Unexpected Dinner Guests

[Saphire]

I love having dinner parties and preparing my menu and my home. But this afternoon I got a call from our son and his girlfriend asking if they could come by, as they were in the area. I said of course, and would they like to stay for dinner? They said yes. I have only met his girlfiend twice, and am still getting to know her. I had two hours to get myself and the house in order, as well as plan something for dinner. Yikes!
They just left and I am relaxing now, but that was a challenge. Luckily I had a ziti casserole in the freezer, and I sent DH out for salad fixings, bread and some dessert. I work sooo much better when I have time to plan, but I know some people can just take it as it comes. I do think I am getting more flexible, though. Add a five week old (foster) baby in the mix, and I think I pulled it off ok.
What about you, would you rather have everything all planned out, or do you welcome surprises and go with the flow?

 

[Pop Daddy]

your stressing yourself way more then you need to, order a pizza

 

[lovesmurfs]

I'm a planner. I tend to go way overboard for dinner parties, and, like PopDaddy said, we should just order pizza or barbeque and enjoy company.

Then again, knowing ahead of time gives me a chance to make sure the bathroom doesn't resemble a gas station restroom.....

 

[Cantw8]

your stressing yourself way more then you need to, order a pizza

Saphire, I agree with the sexy one No one comes to your house because of what you are serving, they come because they want to hang out with you

 

[minkydog]

Wow, I'm impressed! Doing all the prep, cleaning, getting the food together, but doing it all with a 5 week old baby-- you go, girl!

It doesn't bother me if I have unexpected guests. It's not unusual for my older kids to ask at the last minute, "Can Kara(Rachel, Maia, Eric, etc.) stay for dinner?" The rule of my kitchen is "whoever is in the house at dinner time gets to eat." Sometimes I have to get creative to pull it off, but all the friends know how it works. I call it "Chinese Dinner". I pull out all the leftovers, all the vegetables, boil some eggs, and we have a lot of small dishes on the table. Everybody gets a little different dinner and it's kinda fun to see what you can get for practically nothing.

The weirdest thing I ever put on the table was a curry made with eggplant, onions, garlic, cilantro, ginger, curry powder and a dab of peanut butter Served it over rice and DS22s best friend went back for seconds.

Of course, when I'm desperate there's frozen pizza.

 

[Nie0214]

Your son didn't ask to come over for dinner, he asked if he could stop by to see you. I think you brought on unnecessary stress!

 

[Saphire]

minkydog, your house sounds like fun.

I think the stress was coming from wanting to make a good impression on his girlfriend. She could be 'the one' and I just wanted to have the house clean and a nice meal. I am sure when I get to know her better, I won't be as nervous. Anyway, we had a great time visitng and I like her more each time we meet.

 

[minniecarousel]

Having my adult kids stop by at dinnertime is OK with me! We'd probably have to order take-out, unless I just happen to have enough for a crowd. Actually any excuse for take-out is great, since we rarely have it. (I cook low-sodium for my Mom, so take-out is usually a no go.)

Sounds like you did fine, and I'll bet you enjoyed seeing them.

 

[Pumbaa_]

i vote for pizza or takeout too. Visits with the kids should be stress free and a time to get to know your son's gf

 

[malibuconlee]

Just go with the flow and if you can order a pizza. My MIL is awesome at throwing something together when more people than expected show up for dinner. She also lives out in the country so can't just pop down to the corner store or order anything to be delivered.

However my SIL has a great dessert that is easy to make and other than a sick of butter the ingredients are all nonperishable!!

1 large or 2 16 oz cans of peaches
1 yellow cake mix
spray baking pan with nonstick spray. Place peaches in pan. Sprinkle cake mix on top. Evenly pour one stick of melted butter over entire top.
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until top is browned.

 

[MoniqueU]

your stressing yourself way more then you need to, order a pizza

I would of had to of ordered a pizza, I don't think my world famous top ramen would impress any potenial in laws. I just can't cook so peope have to like me without that talent, oh and I am not so good in the cleaning department eitehr. I can't remember why I am the sahm.

 

[Stacerita]

Another vote for pizza

 

[mommasita]

SOunds like you had a pleasant Saturday night

 

[Disney Doll]

For a relative, I'd have been OK with ordering a pizza or throwing in a frozen meal like you did. I'd have done a quick swoosh of the bathroom, a quick clutter pick up and called it a day.

 

[MoniqueU]

Ok we had unexpected company here tonight. I guess my DD brought home a friend from water polo. No one called to tell me and my mom went and picked up a pizza. I didn't clean anything.

 

[NMAmy]

I actually prefer unexpected dinner guests as opposed to a planned party. I stress too much with a planned dinner party and I don't enjoy it at all. I'm much more easy going if someone just happens to stop by around dinner time--I figure they're expecting less so there's no pressure for me. Between dd and her friends stopping by for dinner and my mother just happening by, I'm used to stretching our planned meal. I always cook way too much anyway.

 

[MsDisney23]

can I stop by next week with a few of my buddies from the DIS

 

[disykat]

I like to have everything planned out, but as the mother of two teenagers it doesn't always happen that way. I've learned to keep ingredients for a couple of "go to" meals for a crowd of teenagers handy.

I keep jarred pasta sauce w/ frozen meatballs, or stuff for taco soup. I can usually round it out with what's in the house or a quick trip to the store. I can usually do "breakfast for dinner" or grilled cheese sandwiches for an impromtu crowd as well.

 

[alexandria674]

Just order a pizza if there are more people. I am a planner too, but I do plan for the unexpected guests, for that I make a little bit more. If they come, I have dinner, if not the fiance gets his leftovers. Sometimes I make this top ramen dish just in case.

It is top ramen and the seasoning garnished with scallions, green onions, shrimp or grilled chicken, this chinese garlic chili I adore with some lemon.

 

[esbrick]

I'm a planner. I tend to go way overboard for dinner parties, and, like PopDaddy said, we should just order pizza or barbeque and enjoy company.

Then again, knowing ahead of time gives me a chance to make sure the bathroom doesn't resemble a gas station restroom.....

I couldn't agree more!

I am learining however to pick up different cheeses on a Thursday or Friday on my way home from work and have some wheat thins on hand which is always good for a snack when/ if someone drops by for an unexpected visit. We also usually have some sort of pasta and sause in the freezer which is always good in a pinch!