Shirley's party advice part 5 - Here to Help - come and say Hi

[Blatherskite]

Didn't notice we'd gotten to the end of the thread!

[BobbiFleckmann]

yes I've only done Marshmallow ones before! the 2p idea is brilliant. KNowing my luck, someone's child will swallow the 2p before stabbing them self in the eye with a half toothpick...

[Tinkerisdead]

Blathers type candy topiary into Pinterest and you'll see what Bobbi is doing.

Bobbi when I've seen them lollies are usually done on cones rather than balls. Like a Christmas tree. Or you use lots of towels together to make one fat trunk. As you've discovered, they are too heavy otherwise. So just shove a few more dowels in and it should be saved.

Pinterest shows you lots if you type in lolly tree/topiary.

[Tinkerisdead]

And blathers...yes!! Craft play!!

Anyone got any nice lamb recipes? For Easter. And something like a roulade or a pavlova pudding cos I always do cheesecakes for dh.

[stealthsquiggle]

My favourite lamb is variations on a theme of 24 hour roast lamb shoulder - I like lamb moist and falling off the bone, not pink. Actually I might do lamb curry this year (even though DD will moan).

[Blatherskite]

Ha, I was about to suggest slow roasted lamb shoulder! With feta salad and flatbreads

[Blatherskite]

DW - and potentially Stealth - you're needed over here

[Tinkerisdead]

I did a jamie oliver lamb shoulder once but it was too broth like.

[stealthsquiggle]

We have a nigella variation which is good.

[Tinkerisdead]

Tell me tell me.. I too like falling off the bone slow cooked stuff. Dh is not gonna go for greek meze style easter dinner. Debating whether to invite my mum. She would faint at feta cheese.

[stealthsquiggle]

I will copy the recipe out for you tomorrow, DW

[Blatherskite]

The one I made was copied out of a paper I think. You could always serve it with dauphinois potatoes and a green salad instead?

[Tinkerisdead]

I love how blathers got a slow cooker question from delia, you are both getting her book and its nigella we want.

Im trying to stay awake cos my friend making her cake is icing it now and im holding out for the big reveal. Bless her.

Maybe i could shock everyone and do turkey! Considering i was ill at xmas begging dh to cancel maybe i could do xmas mark two. You know without the coughing/sicking cycle,

[Blatherskite]

It was this one I made. It is Jamie but it definitely wasn't broth like.

I want my Delia book for the apparently moist chocolate cake recipes to make DS's mountain with :)

[Tinkerisdead]

Oooh that jamie one looks good

The one i did had all the veg etc in it like a one pot job, it was watery stew. Meat was nice but everything else no. I think i saw it on tv.

Right im either doing xmas round 2 or that!!!

[Blatherskite]

I did it a few years ago and my Sister still talks about it. The smashed veg would make it more sunday-dinner-esque and less greek meze too

[Tinkerisdead]

Yes! See dh ain't mad on lamb but its my favourite. Now, do I invite my mum....

[DTisMYdoctor]

Marking my place so I know where to find you when I start planning DS's party. But while you're talking about Easter food - any suggestions for a make ahead meal for Easter w/e for 4 adults and 4 kids? We'll be out all day so trying to think of something nice enough for dinner guests without slaving in the kitchen after a day out.

[Tinkerisdead]

If its for a gathering we always recommend shirleyknots pulled pork recipe. However, if you dont fancy the bbq flavour we did think it would work really well to slow cook the pork shoulder, shred it and serve in rolls with stuffing/applesauce. A cheap small scale hog roast.

[Blatherskite]

I have an ace slow cooked pork recipe that would work well for that if you decide to go with it!

I like mine with coleslaw :)

[Blatherskite]

In fact, it's worth sharing anyway so here it is

[RuthlessWarHorse]

Hello!

Shall I tell you about my party? If nothing else it will give my poor bruised thumb a break from sewing bunting.

Youngest is turning 1 and instead of a childrens party I thought I'd have a lunch party.

about 20 adults and 20 children, mostly aged between 5 - 8.

We live in a hot place so it's outside. I've hired tables (no cloths yet though... hmm).

Because there are so many children I have got a few packs of chalks for them to doodle all over the drive, and I thought I'd get some flower pots and seeds to decorate and plant and take home.

Party bags?? Yes probably - but only bubbles and a balloon I thought... what do you think?

I'm cooking mexican because it's easy for that number of people.

Some big jugs of alcohol free fruit punch.

Trays of pink fizz.

Lots of bunting.

And trifle.

What do you think?

I'm worried the food is not right.

I'm worried there's not enough for the children to do.

I could set up a football game in the back garden?

[stealthsquiggle]

this is the Nigella lamb recipe I had in mind.

Make ahead meal - what are the limitations? I would be tempted to do curry/chilli/something similar when all that needs doing is to reheat it and warm bread - serve with salads and bits.

You could then go to town on pudding - my DC made a huge OTT chocolate trifle in a big glass bowl last Easter - topped with mini eggs - that could be made in advance and just topped with whipped cream at the last moment?

[Blatherskite]

It sounds lovely ruthless. I'd be tempted to make some plain jelly to go with that trifle though as in my experience, small children don't tend to like trifle.

If you're doing mexican food, why not carry the theme through and have a pinata too? Again, for the little ones, I'd make sure there is something very, very mild to eat. Mine adore Quesadillas as they're pretty much tortilla calzones.

Football sounds like fun. Maybe a sack/egg and spoon race or obstacle course to keep them amused too if you've got loads of space? Or a treasure hunt?

[stealthsquiggle]

Ruthless - it sounds lovely!

As for more things to do - yes, maybe. I am assuming you have guaranteed weather on your side, so football would be good, or a treasure hunt of some sort if you can be bothered? You could print out pictures on cards and give them a card showing what they have to collect. If you wanted to really go to town you could make the ones for 8yos different (and harder to find) than the ones for the little ones?

5-8yos might also expect/welcome pass the parcel and a couple of jumping-around-to-music sort of games, but that might interrupt the flow of your lunch somewhat.

Table cloths - I impulse purchased one of these and my DC and their cousins loved it - but actually you could achieve almost the same result (minus the grid lines, which they did like) by buying a roll of cheap white fabric to use as a table cloth, and some washable felt tips (the crayola ones wash out perfectly, we tried it) - it would help keep everyone amused whilst actually at the table?

[stealthsquiggle]

x-post with Blathers there!