Summer party plans?

[FrozenSunshine]

My 30th birthday is Memorial weekend! I'm flying home to raft the river and hang out at my families cabin.

I've requested my dad make slow smoked beef brisket. I miss his cooking. I can't wait!

4th of July we're going to see DH's parents and siblings for a little reunion. No idea what's in store for us there. Love his parents but when you get the siblings involved we usually leave feeling thankful we don't live nearby.

[arterr0]

We have friends with a huge backyard/pool that always host a huge pig roast/crawfish boil on Memorial Day and a smaller get together on July 4. I'm usually in charge of making a couple of desserts for each bash. Not sure if we will have anything big at our house, since our backyard is tiny. Maybe a couple of small BBQs.

[writingwithheld]

My immediate family always has a lot of small get togethers throughout the summer. Just standard backyard fare, but usually a few new summer salad type recipes. I'm hoping to make good use of my baking board on pinterest to make some desserts for them.

[sporky]

we may have a small cookout with friends on memorial day weekend, but that depends since it's also brother-in-law's birthday.

we always have a big 4th of july cookout since that's dh's birthday. this year it'll be the weekend after since we're getting back from vacation on the 4th. we always have tons of food, but the regular main dishes are grilled pork loin, burgers, and hot dogs.

[minniebee]

We'll probably do a small BBQ over Memorial Day weekend, and a few other small parties for friends/family.

Later in the summer, we'll be hosting a graduation party for my H, who is finishing his second master's degree in July. We're going on vacation the first week of August, so we're thinking of Aug. 18 for the graduation party. We'll do an open house type of thing and invite about 60 people (friends, family, classmates).

Any suggestions on types of food that are easy to serve at an open house graduation party are welcome!

[writingwithheld]

May 14, 2012 10:38:18 GMT -5 minniebee said:

Any suggestions on types of food that are easy to serve at an open house graduation party are welcome!

For my brothers and I my mom made lasagna/stuffed shells/manicotti in big pans weeks ahead of time and stored them in the freezer before baking. She then just defrosted and cooked the day of. I think otherwise it was a few dips, fruit, bought cake, salad, and other small things. It eliminated day-of prep and it tasted as fresh as could be.

[locarb]

May 14, 2012 19:52:17 GMT -5 writingwithheld said:

May 14, 2012 10:38:18 GMT -5 minniebee said:

Any suggestions on types of food that are easy to serve at an open house graduation party are welcome!

For my brothers and I my mom made lasagna/stuffed shells/manicotti in big pans weeks ahead of time and stored them in the freezer before baking. She then just defrosted and cooked the day of. I think otherwise it was a few dips, fruit, bought cake, salad, and other small things. It eliminated day-of prep and it tasted as fresh as could be.

Aidel's pineapple/teryaki meatballs are amazing-pre cooked and can sit in a crockpot. I like the sandwich platters from Costco too.

[locarb]

Only plans are Memorial Day bbq and H is smoking a brisket. We'll also supply beer and the rest is a pot luck.

[statlerwaldorf]

We don't have any big parties planned. We like to host lots of casual gatherings for no reason. We love to bbq. For Memorial Day and 4th of July we will probably travel to see our families.

[6fsn]

We just moved to a city with quite a few of our friends so we're going to have a cookout with about 5 other couples and their kids. We're attending a potluck at the church. My new neighborhood has a big 4th of July parade that ends in a picnic in front of our house. I'll have to bring something for that too.

[mrswizard]

I just had a mini "Fiesta" for my DH's Birthday. Have been invited to a lot of family parties... especially Graduations and will have a lot of smaller gatherings and pool "picnics". Am always looking for fun recipes to take to the beach, make-ahead etc. and of course summer cocktails...

[futurepivko]

We are going 2 hours northwest to my inlaws vacation home on Memorial Day weekend.

I'm also in a wedding back home in July...does that count?

[claireblue]

We are having a big Memorial Day get-together at my parents' house. I'm hoping the weather will be nice because they have a great deck for a BBQ. My Dad grills the BEST steaks, my Mom makes this amazing rhubarb crisp. They are part of a garden co-op, so they always have tons of fresh vegetables. I can't wait!

[boiler717]

We just did a Cinco de Mayo / Derby party. I think we'll keep it fairly low key until our big housewarming over labor day. I love having a burger / hot dog bar party!