Sunday afternoon... just getting back into the swing of things... something fun...

How about doing a 'Soup Party'? Just make up batches of 4-5 different soups, keep them simmering on the stove or in large crockpots, and serve various toppers/additions, crackers, breads, etc. It allows people to sample at their leisure. They just sound like fun (I haven't tried one yet!). Very casual. Good for a Sunday afternoon, I'd think.

4 or 5 different soups, with a 2 year old??? How about a big pot of chili and corn bread/muffins; Maybe a salad? Keep it simple so you can enjoy.

Carol

Lasagne - you can do it three days ahead. Assemble it after you put your little one down for a nap or for the night. Put in oven and forget it for hour and a half. Cut up romaine - can do ahead a put in ziploc bag with papertowel to keep fresh, use some good boxed croutons and ceasar dressing. Garlic bread. Have someone bring a dessert. If you don't want to ask someone to bring something, how about a serve yourself sundae or if you have a place near you that makes fresh gelati. Buy a couple of flavors of ice cream and toppings, voila.

Crack open a few bottles of red wine and have yourself a Sunday afternoon dinner with friends. Lasagne will serve 6-8.

Ah, yes, of course I've missed the obvious pleasers: chili and lasagne. Good ideas, so it's not odd to do this mid-day? Thanks for the ideas and suggestions.

You had asked for ideas for themes, fun, etc. If you had asked for ideas for an easy ordinary meal I would certainly have answered differently.

wantoretire_did: I didn't realize that having a 2 year old meant that a person could no longer make multiple batches of soup. Thank you for setting me straight.

Of course it can be done, I was just trying to keep it simple.

I don't think mid-day entertaining is odd at all, though possibly less formal than a Saturday evening party. If the timing still feels weird, plan around an activity.

If you friends are the active sort - you could go to a park, rent canoes, play softball, have a snowball fight.

Less active - watch a football game, play board games, have a craft day.

Heck, have a "we spent all day Saturday raking leaves, come over and tell me my yard looks nice" party.

(Formal entertaining on a Sunday afternoon evokes high tea to me - I don't personally care for the little sandwiches, but it is another option)

Here is a link that might be useful: craftfetish blog