Heads up kids, all of the teenagers, twenty somethings and happy party goers in your thirties....your energy won't last forever! One day you too will tip that great calendar and low and behold forty, fifty and beyond will be looming and with it...that certain lack of energy that will curtail your celebratory natures. I just wanted you to know that.
This weekend, we celebrated our son's graduation with a party that included some of the family. It was the first time that my Dad, and my in-laws had to sit this one out. Time is catching up with us, and although there were cousins, aunties and uncles, my Mom was the only senior who managed the trip this time round. There is definitely something to be said for families who live close by one another....I wish mine did.
There was plenty of food, and I was delighted to finally have lots of people to cook for. The menu included braised brisket served with little rolls so they could make mini sandwiches (sliders), spinach pie, composed salad, melon and berries (because the are so pretty), banana bread, and macaroni and cheese that is quickly becoming everyone's favorite...I will be sharing the recipe as it was requested by several and I can write it up here just once.
The decorations for the party came from what was outside and on hand... hydrangea in all shades of blue, and purple and white,which just happen to be our grads school colors.
Patriotic red, white and blue is finding its was into the decorating as well. In the house and on the porch...this is such a festive time of year. Suggested by Brenda of Cozy Little House fame, I brought out one of my favorite vintage quilts to decorate my favorite wicker rocking chair...love the way they look together. I won a gift certificate from a give away on her blog last week, and I am still trying to decide what to spend it on...so many wonderful choices! Thank you Brenda...I am having fun with the virtual shopping and will write a separate post when I make the purchase.
The bargain planters are now in place and filled with Vinca vines and Portulaca which need to grow a bit more to show of their vibrant colors.
They are such a fun addition to this potagerie
and so unexpected! This week I am promising more pictures of the community garden plots...they have really morphed!
Here is the recipe for my baked macaroni and cheese. A dish that seems to please both children and adults.
1 pound elbow macaroni (I like Barilla)
one egg
16 ozs. Velveeta cheese
12 ozs. good cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups whole milk
salt, pepper
2 big handfuls of potato chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees,salt water and cook pasta just till barely done..very al dente. While the macaroni is cooking, heat milk in pot and add Velveeta cut into big chunks...stir till the cheese is melted into the milk. Scramble the egg in a bowl and add a tablespoon of the hot milk mixture to temper the egg. Add the warmed egg to the milk mixture. Butter a large baking dish, and add half the macaroni. Cover with half of the cheddar cheese, and then add the rest of the macaroni. Pour the milk/cheese mixture over the top of the casserole dish, crumble the potato chips on top of this, and then add the rest of the cheddar cheese. Bake for about 40 minutes or until top is golden brown.
When my children were little, I would add steamed chopped broccoli to this before baking and they all liked that, but their friends did not always appreciate the green vegetable, so for a crowd, I just cook the basic mac and cheese. I think the reason that this works for everyone is that the kids like the Velveeta flavor, but the adults appreciate the real cheddar taste...and everyone likes the crunchy topping...a win, win when you are feeding many.
This post is being linked to Little Red House for Mosaic Monday, and Smiling Sally in honor of all things blue for Blue Monday. I am also linking up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday...because the bargain yard sale planters are finally planted. Please stop by and visit all of these wonderful blogs.
♥, Susan
Boy the house looked great, the food looked wonderful, everyone looked like they were havin lots of fun. You're so lucky to have family that get together.
Posted by: Melody | June 27, 2010 at 01:58 PM
Hi Susan, I know what you mean about family gatherings being hard when you live far from the rest of your family :0)
Looks like you had a wonderful celebration with lots of good food!! Congratulations!
Posted by: ellen b | June 27, 2010 at 05:11 PM
Your mosaics are wodnerful. Looks like all had a good time!
Posted by: Pat@Back Porch Musings | June 27, 2010 at 05:12 PM
Quite festive! Congratulations to the graduate!
Posted by: Carol | June 27, 2010 at 05:13 PM
Wow! Look at all that great looking food!
Posted by: EG Wow | June 27, 2010 at 05:14 PM
Your house looks great and the food Fabulous!!! I would love to drop in on your party any time.
Posted by: Lenore | June 27, 2010 at 05:17 PM
What a wonderful day! Congratulations to the graduate. Great memories for you. Great food (thanks for the recipe). Lovely hydrangeas. Everything looks great1
Posted by: Snap | June 27, 2010 at 05:18 PM
Wonderful stuff!
Posted by: Judi | June 27, 2010 at 05:18 PM
Lots of mosaics to look at! Congrats to your grad. And kudos for you for doing all that cooking and decorating. I know where all your energy went in the past few weeks.
Posted by: Meri | June 27, 2010 at 05:18 PM
Looks like you had a wonderful time and wasn't it great to have Grandma there.
Posted by: Valerie | June 27, 2010 at 05:19 PM
Congrats to your son! Looks like ayou had a great party. The mac and cheese would be my favorite. I going to hav eto try your recipe. Have a great week!
Posted by: Eileen | June 27, 2010 at 05:20 PM
Looks like a great party! Food, family and fun, doesn't get any better! Congrats!
Posted by: Carol | June 27, 2010 at 05:23 PM
Yowsa! The food looks great! Congrats ~~
Posted by: Terri Steffes | June 27, 2010 at 05:36 PM
The food looks wonderful!!!Nothing better than a great party with family and friends.
Posted by: Pam @diy Design Fanatic | June 27, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Hi Susan
It looks like you had a wonderful graduation party for your son, filled with the love of family and friends and great food! I know how hard it is when family live far as my siblings, and my son and his family, are all out of state and some across the country.
Your Mac N Cheese sounds good! I like the potato chip topping ...I put them on my tuna fish casserole.
♥ Pat
Posted by: Pat | June 27, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Congratulations to the graduate.
Your table looks gorgeous.
Cheri
Posted by: Cheri Peoples | June 27, 2010 at 05:58 PM
Thank you for posting a Macaroni and Cheese recipe that sounds tasty. I'm going to try it. What a wonderful time to celebrate milestones with family and friends. Happy graduation to your son!
Posted by: Vee | June 27, 2010 at 06:25 PM
Hi Susan! Congratulations to your grad and what a wonderful party you must have had! Your food and decorations are so sweet. Now I've never made macaroni and cheese and used an egg! I'm going to try your recipe! Yum.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Posted by: Shelia | June 27, 2010 at 07:03 PM
Congrats to your son!! Way to go!
Susan, the spread of food looks wonderful. Nothing is better than homemade mac and cheese.
Your porch is gorgeous. LOVE the red, white and blue!! You did great and I am sure Brenda likes it, too.
Loved my visit!
((hugs))
Becky
Posted by: sweet cottage dreams | June 27, 2010 at 07:39 PM
such lovely party and the photos are precious memories. and the food scrumptious! love your porch.. so much of Summer.. thanks for sharing.
Posted by: fitty | June 27, 2010 at 09:08 PM
Beautiful full weekend! Your mosaics tell the story :-)
Posted by: Suzy | June 27, 2010 at 09:44 PM
How fun and wonderful party Susan.
Congrats to your son.
Happy MM.
Posted by: Regina | June 28, 2010 at 02:54 AM
What a wonderful party! The food looks amazing. Your mosaics are lovely.
Have a great week.
Carol
Posted by: Carol at Serendipity | June 28, 2010 at 03:56 AM
Good Morning Susan!
Oh, you did it up so nicely. Everyone looks like they had a great time!
Becky K.
Posted by: Becky K. | June 28, 2010 at 05:42 AM
Susan, that looks like a great time was had by all! Loved the hydrangeas you used, and the quilt is perfect, too. Great job on your party! And congrats to your handsome grad!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Posted by: Sheila | June 28, 2010 at 06:09 AM
Those hydrangeas MADE the decorations for your son's graduation party.
It's true, Susan, that as we age, families NEED to live close by.
Happy Blue Monday!
Posted by: Sally | June 28, 2010 at 06:37 AM
Looked like a great time. I am going to try your macaroni receipe for the 4th. The grannies will love it.
Posted by: deb | June 28, 2010 at 09:05 AM
Family celebrations are the best. Don't hink anyone went home hungry either!
Joyce
Posted by: Joyce | June 28, 2010 at 09:53 AM
Congratulations to the graduate. A family gathering is always awesome and the food, gush that is yummy!
BM~Centipede
Posted by: Kim | June 28, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Now this is my type of party! How fun.
Posted by: Laura Ingalls Gunn | June 28, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Looks like you had a terrific party. Yes, I know what you mean about reaching that lack-of-energy point. But you've just gotta keep the celebrations going.
Happy Blue Monday!
Posted by: JLS Hall (Joysweb) | June 28, 2010 at 01:39 PM
What a fun celebration (even if everyone wasn't able to attend). Your mosaics are beautiful and the banquet table so inviting! Our youngest graduated last week too. We will be having a party in early August when out daughter from up-state NY will be down for a visit.
SO nice stopping by to visit with you!
Kindly, ldh
Posted by: ldh | June 28, 2010 at 02:45 PM
The food looks so good and the decorations do, too. Congratulations on your son's graduation. My hubby loves homemade mac and cheese...I use the old Betty Crocker cookbook (from the 70's) recipe. Yours sounds good with the chips on top. I'm gonna integrate your idea of steamed, chopped broccoli into my recipe - sounds so good! Happy Blue Monday~
Posted by: Mary | June 28, 2010 at 03:41 PM
Great mosaics of a wonderful celebration. Looks like everyone had a lovely time. Lovely photographs.
karen
Posted by: karen cox | June 28, 2010 at 05:19 PM
What a wonderful party! Great family and friends, great food and beautiful decorations!!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Posted by: Susan Freeman | June 28, 2010 at 09:39 PM
What happy mosaics! We all have to treasure these celebrations!
Posted by: Pondside | June 28, 2010 at 09:42 PM
Congrats to your graduate - you must be very proud! The food looks great!
Hope you are having a nice summer!
Posted by: Kari | June 29, 2010 at 07:49 AM
I quickly zoomed right in on that quilt! It's a beauty! The recipe sounds delicious. By the way, I'm hungry and it's lunchtime. Can you send some my way?
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | June 29, 2010 at 09:43 AM
Your home looks so inviting and your food looks so delicious! What a great way to celebrate your son's graduation. My daughters love macaroni and cheese - I will make your recipe for them - thanks!
Posted by: Jen_from_NJ | June 29, 2010 at 12:55 PM
red in you,
plus garden blue,
both of them are cool!
Posted by: Jingle | June 29, 2010 at 07:24 PM
Congrats on your son's graduation! Looks like you all had a fun party...the food looks yummy and your house looks picture perfect! Love all of the hydrangeas. I just cut some for a bouquet from my garden today.
Posted by: Susan | June 30, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Congratulations to your son and to you and your husband! What a wonderful celebration!
Everyone looks so happy!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | July 02, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Potato chips...VERY interesting! Will have to give this a try...when it's not 102f out. :-) You have to see the tablecloths I scored at the OG flea...for $4 each, one with tag still on! Maybe one of these days I'll have a blog again, lol!
Posted by: laura @ the shorehouse | July 07, 2010 at 09:30 AM
You have a blog right now....shock everyone and write something on it....we love your point of view!!! I for one am dying to know how the renovation is coming along.
Posted by: susan ericson | July 07, 2010 at 09:46 AM
While searching for photos of VT, I found your blog from August 18,2009, the one with the Original Vermont Country Store, Lake Bomoseen, etc. I was there just a week ago. We stayed at the Edgewater on Lake Bomoseen. This was may 28th visit. The number of sunsets I've witnessed is countless, each one a treasure unto itself.
I love this part of the country and carry its visions with me all year until I return.
Thanks for the memories.
Posted by: Joan | August 07, 2010 at 09:39 AM
Hi Joan, Thanks for the comment....you should try to go in the midsummer...it is beautiful.
Best Regards, Susan
Posted by: susan ericson | August 07, 2010 at 10:01 AM