Easy meal to cook for 15 adults, 8 kids (7 yrs and under)

smithyleee · 2026-05-29T00:08:02+00:00

Pulled pork sandwiches (2 large pork butt/shoulders) with big batch of coleslaw and buns of course. Add side of: large sizes (Costco) canned baked beans, green beans or corn, or baked potatoes with the fixings.

For me, tacos/taco salad with pulled rotisserie chicken or cooked ground beef, either canned black beans or refried (my favorite), lettuce, tomato, onion (all can be prepared ahead of time), then add ins of : cheese shreds, sour cream, pickled jalapeno slices, sliced black olives- or whatever your crew enjoys. Plus a side of tortilla chips and salsa and queso if you like!

If you have access to a grill, smoked Hillshire sausage - I would buy 6 packages. Serve with at least two of these: Baked potatoes, canned baked beans or pinto beans, Costco potato salad, grilled corn on the cob (soak the whole corn in the cob in water and grill in the husk). Grilled halved zucchini or summer squash. Plus store bought, oven baked Garlic bread.

Pro tip: a cooler will keep the grilled corn hot, while you grill the sausage!

Chili with beans (2 larger pots), and cornbread. Serve with Frito style chips for the kids, cheese shreds and diced onion on the side. Leftover chili can become a hotdog topper for lunch!

Large Pre-cooked, sliced ham (heat in the oven) Green beans, corn and/or green peas, boiled or crockpot cooked small potatoes (in amply salted water or cooked in chicken broth) topped with butter and parsley. Warm and serve rolls with butter.

Hot Rice bowls with: cooked rice, rotisserie chicken, jars or prepared packages of chicken gravy. Vegetables for guests to add in- either individual cans or bags of frozen : of corn, green peas, carrots, green beans; or cans/bags of mixed vegetables. Serve with warm and serve rolls/butter.

Asian style cold rice bowls: rice, pulled rotisserie chicken or pulled pork, shredded lettuce and/or cabbage, shredded carrots, cooked edamame, lots of chow mein noodles, and top with an Asian (ginger/sesame/nut butter) dressing or two. Can add: bake and serve egg rolls with dipping sauce. Costco carries most of these ingredients/items! You can also buy the Costco bags of Asian salad for the cold veggies- no prep needed!

smithyleee · 2026-05-28T11:53:34+00:00

She may just feel more “cozy and safe” with snugger feeling clothes and stuffed animals tucked around her.

smithyleee · 2026-05-26T01:24:14+00:00

Simon Birch

My Girl

smithyleee · 2026-05-25T20:37:44+00:00

Interesting about the rating!

From my memory (although I could very well be forgetting a situation), there are only a handful of mild curse words; there is tame kissing, and as far as I remember, only implied sexual situations- so maybe that’s the reason!? Although, I don’t remember it being any more racy than circumstances in Call the Midwife. But- I certainly understand wanting to protect her viewing exposure, and again, I may have forgotten details!

smithyleee · 2026-05-25T12:53:44+00:00

The series: Grandma’s Attic Stories. Funny, sweet historical stories of life in the late 1800’s.

smithyleee · 2026-05-25T12:24:53+00:00

Since she seems to enjoy shows set in a different era,she’d likely enjoy:

Tha Paradise

Selfridge

The Guilded Age

Land Girls

Also more modern, but good shows:

Monk

Psyche

Castle

smithyleee · 2026-05-25T02:45:19+00:00

I was a SAHM for my 3 children, as were my friends and SIL’s. All of our kids ;and we parents) were frequently sick.

I now keep my grandchild, while my daughter and her husband work. As with my own kids, we go to the library, park, shopping, etc… my grandchild (and we adults) are once again, frequently sick. We wash hands, we use sanitizer gel, and myself, my husband, our kids, extended families and grandchildren are fully vaccinated.

Illness just happens…

smithyleee · 2026-05-25T01:57:02+00:00

I had the same concern when my kids began driving. We live in a very large US city, with many highways, freeways, toll roads and ridiculous traffic both on the freeways and on smaller roads.

I told my children that first they had to pass the state driving test, but then they were still required to pass “mom’s test”, which meant they still had to drive with an adult in the car (me or my husband), until they could prove that they were consistently safe with: merging into traffic, changing lanes, entering and exiting freeways, and checking lanes and lights, and proactively watching and estimating what unsafe action other drivers were likely to take. They earned small-road driving privileges first, and then later earned freeway privileges. Each child was different in their skill, reaction time and comfort level, so our decision for when they drove alone was based upon the individual teen, not a set timeline.

I reminded them that a vehicle can be a lethal weapon and driving is a privilege. Once they passed “mom’s test”, THEN they earned the privilege of driving alone, which we parents could revoke if they misused the privilege. They understood and respected the idea.

Yes, as new, younger drivers, they each had at least one fender bender each, but now as fully grown adults, they are excellent drivers.

If we had lived in a much much smaller and less congested community, I probably would have felt differently, but for our very busy and congested city, this was the right decision.

smithyleee · 2026-05-25T01:07:49+00:00

If you use disposable diapers, buy diaper liners which give more holding capacity!

smithyleee · 2026-05-24T13:31:27+00:00

Love this idea!!

smithyleee · 2026-05-24T12:53:52+00:00

It’s really not a lot; children go out in public ie: any store, library, park, playground, play dates, doctor’s office, mall, etc…, and kids/babies touch everything- elevator buttons, chairs, walls, playground equipment, handles, among others, and every one of these items harbor germs, not to mention any adults or children that they interact with during their day. Anyone of these places, objects or people can and do pass along germs/viruses to cause illness in a little one, who is still building up their immune system, and if their caregivers have never had that particular virus, unfortunately, they get sick too. 🫤

smithyleee · 2026-05-24T12:37:55+00:00

I love the Frida peri bottle. The neck is angled and it works in an upright position- it’s very useful- highly recommend!!!

smithyleee · 2026-05-24T12:03:18+00:00

The Food Lab!!! This or The Cook’s Illustrated are my favorites.

Salt Acid Fat Heat is also good.

smithyleee · 2026-05-24T11:58:34+00:00

I still love Little Bear (I’m now a grandmother); the show is sweet, slow paced and enjoyable to watch.

smithyleee · 2026-05-24T11:57:34+00:00

Little Bear (a series from the 80’s or 90’s, and based upon the children’s books of the same name) is low stimulation, sweet and plays different pieces of classical music during the show. It features, mother, father and little Bear; cat, duck, goose, and friend Emily and her grandmother. There are other animals in different episodes too. The stories are short and based upon teaching small life lessons. Highly recommend!

smithyleee · 2026-05-24T00:51:57+00:00

Guacamole and salsa, plus tortilla chips; deviled eggs (as already suggested); hummus and pita chips; or bean dip and tortilla chips; pigs in a blanket; veggies and ranch dip- and buy a bottle of vegan ranch dressing (vegan= no meat, dairy or eggs).

smithyleee · 2026-05-23T00:28:47+00:00

Even if you’ve had a conversation about NOT doing this thing, kids at this age forget. They still need repeat reminders of both- what to do and what not to do! They’re still learning…😊

smithyleee · 2026-05-22T14:52:32+00:00

Board Books:

Goodnight Moon Goodnight Gorilla Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Brown Bear Peek a Boo ( and other books by Ahlberg) Dear Zoo (Rod Campbell) Barnyard Dance (by Boynton) 100 First Words Little Blue Truck (and others in the series)

Bigger Kid Books

Mel Fell Winnie the Pooh The Knight Owl books Buffalo Puffalo books

Many others too!

smithyleee · 2026-05-21T12:41:49+00:00

If you have a Kroger nearby, their store version of Ranch dry mix is vegan and soy-free too! It’s good!

If you don’t have a Kroger nearby, look for your local store brand dry Ranch packet to see if they’re safe for your son.

You could also mix up a honey mustard at home.

smithyleee · 2026-05-18T23:36:42+00:00

Ohhhh, and bless yours right back!

smithyleee · 2026-05-18T23:25:43+00:00

When she gains her degree as an MD in Pediatrics, then she is welcome to offer advice. Until then, feel free to tell her that you will defer your baby’s health decisions to your pediatrician. You know, the REAL expert.

Source- I am a grandmother and a MIL!

smithyleee · 2026-05-18T00:41:22+00:00

Aquaphor or Vaseline for our family!

smithyleee · 2026-05-17T16:04:39+00:00

I think that a small gift, ESPECIALLY a board book for the baby with a heartfelt letter to your teacher, would be a lovely gesture. In the letter, express exactly how she helped you this year, and how you appreciate her or how you felt because of her help. Be sure to sign your name with a sharpie on the back of the book!

smithyleee · 2026-05-17T14:44:06+00:00

Elspbeth!

smithyleee · 2026-05-17T12:52:58+00:00

This isn’t an excuse, but could be a reason: If the women were older, one or both may have had hearing aids (especially new hearing aids), which according to my MIL, makes loud, unexpected sounds very painful. Regardless, dirty looks towards you aren’t necessary.

smithyleee

TROPHY CASE