Look at me! So prepared for my mother's 70th birthday party that I have time to blog just a few hours before I'm going to be serving dinner! *pats self on back* All I have left to do before I call a cab is make the tomato basil salad. (I am putting this off until the last minute because I want to minimize the wilting of the basil.) I even remembered to take my mom's expensive gluten free buns out to thaw last night so that she doesn't have to gnaw on them and get brain freeze.
What's that? Your buns are also gluten free? You have two of them, and they aren't expensive? Oh, stop being so saucy! ;-)
I have handled this gig, of catering my mom's party in to her house (my home being too small to accommodate 12 guests around the table), by being super-organized. In fact, I approached it with the same project-management strategies that I use at work when I have to do something like move the entire business to a new location. I made a calendar. I wrote down STUFF in it. I did the STUFF.
My project started on Thursday when I went to Toronto Kosher to buy cold cuts. I could have gotten to my mom's house early to put a roast in her oven, but why bother when I can buy roast beef, pastrami, turkey roll, and cajun roasted chicken AND they will slice it for me at no extra cost? I had been warned that kosher meats are more expensive than regular meat, and so it was. $60 later, my fridge smells like a Jewish deli. So I bought fancy mustard and rye bread to serve with it. Caraway rye, even. Am I Jewish, or what?
One point which I observed in the Toronto Kosher parking lot: my people are terrible drivers. Or at least terrible parkers. Therefore I maintain that my lack of driving ability is genetic. (Just ignore all of my relatives who drive perfectly fine, including the two who were professional pilots. My theory is sound!)
I made another special trip on Friday, to Goodbye Gluten. Guess what they sell? Did you know that gluten-free baked goods are double to triple the price of regular baked goods? This party has been kind of expensive.
I cooked all afternoon and into the evening yesterday... and now almost everything on my to-do list is checked off! So off I go now. I'll let you know how it goes.
10 comments:
Sounds awesome and way to be super caterer!! Although, I am sad to say that my invitation to the party didn't arrive... maybe if you saved me some food it would be nice.
You're so organized! When I write things I need to do in my calendar, I don't always do them. I suppose my mother's 70th I would though. :-) Have fun!
Wow you sound super organised. What could go wrong! Apart from you driving into a brick wall by the sounds of it. :D
Have fun and I look forward to hearing all about it!
Wow. You really ARE a super-organized person. I love it!
Brava! You're a tribute to your people. And I salute you!
Can't wait for the finale!
I think the rule of thumb is that anything that naturally or specially made is usually double to triple the price.
Sometimes applying time management skills to something outside of work is a very good thing indeed.
Father Nature's Corner
You have it down to a science, which means that come party time you can relax knowing everything is as good as it can possibly get. I could learn a lot from you! Can't wait to read Part 2.
I admire your organization - I would have been frazzled over that. You'll let us know how it went?
When should we expect a career change to party organizer and caterer?
Ron: I mailed you some tomato salad. The envelope was dripping a bit when I put it into the mailbox, but I'm sure it will be fine.
Jenski: My calendar is my life's compass. I would be lost without it.
Joey: No car crashes occurred in the course of the day. :-) At least none related to my party.
DarcKnyt: Thanks! I was proud of myself.
G.B.: Yeah, it's to be expected. And I certainly didn't want to start trying to bake gluten free cakes myself.
Scarlet: Well, I didn't quite relax, but I wasn't totally panicked either, so I think I did okay.
Lynn: I will indeed! :-)
Grannie Annie: NEVAR!
Organized like a boss! Well done!
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