Give Thanks

Well, I was greatly saddened that Concession Stand night didn't materialize.

But Thanksgiving is upon us and it is time to be thankful for some holiday cookin'.

You know what I mean ...

turkey
ham
mashed potatoes & gravy
cornbread dressing
sweet potato casserolle
green bean casserolle
cranberry sauce (does anyone actually eat that stuff?)
rolls
pumpkin pie
pecan pie

or whatever else your family eats around Thanksgiving.

The Good Stuff

All right, I'm picking the menu this week.
So I'm going to go with a theme of food that is near and dear to my heart.


Concession Stand Food.

You know what I mean. The good stuff ... although, maybe not good for you.

Here are some ideas:

Nachos
Frito Pie
Hot Dogs (or Chili Dogs)
Burgers
Sausage on a stick

French Fries
Chips
Pickles
Popcorn

Funnel Cake
Cookies
Candy

Cokes
(Of course we'll still have tea here)

If we even get a fraction of the things on this list, I'll be in heaven.

Don't worry, we'll come back with something healthy next week.

Kiss My Grits

HOPE Group is back in action this week, and it's time for some sho-nuff-slap-your-mammy-down-home-good cookin'.

We're going homestlye this week.

Here are some suggestions:

Fried chicken
Roasted chicken
Meatloaf
Jambalaya
Gumbo
Beef or Pork Roast

Mac & cheese
Corn fried
Okra
Mashed Potatoes
Butter beans
Black-eyed peas
Green bean casserolle
Greens
Sweet potato casserole
Scalloped potatoes

Dinner rolls
Apple pie

Relationship Week

No HOPE Group this week.
This is relationship week.

Use this week to get to know some people.
It could be people from our HOPE group, or it might be someone else from church.

But be intentional.

Invite someone over or to the park.
Hang out.
Play some games.
Whatever.
Just build some relationships for crying out loud!

We will be asking you next time we meet what you did for relationship week.

And you better have an answer!

Hands On Grub

As previously announced, it is time to put down the silverware & grap hold of a sandwich.
You can bring the fixins' or bring something already prepared.

Upcoming meals include: Pizza night, Barbecue, Appetizers/fingerfoods, Something with Cream Cheese (Heather will help us on suggestions) & Down Home Southern Cookin'

For Sandwiches you could bring ...

Bread
Sliced chicken
Sliced ham
Sliced turkey

Mustard
Mayo
Lettuce
Tomato
Pickles
Onions

Chips
More chips

Muffallettas
Po Boys
Club Sandwich
Meatball Subs
Grilled Cheese
PBJ
Giros/Wraps
Quesadillas

Cookies
Brownies
Desserts

Letsa Eata Soma Italiana Fooda

It's time for Italian!
Here are a few of the basic suggestions.

Lasagna
Manicotti
Spaghetti
Chicken Spaghetti

Greek Salad
Caesar Salad

Garlic Bread
Garlic Bread Sticks

Pizza (We should have a pizza night soon)

Dessert!!!

Salad?

As for the meal for next week. How about salad?

It doesn't have to be green for you meat-a-terians.

The Hillands will bring chicken Caesar salad.

Here are some suggestions:

lettuce/greens

tomato

boiled egg

grated cheese

sliced chicken

green or purple onion

cucumber

sunflower seeds or nuts

bacon

avocado

fruit

bread or croutons

dressing

Prepared salads:

chicken salad

tuna salad

fruit salad

pasta salad

Chicken for kids

Mi Casa Es Su Casa

We're gonna go all "la cucaracha" on it this week.
Mexican food is the theme for this Wednesday.

The Hillands are going to bring beef enchiladas.

Other ideas are:
Tacos
Fajitas
Tamales
Nachos
Mexican casserole
Taco salad
7 layer dip
Queso
Salsa
Guacamole
Sour cream
Shredded cheese

This may be a good week to pair up with someone and bring something together.
(For tacos, one of you bring taco shells and shredded cheese - the other could bring taco meat and lettuce and tomato ... or whatever.)

Of course we can always use desserts.

See you on Wednesday!

Breakfast

Well, I guess it only makes sense to start out HOPE Group off with the most important meal of the day. So we'll do breakfast on Wednesday, September 10.

The Hillands will bring lots & lots of homemade buttermilk pancakes.

Will someone please bring syrup?

Will someone please bring butter?

Please feel free to bring a breakfast item of your choosing. Below are some ideas if you are having trouble thinking of something:

bagels with cream cheese

biscuits with jelly or gravy

danish/donuts/cinnamon rolls

english muffins with jelly

muffins

egg casserole

quiche

omeletes

scrambled eggs

bacon

sausage (patty or link)

grits

hash browns

fruit of any kind

orange juice

apple juice

milk

coffee

If you have something particularly interesting, feel free to share the recipe with the group.

Post a comment to let everyone know what you're bringing.

See you then.