The All Inclusive Backyard Party

The warm weather is the best time to get to know your neighbors. No one is cooped up. Everyone is out and about. Why not take it a step further and have an all inclusive backyard party. Friendships can be forged. recipes can be changed. Best of all lessons about inclusiveness can be learned.

Of course the most important part is the planning. Unlike a block party which requires a permit three months in advance, a backyard party can be put together even in a week.Put aside time on a Friday or Saturday for a meeting of where it will be held.It doesn't necessarily have to be in the biggest yard. You could set up tables  and folding chairs in the driveway and leave the backyard for contests and games.  Secondly, write down a list  of who's bringing what.The menu should be an all inclusive one, with neighbors and yourself cooking up family or ethnic dishes. Remember that neighborhoods are international these days and there are going to be a lot of delicious dishes from around the world. Encourage people to bring their family's best recipes. Also consider dietary restrictions and allergies for both adults and kids. It's up to the planning committee if alcohol will be served. Serve it if everyone is OK with it. Usually barbecues or outdoor meals usually call for just beer for the grown ups and soda and juice for the kids.The same goes for meat which certain religions forbid. You may want to go for an all vegan bash.

Apart from neighbors bringing in their family dishes there should be typical summer foods too. Have plenty of hot dogs and burgers for the kids and diehard barbecue lovers. Different sausages such as brats and Italian sausages can be cooked for something different. If you're making the last make sure you have sauteed peppers and onions too for a good hoagie sandwich. Your neighbors may bring over unusual  with non traditional meats like mutton or goat. Embrace the difference. You and your family will expand their culinary tastes as well as you picking up a new recipe.Also have some classic American sides like macaroni salad which is easy to make. If that's one dish to make too many consider picking up a tub of it from your local supermarket or deli.  Throw in potato salad and coleslaw too, if no one is making those. A fun dish that's universal is roasted corn. Have differently flavored butters, such as lemon and tarragon on hand for easy slathering. As for  desserts, you can't go wrong with watermelon wedges. They're refreshing and a favorite. You could buy a Sno Cone machine and make frozen treats for everyone. They're only $44 on Amazon and will probably used many more times. Homemade ice cream cake is another treat as are homemade ice cream cupcakes.

A neighborhood backyard party is a fun way to meet the neighbors and try new dishes. Barriers can be torn down and new friendships forged. It's also a great way of celebrate the summer.

Shutdown Support

We are in the middle of a rare government shutdown. Thousands of families are affected, thanks to a president bent on getting his ways. We need to support all those workers  in whatever way possible.

There are many ways to help out. Making a casserole or large shepherd's pie  is always welcome. It'll not only feed the family but also provide leftovers. Another idea is hosting family dinners or inviting the kids over for a Taco Tuesday or Meat Loaf Monday .  For a really nice treat, take them out to their favorite  restaurant. Getting together, even with the kids , is a great way to temporarily forget what's going on.It'll save on food bills for the affected families.Many families may balk at the idea of charity however there are a couple of ways around this. One is telling them you'll save them a shopping trip and shop for them. Tell them that they can pay you later when the shutdown ends. You can also give them a belated holiday gift in the form of a gift certificate for their favorite supermarket. $100 dollars may not buy a lot these days but it's enough to get the basics, from fresh fruit and vegetables to toilet paper and paper towels.If the whole neighborhood or family chips in, there could be close to five hundred dollars of gift certificates. This could last a couple of weeks  if those affected are frugal.

This idea can also apply to smaller food purveyors and restaurants.Bakeries can definitely help out with whatever overage they have. There are so many loaves and rolls  that will be turned into breadcrumbs.Even offering a free cookie or cupcake helps and brings even just a glint of  happiness.Family owned restaurants can give certain percentages off on lunches and dinners. Diners can follow suit as well.Since some food pantries will also be affected , smaller shops can donate meats, fruits and vegetables.Mid size companies that produce pasta and ice cream could also donate along with any of the artisanal  food producers.As for food pantries, a very good portion are welcoming those hurt by the shutdown.There's no shame in accepting help .It will just be temporary and food pantries can provide the sustenance needed during these hard times.

We need to stand shoulder to shoulder with those affected by this shutdown.Unlike our government, we will be there for them.We will make sure they do not want.

Laboring To Feed Us

Today being Labor Day it's time to honor those who labor to feed us and our families. They include

the migrant farmers living in awful conditions with barely a roof over their heads and primitive bath and eating facilities. They work long hours tending and picking crops that eventually go into our meals.Then there are the supermarket clerks who check out our groceries. Some work five or six hours without getting a break, or only receiving a fifteen minute breather. Thank them every time you’re at their check out. Also honor them .Don’t go to the self checkouts . The more shoppers who do this eliminate the need for these workers. That means their jobs will eliminated and they will lose everything from a paycheck to their pensions.

Labor Day may mean a day off to you, but to waitstaff all over the US  it means a day of work. Granted they get time and a half and tips, but they’d rather spend this summer day with friends and family. They’d rather chill at a barbecue or beach instead of taking your order and serving them. Give them a bigger than usual tip. Keep in mind that busboys, chefs, cooks and fast food employees don’t receive tips. Treat them kindly, and tell them how much you appreciate their hours of work.

This day celebrates America’s work force. Honor those who are responsible for feeding and nourishing you.

A Special Cake For Mom

One of the best gifts is a homemade one for Mother's Day. Any mom would appreciate a tasty treat that she didn't bake. Think fun cupcakes or a daffodil cake. If she's into fruit than a great pie, or if she's fancy a plate of macarons with a ganache filling. There's a variety of sweets that can be created for mom's special day.

If you're not a pro at baking, then go for the mixes. Between the big three cake mixes, Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker and Pillsbury, you can make any kind of cake.Duncan Hines has introduced serving for one -  mug filled with either cake or bread. This is the easiest bake - just the mix and three tablespoons of water - - it just takes a minute in the microwave and voila - a perfect treat. She can have her choice of flavors from a decadent chocolate lover's cake to  banana bread. There's even one minute muffins, blueberry ,apple cinnamon and corn, in a mug too for a neat breakfast in bed. as for cakes and frosting , all three brands have not only mixes but frostings too. As for decorations Betty Crocker has these various sprinkles including Cupcake Gems that are gold and silver sugar crystals. Sprinkle these on a plain cake  to amp it up to something special.You can also have fun with the mixes too, thanks to the brands offering dozens of recipes on their sites. Try a poke cake with either pudding or Jello for a fun surprise or a skillet cake , layered with whipped cream and fresh berries.Pillsbury has a easy to bake ice cream cake recipe that just requires cake mix , ice cream and whipped cream.It's easy to assemble and decorate.

More experienced bakers can definitely whip up a scratch cake with no problems. One of the prettiest is the daffodil cake,  a marriage of angel food and yellow scratch cakes. The frosting is a mix of pineapple juice and Cool Whip which is a lovely , mild flavor to go to the cake. Of course , nothing beats the taste of a scratch marble cake. This would make a great dessert with a scoop of French vanilla or chocolate ice cream.It's also good just on it's own with an iced coffee and mom's favorite Sunday crossword. A homemade pie is always a nice gift.Supermarkets such as Stop & Shop and Acme are still selling Granny Smith and Fuji apples and these are the best for a homemade apple pie.  If you want something fancier then think a homemade lemon meringue with a slightly browned meringue crown. It's a great end to a Mother's Day barbecue. Another tropical tasting treat is a Key Lime pie, the perfect union of sweet and tart. What mother wouldn't like a plate of fresh from her oven macarons. Yoou can make them like the ones from the famed Ladueree Patisserie, with flavors such as chocolate, salted caramel and even rose water.Fill them with a rich chocolate ganache or almond buttercream for true luxury,

Nothing beats a homemade treat for mom's special day . Surprise her with home baked treat. It's a sweet way to thank her for she's baked for you.