed potatoes and gravy (YUM!!)
* Sweet potatoes (any ideas for these?)
* Corn
* String beans
* Creamed onions (mom's gotta have 'em)
* Biscuits

Various desserts.

Is it too soon to start cooking?! Can I plead temporary insanity?? Do you think Boston Market is too cheesy??!

could you have part of the meal as potluck?

my family usually has the host make the meat and the potatoes...and then everyone else brings the side dishes...

ditto for desserts

turkey, pork roast and roast beef?! Thats a ton of food!

The italian is me is asking where the pasta course is? Our holiday dinners usually start off with lasagna, or stuffed shells or manicotti before moving into the ham or turkey, etc.

Are you having any appetizers? I have a great recipe for Jim Beam yams - the alcohol cooks off so they're probably safe for you too?

Jim Beam yams:

yams, butter, brown sugar, real maple syrup, and jim beam

Cover the bottom of the pan with yams - 1 layer deep cut about 1/2-3/4 inch thick. Sprinkle brown sugar on top of yams. Chop up butter into little pieces and place throughout the pan. Pour the syrup and beam should reach a level about half the height of the yams...as much as needed to get to that point. Its not an exact recipe - no measurements required.

cook at 375 for about 35 minutes, or until yams are tender.

Erica: My mom doesn't know it yet, but she's making the stuffing! I will probably let my siblings bring dessert since they offered, although I may make cookies or cupcakes.

Lisa: I don't plan on making huge portions of the meat. My family just likes variety! That looks like an interesting recipe for the yams... any substitute for the JB? LOL And, yes, I'm having appetizers... sigh. Crudite, chips/dip, cheeses, crackers, pepperoni... I think that's it!!

Thanks!!

Kathi, it all sounds wonderful! Wish we could have an online leftover party!!

Wow - 7 months preggo?! I agree - maybe family members can bring over side dishes to ease the burden on you. Pregnant or not, that's a big undertaking - we always bring dishes to my family gatherings.

Good luck - and let us know how it turns out!!

Do you want a sweet pototoe casserole recipe? I have a great one, but it is sweet.
That is a lot of food though. How many people are coming? How about string bean casserole? My family loves that.

kath - i was just gonna say - that's a lot of meat! but i agree - the potluck thing is always the best way..... u make a few of the bigger things, and have others bring sides!

and definitely buy the desserts

Kathi....too much food!! You should cook a turkey or ham...something big...then make a bunch of side dishes. Unless you have 3 ovens you will have a hard time cooking everything at tbe same time!

Will Steve be around to help you? If I don't do Easter, I will come over on Saturday and help you ok??

Thanks everyone!! I feel better having vented! LOL I'm going to have to take my sister up on her offer to help me Sunday a.m. I kind of wanted to do it on my own, but I know it'll be overwhelming!! At least DH & I are treating ourselves to a cleaning lady the day before so I won't have to clean!! YAY!!

Michele: I'd love that recipe! We usually just bake the yams, but I'd love to do something 'different'. BTW, we're having 17 people.

Lisa: Maybe I'll just make the turkey and pork roast - not big baked ham lovers in my family. I might skip the roast beef! Steve won't be home from work until 2 (how convenient) !! Family is coming over at 2:30 - yikes!! You're so sweet to offer to help!! I may just call you on Saturday!! HEHE j/k!!

I can only imagine and give you a ton of credit ... don't stress to much, remember you are 7 months pregnant!

I think the menu is very generous and I, too, would ask some of my closest relatives to bring side dishes. Leave the desert to the guests too! You have enough on your plate !

Good Luck and let us know how it goes. I'm probably going to have to volunteer myself soon for a holiday, and will stress then (but by then, you'll be a pro )!

we could always have a left over get together

Leftovers? You think I'll have leftovers? You haven't met my family!! No joke, we bring our own rubbermaid containers with us to fill up for the next week's meals!!

I sent e-vites to my family just for the heck of it and my little sister Tricia responded for 3?! She's single, so I called her and said 'who are you bringing?'...she said no one, she plans to eat enough for 3!! I fully expect to see her with at least 4 containers. (you can tell her I said this, Tracy!! HEHE)

Ahhhh, the good news is, if it sukks, they'll never come back!!

That's so funny that she responded for 3!!!

How funny, responding for 3 !! LOL.

I love hosting holidays or even just BBQ's to get family and friends together. the way my family is we help eachother. My mom will always bring a tray of lasagna or pasta, my sis will make some sides.

Kathi-thats a great idea about bring your own rubbermaids !! I gotta start that trend in my family!
Usually I wipe out my tupperware supply to give out stuff to them and weeks or months later at their houses im like ' THERES my favorite tupperware!!!' LOL. Actually that just happened today !!


Have fun, and let us know how it goes !!!

Kathi, everything sounds wonderful and I'm sure your family will be helping you out more then you think!!!! Try not to stress, relax and enjoy your 'big' dinner!!!

Whoa! That's a handful! I agree with the other posts that you could get away with one meat instead of three. You could even make it only two if you wanted more than one to choose from. But three! Yikes!! I'd be freaking out, too! Especially trying to time them all to get done at the same time, as they all require different times/temps!

Why not make one of the meats, and ask two of the other women to make the other two? People usually love to help out like that!

I'm sure it will all come out wonderfully!

KarenM