T' Time {#24}

Well, here we go again.  I have a very special guest today. I sweet blogging friend from over at Yada Yada Yada is here today to give us a great Take the Time To Challenge.

Though I've never met this lady in person, we have mutual friends which always surprises me how small the world actually is.  Besides the fact that she is so gorgeous we really have much in common that it's a little scary.  We both have all daughters and we both have a daughter named Eden Grace.  We also had the exact same wedding dress!

So jump over to 

Yada Yada Yada Blog

 show Kayte some sweet Christian love.

Kayte's T' Time Challenge is....

     Throw a dinner party!!

"The guest list: Just your family!
The concept for this fun way to spend a family evening actually came from my 4 yr. old daughter. 
Out of the blue, she recently said to me, in her excited, 
I’ve-got-a-great-idea tone, 
           “Mom! Let’s plan a PARTY!!!” 

As this girl’s personality and original ideas emerge, 

I can’t help but think: 

This kid is cool.

Since party planning is (usually) fun, I agreed. Since then, our family has started a fun habit of themed dinner parties. I try to find items for our parties already around the house, or for cheap prices at the Dollar Store or craft store. Whatever I do purchase, I try to buy things that can be repurposed for other future themes. The idea is NOT to spend money. The more homemade, the better. The point is to involve the children in creative planning, let them do as much decorating and cooking as the ages permit, and have a good time at the “Dinner Party”.

The theme for the party in the picture is Mexicana!! 


We, of course, served Mexican foods and had Mexican-inspired decorations. Be sure to make Daddy’s chair extra special! We played Mariachi music (which we all agreed were not our favorite); we found Mexico on the map and learned a fewords in Spanish (though probably did not pronounce them 100% correctly!)

Our menu:
Chips and Homemade Salsa (set out on the table as an appetizer, just like in Mexican restaurants)
Enchiladas
Spanish rice
And for dessert, “Platanos Machos” (Mexican Fried Bananas)
4 semi-ripe bananas
4 Tbs. butter
¼ c. brown sugar
¼ c. Orange juice
Orange zest
¼ tsp. cinnamon
½ c. powdered sugar
Cool Whip, or Whipped Cream

Peel bananas and cut in half both directions. Fry in butter unto all sides are golden. Mix the juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and sugar together. Pour over bananas and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to serving dish, top with powdered sugar and cool whip. Serve immediately. Optional: Vanilla Ice Cream 

Other theme ideas:
Italian: Serve lasagna with canoli cake for dessert, play Dean Martin, reuse the fabric from Mexican night or a red checkered tablecloth from camping trip, discover facts about Italy, try to say one word in Italian.

Victorian: Serve pretty finger sandwiches (sneak some roast beef in Daddy’s to make it hearty!), scones and tea with Devonshire cream (easy to make!), set the table with your best dishes, use paper doilies, drag out any lace you’ve got in storage (old curtains?) and drape it everywhere. Where fancy gloves and all the frilly accessories you have- all at once! Practice fine manners and talk regally as you ask for the jam. Watch Anne of Green Gables after the dishes are done.

Chinese: Serve beef and broccoli, try to make fortune cookies (beware- they’re harder than they seem!), sit on the floor and eat with chop sticks, make funny Chinese-looking hats, watch a video about a missionary to China like Gladys Alward or Eric Liddell.

Pioneer Americans: (Little hesitate to actually try this one! I’m afraid my family would dislike the food too much.). Try to make simple pioneer type food like salt pork gravy over fried potatoes, Johnny cakes or beans. Serve plain fruit for dessert. Set the table with burlap. Compare how pioneers would really have cooked and eaten compared to our modern conveniences. Read or watch Little House on the Prairie.

The possibilities are endless! The less money you spend, the more creativity will flow! Above all else, don’t plan it all on your own! Those little people will surprise you with their great ideas!"

Thank you so much, Kayte!  You're such a fun mom, and I think she's a pretty cool kid, too!

If you do this idea, I'd love for you to take a picture and link it up on Tuesday's T' Time Challenge party.