Special Dinner Tonight!
By cynthiann
@cynthiann (18602)
Jamaica
September 24, 2009 2:57pm CST
The first son will be home early this evening from the Middle East (Dubai) so I have planned a quick and easy meal that will look as if I have spent days preparing it.
Fist I am serving a dish of cut up watermelon and cubed feta cheese. I love Feta cheese and it goes well with eh water melon but you could use other kinds of cheese.
The watermelon is already cut up and in the fridge together with the cubed feta cheese. Put them together at the last minute before serving.
Then I have cooking, as we speak, on low in my crock pot a family favourite of pork chops in an apricot sauce. Potatoes and carrots are also included in the crock pot with onions and one piece of garlic together with a little slice of ginger. Only a little but it does something to the pork.
As I reach home I will put on rice to be steamed and make a green salad. I make my own salad dressing from oil, vinegar, garlic and i teaspoonful of sugar. That is already made too. So dinner is basically done as I sit here at work.
For dessert there will be ice cream and chocolate topping if her wants.
Do you make welcome home dishes for your family?
Fist I am serving a dish of cut up watermelon and cubed feta cheese. I love Feta cheese and it goes well with eh water melon but you could use other kinds of cheese.
The watermelon is already cut up and in the fridge together with the cubed feta cheese. Put them together at the last minute before serving.
Then I have cooking, as we speak, on low in my crock pot a family favourite of pork chops in an apricot sauce. Potatoes and carrots are also included in the crock pot with onions and one piece of garlic together with a little slice of ginger. Only a little but it does something to the pork.
As I reach home I will put on rice to be steamed and make a green salad. I make my own salad dressing from oil, vinegar, garlic and i teaspoonful of sugar. That is already made too. So dinner is basically done as I sit here at work.
For dessert there will be ice cream and chocolate topping if her wants.
Do you make welcome home dishes for your family?6 people like this
25 responses
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
24 Sep 09
well that sounds just wonderful. yum. i used to make things like stuffed chicken and such. lately i've been haveing to figure out things for dinner when son comes home from work and i havent had to do that since hubby passed away 7yrs ago
but im getting the hang of it again, today it was roast, baked potatoe and corn on the cob
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
24 Sep 09
There is a small country store near my home and I get ham for less there than it cost in town. We also have it on the hoildays no matter what else I fix, because it is the hubbys favorite.
3 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 Sep 09
Actually, the larger ham you buy the more econimical it is. I must get one - I can always get it cut in two and freeze a portion. Blessings
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
24 Sep 09
That sounds wonderful cynthi, I'm sure your son will love your welcome home,meal. I'm also sure that he won't care if you spent days, hours, or minutes making it. He is just pleased that you thought to do this for him.
I do make welcome home meals for my family when they come home. My husband loves ham, it's his favorite thing. So I make him ham and many fixings when he comes home.
My children like different things so they all get what they like when they come home as well.
3 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
24 Sep 09
It really is a pleasure to see them feeling welcomed home. Yes, they may have their own home but home is also where their mother is. At least I Like to think so.I like to make a special effort when they come. I can't wait to see him and hear about Dubai and the twins. My DIL has sent loads of photos etc so I will see my grand twins tonight - even if it is only a photo.
Oh, I love ham too but it is so expensive out here and we usually only have it for Christmas and Easter
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
24 Sep 09
I know ...same old...same old... I"m limited 
but I wanted to do something he liked even though we had it recently. It is so easy to do but tastes wonderful. I have never made a chicken casserole so if you would like to pm me with the recipe I would like to try it.
but I wanted to do something he liked even though we had it recently. It is so easy to do but tastes wonderful. I have never made a chicken casserole so if you would like to pm me with the recipe I would like to try it.1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
25 Sep 09
SOUNDS VERY DELICIOUS, U are such a good mom, Cynthi.I love to cook & do enjoy fixing special things for my family & friends. My friend yesterday gave me a new recipe i'm anxious to try. Got to go to the grocery & get the ingredients.
@Archie0 (5652)
•
24 Sep 09
[i]Hello cynthiann well whenever i go home my mother does cooks a welcome home food for us.It really makes me feel so special and almost all the dishes are my favourite.
She is the best cook for me and she really cooks the best lamb and chicken.So whenever i am home i feel good to eat the chicken and lamb of her hand made, but here in hostel i have to survive with plain rice and lentil soup 
[/i]
[/i]@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
24 Sep 09
She sounds like a really wonderful Mom and I hope that you tell her so
1 person likes this
@forestgold (792)
•
25 Sep 09
Your meal sounds delicious.
Yes, i like to cook for my children when they come over, usually a big roast dinner for all the family, chicken or beef or something.
I love to cook for my family :)
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 Sep 09
I can't remember when I had a good roast beef dinner. So long ago,. My mother was good at cooking beef. I am salivating
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
27 Sep 09
I love it too but only get it when I go to my sister in the U.K. Oh, now I am longing for it!!
@forestgold (792)
•
26 Sep 09
ooh, i love!! Roast beef and yorkshire pudding.
I got a craving for it, when preggie, and never lost the crave! LOL,
I need my beef fix, from time to time! :)
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
25 Sep 09
hello cynthiann,
wow! your son will be so delighted and happy for you prepare something special for him. he must be so proud.
yes indeed we do the same especially when we did not see her/him for long. preparing food that he/she miss, not to mention his/her favorites.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 Sep 09
It feels so good to make them me special. He is back safely, thank God
1 person likes this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
25 Sep 09
I love watermelon and I love Feta cheese, but I have never had them together before.
I remember you mention the apricot sauce on pork chops before and it sounds really good. That is something I am going to have to try some night for dinner.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 Sep 09
I had the feta cheese and watermelon on the cruise - it was amazing. Cool and stir together before serving. Yes, I do have some dishes that I cook over and over again!
Yes again, this is the twins' father coming home. He stayed with them for 7 weeks to settle them but will visit them for Christmas. The twins are fine - I'm Not
My DIL called me yesterday morning (bed time for them) as they told her to call me as they wanted to hear the night night songs. So we sang them together - good job they did not see the tears running down my face!
My DIL called me yesterday morning (bed time for them) as they told her to call me as they wanted to hear the night night songs. So we sang them together - good job they did not see the tears running down my face!
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
25 Sep 09
yeah we do that also. like when my parent is coming back here for short vacation at home. well we prepare some food for her arrival. but we are not good in cooking so mostly we cook she does not end up eating .
2 people like this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
25 Sep 09
HI Cynthiann: Wow! It all sounds really wonderful!! I am glad to know
your Son is coming home, will he be home for long or not?
NO matter make the most of the time you have and I know he is going to
be thrilled no matter what you fix;
Yes we make welcome home meals, special meals for this and that
its a great excuse for us all to just get together and we eat and eat
and eat and then suffer cause we all are too full; LOL!
have fun and I know you will enjoy your time together!
Love & hugs to you
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 Sep 09
He is trying to set up a business here in JA and he has to be here. He will go to his family ant Christmas. The twins have settled down nicely and are having swimming lessons. It will be hard for him not to be with them but Christmas is not too away!
1 person likes this
@bodhisatya (2384)
• India
25 Sep 09
Hi,
The food sounds yummy, and food made by one's mom is invariably THE BEST. You two have a great time.
Bodhi
P.S. The watermelon stuff I am gonna try and would need your help if I am struck I am very dumb at cooking.
Bodhi
P.S. The watermelon stuff I am gonna try and would need your help if I am struck I am very dumb at cooking.2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 Sep 09
It is so easy. chill the watermelon then cut it into bite sized oieces and then add the cheese that has been cubed and mix together. Must be cold. It is amazing
@schentil (98)
• India
25 Sep 09
You son must feel gifted for having a mother like you as I do. My mother also used to prepare dishes I like most when I return back from my work. This has continued over a longtime since my school time. This will thrust me once my work is over to my home expecting what would be today's special. It is really amazing to see something we would love to eat unexpectedly.
2 people like this
@gracefuldove (1668)
• Malaysia
25 Sep 09
Well, I think he will enjoy this home-made dinner no money can buy! Very creative on your part to make those dishes. Many a family would have booked a table at a well-known restaurant and celebrate there. Always easy to get others to cook.No need to preparations and the credit card can come real handy!
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 Sep 09
No. I maxed out my credit card when I went on a cruise last month. So I am busy trying to clear it!
@involved62 (790)
•
25 Sep 09
I do and it is often whenever my husband is away on on a trip and comes home that I make a special dinner or lunch. Your menu up there sounds very different to what I am preparing for my family. Sounds very good, you actually gave me new ideas to serve to my demanding family. My husband does not eat the same thing twice in a row and I am running out of dishes to cook (even with my cookbooks and online searching for recipes). Bon apetit and I hope your son appreciates the time you take to make something special.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 Sep 09
Yes, he did appreciate the meal and it is great to have him with me. Many thanks for your input
@Eisenherz (2908)
• Portugal
26 Sep 09
Sometimes my parents would usually cook my favorite food whenever I got back from abroad, but that's sort of about it. Also they'd cook my favorite dishes on tougher periods to me to try to incentivate me to overcome them. While I appreciate the gesture I think it only worsened it for me, some people are just not made to be under pressure.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
27 Sep 09
I do not take pressure good at all. And this has only worsened as I got older. But what your parents do is an act of love for you. This must be treasured.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 Sep 09
My third son is in the U.K. So this son stopped off for a few days to see his brother an my sisters. It is wonderful to have him home. He will go back to his family at Christmas
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Yes.....I make all their favorites when they are home...stuffed manicotti...is one
okay and they all ask for this.....I don't know why but they want hamburger gravy on mashed potatoes.....so simple but one of their favorites from growing up....I have it easy!!!
1 person likes this
I don't know what that is!
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Hey cyn! That is making my mouth water! I think I want that
recipe! It reminds me of one that my mom used to make sort of!
She used to make chicken with an apricot glaze in the oven and
it tasted to incredible! I don't have one of those slow cookers,
but that sounds so yummy! I'm sure your son is going to just
be so happy that he is home enjoying one of his mom's home
cooked meals! What a perfect dinner right down to the dessert!
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 Sep 09
Yuo are so right I have missed him and my joy bubbled when he walked in through the door.
