Timeline Continued

In This Article: • Feast Timeline • The Table • Create A Mood • The Menu

Mom's Family Calendar 2003 Call it a calendar, call it family central, call it mom's best friend, call it a phenomenon. MOM'S FAMILY CALENDAR is the stunningly successful title that re-energizes the whole idea of why calendars were printed in the first place, and marries it to Sandra Boynton, one of America's best-loved artists.

The Morning Of (at least 7 hours before)

• Complete steps 12-3 of Spinach Puff appetizers

• Wash and pat dry lettuce. Wrap in paper towel and refrigerate.

• Wash and trim greens, wrap in paper towels and refrigerate.

• Prepare Caramel Baked Apples but do not bake. Prepare items for caramel sauce.

• Make Maple Glazed Carrots, place in microwaveable dish and refrigerate.

• Prepare Roasted Red Potatoes but do not bake.

• Clean your bathroom.

• Add crystal to table if you haven't already.

4 hours before Serving Time

• Bake Ham

1 hour before Serving Time

• Roast potatoes

• Bake Apples

20 minutes Before Guests Arrive

• Place Cheese Ball and crackers out for guests.

• Place Spinach puffs in oven.

• If you're serving dips and chips this is the time to set it out.

• Spray house with holiday scented spray or light scented candles or potpourri.

• Add coffee to coffee pot.

When Ham is done (15 minutes before serving)

• Remove ham from oven place on serving platter. Cover with foil to keep warm.

• Make the salad and place on table.

• Make the Sautéed Greens.

• Make caramel sauce and pour over apples. Place foil over apples and place in oven to keep warm until dessert time.

• Remove Honey Walnut Tart and Pumpkin Pie from refrigerator.

Just Before Serving

• Reheat dinner rolls and place in serving basket. Set on table.

• Microwave carrots until heated through. Place on table.

• Remove potatoes from oven and place on table.

Other Helpful Hints

• If you don't have enough room in your refrigerator for beverages, use an extra countertop or a side table for a beverage station. Set out soft drinks, wine and cocktail mixes along with an ice bucket. Store beer in a cooler set on the floor.

• If you have young children, let them help in the preparation. It'll give them something to do and will relieve a bit of the stress. My young son enjoys helping make the potatoes and mixing the pie ingredients. By having him help it keeps him out of my hair.

• If you're having more people than your table allows, consider borrowing a long table from relatives or friends or rent one from a rental shop. You can also put two card tables together. Another idea is to have the young kids sit at their own table, but remember to ask the parents if they prefer their child at the main table since some parents like to feed their kids, especially younger ones.

• Always have a place setting ready for an unexpected guest. One year my sister-in-law brought her son and didn't inform me ahead of time. It didn't take me long to add one more place setting to the table and no one felt uncomfortable or out of place.

• Remember, nothing has to be perfect. Unexpected disasters will happen so just go with the flow. If a dessert doesn't come out, run out to the store for a replacement or better yet, send your significant other. Besides, those little disasters become family legend and lore than can be passed down from generation to generation. This is a party, not a life or death situation. Enjoy yourself and enjoy your company.