We did it! We graduated the last of our chickens from college. I’m not literally speaking of chickens. I’m talking about “chilluns” or “churrins” or “young ‘uns”. The last one. We’ll be empty nesters as soon as that whole job thing kicks in.
Congratulations, Tyler!
I planned a menu for the graduation party that could be done ahead. Everything was waiting for us when we got home. That’s my kind of party! Oh, wait. This wasn’t my party. It was for Tyler.
Before I get into the menu, I have some pictures I want to share. We’ve live in this house since Tyler was in first grade. I have a picture of him on the first day of first grade.
Tyler first day of first grade on the front porch.
Next is the picture of his high school graduation day standing on the same front porch.
Tyler ready for high school graduation. Same front porch as first grade.
And now we have college graduation.
Tyler ready for college graduation. He’s been standing on this porch since 1st grade!
I made a chronological photo album for all three of my children (chickens, chilluns, churrins, young ‘uns) when they graduated high school and presented it to them at their graduation party. By the time Tyler graduated from high school, he had forgotten about the picture I had taken on the front porch the first day of first grade. He thought nothing of me telling him I wanted a picture of him by the front door in his high school graduation cap and gown. He was quite surprised when he got to the last page in his photo album. The last two pictures were the first grade picture and the graduation picture. That was an emotional moment for the whole family and one I’ll never forget.
Now I will switch hats from Mama-beaming-with-pride to party planner and let’s talk about the menu. I mentioned that I wanted all the food prepared ahead of time. Everything held up well and turned out just the way I planned. Everything except Aunt Bea’s Cream Cheese Pound Cake. There was nothing wrong with the flavor, mind you. It was so moist that it fell into three pieces as I was transferring it from the tube pan to the cake plate. I had intended to slice up several pieces and put them on a serving tray to take a picture. You know…to make it seem like the cake turned out perfect and wasn’t a colossal fail. I just slap forgot to do it and the cake was eaten before I realized I never took a picture. The post about Aunt Bea’s Cream Cheese Pound Cake will have for another day. That’s the only menu item that doesn’t have a picture. The items highlighted in blue are a direct link to the recipe. Just click on the name of the dish.
Graduation Party Menu
Southern Antipasto Tray
(click here for Deviled Eggs recipe)
deviled eggs, roasted red peppers, pickled okra, Spanish olives, banana pepper rings, bread-n-butter pickles
Pimento cheese. The pate` of the South.
Slow-cooker Split Pea soup. Made with ham and loads of vegetables.
7 Layer Salad with 9 Layers. More layers means more flavor.
Aunt Bea’s Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Slush Punch served non-slushy and with Rainbow Sherbet
sherrie says
congrats to tyler and to you! love the pic idea!!! pictures mean so much to me. my family and my brother’s family had pics made for my momma for mother’s day. i am bursting at the seams to give it to her! i’m making a pound cake w/fresh strawberries and whipped cream for her big day. fingers crossed that it turns out. if not, there’s always the sarah lee frozen one i can p/u on the way. 🙂 happy mother’s day to you!!!
Jackie Garvin says
Sherrie,
What a grand Mother’s Day you have in store for your Mama! She will be so happy. Please let me know what her reaction was to the pictures. I’m sure your cake will be perfect! 🙂
Ann says
Hi Jackie – Congratulations on becoming an empty nester!!! And to your son – I know what an accomplishment it is!!! Since he has been away at college, you are kind of easing into it, it’s a big adjustment! We love it now! The menu for your party sounds wonderful. I am looking forward to my daughter being home for Mother’s Day for the first time in two years, we are getting pedicures together and being taken out to dinner somewhere! I even got to help my granddaughter make a Mother’s Day present for her – we painted flower pots and planted herbs and they turned out so cute! I need to do one of those seven layer salads, I haven’t done one in a while and I remember they were yummy. Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day with all your chilluns!!
Jackie Garvin says
Ann,
You have a wonderful Mother’s Day planned with your daughter and granddaughter! The gift you make with your granddaughter is PERFECT! I wish you a very, very happy Mother’s Day! 🙂
karen thompson says
I knew when I “met you” earlier this week that we’d have such a common bond. Seems we almost “match”. All the young’uns – educated .. and providing the parental units with an empty nest. You even have grands! Grand #4 made his entrance two weeks ago…they don’t call it grand for nothing! These young’uns and theirs make 12 around the kitchen table now – and the only thing better than these peeps is the “cooking world” – and when I get to put the two together…then Life is Fine!
Congrats on the all that you and yours have accomplished…how I wish we could have a cup of tea, coffee, or SLUSH PUNCH … and break some bread. Have a great day!
Karen – that Appomattox “girl”.
Jackie Garvin says
Karen,
If there was a word grander than grand to describe grands it would be appropriate. We may not ever be able to share a meal in person but we certainly can do it virtually!.
I wish you a very, very happy Mother’s Day! 🙂
Jean says
Congratulations to Tyler but many congratulations to his mom and dad for getting him raised and through college!!! You have done good girl! Yummy menu…and I do love the 2 pictures all those years apart. Aren’t you glad you thought to take them? ENJOY!
Jackie Garvin says
Jean,
The 1st grade and high school graduation pics taken in the same spot are a treasure! We were fortunate to be in the same house. 🙂
CJ at Food Stories says
What a sweet tradition with your kids photos … Congrats to your family!
Jackie Garvin says
Thanks, CJ! 🙂
Connie Bolick Lee says
Congrats to Tyler on graduation! I can just feel your pride beaming from the page! Great looking food too! Have a great Mother’s Day!
Jackie Garvin says
Connie,
Thank you so much! 🙂
Angela Carter says
Oh My Goodness! I am in love with Syrup and Biscuits. I just want to click on everything and devour all of it. This is just what I’ve been looking for, and the fact you are from MY neck of the woods – “the other LA,” – all the better! (Found your Sweet Tea Sangria recipe on Pinterest and that led me to this Heavenly place that feels like home.) Congrats to you and your son on his graduation, and Happy Mother’s Day!
Jackie Garvin says
Angela,
I’m so glad you found us tucked away in our little corner of the world. I most definitely reign from “the other LA” and I’m proud of it!
Welcome home, Angela! 🙂
Chris Vinson says
Congratulations! What a handsome young man he is! I plan on making your pimento cheese for my husband’s birthday this year. He was so excited when one of the local (30 miles away) grocery stores started carrying it, but they only had it about 6 months. I guess he was the only one who bought it. He likes it with saltine crackers.
Jackie Garvin says
Chris,
You made me laugh out loud…literally. Your poor husband got all excited about finding a source for pimmenocheese and then they stopped carrying it. The part about the local store being 30 miles away is hysterical!!!
Have a good day, Chris! 🙂