Hostess with the Mostess

Clean, clean, cook, cook. I'm on a quick twenty minute break to let some ibuprofen kick in before I keep on with my house cleaning and party preparation. Alas, despite my best efforts, there will be doors that we will just shut. As successfully as my purging has been, it is slow going, and items that we should have thrown, still are lingering and the clutter will need to behind shut doors. 

I thought I would share my menu for the confirmation dinner, and my costs. Keep in mind, I know I am serving a minimum of 23 people, but because my family often doesn't RSVP and treats things a s open houses (a pet peeve of mine and my sisters on both sides of me in age), I over shoot by 30%, so planned food for at least 30. Leftovers will be dinner Monday and Tuesday, as well as used for lunches. 


Appetizers (easy to put out snacks while I get dinner pulled together):
 Bacon wrapped little smokes, veggies and dill dip, strawberries, assorted  cheese cubes, hummus, and pretzel chips.

Entree:
Ham, cheesy hash brown potatoes, green been hot dish, coleslaw, dinner rolls, pickles, and olives. 

Desert:
Vanilla cheese cake, Turtle cheese cake, brownies

Beverages:
Beer, white and red wine, assorted pop, juice, water, and coffee. 

Grand total spent:  $223.87. This does not include the wine, as I used my own stash, but let's throw in $40 for the four bottles I set aside. Revised grand total: $263.87. At 30, that comes to $8.79 a person. More than likely I bought twice as much beer, pop, and bottled water than needed, so the left overs will be used to keep future costs down for weekend football watching. If I was more organized, I am sure I could have shopped better  and cut the cost down, but for three courses, plus "open bar",  I think I am entertaining on the cheap, but all should be tasty and no one should leave hungry. 

That's my timer.  Next room, my entry, and then to tackle the bathrooms. I'll put the food together either later tonight, or even in the morning since church isn't until 2:00.   I am really looking forward to tomorrow. Confirmations are very special to me in general, and seeing my youngest who was such a gift to us, affirming her own faith and the promises we made at her baptism, will no doubt make me a bit teary eyed. I hope you are enjoying your weekend. I'll give you an update on mine tomorrow.