We had the perfect evening for our party, we had a great turnout, the food was well received as were the adult beverages.

RAINBOW VEGETABLE TRAY

2 (7 OZ) jars of baby corn on the cob

14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and halved

1 small bag baby carrots (cooked until fork tender)

2 (4.5 oz. jars whole mushrooms, drained

1 1/3 c. Cider vinegar
2/3 c. Vegetable oil (do not use olive — it will “set up” in the fridge)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 1/2 c. Diced green pepper (I just use a whole one)
1 c. Diced purple onion (I just use a whole one unless it is really big)
4 ounce jar diced pimentos, drained

Put each vegetable in a separate plastic bag.

Combine vinegar and next 7 ingredients, stirring until sugar dissolves. Pour marinade over vegetables in plastic bags. Refrigerate 8 hours. Drain vegetables before serving.

WHITE CHOCOALTE DIP

2 T. cornstarch
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1 T. butter
3 ounces white chocolate

Combine cornstarch, sugar and water in a small saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat; add butter and white chocolate, stirring until chocolate melts. Let cool. Makes 1 cup.

Ann's Cheese ball

8 oz. package cream cheese, room temperature

1 stick butter, room temperature

1 t. garlic POWDER

1 t. salt

1 cup pecans, chopped

Mix cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer, add powder and salt. Add 1/4 c. chopped pecans. Put remainder of pecans on counter and roll cheese ball in the nuts. Refrigerate. NOTE: it is rather soft until it is chilled. Needs to be made ahead.

Lumpy Dip

I think this is also known as Neiman Marcus Dip but the friend I got it from called it "Lumpy" and so do I. It's a mix of shredded cheddar, cooked chopped bacon, green onion and slivered almonds with enough mayo to bind. For the party I used 2 pounds of cheddar, 1 cup of slivered almonds, a pound of bacon (except for 3 slices) and a package of green onions, chopped. And mayo but don't ask me how much!

Stuffed Eggs

Which is my grandmother's recipe -- for each egg add 1 t. mayo and 1/2 t. oil and vinegar dressing and salt and pepper to taste!

There were also meatballs (with a chili sauce/jelly sauce) but I forgot to take a picture of them!

Every party needs a dessert:

Texas sheet cake -- an old favorite and so good. I make it often when I have a crowd!

It was a great party and had enough left for a meager snack today. It's good to not run out of food but it's also good to not have enough leftovers that you're eating party food for a week!