Easter Memories at Grandmas with Angie

Many of us are preparing a menu for Easter Sunday, and I can tell you many of the dishes that I will be serving are those that have been served by my mother, grandmother and other wonderful cooks in our family. I love the featured dishes of course like potatoes, ham, rolls, and veggies but what I have always loved the most have been the delicious pudding salads that in my family are not considered dessert but part of the meal. At grandmas you could always tell the difference because you never got dessert before you ate your dinner.

One recipe I really enjoy making is Watergate Salad. Another is Orange Mandarin Salad and the recipe is shared here.

Orange Mandarin Salad Recipe

1 large package orange Jell-O
3 C. water
1 large package Cook and Serve Vanilla pudding mix
2 small cans or 1 large can mandarin oranges, drained
1 pint whipping cream, whipped or 1 8 oz. Cool Whip

Cook together in a saucepan the pudding mix and water. Add Jell-O and refrigerate until thickened, but not set. Add whipped cream or Cool Whip. Fold in mandarin oranges. Refrigerate until set.

Have you planned your dinner for Easter? Will you be eating out, going to visit at another home, or preparing the meal at home. When I was a child my parents always went to our grandparents for Easter dinner. We would attend church dressed in our Easter best and then after church we would head to the house of my moms mom. My mother would help prepare the meal for the crowd of individuals who would soon be there. My dad would most times take us to the park for an Easter egg hunt that the town community leaders hosted. So much fun.

I am sure that if you will be hosting the Easter dinner you will be making plans let me share with you a few tips that I hope will help you make your plans:

Planning a menu (this you may have did all ready) is something that is best done as soon as possible. Printing out the recipes for each dish you will prepare allows you to have all at hand and if others are interested in helping they can easily do so. My grandmother always had my mom, her sisters and even us older girls busy with dinner prep. I am like my granny in many ways, I like to delegate jobs to my teens, hubby and sometimes even friends that come for dinner. One thing that I remember our family always doing is bringing a dish to share with the dinner my mother did this often when we would eat at my Grandmothers house and she does it even when she comes to a dinner party that I plan at my house. I often take dishes when I go to eat at others homes as well. One great thing is that when you know what you have planned for dinner you can make suggestions of what dishes your friends and family to bring.

A day or two ahead of time make sure that you have all the dishes, utensils, serving tools, napkins, candles, and what ever else you will need for the dinner available. As far as where guest would sit there were no real rules. My grandmother only had one rule no kids in the dining room where there was carpet on the floor. Rather we could eat in the kitchen at the table and an adult would often sit with us. I always hated this as I wanted to know what the adults were talking about. Their conversation always seemed more important as if any news was going on it was discussed there. The announcements of new births, marriages, and upcoming surprises were announced at the adult table which was in another room away from us. Perhaps that is why in my house when I entertained I always had the adult table and the child’s table in the same room. That way there is no way to miss out on any juicy gossip or great news. It is best to plan how guest will sit at your table prior to guest arriving so if you have not thought about this may be a great time to do so.

Drinks are another thing that you must consider when planning a party. This is one area that I do not think that neither my grandmother, mom or me had a plan for. My mom and grandma were always individuals who liked to serve their guest. The guest never had to leave the table after dipping their plate as they would serve drinks, dessert and cleanup as well. As far as me these are areas delegated to my teens to make and serve drinks, dessert and cleanup is something I feel my guest can help with. One cute idea you may want to try if you do not like to serve or have others serve is to get a large tub and place ice and drinks in them for guest to serve their selves.

Dinners were always served banquet style at my grandmothers house with dishes prepared and set out in line to be dipped on the counter and table. There was always large amounts of everything and sometimes it seemed too much. At my mothers house the dishes were served family style with dishes being passed around for all to serve their selves. My home has been a bit of everything from cafeteria style where I dipped most plates, buffet style and at times but not as many family style like at my mothers. How will you serve your meal?

My hope is that you enjoying your Easter preparation and gain great memories while doing so.

thanks Angie,

Angie will be taking a break from bringing us her memories every week. She’s quite busy with her own successful blog, and working outside of the home. We will miss her and hope she returns soon.

About Angie:

Angie is going to be bringing us meals and memories as a weekly contributor here at Mom Start called Memories at Grandmas. She writes daily at Shop Annies, Annies Home where she constantly shares recipes, tips, and wonderful products she and her family of six children uses.