Time is approaching for mothers to send their students back to school. So, I like to plan a luncheon for mothers on the day their children go back to school, especially since they've been busy getting them back into a routine. An ideal party for moms is a drop in luncheon so moms can schedule their lunch hour to stop in, catch up and tell their first day of school stories.
THE LUNCHEON INVITATION
Most busy working mothers keep up with their children and each other electronically. A text or email is the perfect way to contact everyone to let them know they have a luncheon to look forward to on the first day of school. If you want to be more formal, there are many great invitation ideas at your local stationery store.
I like to have a drop in between the hours of 11:00 am and 1:30 pm so that I can give each ample time to make plans to attend during their lunch hour. Plus, offer delicious food that will make their lunch hour worthwhile.
THE TABLE
Even though we are not there yet I like to use a fall arrangement as the opening of school does signal a beginning of the change in seasons. I often like to use strips of dyed burlap as a base for my table decor. This comes in colors such as orange, yellow, red and green. Burlap can be cut and fringed so no sewing required.
Also, bright cocktail napkins and plates give this brunch a festive air. This is an opportunity to build a muffin tower using several cakes plates of different sizes. Don't forget to use serving dishes of various sizes and heights makes the food table much more interesting.
THE MENU
Your options are limitless for this back to school party for moms. However, be sure to intrigue their taste buds. Here are a few options:
- Sausage Cheese Cups (Recipe Follows)
- Pear Walnut Muffin (Recipe Follows)
- Watermelon Salad
- Celery Stuffed with Homemade Pimento Cheese
- Sparkling Punch with Lemonade and Cranberry Juice
The sausage cheese cups and the pear walnut muffins can be made ahead and frozen. The pimento cheese can be made up to a week ahead and stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator. Celery can be cleaned and cut and stored in a container of water the day before.
THE RECIPES
Sausage Cheese Cups
1 lb. ground pork sausage
3 cups all-purpose baking mix
1 1/2 cup (6 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
1 10 oz. can cheese soup
3/4 cup water
Cook sausage in skillet until no longer pink and drain well. Combine cooked sausage, baking mix and shredded cheddar cheese in a bowl and make a well in the center. Stir together soup and water and add to well in center stirring mixture until all is moist. Place in prepared muffin tins and bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes until golden. Makes 15 muffins.
Pear Walnut Muffins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbl. canola oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1 8 oz. carton plain yogurt
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups finely diced pears
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grind walnuts in food processor. Combine flours and all ingredients through salt including walnuts and combine with a wire whisk. Make a well in the center. Combine brown sugar and next four ingredients and pour in the well. Stir until moistened and add pears and stir. Put in prepared muffin tins and bake for 20 to 25 minutes and place on wire rack immediately to cool.
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT
The conversations are always lively at this event and much catching up is done. In this electronic world it is a rare occasion when we get to enjoy one another face to face to share horror stories from the first day of school or console one another when their child was absolutely ecstatic to get back to school.
This event will become an event that all the moms you know will look forward to. It is the perfect opportunity to entertain in a simple way and have the opportunity to renew old relationships and add a new face or two to the mix.
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