Party Time | Mama's Weeds

Superlative Summer Potluck Dish

June 12th, 2014 | Posted by Alison Spath in Party Time - (2 Comments)

This is the fastest, easiest, yummiest potluck dish that I whip together when I’m short on time and ideas (or not!)

Veggies on Hummus

I saw this idea last summer and have used it a number of times now. I’m here to spread the word, so you can spread the hummus.

And that’s exactly it — a layer of store bought hummus spread across a shallow dish, topped with whatever vegetables you feel like chopping – or not chopping, as the case here. The vegetables I used for a dinner party recently were procured from the olive bar at Wegmans… the tomato salad that’s used for bruschetta, marinated green olives and artichokes (that I chopped myself) spooned across the top of the hummus. Read more...

artichokes, hummus, olives, potluck, tomatoes

Potluck Lentils

January 20th, 2014 | Posted by Alison Spath in Party Time - (6 Comments)

I’ve blogged about this recipe before (it’s one of my favorites!) but today we’re going to talk about the cost break down of this giant pot of Coconut Curried Red Lentil Chili.

I made this yesterday to take to a winter (indoor!) picnic with a bunch of our homeschooling friends. This is one of my go-to potluck meals because it’s inexpensive, it’s “something different” while also being delicious and healthy. All of my favorite adjectives in one big pot! Another reason I like this chili for a potluck is because it’s a good option for people with dietary restrictions – it’s gluten free, nut free and made without any animal products for our vegetarian and vegan friends. Read more...

coconut milk, coconut oil, dairy free, Eating Healthy on a Budget, gluten free, lentils, potluck

Maxine’s Minecraft Birthday Party

September 18th, 2013 | Posted by Alison Spath in Party Time - (10 Comments)

Please allow me to veer off course for a post to share Maxine’s Minecraft themed 7th birthday party. There was lots of running, and watermelon too – so you might be able to say it had a healthy living theme. Sort of. Except for the blue jello. Blue jello that was probably not made from Organic, Locally Grown Smurfs. I’m trying not to think about it.

Do your kids play Minecraft? Mine sure do. I might even call them “Minecraft Addicts”. This is why it came as little surprise when Maxine requested a Minecraft birthday party this year. Read more...

Kids, minecraft

How to Make a Rockin’ Birthday Breakfast

September 15th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Party Time - (7 Comments)

September 15, 2011 started out a lot like September 15, 2006.

Everyone asleep. Everyone but me.

Waking up Zak and telling him it was time to go.

Getting dressed and moving around with hushed voices, get ready to leave the house in the wee hours of the morning.

The cat meowing and meowing and meowing as I tried to make my way to the door.

Except this year it was 5:55 AM, not 1:45 AM. And this year we weren’t headed to the hospital, I was headed to the grocery store. (The cat was still meowing and meowing and meowing though.) Read more...

almond butter, Bananas, Kids, pancakes

Cookies, Finally

September 11th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Party Time - (4 Comments)

A week or two ago, the PR folks at Newman’s Own Organic asked me if we’d be interested in trying out the newest additions to their Family Recipe Cookie line.

And given I’m not the kind of girl who typically says “no” to cookies made with organic ingredients and real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup – not to mention cookies from a company who’s products I’ll happily toss into the shopping cart anyway – it was easy to say,

Why sure! Of course we’d love to try your latest cookies! Read more...

Dessert, domestic engineer, Kids, Product Reviews

Uncensorfed

December 19th, 2010 | Posted by Alison Spath in Party Time - (6 Comments)

It recenytly occur4red to me that I’m still not using my left pointer finger when I type.

My finger felon incision has completely healed, but is sttill a bit tenderr. I keep findigng that figner hanging out in the air when I ttype though, completely slacking off. Itt’s more than willing ot let all the other finrges do all of its ditry wor5k.

Finger in the Air

(You do remebmer how I take these pictures, right?) Read more...

artichokes, Dessert, finger felon, kimchi

Blog Jinx

September 16th, 2010 | Posted by Alison Spath in Party Time - (11 Comments)

If I ever want something to NOT happen, all I have to do is blog about it and that will most surely put an end to any big plans I had.

Don’t believe me? Allow me to demonstrate.

Chickens?

Yeah, that didn’t happen. (Maybe in the spring.)

No TV?

We caved about a month later. (Still no cable though!)

The marathon that I spent all summer training for?

Yup, that’s right. I had to bail. A now resolved but still unexpected crisis unfortunately brought my marathon plans to a grinding halt. (Definitely bummed, but there’s always next year.) Read more...

Dessert, motherhood

Pastry Drills

December 20th, 2009 | Posted by Alison Spath in Party Time - (18 Comments)

Today we celebrated the winter solstice with my mom and step dad at our house. After the laziest morning ever (read: I didn’t get in any exercise) I make a quick trip to Wegmans like a complete fool. I needed a few things for our little party and ended up fighting my way through what can only be described as the the biggest, craziest crowd of the year. The phrase “what the hell was I thinking” comes to mind. Read more...

Dessert, Kids, Product Reviews