Seasonal Entertaining

**Bumper** · 12-28-2007

We figure it was either 30 or 31 years ago. Anyway, a couple of years after we were married. We were still living in our apartment. We decided we’d have a dozen or so friends in over the holidays for some wine and cheese.

It was pretty primitive. In those days, we didn’t have very much money, or much of anything else either. It was plastic wine glasses, Chinette paper plates, styrofoam cups, plastic utensils. I think we got two cheese boards as wedding presents, so we went to the lumber yard and picked up some ceramic tiles. We had a great time. As the years passed, and the event evolved, we became regulars at a local restaurant supply place and we now own 6 dozen wine glasses, stainless cutlery, glass plates, Christmas ceramic mugs, a 40-cup coffee urn, chafing dishes, electric trays, and every kind of serving vessel and equipment you can imagine.

It quickly became an annual tradition that was the high event of the season for a lot of our chums. They said they often only got to see their old friends at our place over Christmas. We actually missed holding it one year. We were in Australia and Fiji until mid December and decided we wouldn’t have time to do it that year. After the holidays, we had several calls from people who wanted to know what they had done to offend us to the degree that they didn’t get their invite. Over the years, a lot of our friends had young families who were always welcome at our house. Having no children of our own, we went to some garage sales and bought some used toys so visiting kids would have something to play with while their parents chatted and indulged. Some of those kids are all grown up now, with kids of their own, and they’re still welcome. We always try to have it the Saturday between Christmas and New Years, and it’s now become an “Open House.” type event. We’ve had years when folks had to shovel their cars out at the end of their stay, or sometimes go out every couple of hours to start their cars in the -40 degree temperatures. It starts at about 2:00 in the afternoon and the last guest generally leaves about 10:00. It used to be 2:00 or 3:00 AM, but we might be getting a tad older these days. We’ll usually see about 50 - 80 people over the course of the day. Friends we’ve known since school, co-workers, ex co-workers, friends from organizations we’ve belonged to, golfing buddies, traveling buddies, drinking buddies, friends we’ve done volunteer work with, neighbours, even some Playa Peeps, etc. It’s grown to the point that Mrs. B and I just couldn’t handle it by ourselves anymore. Fortunately some good friends have stepped forward to become Kitchen Elves and lend a much-needed hand. Mrs B’s sister, and her best friend, and recently, YWG Deb & Don.

Yeah, it’s a lot of fun, but it’s the refreshments are the biggest attraction. Mrs. B is a pretty terrific cook, and she loves to entertain. The kitchen staff has restricted her to just 8 “hot” dishes which they circulate and distribute. The other things are on the dining room table, which can often prove to be a challenge to approach. Nobody is keen on getting too far away from it. The menu is different every year. There are a few perennial favourites that always appear, but the rest of the bill-o-fare changes every year. Jackie is always on the look out for new ideas in books and magazines. She’s got about a jillion recipes for appetizers. About the beginning of November, we start making things that can be done beforehand and frozen. Yeah, I said “we.” The Bumper is sort of all thumbs in the kitchen, but I’m nothing if not enthusiastic. I admit I do my best work in the consumption area of the process.

So what’s on the menu for this year? Well....

Mini Reuben Sandwiches (That miniature pumpernickel bread grilled with a filling of corned beef, sauerkraut, Dijon mustard, and Swiss cheese)

Golden Dragon (Pork meatballs with chopped water chestnuts in them, wrapped in bacon, then broiled. Served in a chafing dish in a sort of sweet & sour sauce.)

Empanadas

Won Ton Appetizer Bites

Piroshki (A Ukrainian favourite. Little buns filled with sauerkraut, bacon and fried onions)

Feta Phyllo Pizza

Thai Beef Skewers

Barbequed Cedar Planked Salmon

Philippino Spring Rolls (We buy a couple of hundred of these every year from a delightful Phillipino lady. They’re delicious and we couldn’t make them for what she charges for them.)

Quesadillas (Courtesy of the quesadilla machine we borrowed from YWG Don & Deb.)

Cheese (Danish Blue, Smoked Gouda, Imperial, Old Cheddar, Double Glouchester, Cheshire)

A variety of crackers and Lavasch (Greek flat bread)

Cheese Crisp Cookies

Pate

Oriental BBQ Pork

Sun-dried Tomato & Feta Cheese Souffle

Antipasto

Shrimp with Southwestern Remoulade
Hot Spinach Dip

Cheese Straws

Fresh Veggies and Poppy Seed Dip

Assorted Olives (The regular Kalamata and green ones, plus some stuffed with jalapenos, or garlic cloves, or almonds)

Sweet Dill Pickles

Fresh Fruit and Chocolate Fondue

Apricot Pecan Thrones

And from the cellar, a wide variety of wine - both homemade and commercial, but all good stuff. We would never serve anything we wouldn’t drink ourselves. Anything from a giant California Zinfandel that will - unless you’re an experience wine drinker - kill you and then go after your family, to an inoffensive Green Apple Riesling “Granny Wine”, and everything in between. We generally go through about 30 - 35 bottles. Oh, and beer too, of course. Both chewy homemade ale and commercial offerings.

Anybody hungry or thirsty yet? Well, if you happen to be in the neighbourhood tomorrow, Saturday, December 29, you’re more than welcome.

Anybody else have any long-standing seasonal entertaining traditions like this?

Andiline · 12-28-2007

*sigh*....

We do have traditions over here (like buying our christmas trees the sunday before Christmas Eve) but all of them seem to have been broken this year.

If I could I would be more than happy to come to your place tomorrow. First of all because I like the Bumpers but secondly because I know your wine is good!

TAPPY · 12-28-2007

Dang - wished we lived closer or had a private jet...sounds like the "not to be missed" event of the season !!!! Everything sounds YUMMY !!!!

Chilepepper · 12-28-2007

So . . .. are you officially inviting all the Peeps? I can be there in about 10 hours I guess!

Jacko · 12-28-2007

What a wonderful tradition!

Wish we could be there Bumper! It all sounds wonderful! We will be thinking about you tomorrow...Kisses to Mrs. Bumper....

queencityfan · 12-28-2007

Your party sounds lovely!

So many people have dropped all the good traditions, too busy,,too much work etc.....

We are actually going to a party tomorrow night that our friends have been hosting on the same saturday that you do. Lots of good food, drink and some friends we only see at this gathering.

Good for you two for continuing this holiday get together.

myhappyplace2 · 12-28-2007

I'm going to put in my RSVP for next year,

kinda tied up this Saturday!

Road trip to the Bumpers,

I'll bet I can pick up a bunch of peeps on the way 2

KelliG · 12-28-2007

Oooh ooooh...I soooooo wanna go!
However, I think I might need to purchase a battery-pack warmed electric parka!

Tommygurl · 12-28-2007

Wow Bumper....sounds fantastic!

Mamacita · 12-28-2007

Sounds so great! A great friend of mine is keeping up her tradition of a wonderful Christmas Eve open house and we love it! And your menu sounds fantastic. The only thing you are missing is tamales! We have them for Christmas Eve even though I'm not Mexican and love it!

Happy Holidays!

Tommygurl · 12-28-2007

Hey Bumper.....Does Mrs Bumper have a recipe for Cheese Straws??? My Granny used to make them!

cpfstich · 12-28-2007

Bumper & Mrs. B, if there were any way possible we would be there and be honored to do so. You my friend are one peep that I WILL have the honor of meeting someday. Thank you for being a member of this forum.

alwaysmissinpdc · 12-28-2007

That sounds wonderful! Not just a great party with a delicious menu but an annual reunion.

cpfstich · 12-28-2007

We have a tradition of cooking Prime Rib roast on Christmas Eve (unless I have to work) We have family and friends over to share.

Titemiou · 12-28-2007

I'm hungry now, my stomach is booking a flight as I speak

It must be wonderful to have yours friends all day like that

I wish you both a very happy new year and lots of friends to share it with you.

12-28-2007	#1 (permalink)
Bumper Class Clown Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 9,502	Seasonal Entertaining We figure it was either 30 or 31 years ago. Anyway, a couple of years after we were married. We were still living in our apartment. We decided we’d have a dozen or so friends in over the holidays for some wine and cheese. It was pretty primitive. In those days, we didn’t have very much money, or much of anything else either. It was plastic wine glasses, Chinette paper plates, styrofoam cups, plastic utensils. I think we got two cheese boards as wedding presents, so we went to the lumber yard and picked up some ceramic tiles. We had a great time. As the years passed, and the event evolved, we became regulars at a local restaurant supply place and we now own 6 dozen wine glasses, stainless cutlery, glass plates, Christmas ceramic mugs, a 40-cup coffee urn, chafing dishes, electric trays, and every kind of serving vessel and equipment you can imagine. It quickly became an annual tradition that was the high event of the season for a lot of our chums. They said they often only got to see their old friends at our place over Christmas. We actually missed holding it one year. We were in Australia and Fiji until mid December and decided we wouldn’t have time to do it that year. After the holidays, we had several calls from people who wanted to know what they had done to offend us to the degree that they didn’t get their invite. Over the years, a lot of our friends had young families who were always welcome at our house. Having no children of our own, we went to some garage sales and bought some used toys so visiting kids would have something to play with while their parents chatted and indulged. Some of those kids are all grown up now, with kids of their own, and they’re still welcome. We always try to have it the Saturday between Christmas and New Years, and it’s now become an “Open House.” type event. We’ve had years when folks had to shovel their cars out at the end of their stay, or sometimes go out every couple of hours to start their cars in the -40 degree temperatures. It starts at about 2:00 in the afternoon and the last guest generally leaves about 10:00. It used to be 2:00 or 3:00 AM, but we might be getting a tad older these days. We’ll usually see about 50 - 80 people over the course of the day. Friends we’ve known since school, co-workers, ex co-workers, friends from organizations we’ve belonged to, golfing buddies, traveling buddies, drinking buddies, friends we’ve done volunteer work with, neighbours, even some Playa Peeps, etc. It’s grown to the point that Mrs. B and I just couldn’t handle it by ourselves anymore. Fortunately some good friends have stepped forward to become Kitchen Elves and lend a much-needed hand. Mrs B’s sister, and her best friend, and recently, YWG Deb & Don. Yeah, it’s a lot of fun, but it’s the refreshments are the biggest attraction. Mrs. B is a pretty terrific cook, and she loves to entertain. The kitchen staff has restricted her to just 8 “hot” dishes which they circulate and distribute. The other things are on the dining room table, which can often prove to be a challenge to approach. Nobody is keen on getting too far away from it. The menu is different every year. There are a few perennial favourites that always appear, but the rest of the bill-o-fare changes every year. Jackie is always on the look out for new ideas in books and magazines. She’s got about a jillion recipes for appetizers. About the beginning of November, we start making things that can be done beforehand and frozen. Yeah, I said “we.” The Bumper is sort of all thumbs in the kitchen, but I’m nothing if not enthusiastic. I admit I do my best work in the consumption area of the process. So what’s on the menu for this year? Well.... Mini Reuben Sandwiches (That miniature pumpernickel bread grilled with a filling of corned beef, sauerkraut, Dijon mustard, and Swiss cheese) Golden Dragon (Pork meatballs with chopped water chestnuts in them, wrapped in bacon, then broiled. Served in a chafing dish in a sort of sweet & sour sauce.) Empanadas Won Ton Appetizer Bites Piroshki (A Ukrainian favourite. Little buns filled with sauerkraut, bacon and fried onions) Feta Phyllo Pizza Thai Beef Skewers Barbequed Cedar Planked Salmon Philippino Spring Rolls (We buy a couple of hundred of these every year from a delightful Phillipino lady. They’re delicious and we couldn’t make them for what she charges for them.) Quesadillas (Courtesy of the quesadilla machine we borrowed from YWG Don & Deb.) Cheese (Danish Blue, Smoked Gouda, Imperial, Old Cheddar, Double Glouchester, Cheshire) A variety of crackers and Lavasch (Greek flat bread) Cheese Crisp Cookies Pate Oriental BBQ Pork Sun-dried Tomato & Feta Cheese Souffle Antipasto Shrimp with Southwestern Remoulade Hot Spinach Dip Cheese Straws Fresh Veggies and Poppy Seed Dip Assorted Olives (The regular Kalamata and green ones, plus some stuffed with jalapenos, or garlic cloves, or almonds) Sweet Dill Pickles Fresh Fruit and Chocolate Fondue Apricot Pecan Thrones And from the cellar, a wide variety of wine - both homemade and commercial, but all good stuff. We would never serve anything we wouldn’t drink ourselves. Anything from a giant California Zinfandel that will - unless you’re an experience wine drinker - kill you and then go after your family, to an inoffensive Green Apple Riesling “Granny Wine”, and everything in between. We generally go through about 30 - 35 bottles. Oh, and beer too, of course. Both chewy homemade ale and commercial offerings. Anybody hungry or thirsty yet? Well, if you happen to be in the neighbourhood tomorrow, Saturday, December 29, you’re more than welcome. Anybody else have any long-standing seasonal entertaining traditions like this? __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a pristine, well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally used up and worn out, shouting "Holy Shit...what a ride!!"

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

12-28-2007	#2 (permalink)
Andiline añejo Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cologne, Germany Posts: 7,425	sigh.... We do have traditions over here (like buying our christmas trees the sunday before Christmas Eve) but all of them seem to have been broken this year. If I could I would be more than happy to come to your place tomorrow. First of all because I like the Bumpers but secondly because I know your wine is good!

12-28-2007	#3 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 14,931	Dang - wished we lived closer or had a private jet...sounds like the "not to be missed" event of the season !!!! Everything sounds YUMMY !!!!

12-28-2007	#4 (permalink)
Chilepepper beachaholic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 279	So . . .. are you officially inviting all the Peeps? I can be there in about 10 hours I guess!

12-28-2007	#5 (permalink)
Jacko añejo Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,932	What a wonderful tradition! Wish we could be there Bumper! It all sounds wonderful! We will be thinking about you tomorrow...Kisses to Mrs. Bumper....

12-28-2007	#6 (permalink)
queencityfan añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,696	Your party sounds lovely! So many people have dropped all the good traditions, too busy,,too much work etc..... We are actually going to a party tomorrow night that our friends have been hosting on the same saturday that you do. Lots of good food, drink and some friends we only see at this gathering. Good for you two for continuing this holiday get together.

12-28-2007	#7 (permalink)
myhappyplace2 añejo Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The big D with some other kool peeps> Posts: 2,745	I'm going to put in my RSVP for next year, kinda tied up this Saturday! Road trip to the Bumpers, I'll bet I can pick up a bunch of peeps on the way 2

12-28-2007	#8 (permalink)
KelliG life=playa Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 845	Oooh ooooh...I soooooo wanna go! However, I think I might need to purchase a battery-pack warmed electric parka!

12-28-2007	#9 (permalink)
Tommygurl crab killer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: I am Canadian!! Posts: 14,186	Wow Bumper....sounds fantastic!

12-28-2007	#10 (permalink)
Mamacita life=playa Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 633	Sounds so great! A great friend of mine is keeping up her tradition of a wonderful Christmas Eve open house and we love it! And your menu sounds fantastic. The only thing you are missing is tamales! We have them for Christmas Eve even though I'm not Mexican and love it! Happy Holidays!

12-28-2007	#11 (permalink)
Tommygurl crab killer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: I am Canadian!! Posts: 14,186	Hey Bumper.....Does Mrs Bumper have a recipe for Cheese Straws??? My Granny used to make them!

register to remove these adverts

12-28-2007	#12 (permalink)
cpfstich el poli Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 10,658	Bumper & Mrs. B, if there were any way possible we would be there and be honored to do so. You my friend are one peep that I WILL have the honor of meeting someday. Thank you for being a member of this forum.

12-28-2007	#13 (permalink)
alwaysmissinpdc añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: burbs north of Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,197	That sounds wonderful! Not just a great party with a delicious menu but an annual reunion.

12-28-2007	#14 (permalink)
cpfstich el poli Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 10,658	We have a tradition of cooking Prime Rib roast on Christmas Eve (unless I have to work) We have family and friends over to share.

12-28-2007	#15 (permalink)
Titemiou way into it Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Joliette, Quebec (Canada) Posts: 207	I'm hungry now, my stomach is booking a flight as I speak It must be wonderful to have yours friends all day like that I wish you both a very happy new year and lots of friends to share it with you.