Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Sunday Funday & Entertaining from the Pantry

 Just wanted to update you a little on the Sunday celebration get together.  I maybe just want to brag a little about my sweet family - yes, I do!  They are just the best.  We had such a great day together.  Laughter, stories, sharing, and just loving each other.  
After I brag for moment, then I will go on and tell you the menu and how I made a pretty good spread for all from what I had on hand!

I hope you can read this.  Click on the pic to enlarge.  I LOVE THIS!  They sure know how to make this gal feel loved.
Another sweet gift.  I just love my family so much.  I think maybe they like me a little!
My nephew made this vase/goblet by hand for me.  It started as a solid piece of mahogany, and he whittled and turned it on his lathe into this beautiful piece.  The picture does not do it justice.  It is gorgeous.

My little gr. gr nephew (he's 4) had an absolute ball watching the squirrels and birds.  We watched together from the bedroom window, and we went outside and watched.  He thought it was great that there were so many squirrels.  The laughter and the smiles - what a wonderful gift.

By the way - my niece was overwhelmed with her toothpick holder and her mom's little hankie, that were added to her gift bag.  She said she needed nothing else all year.  Her brother (who made the vase above) is going to make a frame for her, so she can frame the hankie.  That little hankie is about 75 years old.
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Now the menu!
I made a big batch of very meaty chili.  I had everything I needed for that on hand.
We had sliced ham and cheese variety and summer sausage (from my stock).  Many types of crackers - saltines, Triscuits, Cheese-its, and oyster crackers.  Pickles, olives, sliced cukes, sugar pea pods and cherry tomatoes.
I only bought slider buns and cherry tomatoes.  The pea pods I found that same day on clearance.
I made tea, had fruit juice, milk, and cold water on hand.  I made bags of ice over the week.
We had the snack mix, brownies and cookies for sweets.  There was also a bowl of clearance snack-bite candy bars I had purchased after Halloween.  

Basically, my outlay of funds was probably around $5 or $6.  Everyone ate and ate - and I have leftovers for my week and for the freezer.  You sure can't beat that.
I love having my freezer and pantry to help me in any given situation.  It is nice to know that a good and tasty meal can be put together with what is on hand.
I could have done any number of items - but chose this.

Keep working those pantries and freezers.  Get those clearance and mark-downs.  They sure come in handy - not just for company but for daily eating.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!!!!!!!



Never stop learning and seeing opportunities


35 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful get together, Cheryl. How blessed you are. The gifts are very thoughtful. Their love for you shines through them. Sounds like a great spread too. 😊

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    1. Thank you. I am very fortunate to have such love. I don't have birth children - but I feel I have children.

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  2. Cheryl, you may not have given birth to those kids but they are truly yours.

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    1. I feel that way as well. I know my sis sure would be happy for us all. She smiles down on us!

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  3. What a wonderful and loving family! It nice to spread out the holiday celebrations. You received some fabulous gifts...yes, I would say your family loves you!

    Beautiful sunshine today. The Urban Farmer found something on the internet that indicated that February will be very cold. Hope that is wrong!

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    1. They are pretty darn great!
      The sunshine is wonderful! Enjoy it.
      I read spring will be wet and cool - we will see.

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    2. The western states were supposed to be warmer and drier than normal. LOL! --Elise

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    3. Guess when it comes down to it - only God knows! It will be a surprise for all! LOL

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  4. It's clear you're very special to your family, Cheryl. Much loved. Thank you for sharing about your gathering. Your menu sounds wonderful and I'm sure was delicious. Thank you for warming a cold, gray, snowy Tuesday (here). :-)
    --Elise

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    1. They sure are special to me. We get along so well.
      Everything tasted yummy. It is a sunny, breezy cool feeling day here. Loving the sunshine.

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  5. Oh, I envy you and your family!! Color me green!! What wonderful gifts. And that goblet!!!! 😍 WOW! As a creative person, I really understand what went into that and I'm impressed!! So beautiful!
    Your menu sounds great and I'm glad you had such a fun day. 😁

    I hope you get the beautiful weather we had. I sat out on the patio yesterday and read for about an hour. I also opened everything up and aired out the whole house.

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    1. I am one lucky gal - I agree. My nephew has always been so creative - he makes some of the neatest looking items. This wood turning is a new skill for him. It is just fabulous.
      It is sunny - yet breezy. That kind of makes it feel cooler - but OK - the SUN is SHINING!

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  6. I'm ba-a-a-ck! Oh my GOODNESS! No wonder your brownies are such a hit with your family, Cheryl! I may never bake brownies the "usual" way again. Once baked, I sprinkled 1/2 a bag of dark chocolate chips on top, slid the pan back into the oven for a few minutes, removed it and spread the melted chips like a frosting. Hubs says, "Thank you!!" --Elise

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    1. My niece in law asked my secret for icing the other day - she was floored. Just think peanut butter chips, caramel, you name it! Mmmmmmm
      They sure do make some tasty bites! You are welcome.

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  7. What a wonderful day of celebration with family! So enjoyed reading all about it!

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    1. Thank you. My heart gushes when I speak of them - so I sure hope no one minded.

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  8. What a lovely post---so glad your Sunday with family was a success! You have some pretty special relatives, who love their auntie so much.
    Your menu sounded delicious, and you are such a good planner!

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    1. Thanks. I do have some special family. I love them all so much - just a special relationship we all have.
      Thanks - I know what they like to eat - and I just had it all here. Worked out good - and I am still eating!

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  9. (Little Penpen) what a sweet time you all had. And I’m impressed with your ability to do it so frugally. I’m sure they think you are just “the best.”

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    1. Thank you. I know they are the best. My loves.
      It was such a wonderful time.

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  10. What a wonderful get together. The gifts you got were so very sweet and full of love.
    Great job on doing things up so magnificently and frugally.

    God bless.

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    1. Thank you. The gifts sure are special. We had a grand time. Wish it happened more often.

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  11. What a fine visit you had! That's just wonderful. :) Happy for you.

    MaryB

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  12. Awww.... The aunt pillow and plate is so very sweet. I wish my girls had aunts or uncles like that. I'm an only child, so my girls only have the ils for the aunts and uncles and they won't hardly even show up to the weddings. I will say though that our girls are wonderful aunts to each other's children so they enjoy that. I can certainly see that you would fit those descriptions Cheryl on the pillow and plate! : ) The wooden vase is beautiful, my daddy was quite artful with a lathe and would sometimes place turquoise and jewels in crevices using the natural shape and such. He even had his in galleries. I know the vase was a labor of love. That is very precious.

    It sounds like such a wonderful and special time Cheryl, that is so great. Lots of good memories made! : )

    So happy the toothpick holder and handkerchief were so appreciated and loved. Perfect.

    Have a sweet evening!

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    1. Thank you. Yes it was a great day and they are just the best. I am so very blessed with so much love. I will cherish these gifts forever. Yes, lots of memories.
      I hope they all look back someday and remember the good times.

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  13. Oh dear me...Anonymous is Amelia, Me. So sorry.

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  14. What a sweet family you have Cheryl! I'm so glad you were able to get together and the food sounds amazing. Sweet memories to cherish. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you. I do have a sweet family. I think we owe it all to mom and daddy - they just taught love in all things. We are so fortunate.

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  15. It sounds like you had a wonderful family gathering and fed them well with what you had on hand.

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  16. What thoughtful gifts and what a great goblet from your nephew made with love. Great idea for him to craft a frame for your nieces gift of her mom's hankie.

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    1. I will cherish those gifts forever. Yes, he is quit crafty and does great work - so that will be perfect.

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