Ooh, meet-the-parents and grammy's birthday too! No pressure or anything!

I would bring 2 little somethings, one for a hostess gift (small potted flower...) for mom, and a token gift for grandma (bon-bons?).

AND a case of soda or beer for the party, depending on suggestions from your new beau (who by-the-way, you have not mentioned?!)

How about a nice flower arrangement for the parents (nothing too elaborate) and a special corsage for the B-Day Girl?

Congrats...I guess I don't have to fix you up with Adam Lambert now..... :))

Nancy

Thanks for the suggestions.... keep em coming! Not much to tell... his name is Aaron... he's 3 years older than me and he's sweet and caring and masculine... We've been talking on the phone for a couple months, even had some 4 and 6 hour conversations and didn't get bored! He travels a lot for work which is actually a GOOD thing because I've been single and independent for so long I don't want someone always stuck to my side.

He took this picture at Marineland on our way back from St. Augustine.

Cute sunglasses!
:)
And cute smiles too!!

One other kinda interesting hostess gift is a pineapple. Stands for welcome hospitality. It's fun to slice and dice it. That's something people rarely buy for just themselves.

When I go to a cookout kind of thing, I sometimes make spinach dip and toasted pita or bagel chips. But only if I know the hostess won't be making a whole bunch of appetizers. I suppose being a non-vegetable kind of guy that probably sounds like death to you Bobbly, lol! But hey, it's 70's retro! (Although back then the thing to do was serve it in a round loaf of bread hollowed out to make a bowl, with the inside part of the bread sliced up around it. If you want to do 90's retro, a block of cream cheese topped with red pepper jelly and fancy crackers, lol! Or for this decade, brie en croute I think!)

I tend to bring wine if I know people like it, (which most of my friends do). But some of my friends are beer drinkers and I'm out of my element in those cases. Luckily I make jam, jelly, salsa and pickles so can usually toss something like that in my bag. Otherwise I often bring flowers or a potted plant, depending on what looks good at the market. I love getting flowers myself.

I'm also of the camp that says bring a small hostess gift....like a bottle of wine or a nice cheese and a little girley thing for grandma.
As for Aaron....sorry darlin' but I think you are waaay cuter than he is and you could do better....at least on the cute factor.
But then....what do I know! I'm looking at it from the other side of the road so to speak! LOL!
Glad there is some excitement in your life!
Linda C

Bobby, I'm really happy that you have someone in your life. Tell Aaron he better treat you well or he will have all of us to deal with.

I like the suggestion that you bring something for the hostess and something for grandma. Unless asked specifically to bring food I'd stay away from that. The host/hostess will already have that covered.

Ann

Thanks ladies. Linda, are ya sure... I'm the one on the left!

No wonder you've been MIA. You look happy!

I would go to the best candy store in town and get a box of fancy after-dinner mints or chocolates to take along.

I dont have anything else to offer,other than what has been said.Great picture of the 2 of you and you sure do look happy.Congrats to you.

Shelley

Yes Bobby, we know you're the one on the left! Oh, I love a new romance, I'm happy for you.

And I agree, flowers are a nice hostess gift, 89 year old granny has me stumped.

Di

Bottle of wine for the hostess and a small bouquet for grandma. Nothing more, nothing less. I would not take unrequested food especially since you are one of the guests of honor. Good luck!

Congrats, Bobby. I agree with flowers for the grandma and wine for the 'rents. Just do something -- it will be noticed and appreciated. Perhaps a batch of cookies that can either be served as a dessert or saved for later.

The main thing is that you don't show up empty-handed. Show 'em what a nice thoughtful guy you are!

Hi Bobby and Aaron...you both look great! Big congrats on the relationship!! Isn't new love grande???

Lots of good advice! For a hostess gift, how about a nice scented flameless candle set?? Target and bed bath and beyond sell sone nice sets.
For the birthday gal I would go with candy. Even as assortment of hard candy in a pretty dish would be nice and very tasteful.

Can't wait to read about how it all goes! Good luck my friend!!

Cheers!
Susie

Congrats from me too! I side with the camp not to bring food. If his DM is anything like mine, she might not like the intrusion until she gets to know you better. My DM plans her menu down to the minute detail and last minute additions aren't in the plan.
Stick to candy and flowers, unless they're diabetic or allergic, both are safe bets! Have fun and REPORT BACK!

I'm so happy you have someone in your life. He a cutie Patootie too!

Flowers and more flowers, you just can't have enough for a get together!

I'm, another that thinks a bottle of wine or chocolates for the hostess and flowers for Granny. Unless specifically asked food is risky. The hostess will have her menu planned and having to fit your dish in will be awkward.

If you really want to make something, make cookies but wrap them in a nice container, complete with a ribbon, and say they are for "another time".

Thanks... I'm going to go shopping tomorrow. We'll see what I end up with. I'll bring my phone in and read all of your posts on it while I'm in the store!

It's nice to have someone, but I think the best part is that I was truly happy single so I didn't "need" someone to make me happy... he supplements my existing happiness and that's a good thing. One of the best parts is that I have someone to cook for! I've made a few things for him (lasagna, lots of breakfasts with omelets, pancakes, sausage, bacon, biscuits, and fresh orange juice always... of course not in the same meal... and the other day I did a typical poor white trash dinner of sloppy joes and macaroni and cheese and he loved it). He always has seconds which is a big compliment to a cook. I had an ex before who compared all my cooking to his mothers and made sure I knew it wasn't as good as hers... and another who wouldn't let me cook because he wanted frozen pizzas for EVERY meal!

I'll report back after Sunday and tell you all how it went. Thanks again :o)

Congrats from me, too! I say flowers for granny... wine or flowers/ plant for the hostess. Bring food the next time....

But chase's idea works for me, too... especially if you find out granny's favorite cookies, and bring them "just for her"...

(I just spent the week with 84 yr old MIL and 91 yo FIL... Appropriate gifts for them would be flowers for her - or ice cream, cookies for him - or licorice allsorts)

I agree, flowers for Grandma, whether it's a corsage or a bouquet. Check with the new guy to see if his parents drink wine and what kind they like, or as suggested, bring beer and/or soft drinks that can be served or not, as the menu dictates.

I also think some cookies would be good, if Grandma has a special old fashioned favorite that would be nice and again, they could be kept or eaten, depending on the meal.

Congratulations on the new "squeeze", and tell him there's a red-headed maniac in Michigan that'll track him down if he's not nice to you!

Annie

what did you bring, and how did it go?

I just brought flowers; things were a little different than we planned. We didn't go to his parents house, but to his instead (he lives with his grandmother because she's so old she needs someone to help take care of her) so I didn't bring a hostess gift for his mom. That was fine, they are very casual and laid back people and it would have been awkward had I brought anything more. We arrived together (he drove) and we were the first ones there anyway. They have a lot of animals... his mom brought over one of her many birds and a huge mastiff dog (very sweet, very big), and he has two cats that live there. It was pretty informal, everyone gathered around the grill outside making small talk. I didn't talk much. Maybe I was shy around all the new people. There was a bit of tension because I am the first guy he's ever introduced to the family (he had girlfriends before he came out) and his brother and grandmother didn't know he was gay. The brother does now... he found out Sunday... grandma still doesn't (she's a Jehovah's Witness and he doesn't want her to know, though she'd forget anyway). The best part was listenting to his grandmother... she has dementia and the things that come out of her mouth were very entertaining if not a little sad. He made burgers, hot dogs, italian sausage, and chicken on the grill. He didn't have any cheese for the burgers and didn't have any ketchup (that blew my mind... in my house, it's an emergency if I run out of ketchup... well it's never happend, but it would be... and to not have it with hot dogs and hamburgers, I just couldn't comprehend it). He offered to go to the store for me and get some ketchup (he's not an anti-ketchup snob, he was just out of it). I should have let him go, but then his family would have known what a b*tch I can be and it's too early for all that! The cake and ice cream were the best part, and they both came from Publix. It was a pretty boring and uneventful experience with barely tolerable food... at least nothing bad happened. His mom told him she likes me but that I was very quiet.

Next Tuesday, I'm going to have a cookout with my upstairs neighbor. I'm looking forward to much better food than we had Sunday!

I'm really enjoying having someone to cook for. Yesterday for lunch, I made BBQ baked chicken quarters, cheddar biscuits and mashed potatoes. Today, I'm doing meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, corn on the cob and maybe steamed peas just to throw a vegetable in. He said his mom wasn't that good of a cook, so I'm glad to give him some nice food and glad he appreciates it.

Thanks again for all your advice :o)

Thanks for the update Bobby - sounds like an OK time. No ketchup for hot dogs and burger? Come on!!!!! That's just wrong.

LOL, I only eat mustard on hot dogs anyway, so I'd have been OK, but as far as my family is concerned, running out of catsup IS an emergency, and it has to be Heinz too!

I'm glad it went well, especially since you must have been a big surprise to some of the family members.

Annie

Oh Bobby, You would hate my house. I never have ketchup on hand. Yes, I am a ketchup snob, but even I would buy a bottle of ketchup if I was inviting friends in for a BBQ with hamburgers and hot dogs. When Matt lived at home I did keep a bottle on hand. But Matt only used it on fries. He didn't use it on anything else. And Moe doesn't use it on anything so no need to stock it.

Thanks for the update. I was wondering how your meeting with his family went.

Ann

Glad the day went well for both of you!

Bobby you'd be happy here. I always have a bottle of Ketchup in the fridge and a spare one in the pantry. Like Annie's home, it would be a serious emergency to be without!

Meredith would walk to the store, barefoot in 12" of snow. if we ever ran out. She has it with burgers, dogs, fries, eggs, grilled cheese,mac and cheese...she even dips her dills in it...that's an EEEEWWW to me!

Must admit I have to have it with mac and cheese and fried eggs but nothing else.

Sounds like the day went really well for you.
Geez...brother must have been thrown a loop with THAT news huh?? LOL
I bet he knew all along.

AS for ketchup...I always have it here but I only use it on hot dogs, scrambled eggs and of course meatloaf!! I use mayo on my burgers LOL!!

I am so happy your new mate is a good eater and appreciates a good home cooked meal! He is a keeper!

Cheers!
Susie

Bobby, I'm late to the party. Sounds like you made some good decisions plus you had your charm to fall back on. As far as you being quiet...yeah!

Now, go make some ketchup and really blow him away:

 1 (28-oz) can whole tomatoes in purée
 1 medium onion, chopped
 2 tablespoons olive oil
 1 tablespoon tomato paste
 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
 1/2 cup balsamic
 1/2 teaspoon salt

Purée tomatoes (with purée from can) in a blender until smooth. Cook onion in oil in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add puréed tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, and salt and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until very thick, about 1 hour (stir more frequently toward end of cooking to prevent scorching).

Purée ketchup in 2 batches in blender or stick blender until smooth.

Chill, covered, at least 2 hours to develop flavors.

P.S. Shaun, Kathy, and I are close by. Let us know if you need a posse.

No ketchup for a BBQ??? That blows my mind too, it certainly wouldn't happen in our house either! I'm glad that you had a good time, the fact that he lives with Gran to help care for her shows that despite the ketchup, he's very good guy!
Keep us posted!

Bob E. Lish-you've got mail!

Sounds like a good first family meeting!

Now to remember to grab Mustangs ketchup recipe..