The Pergola Gets Put To Use

The pergola got its first big use this past Monday with about 240 people “dropping by” our place. We are affiliated with a church that hosts a youth camp each year in our area, and so each year, for many years now, we have had a tradition where all the youth campers come to our house when their camp ends. I prepare a lunch for everyone and the campers entertain themselves in various ways – or just relax and visit.

The morning of…

everything lay waiting in preparation for the deluge of guests that would show up about 11:30 a.m.

We always shoot the cannon when new guests come to visit. My husband loves his “toy” and built it himself after ordering the barrel and wheels.

The buffet server that my husband built for my son’s high school graduation party in 2011, is used at every function we have. It’s just the cutest thing.

This time I took a couple of chalk boards and had Russell drill a few holes in them so I could tie a raffia bow on it. He then screwed the chalkboard to the server which was perfect since the day was quite breezy and it would have just blown down if done any other way.

I used the server this time for an appetizer of chips and salsa and coffee cappuccino drinks. The kids loved the drink as you can imagine. They probably needed a caffeine boost after so many late nights at camp. 🙂

These beverage jars are available at Sam’s right now and come with the little chalkboard signs and a metal bucket that the drink dispenser can sit on top of but I chose not to them this time.

On the menu was a Build Your Own Chipotle Burrito Bar.

It was a big hit.

I grilled 130 pounds of chicken (should have did only 100#’s) a few days before the event.

I am not a griller at all but I talked to a few different friends that are quite good, got their tips and I have to say the chicken turned out splendid.

One of the keys was to pound the chicken till it was all the same thickness so that it would cook evenly. (Do you know how much work it is to pound 130 pounds of chicken? Ai yi yi, I was glad when my husband stepped in to help me with that!)

I had no idea my apron had become askew. I was too wrapped up in grilling to care what I looked like.

My help for the few days before the luncheon was these 4 very special people that I have been blessed to have in my life.

My husband, two daughters and a niece. Take-out was great because who wanted to worry about cooking when we were preparing for 240!

I love my view!

Sorry, I got a little sidetracked showing you those pictures of the days preceding the event. 🙂

The campers arrived, the cannon was shot, the lunch prayed over and it was time to eat. Four lines going at once.

I first leaned the tip of having 4 lines at my friend’s daughters wedding.

What you do is use both sides of the table and starting at the end you work towards the middle. In the middle you have a food item that is only found there. In my case I had a basket of chips. Then the guests leave from the middle.

There were cars parked everywhere but we have it where it’s very manageable as long as everyone parks in the proper place, so we have traffic controllers that direct. haha

As I said earlier, the kids kept themselves busy with various entertainments. My son was giving Blazer rides…

… and my husband gave a few, too.

Walleyball

Walleyball spectator station where you can safely watch the happenings in the court…

Lots of chatting…

Look at that waterfall! I love it! I wrote about how we built it here.

Old friends…

A campfire was lit in the evening and some smores was had for those who had not departed.

And after about 15 hours on my feet, I collapsed in bed while others continued on…

But then morning came and I got to see exactly who was still there.

This lovely group…

And of course, there were some trying to escape the camera but I got ’em!

There’s that buffet server again – doing duty this time as my breakfast sideboard.

It was a joy to have all the young people that came from across the United States including Alaska and those who traveled further – like these guests from New Zeland…

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10