Teacher Appreciation Luncheon ~ Baseball Theme! Home Run!

root beer float
teacher appreciation luncheon invitation

Take me out to the ball game! We all have our favorite days in the school year – mine, Graduation Day and the Annual Teacher & Staff Appreciation Day. Each year the generous, creative parents of children at Rolling Hills Country Day School transform our auditorium into a delightful oasis in the middle of the workday.

A couple weeks before the event we were thrilled to receive an “admission ticket” to a DAY AT THE PARK accompanied by a box of Cracker Jack – a baseball-themed luncheon, and we were invited to wear our favorite team jersey. How fun! And while we know the general theme of the event, the decor and menu will be a surprise until we walk through the auditorium doors. We’re always dazzled and amazed when we enter the room!

The attention to detail is what impresses me most. This year featured charming picnic tables with astro turf runners with giant baseball vases and handcrafted daffodil arrangements. Four “Olde Fashioned Stations” were set up around the room – Party Favors, Root Beer Floats, Ball Park Candy & Cupcake, Popcorn. Fresh popped corn was offered with assorted toppings – truffle salt was by far the most popular. Several moms baked specialty cookies, which were made into ice cream sandwiches, a hot seller! The buffet table featured a bounty of picinic-style sandwiches, salads, and sides. Last but not least, one dad was the pretzel & peanut vendor, how adorable is that??

While some parents graciously serve the food and set the tables at the luncheon, other parents are in the classrooms with the children so teachers may have an extended lunch period to relax and enjoy the fabulous meal. We are so very fortunate to work at an outstanding school with such a dedicated parent population.

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bison & onion burger ~ grill basket method

bison burger
grilled bison & onion burger
arugula & tomato
on toasted sour dough with thai chili mayo

Posting “last night’s dinner” on Taste With The Eyes? A simple burger with onions and the ubiquitous chili mayonnaise? Well, actually, yes. But for a reason. I want to share my method. Here in Southern California we’re grilling all year round. And I love this grill basket.

Burgers and onions fit in one layer. Brush lightly with olive oil, pop it on a hot grill, flip once after 5 minutes. The burgers are juicy and the onions perfectly charred, while the rings remain concentrical.

A whole fish can be stuffed with lemon and herbs, rubbed with olive oil then grilled over high heat. The edible skin is crisp and charred contrasting the melt-in-the-mouth flesh. Using a grill basket makes easy work of flipping the fish, and helps to keep the nicely charred skin intact for presentation.

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What Makes This The Land of The Free?

cheeseburger-grilled onion

Happy Birthday America, Sweet Land of Liberty!

As much as we have a passion for food and cooking, holidays, of course, have significance beyond what we’re eating. In addition to roasting a big beautiful turkey on Thanksgiving, we spend time giving thanks and sharing our gratitude. On Independence Day, we relish our cheeseburgers, while letting FREEDOM ring!

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