Our day started with getting the three large kettles of soup on early so that it would be nice and hot come lunch time.
From there the team had lots to do to get ready for the lunch at noon. Luncheon ham had to be rolled, cheese had to be laid out on the platter, rolls sliced, olives and pickles divided into bowls for each table, more garlic dip had to be made for the leftover beer bread we took out of the freezer, pepperoni and cheese trays had to be made up, tea made and list goes on. Thankfully, the tables were set up yesterday so that task was out of the way.
Believe me, the morning goes by fast when you are expecting one hundred and eight for lunch.
As is always the way here in Quail Run, the winter residents started arriving 40 minutes before lunch is to be served. We let them in because we were still putting things on the serving tables and we couldn't get through the crowd at the door.
It was finally time to start ladling out the now hot soup. We were able to get six bowls to a tray and we had 3 teams serving. The first table we served worked out very well because they were up at the serving tables making their sandwiches, and partaking of the other goodies we set out for them. It was getting more crowded when we served the second table as the first was making their way back to their table but all in all they were very mindful of us and knew we had steaming bowls of soup on the trays.
As the ladies and gentlemen picked out their desserts from the dessert table we cleared the tables.
It was time to start the show! Maxine was the spokeswoman for the group and she told us how states and even countries had delegates for the highest office in the land of Red Hat Ladies. At the same time it was a fashion show!
She introduced the rest of the candidates to us.
Margaret from Canada....take note of the mukluks she's wearing. I didn't catch the whole spiel about her outfit so I don't understand the belt around her waist.
This lovely Red Hat Lady hails from Idaho. Billee is carrying the latest in Idaho fashions for a purse. Only she could pull off carrying a potato sack! You may recognize her as Mrs Peacock. That's Don, or the Peacock of the Park, as we know him, in the background.
Here's the delegate from Oregon. I didn't catch her story either but I can figure out that she is carrying her "bucket list".
Representing Germany is the lovely Hanna.
Next came my friend Marlene, another delegate from Oregon. She is portraying that Oregon is a fine state for all sorts of sports. Take notice of the bike tire representing the miles of trails for biking, a rifle case for hunting, hiking boots for hiking, walking stick for walking, a ski pole for skiing, a horseshoe hanging on the tire for, well, horseshoes and there's more...!
Take note of the fishing net, the hunting vest, the helmet and she's got a few other things going on here.
Here comes another friend, Janet, first grade teacher, carrying her ruler, wearing a one size fits all skirt held up by suspenders. Truly a fashion plate! Notice how the ever efficient Janet clips her red pen for marking papers to the suspender. Shhhh, don't tell her, but I think that is one ugly hat! It must be a Minnesota thing.
Ahhh,,my dear friend Diane, if this getup doesn't scream Red Hat Diva I don't know what does!
Representing Idaho, take note of her fashionable jewelry. I mean really, don't you just want to run out and buy a bag of red potatoes???? In case you wondering, yes those are potato slices on her earrings! Wouldn't you just give anything for a pair of glasses like those? And yes, that sign does say I-D-A-H-O!
This Red Hatter flew in at the last minute, jumped from the plane out at Eloy and landed in a tree!
Well let me tell you, Maxine just had us in stitches as she gave a narrative of each of the delegates!
The voting is done and decision has been made who the Princess and Queen Mother of the Red Hatters is going to be. These next two were kept in a separate room to build the suspense of who won the vote.
Announcing the Queen Mother...... DRUM ROLL PLEASE.......
Geraldine!
A close up....
A picture of Geraldine dancing the night away New Year's Eve doing her favorite dance,,,,The Twist!
The Princess was announced next. DRUM ROLL PLEASE....
Her close up pic....
This Red Hat Princess has a hobby that takes up her weekends.
Bodybuilding!
This Red Hussy Hatter has no problem showing some leg!
It must have been a long day for the "ladies" because the Princess just couldn't stand during the closing speech.
During the group picture the Princess must have had an "adjustment" problem.
As you can well imagine the audience just howled all the way through this election/fashion show.
I think the best laugh of the whole day was when the Princess, Dale, in real life, explained that "she" bought those clothes in a store without mirrors. She turned slightly, put her hand on her hip and asked the audience, "Does this skirt make my butt look big"? The laughter was deafening!
I had seen both Jerry and Dale before the show and I asked Dale if I could feel his boobs because they looked hard a rocks. I put both hands up, in place, and squeezed. Dale looked me dead in the eye and said, "Snookie, you wouldn't like that if I did that to you!" I just lost it. By the way, there were baseballs in that bra I think!
I stood at the door thanking people as they left and every single one of them praised Activities for the delicious lunch. I'm so glad we made the soup yesterday because everyone knows second day soup is always better.
Speaking of food. I have been asked by several people who were at the New Year's Eve celebration and the today's lunch for the recipe for the beer bread and the garlic dip I made. I thought I'd share them with you as they really are good!
Make these for a time that you need to bring something to a party or a BBQ picnic as a loaf of the bread makes a pretty good amount. Of course we made 6 loaves to serve 144 people.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
- 3 cups self-rising flour
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
DIRECTIONS
- In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and flour. Add beer and continue to mix, first using a wooden spoon, then your hands. Batter will be sticky. Pour into a 9 x 5 inch greased loaf pan. Drizzle melted butter over top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 50 for 60 minutes. The top will be crunchy, and the insides will be soft. Serve topped with butter or cheese spread.
-or-
Cut in one inch thick slices, then cut in thirds, turn it and cut in thirds again to make cubes. Use for dipping in Garlic Dip or any dip of your choice. This beer bread freezes well.
If any of you have had Tastefully Simple's Garlic Garlic Dip....well, this is it without the expense!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 4 teaspoons of granulated garlic
- 4 teaspoons of garlic powder
DIRECTIONS
Mix all together. If you would like a stronger garlic taste add dry ingredients by quarter teaspoons at a time and taste. Chill at least one hour.
2 comments:
What a hoot!
What a hoot!
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