Feeding a big crowd for little cash.

My baby's birthday is coming up next week and we're having his favorite party again this year - a bonfire in the backyard.

It's just as much fun for us as it is for the kids.

We usually have around thirty to forty people over, including both our large families and friends.

It's a blast!

It also has the potential to get expensive quickly.

I thought I'd share my top three meals for entertaining large crowds on the cheap.


First, my absolute favorite:  Baked potato bar. 

Always a great choice.  I fill my roaster full of scrubbed potatoes, rub a little oil over them and wrap them in foil.  Then I let them bake in the roaster for 4-5 hours while I get ready for the party.  Serve them with all the fixin's (sour cream, bacon, cheese, green onions), add a veggie tray and a homemade cake.  I serve coffee, lemonade and tea - all cheap options.  This is what I'm planning to serve next Saturday - with the addition of smores over the fire and maybe crockpot hot chocolate if it's cold enough.  This meal is always a favorite.  I'll head to Sam's to pick up most of the ingredients, using the bacon, cake mix and ranch dressing mix I've already picked up on sale.  For under $40, I'll feed close to forty people. 

My second favorite:  Sloppy joes

This one has the added cost of using ground beef, but it's still a filling and easy meal.  This is another easy meal that comes together in the roaster.  Just brown your meat then add it and your sloppy joe sauce (homemade is cheaper) and let it simmer all day.  Once again, I head to Sam's club for buns - they have the best prices.  I add a potato salad or mac & cheese and green beans from the garden.  Add a homemade dessert and always the same drinks - coffee, tea and lemonade.  This meal works out to around $60 for a group of forty.  If you want to save a few bucks, you can skip the buns and make cornbread (homemade, not packages) and serve it over cornbread. 


Finally, the standby:  Hot Dogs

This is an easy one as well.  Once again, I pull out my trusty roaster or large crock pot and line up the wieners to cook.  If it's a bonfire, we roast them over the fire instead.  Then another crock pot cooks the sauce.  Add ketchup, mustard, onions and a little coleslaw for the hot dogs (Is a slaw dog just a WV thing? It's so good.)  Depending on what time of the year it is depends on my sides.  If it's hot out, I pair it with potato salad and a veggie tray.  If it's cool, it's two hashbrown casseroles and a veggie tray.  This meal works out to around $50 for forty people, including dessert and drinks. 

You'll notice that I rarely do chips, juice boxes or pop.  They are huge budget busters.  It's cheaper to make a big side dish using potatoes, which are cheap, and throw together a quick veggie tray with cut up carrots (not package baby carrots), celery, pepper strips and cherry tomatoes. 

Just goes to show that you don't have to bust your budget to feed your family and friends. 

What's your favorite meal for a crowd?

Menu Plan Monday for October 15th.

Today is a special day around here.  Our little "surprise" arrived five years ago today.

For those of you who don't know, Ronnie & I had a long road trying to both get pregnant and then stay pregnant.  We saw a fertility doctor for both Josh & John.  Imagine our surprise when we realized one more was on the way - with no visits to Dr. Toffel!  It just goes to show that God knows whats best.  Josiah brings an amazing amount of joy and laughter to our family. 

I always let the boys pick our their birthday meals.  Josiah's choice:  "Candy and ice cream".  Needless to say, that was not the final answer.

Here's our plan for the week:

Monday:  Pizza and salad....with ice cream and M&M's.
Tuesday:  Chicken ranch tacos and peaches
Wednesday:  Steak, roasted turnips and green beans.
Thursday:  Taco salad and cornbread.
Friday:  Breakfast for dinner.
Saturday:  Josiah's bonfire party:  Chili and cornbread, fruit tray, cupcakes, & smores.
Sunday:  Leftovers.

I'm off to make happy face pancakes for my birthday boy and his brothers. 

Have a great day and don't forget to check out orgjunkie.com for more great menu planning ideas.

Dates for Dad.

 Yesterday was Ronnie’s birthday! 

You guys have had to put up with my complaining about working extra, but the truth is I had a good reason for those extra shift.  I splurged on my hubs and bought him a new TV for his birthday.  He actually picked it out last week.  I didn’t want to make such a big decision without his input. 

Yes, he’s totally loving it.  And yes, I’m an awesome wife. 

Even though I scored major points with this gift, I wanted him to have something to open on his birthday.  Something on the cheap.  You know, because I spent all my money already on the TV. 

I’ve seen different ideas for a date a month on Pinterest, but I put a little twist on mine.  I listed twelve things that we can do after the kids are in bed.  Most are free, others are close to it.  Nothing on the list is more than $5 at the most. 

All I did was print my list, cut it into strips and place it in a container.  I used a silver heart container that Ronnie gave me when we were first married. 

Here’s my list of ideas:

Stargazing on a blanket

Ice cream on the swing

Movie night

Breakfast in bed

Wii game night

Bubble Bath

Backrub

Candlelight dance

Card game

Dinner for 2 at home

Dessert for two

Pedicure just for you. 

I tried to choose things that I should make time for, but I really don't.  None of these ideas cost much, or actually take that much time.  And they can all be done after the kids are in bed, which means no need for a sitter. 

Yeah for cheap dates!

What my Mother taught me.

 My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning." 

My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

  My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!" 

My mother taught me LOGIC.
"Because, I said so, that's why."

My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me." 

 My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident." 

My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about." 

  My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

  My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

 My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!" 

My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out" 

 My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

 My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

 My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

  My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

 My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up." 

My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?" 

My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand." 

 My mother taught me about JUSTICE .
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

My little man.

Happy Fourth Birthday Josiah!

You bring your Mommy so much joy.

My newest love.

OK, love might be a little strong of a word.  How about extreme like or mild obsession?  Well, no matter how I describe it, I'm talking about Pinterest.  

Oh Pinterest, what great ideas you give me.

I've made banana chocolate chip pancakes with peanut butter syrup

a paper towel holder to cover my broken silverware drawer

 a brilliant Christmas gift for my husband


Don't worry, he never reads my blog.



and now....Angry Bird cupcakes for Josh's birthday.

Here's what you need:

Cupcakes
Your favorite icing - divided into 3 bowls and tinted red, blue and yellow
Sprinkles or sugar - in red, blue and yellow
Sugared orange slice candy
Chocolate Twizzlers - cut into thin pieces
Mini marshmallows
Regular marshmallow
Mini chocolate chips

Start by making your favorite cupcakes & icing.
Ice cupcakes 1/3 red, 1/3 blue, and 1/3 yellow.
Sprinkle with coordinating color sugar/sprinkles.

Now the fun part.

Use mini marshmallows topped with mini chocolate chips to make eyes

Apply Twizzlers for eyebrows

Cut orange slices in 1/3.  Place on cupcake for beak.  I just used the pointy ends.

Cut large marshmallows in 1/2 to make shallow circles.  Apply to bottom area of cupcake to make chest.

 
Angry Birds!

Seven years ago....

Seven years ago today.....

I was in the hospital hoping beyond hope for a good outcome.

It was the end of one journey - of daily casting my fears on the Lord.

And the beginning on a new journey - one of daily relying on the Lord for strength.

Seven years ago today, we welcomed our son Joshua into the world.  I thought my heart would explode with joy. 

You see, Joshua was my 9th pregnancy.  My second delivery.  And my first child. 

And while I've learned many (many) things since having Josh and his brothers, the lessons I learned during this struggle have stayed with me:

• God is faithful.
• God is not scared by my anger at Him.  He's a big God.  He can handle it.
• God is always with me, even when I don't feel him. 
• He loves me with an overwhelming love, despite my past.

So today, as we celebrate the birthday of my sweet not-so-little boy,  I remember God's faithfulness.  His mercy.  His love. 

I am blessed beyond measure. 

Happy Birthday Big Daddy!

Tomorrow is Ronnie's birthday.  Unlike his big 4-0 last year, this years celebration will be a little more low key.  I'm planning on a date for just the two of us to see Transformers 3 and then dinner at CJ Maggies or the Aquarium.  My bet would be on the Aquarium - he loves their steaks and I love sitting in the "kissy booth".  On Sunday we're having family over after church for a cookout.  Since he rarely reads my blog, I'll let you know that I'm going to make this cake for him:

I'm only going to do one, since he has requested my ice cream cake too.  I just think this cake is going to be hysterical.  At least it will be for me.

Although he makes me crazy some days with those bees and his farm animals, I do love him madly.  He is a great husband, father and friend.  And he makes me laugh.

I couldn't ask for more.

So if you see him tomorrow, make sure to tell him Happy Birthday.

But don't call him Big Daddy....that's just for me.  ;)