Recipe(tried): Sausage Balls and Purple punch

Hi,

Don't know how warm it gets in the early spring where you are at Lynda. But, if its warm enough I would have the party outdoors. Clean up would probably be easier especially with regards to little ones and spills. I would throw some blankets on the ground so people could eat picnic style...kids love that. Have a few chairs for those who have a hard time getting up and down.

I would have some sort of contest/games for the kids to play so they each can win some sort of prize. Of course don't forget the adults!! Have you ever seen a bunch of grown ups play musical chairs...its a riot!

You can make a purple cat pinata and fill it with candy and trinkets.

What time of day will you be having this party? Is it going to be just some finger foods and cake? Or a full meal party?

Here's one of my favorite finger food. It can be made up ahead of time and frozen then baked just mins before the party.

Sausage balls

500 grams minced pork sausage(mild or hot)
500 grams cheddar cheese, grated(I think you all call it tasty cheese)...I like medium cheddar best for this recipe.
3 cups scone mix(White Wings with buttermilk would come closest to Bisquick)

Mix all together in a large bowl till thoroughly mixed. I have to add about 1/4 to 1/2 cups of water to get it all to mix up together, otherwise I get a bunch of biscuit mix left behind in the bowl.
Shape into one-inch balls(at this point you can freeze the balls on a cookie sheet, then place in a bag for later use). Bake at 180C for 15 mins until golden.

Makes about 100 balls.

Add about 5 mins to baking time if baking from frozen state. These can be baked ahead of time and frozen too. But, reheat in aluminum foil. If you reheat in a microwave you will end up with golf balls instead.

One of my favorite punch is Evergreen Punch..named for the color of the punch. But, you can use any kind of kool-aid to make this. Not sure how easy it will be to find kool-aid in New Zealand so I'll try to give instructions for it using cordial. Since purple is the color scheme you can use grape cordial instead. If thats not available try raspberry or cherry cordial with some blue food coloring added to make it purple.

Evergreen Punch

2 packages unsweetened kool-aid, lemon lime
2 cups sugar
2 quarts water
1 46-oz(1.5-litres) can unsweetened pineapple juice
1 2-litre bottle ginger ale, chilled

Mix kool-aid, sugar and water in a one gallon container. Add pineapple juice. Chill. To serve pour mix into a punch bowl and add ginger ale. Makes approximately 30 6-oz servings.

If using cordial...double the amount of cordial flavoring to make 2 litres. So, if the cordial you use calls for 1 cup plus enough water to make 2 litres...use 2 cups. In other words...double the strength of cordial.
You can cut calories by using sugar-free cordial and ginger ale.