OK....Here we go.

[mommy4ever]

As of December 22, 2007 for a period of 1 week, I'll be housing an extra 6 people!

My brother is coming with his "new" family from Mexico. He's been down there with his wife and daughter adopting a family of 3 children from an orphanage. He will arrive on the 22nd with the crew. My parents will be spending 1 day or 2 here, so....

OMG! My house is going to be FULL. 8 kids and 6 adults.

I need some help!

I need to do some menu plans.

I need a light meal for the evening of the 22nd, as they'll be getting at the house about 11pm after flying fromMexico..not sure how long the flight is, but I know lots of airlines aren't serving much.

But I need supper for the 23, they will do their own on 24th(we're out), I'm doing Turkey the 25th, and need something the 26, 27 and 28th. Plus lunch and breakfast for ALL days.

It has to be simple and fairly frugal.

I'm thinking the 23rd, a crock pot stew.
26th... Turkey leftover something. Ideas?
27th - Lasagna maybe?
28th - not sure if they are here for supper, don't know their departure time yet.

I'm thinking breakfast is going to be porridge and fruit. Simple, easy, and done all at once. I might to pancakes a morning or 2. But most of us like porridge.

Lunch... no idea..lol. that's alot of mouths to feed.

HELP

[Moor]

one easy thing to do, is put out cut up veggie's for sandwhiches, set out some lunch meat, pbj, and such, and let them make what they want. it will also help get the new kids involved in what they eat and let them know about choices.

for breakfast, something we used to have all the time, is rice! it's kinda like a pudding.
to make it, you cook your rice like you normally would, but put in a little more water. then when it's almost done, put in some sugar and a little bit of butter. it's really good, and my kids love it during the winter, it's a change from oatmeal and cream of wheat.

when i have people over to stay for extended periods of time, i do a lot of buffet type meals

[PrairieRose]

At our house in a pinch (and lots of times just because) a pot of beans with cornbread and maybe some fried potatoes is a favorite cheap, easy meal.

[redhead68]

Turkey chili? My recipe includes diced onion, ground turkey, canned diced tomatoes, canned garbanzo beans, canned black beans, canned kidney beans, chicken broth, jalapeno chili, cinnamon, & cumin. Let simmer for about 30 minutes. Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream & homemade cornbread. Yum!

[shoiji]

Redhead68 I was going to say turkey chili also. Soup and sandwiches would be fine for when they arrive. Instead of lasagne how about spaghetti? If you made enough you would be able to have leftovers for lunch. Macaroni and cheese can be made ahead of time. Could have it with hamburgers or hotdogs. And yes leftovers can be lunch.

Wow, sounds like you will have your hands full. Try and make things ahead of time and the freeze it. So you can enjoy everyone as much as possible.

[justpeachy92]

Tacos are easy to make alot of for not much money.

Turkey noodle soup with leftover turkey, use stuffing for dumplings.

[leezza]

Suggestion: 8 kids and 6 adults, try to do a schedule, if your hubby works let him have the bathroom first thing in the morning. I hope that you have more than 1 bathroom??? You may want to check and see if any local motels or hotels have openings what the price is and if it might be worth checking that out.

light meal for the evening of the 22nd: how about some nice sandwich fixings, good bread, sliced lunch meat, a couple of cold salads (potato, & macaroni )……this way everyone could graze.

But I need supper for the 23rd : How about a one pot meal, spaghetti, or lasagna, garlic bread, salad.

26th... Turkey leftover something. Ideas? How about hot turkey sandwiches, with left over mashed potatoes, and left over stuffing. Make lots of gravey.

27th –How about home made Turkey cream soup, (could add lots of veggi’s and noodles). Bread and salad.

28th – How about whatever your specialty is, you know the dish you are known for : )

breakfast is going to be porridge and fruit: how about some Yogurt, and also some toast.

You may want to have some tortilla’s (corn & flour) on hand since the kids are from Mexico, they aren’t very expensive and you can make, quesadia’s and other easy items out of them.

Lunch: I would stick with sandwiches, maybe some beans & tortilla’s with cheese. A big pot of beans in the crockpot is cheap and easy to do.

Best wishes to you and yours for the holidays!

Leezza : )

[HappyMama]

Whenever I host a big crowd I usually make:

A double or triple batch of homemade granola, have tons of good quality yogurt and fruit for breakfasts. We sometimes make a couple dozen bagels homemade to supplement.

I make about 12 -14 loafs of homemade honey wheat bread and some copy cat subway rolls. I then roast some roasts for Italian Roast beef or plain roast beef sandwiches as well as Italian Roasted Turkey ( olive oil and spices roasted).

For Dinners Copy Cat Wendy's Chili double or triple batch with corn bread, salad etc. or large batch bean burritos, Spanish rice and nachos

Homemade buffalo wings, pizza, salad and forcaccia etc

Spaghetti double or triple batch and use for pizzas above etc

Ham dinner then use for breakfast with eggs and lunch for sandwiches etc

We make granola bars, cookies , cheesecake brownies etc for snacks and dessert.

Good luck and have fun

[my4littlebuffaloes]

When my side of the family gets together it is similar to this. 10 kids 6 adults.

I would serve meals that include meats that don't have to be cut up come serving time. Either it is cut up or chopped before you cook it, or it is in the crockpot, so it basically falls apart when ready. We can't stand cutting up food for 10 kids before we can eat the meal. LOL that gets old real quick.

Spaghetti, you can even make the sauce now, freeze and reheat on the day you need it.

You could make a couple of batches of banana bread and freeze. Pull these out for a morning, along with a tub of yogurt or fresh fruit and there is breakfast.

Baked oatmeal would be good too. Unless that is what porridge is.

Good luck!

[CristiK]

My grandmother always had a recipe of Six Weeks Muffins on hand when we came.... this mix will last for 6 weeks in the fridge but I would imagine you will use it up pretty quick with all those folks. In a giant bowl mix together 1 150z box raisin bran, 3 cups sugar, 5 cups flour, 5tsp. baking soda, and 2 tsp. salt. Next add 4 beaten eggs, 1 cup melted shortening and 1 quart buttermilk. MIx all together well and store in airtight container in fridge to use as desired.
To make: fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.
We used to love these....they are great fresh out of the oven and really great split in half and toasted with butter in the oven for those who sleep in and miss them fresh.

[powerfm1]

Since you have these new little additions to the family, it may be wise, if you can, to find out what they're used to eating. The holidays, all the people and adjusting to the new family is going to seem overwhelming for them and for all of you.

If you have no way of finding out, it might be helpful to talk to someone from Mexico. If you don't know anyone, maybe call a Mexican restaurant, explain what's going on and see what they might suggest.

Keep in mind that these children were in an orphanage and food might not have been plentiful, so things were stretched. Maybe lots of refried beans, I haven't a clue.

These things might also help deflect upset tummies due to new food!

I don't mean to overwhelm you, but I know you want to make these children welcome and comfortable so you all can have a wonderful holiday, one they'll remember for a long time ---- FUN!!!

[mommy4ever]

They've been living with my brother since August. Not in the orphanage since then. However the adoption was on finalized recently. So they will be some what accustomed to a more "Canadian" food style. They've not been deprived of food, and as far as my brother has said, they never were. So that won't be a huge issue with them. I have sent an email to my borhter to find out what the kids like, so we have at least a few things they are used to. However, I can't completely cater either, as I have 4 kids of my own that need to eat and aren't overly adventurous in trying new things.

[powerfm1]

Oh thats good. Being accustomed to the types of food all of you eat is going to make everything easier and more fun.

Bless your brother and his wife for providing for these children.

I hope you and your family have a blast this holiday.

Oh and Feliz Navidad!

[MarshHen]

Under the circumstances (lot's of mouths to feed frugally) I would concentrate mainly on soups, stews and sandwiches for the main meals with maybe a few easy casserole meals thrown in here and there for variety. Homemade muffins and fruit are cheap snacks for everyone, especially the kids, and can be a sub. for a breakfast one morning. Maybe slice some fruit on several trays, serve muffins along with juice, coffee and milk.

If you can find a nice ham and some chickens on sale, you could bake them and slice for sandwiches. It's cheaper than buying lunchmeat. Make chicken salad, ham salad, egg salad. A big pot of spaghetti will go far, served with a tossed salad and a bread.

Good luck, and Congratulations on the new additions to your family!