It was a beautiful afternoon, and despite the still 40% chance of showers on Sunday, I was shopping pinatas. Somehow I could not find a burro as I pictured. Finally settling into a store that sold nothing but pinatas and candy, I asked the shoptressina to pick me out a real one. She led me to Spooge-Bob. No, I said, real, you know, authentico. She said Eelmo. I said, no, please, no, no copyrighted characters (irony since these laws were surely skirted to begin with), no personas. She gave a heavy south-of-the-border sigh. Eventually I settled on a large star shape (traditional alas, but not the ass I wanted), with a color scheme pleasing only to my eye. I plan to eliminate the corporate-owned-swinger that currently adorns it. Then the fun began, as I gleefully grabbed several baskets and stuffed them full of candy with an abandon the internal 10 year old in me envied. The only pre-requisite was that I did not recognize it and spent no more than a blink to decide. I ended with an est 8 pound of various novelties. Arriving home, the brood assembled to sort the swag and stuff the sacrafice. Warning: some of the candies are labeled spicey! Most of the booty is sucker-like, some found in the shape of corn, roasted whole chicken, even poop. You've been advised.

Looking forward to sharing on Sunday.

-ramon

ramon,

I'm sure your daughter is the envy of the kiddie party circuit! I must confess I am dying to see the poop!

Thanks for the effort!

pdaane!

Will you bring the butter bucket?

Regards,

Ramon,
I, too, am looking forward to the poop candy!

The other day I took my sons to get a $5 haircut at Giovanna's, which, being at Lincoln & Winnemac, was right next to Paisano's. (I regretted not bringing my digital camera, because afterwards we stopped in to Paisano's to get some not-so-awful cheese pizza that we wolfed down in ten minutes flat.) The ladies at the hair salon gave us some very unusual candy - I still have no idea what the flavor was, but it was something I'd never tasted. So that was pretty cool....

Would it be sacreligious of me to ask whether anyone will be bringing a TV or radio to the picnic to catch highlights of the Bears game?

Would it be sacreligious of me to ask whether anyone will be bringing a TV or radio to the picnic to catch highlights of the Bears game?

No, it would not be sacrilegious to ask, since the answer will be "Hell no."

LTH,

Went to Burt's last evening with Steve Z and our spouses for Steve to present Burt's LTHForum GNR. We ran into D4V3 just back from a shopping jaunt to Greenwood Market where he picked up a few rounds of spiral Kupaty, Georgian style sausages. It was fortuitous as he just learned he may have a conflict with the LTH Picnic, so he gave me a ring of sausage to cook up just in case he does not make it.

Spiral Kupaty Sausage


Pizza was great, Burt and Sharon seemed genuinely pleased to get the GNR, a nice evening all around.

Far as overall picnic, Ellen and I will be bringing Pulled Pork, South Carolina style Mustard BBQ sauce, Cole Slaw and the traditional cheap white bread to make sandwiches with. I'm also going to bring a cooler or two, bottles of water, soda, couple of tables and chairs. I will also bring 1-WSM, assorted knives, tongs etc. (I'm brining my BBQ kit box that has most of the necessary items)

Enjoy,
Gary

GWiv wrote: "(I'm brining my BBQ kit box...)"

Wow! That's going to be a seriously juicy BBQ!

Looking forward to seeing everyone!
-Messy

Since I am bringing Mrs. datchineseguy (so would that make her datchinesegirl?), her DH datchineseguy has offered to make individual servings of the coconut pudding that he has concocted after trying numerous recipes discussed in this other thread.

Please nix my prior post about Mrs. datchineseguy bringing plasticware. Thanks!

Pucca,

Is Mr. datchineseguy coming? It would be interesting to try out something where the ideas were derived from an LTHforum thread!

Regards,

Hi,

We are at 94 strong and climbing. We will have so much food, that I suggest everyone bring containers or ziploc bags along to take home leftovers.

There are picnic benches, though if you have folding table or chairs, please bring them. It's been pointed out we have sooooo much food, that we might not have enough tables to hold it all AND sit down to eat. I am bringing a folding camp table (maybe two) and a card table!

As Gary said earlier, we have plenty of food to share. If you want to attend and feel you cannot attend unless you bring something, then don't fret and simply come. We have food to feed more than ourselves.

I am bringing duplicate take-out menus for people to take. If you have some cookbooks you would like to give away, then bring those too! Are you dropping vegetables on neighbor's doorways at midnight, then bring them along to a very interested audience.

Appetizer Antonius Cianfotta 'all'anziana' (aka boumiano, samfaina, etc.)
Appetizer Antonius insalata di tonno e fagioli
Appetizer Bruce Lard for frying
Appetizer Cathy2 Raccoon on crackers
Appetizer Cathy2 Piatak Hot Links (2 lb for tasting)
Appetizer Cathy2 Scott Petersen hot links (1.5 lb)
Appetizer Cathy2 Parker House hot links (1.5 lb)
Appetizer Cynthia Chips, foil trays and bread
Appetizer D4V3 Kupaty, Georgian sausage
Appetizer GAF Tabbouleh
Appetizer JoelF Tomatillo salsa +
Appetizer Panther in the Den Cheese, sausage, salami
Beverages Chicagostyledog Green River
Beverages Erik M Apple Cider
Beverages Giovanna Drinks
Beverages Gwiv Soda pop, water
Beverages Josephine Keg of something good
Beverages mhl Soda pop
Beverages Nr706 Home made beer
Beverages SteveZ 48 bottles water
Beverages Vital Info Infused liquors
Bread Cynthia Bread
Bread Gwiv Cheap white bread
Bread JOJO LaBriola and possibly Turano
Condiment Mhays my mother's chimichurri recipe
Dessert Amata Yucatecan coconut pie
Dessert Ann Fisher Three Baylor Watermelons
Dessert Chicagostyledog O&H Kringles
Dessert Giovanna Torte (Plum)
Dessert gleam homemade ice cream
Dessert Hammond Cookies
Dessert Leek Brownies
Dessert Messycook Beacon Hill Brownies
Dessert MikeG Leaf lard pie
Dessert Pucca Cookie dough brownies
Dessert Mrs. Datchineseguy Coconut custard
Entertain Anna Z. Sobor Soccer ball
Entertain mhl baseball bat, kite
Entertain Ramon Pinata with candies
Entertain Ramon Baseball bases
Main Aaron Deacon Burnt ends
Main Ann Fisher Turkey (not definite)
Main Cathy2 Peoria Packing hot links
Main Gwiv Pulled Pork, South Carolina style mustard sauce
Main pdaane Miesfeld's brats
Main Pigmon North African Hoagie
Main Ramon Goi Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Salad)
Main Ramon Hot dogs and buns
Main SteveZ Elegance in Meat Hot Dogs
Main Sweet Willie marinated Moroccan lamb dish
Main Trixie Pea Burgoo
Salad blueswench Patented potato salad
Salad Giovanna Herb vinagrette from Patricia Wells
Salad jazzchef ensalada caprese
Salad Saint Pizza German Potato salad
Salad SteveZ Southwest Black Bean Salad
Side dish Bruce Greens
Side dish Bruce Black eyed peas
Side dish gp60004 Pickles
Side dish Launays Tunisian salad or tabbouleh
Side dish sdritz Baked beans
Supplies Cynthia Foil trays
Supplies dees_1 Disposable bowls: 119, 8 inch paper plates: 28
Supplies dees_1 16 oz solo cups: 20, 9 oz solo cups: 35
Supplies dees_1 9 oz foam hot/cold cups: 11, Paper cups: 16
Supplies dees_1 Plastic dinner forks: 43, Plastic forks: 8
Supplies dees_1 Plastic tea spoons: 86, Plastic snack size spoons: 20
Supplies Giovanna Plastic cups
Supplies Gwiv Coolers, portable tables, chairs, Weber Smokey Mountain
Supplies Saint Pizza Bag of Ice
Supplies Saint Pizza 2 Black garbage bags
Supplies SGFoxe 70 Plates, 50 Cups, 16 sets tableware
Supplies TonyC 5 bags of ice
Supplies TonyC Garbage bags, Paper napkins,
Supplies TonyC additional plastic knife/spoon/fork sets
Supplies TonyC paper towels, baby wipes

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Pucca,

Is Mr. datchineseguy coming? It would be interesting to try out something where the ideas were derived from an LTHforum thread!

Unfortunately datchineseguy is working. I'm sure he regrets having to miss the event!

For medical reasons, I am forced to back out of this one. I'm really disappointed, but I really need to stay home and rest after a particularly grueling week in the hospital.

I'll miss you all!

Suzy

Yes I am extremely upset, but I will be there in spirit and in the form of coconut pudding

It looks as if we are still a bit short of desserts, so I will bring a Brazilian banana pudding instead of tabbouleh or Tunisian salad.
Robert

I'm actually making two pies.

Not that I wish to discourage more dessert in any way.

Yes, more dessert can't hurt, and the Brazilian banana pudding sounds great! I'm planning to make 3 iterations of the pay de coco, plus a pan of brownies without nuts.

Maybe we need nametags for the dishes as well as for the people?

sdritz wrote:For medical reasons, I am forced to back out of this one. I'm really disappointed, but I really need to stay home and rest after a particularly grueling week in the hospital.

I'll miss you all!

Suzy

Get better soon!

Hi,

Food name tags: I was thinking of making a 2nd set of nametags with our screen names on them. Below the screen name you could write out what you brought, then stick it with a toothpick into the dish. Does that sound workable or do you have another idea?

People Name tags are done with everyone's screen name, you can print your real name underneath. For those guests, in a few cases I knew the names, otherwise they will have blank LTHforum tags to write their names in.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Food name tags: I was thinking of making a 2nd set of nametags with our screen names on them. Below the screen name you could write out what you brought, then stick it with a toothpick into the dish. Does that sound workable or do you have another idea?

Great idea, Cathy, it sounds like you're on top of everything needed!

looking forward to Sunday,
Amata

I think I can convince Mary to bring some of her lemon bars. I'll have to stay out of the kitchen though. But that means the blackeye peas and greens can "season" a little longer.

Amata wrote:I'm planning to make ... a pan of brownies without nuts.

Maybe we need nametags for the dishes as well as for the people?

Cathy2 wrote:Food name tags: I was thinking of making a 2nd set of nametags with our screen names on them. Below the screen name you could write out what you brought, then stick it with a toothpick into the dish.

Extra thanks in advance to Amata for her nut-free dessert (please save a piece for us!), as well as to everyone else who goes that extra mile to help make enjoyment of Sunday's bounty more inclusive to those LTHers & friends who are sensitive to nuts.

--Matt

mhl wrote:Extra thanks in advance to Amata for her nut-free dessert (please save a piece for us!), as well as to everyone else who goes that extra mile to help make enjoyment of Sunday's bounty more inclusive to those LTHers & friends who are sensitive to nuts.

I am not sensitive to nuts, but I enjoy my brownies that way, so thanks Amata!

Is there any shelter in case there is a downpour? Any possiblity of a fire pit, incase of cold? JOJO

The BBQ smoker will have heat around it.

Hey folks,

I think we may straggle in after my daughter's soccer game in the afternoon if that's ok - that makes 4.5 more.

JOJO wrote:Is there any shelter in case there is a downpour? Any possiblity of a fire pit, incase of cold? JOJO

JOJO,

Forest Glen Forest Preserve has a covered shelter w/picnic tables, large grassy area, forested area, bathrooms and ample parking.

Forest Glen Forest Preserve.



Forest Glen Forest Preserve bathrooms are about 100-yards from picnic tables/covered area.


Bruce's BBQ Pit, as he said, will be generating heat, and there should be 3-4 other grill/smokers Sunday as well.

Looks to be a great time, looking forward to Sunday.

Enjoy,
Gary

The Beacon Hill Brownies will also be nut free.

I managed a batch of my salsa -- had to use produce-mart tomatillos and jalapenos for the first time in a decade -- the cool August and September has not helped mature the fruits. At least they're respectable chiles -- not jala-yo's (pain free). Chips will be provided too.

MrsF is making her chocolate-pecan-cream cheese bundt cake.

Van and pit are packed and ready to go except for adding the blackeye peas and greens to the cooler. Both are now resting in their respective juices awaiting transfer to a couple of full size hotel pans.

As a side note, I just added 1.75 liters of Jim Bean to make some Cherry Bounce for Christmas. Fresh sour cherries and sugar were fermenting for the past two months awaiting the addition of bourbon. Another 2 months until its time to start sipping.

Late to the party as always! I'll be there and I'll bring some Jamaican patties to snack on.

In addition, I've got a pickup truck so if anyone needs their grill moved where it won't destroy their upholstery, PM me and we can work something out.

Octarine,

Your kids are welcome if they can make it.

Regards,
Cathy