Tonight I was honored to join the masses who arrived at Topher and Lisa's doorstep with dinner. We had been praying for Margo's safe return from the RSV-recovery wing of the hospital having gunk removed from her lungs. But there she was this evening, home, cuddled in her grandmother's arms, looking pink and perfect. Her dark hair swirled over the top of her sleeping blanky. Brother Miles was adoring her comical drowsiness. Her other siblings were dancing around with light sticks left-over from the Fourth of July.When a sibling has a baby (this was the thirty-third time for me) it is always a happy time. In my younger years I was often called to take over the household as the couple heaved to the hospital. These days I offer my baked mac-and-cheese. But this time was really unique in that my new little niece needed our prayers too. And though I feel a sense of satisfaction when I've been able to bring a meal, seeing Margo looking so healthy tonight made me appreciate the service of praying for someone you love and having that prayer answered.
Hooray for Margo!
I am really curious to know two things:
1. Do you prefer to offer babysitting or bringing in a meal to a family in need?
and
2. If you do bring a meal what is usually in your dinner basket?
UPDATE!
Here is my Baked Mac-n-Cheese recipe:
4 cups pasta elbows (I like to do 2 cups regular noodles, 2 cups wheat)
1/2 cup butter, divided (leave out 2 Tbsp. for crust)
6 Tbsp. flour
2 tsp. dry mustard
2 tsp. salt
5 cups milk
4 cups shredded cheese (I do plain cheddar if kids are involved, but sharp cheddar would be good too)
4 Tbsp. dry bread crumbs
4Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1.) Heat oven to 375. Spray baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta and drain.
2.) In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter (leaving out the two Tbsp.) wisk in flour, mustard and salt. Gradually wisk in milk. Cook and stir until mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted.
3.) In dish, combine sauce with macaroni. In a small bowl, melt 2 Tbsp. of butter. Combine with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over top of macaroni.
4.) Bake for 17-20 minutes or until top crust is golden. Let stand 20 minutes before serving.
55 Pieces of Opinion:
meal for sure--usually chicken & broccoli casserole.
Can I have some baked mac and cheese please? I just had a baby you know.
whoa! i'm the first!?
i prefer to bring dinner.
i like to bring chicken enchilada soup or lasagna. i love mac and cheese, can you post your recipe? does it contain tofu? if so, don't post it :) just kidding.
damn, jayniemoon beat me
Usually a meal, but I offer babysitting too because I know how much that helps. I usually bring vegetarian lasagna, crusty bread and a salad.
I vote for babysitting because I rarely cook.
And whoa, it was about time I stopped reading your blog in my Google Reader -who is the artist that created those amazing portraits in your sidebar? I'm in love.
*swoons*
(And I hope you didn't already answer that already. I've been lazy with keeping up with comments lately.)
I prefer to babysit because I never know what to cook plus I get stressed if they will like it, but of course that all depends on who the little crumb snatchers may be. We have a common friend, that shall remain nameless (JH), that when she was given a bowl of fluff fruity salad chucked it because she didn't trust who made it. You know if they have licked every spoon it touched. I didn't blame her.
I always maked baked potato soup and bread. The soup is great for new mommies b/c it has about a pound of bacon, onions cooked in bacon grease, tons of butter, sour cream and cheese. BUT, a nursing mom needs those calories, right? ;-)
Glad Margaret is doing better (and thanks for the update). I can't wait to see the little muffin (she will be about three by then, I am sure). Do YOU think she looks more like a Clark (a la Phoebe and Miles) or a Valentine (Hugh or Owen-esqu?). I can't tell from the pictures....
P.S. I vote for food b/c I have a nanny. BUT, if I didn't, I would vote for taking the other woodland creatures off my hands for a few hours...
i love to bring in a meal. seriously. i look forward to the every detail. i love to take hawaiian haystacks. with all the yummy toppings. i love to bring oreos, vanilla ice cream, and whip cream to make shakes. it is so fun for me to have meals brought in to me. you just wait until you have your baby. the relief society is crazy about new mommies. i always prefer to feed. if they need a babysitter, i'll do that to. we all need help from time to time.
by the way...i am cori..brooke's friend. just in case you are like... who the?
Meal, unless I have some time on my hands (yeah, right.)
I bring whatever they want most of all.
Are THOSE the things you are supposed to do? I knew I was missing something.
So glad to hear baby Margo is home and doing well. Prayers are answered.
ALso..
Are those Cassandra Barney's? Did you know she has a blog? http://churningsandburnings.blogspot.com/
I had no idea. I'm so sorry she's sick, but so happy she's doing better.
Meals. But now my kids are bigger I'm better with the other.
My specialty is chicken pot pie, but sometimes all they get is very carefully prepared seasonal bagged salad and delicious homemade snickerdoodles. (Especially when Geo's bringing her favorite soup.)
May I have your recipe for Mac-n-Cheese? I have a warm place in my heart for such things and I'm sure yours is every bit as fabulous as you are.
Dinner, unless it's family, then I babysit.
I usually take a family recipe called Candy Chicken along with some mormon potatoes. If not that, then taco soup with all the fixins!
I had an idea, but couldn't say nothing.
She is a cute little sweetheart!
I usually offer babysitting. But this time I will offer Styrofoam cups and pellet ice from the hospital.....whenever you or LVC are in need.
I could say nothing....or couldn't say anything.
Whatever.
I never babysit, yuck!
Mac n' Cheese from The Best Recipes Cookbook, Cook's Illustrated.
i know your mac n cheese is true, amen.
Babysitting.
Just kidding. But I think my heart is slowly beginning to soften on that point. I need more time.
So, soup. But I JUST THIS WEEK invented a soupRob and I both really really lovei, so I think it's going to be my compassionate service meal of choice from now on. That, or the standard acceptable-in-most-households baked chicken + rice + veggies.
Once when I was first married I spent a whole day making tortellini by hand for somebody who'd had a baby. It was out of this world, but I was out of my mind. Never again.
Is it bad if I do both? We're all poor medical/Veterinary students out here so we do what we can...but someday when we're..er...not HERE...I'll prefer to bring a meal.
what do I bring: A take and bake pizza (homemade of course), bread sticks, salad, Izze's to drink and some homemade cookie dough to consume cooked or uncooked if you please.
I usually take a meal, but will babysit in a pinch. . .there is plenty on my list, but usually I make a LOT of it (leftovers are fab you know) and also I make sure to take paper plates, cups, utensils so they don't have to bother with all that clean up, and throw away containers (or pass along containers). It's also nice to bring something they can throw in the freezer to cook up later.
Sometimes if I don't have time or don't feel like it, I just call in their favorite take out and deliver that.
Hooray indeed for baby Margo, such nasty scary stuff for such a sweet babe.
no thanks...
I keep it so simple I should feel guilty.
Hamburger buns
Sloppy Joe meat-in a disposable aluminum container so they don't have to return anything
chips
bagged salad & dressing
ice cream bars or 1/2 gallon of ice cream
i way prefer offering a meal, although i usually do both. but I am much more generous about offering babysitting to my daughter's regular playmates...there are definitely people that I have not offered for because their children terrify me.
that said...i usually bring something that i can double easily, like chili, corn chowder, chicken pot pie, lasagna, etc.
i never bring dessert, and sometimes i feel like a slouch for doing this, but then i remember having someone bring me a dessert every night just when i was suddenly feeling fat, not pregnant, just fat with this screaming baby, and that's why i don't bring dessert. i don't want someone to feel guilted into adding my pan of calories to their de-babied tummy.
I prefer to NOT have extra children.
And I usually bring everything for soft taco's. Right down to the guac and everything. (breaks up the monotony of all the chicken and spaghetti they're received...)
Both.
It wasn't until Kate was born that I realized how nice it was to have my older daughter whisked off by a loving and attentive friend for an afternoon of fun while I got to bond with the baby (and maybe a little nap too).
I have this chicken casserole recipe that someone made for me when Savannah was born and it tasted so so yummy then, that now I make it for everyone. There is nothing spicy or gas-inducing that might make a breastfed baby fussy.
That and a salad, crusty fresh bread and a home made dessert of some kind or another and a chilled bottle of sparkling apple cider to celebrate!
I wish I could be there to bring you that very meal when the chief arrives!
first of all, I would LOVE to know Bek's potato soup recipe. And your mac-o-cheese one, too. I am a fan of Martha Stewart's Mac 101, but the kids aren't big fans, so I don't ever bring that one.
I try to win the 'Best Of' award for bringing in a meal, Chilis, Pei Wei, or Cafe Rio take out. And it is never complete unless there is some sort of baby gift that goes along the lines of "I would never buy baby wipes from Nordstroms, but these smell fantastic!" That sort of thing.
BTW Mustela Baby Wipes
Dinner always. The trick is to bring something the nursing mama can have too. I have too many sisters in law with babies who have sensitive tummies. Not alot of onions, dairy, cabbage, or acidic anything. I also like to double whatever I am making and put it in a foil pan so they can freeze it for when they can't get to making dinner one day.
I try to do both if I can, though preparing a meal is my first pick. I typically bring baked ziti, loaded with cheesy goodness.
I'm so glad she is ok! Remember our little conversation on Sunday about our fear of sickness in our little babes? Thank goodness she is home and feeling better! I tend to offer meals. Unless it's family and then it's whatever they need me to do. A nice big baking dish full of my favorite enchilladas is usually what I take over, maybe with some salad or fruit. That way, they can store it in the freezer and eat it whenever they need a meal. And can I request that mac recipe?!
Depending on the family, both.
I generally bring meatloaf, or fried chicken & mashed potatoes. I always seem to want really hearty downhome meals after I give birth, so I always think other women do too!
So glad she is ok, RSV is no fun. I had one of mine in the hospital for a week with it, it was terrible!
I like to bring in a meal about a week after the relief society has stopped doing so. It gives them time to finish off the left-overs.
When my last baby joined us a friend dropped off dinner for husband and I then took the kids to her house to feed them. That was awesome!
I usually bring Chicken Crescents with a loaded green or fruit salad and a side vegetable, along with homemade dessert (if there's time) or some good ice cream (if no time to make something).
Prefer bringing food. Tiny babies scare me, especially since they aren't mine. No babysitting for me until the 8 month mark.
When my sis-in-law had her baby a month ago I brought them veggie enchiladas, spinach lasagna, bolognese sauce & package of spaghetti, rosemary meatballs & tomato sauce, and wheat pancake mix.
I have had the blessed (or unfortunate) opportunity to be at the receiving end of much compassionate service and have had some of the most lovely meals brought to me. So lovely that I needed the recipes post illness and now they are some of my favorite recipes. Perhaps because they were made with so much love.
I am glad you brought up this topic because there have been some wonderful ideas shared.
Please share your recipe for mac & cheese as others have suggested. Nothing more comforting than a big bowl of homemade mac & cheese! Especially when made with love.
I like to call to Utah and order something and then have Azucar pick it up an deliver it.
Ok so I've never thought about half the things mentioned here. There are some really good tips about postpartum dinners. I should try to publish this dialogue and make a million dollars from Deseret Book.
Hint to C jane....don't ask for comments like this unless you mandate that recipes are also included. Can you do another post requesting all of these recipes? I'm starving.
Meals yes...before baby and about one month after baby. Babysitting..not so much.
I happened on your blog from a click click click.. you know how that goes. I just had a baby and had the strangest occurrence.. this wonderful but quirky lady in our ward brought us over prime rib. Now don't get me wrong - I was greatful to not have to cook but isn't prime rib kind of a selective dish? Especially when I have 3 other kids 4 and under? Anywhoo.. still greatful until later that week after thanking her she replied. "oh you bet. Wasn't that great meat? It was a week old too!" SHE GAVE US HER WEEK OLD LEFTOVERS!! You could hear my jaw hit the floor.
Oh Sherine.
My compassionate service leader was the bishops wife and my neighbor. So she knew my issues with people bringing me food. I have big fears of pets on counters and not clean houses. We ended up with Chicken rice and salad one night then the next night was Lasagna.
I think that it is wonderful they do this for you. But I also think that making sure that you are gonna like what they bring is a good idea. Especially as I can't stand Lasagna. I also hadn't gotten over my dislike of chicken from the pregnancy.
Glad your new niece is doing well.
Sherine I am so sorry for your meal mishap I would have had to pick my jaw up off the floor too.
It depend on the kids. For some, I would love to watch the kids, usually if it's family. Other than that, dinner.
I like to make chicken enchiladas.
Well, the mac 'n cheese was a HUGE hit! And can I just say a big thank you for everyone who has helped us and fed us. I am really overwhelmed and touched by how kind everyone has been. I don't like asking for help, and I needed it, and it was there. I can't tell you how much that has meant for me and my family. Maybe I'll have to BLOG about it. . .after I figure out what day it is.
Thank you--there are a lot of readers on this blog who are extra EXTRA special to me and you know who you are and you all cook (or order out) REALLY well. My postpardum cup runneth over.
Either is fine, but given the choice:
Cooking (which I love) my chicken and biscuit casserole (go to allrecipes.com), throwing in some grapes and some froxen ice cream treat...because the new mommy needs lots of treats to build up her milk supply. At least that's what I tell myself.
Oh baby. I'm all warm and happy inside after seeing that recipe posted. Thank you.
You did get the word about it being National Pie Day today, no?
I just bought stuff for berry, apple, cherry and pecan pies. I'm whipping up a batch of crust and then letting each one of my kids make their favorite. I might make me a buttermilk pie.
Before you get all impressed that I'm some kind of good mom like that all the time you should probably know I only manage moments of greatness about every leap year or so.
Bless you and bless your mac!
I go all out. I bring chicken broccoli casserole (like Jaynie), bagged salad with organic croutons and dressing, olives (what kid doesn't like to put them on EVERY finger?), carrots, cottage cheese, fresh rolls, and strawberry cheesecake. I like to go above and beyond so when they come to my house and see us eating on paper plates with taco bell/leftover pizza hut food they think it must be a fluke. Sadly, the fluke is the meal I took to them.
Like most everyone else here, I bring a meal and then if it's family, I bring a meal and babysit if I can.
I like to make various soups and I also bring rolls, salad and a dessert. I like to vary the soups, but I do not try out a new recipe on an unsuspecting family.
My biggest thing: I ask if there are any allergies (or severe sensitivities, etc) to any foods. This didn't occur to me until my youngest had food allergies. Now it is such a big deal to me.
I have a tremendous fear of giving people food poisoning, so when I bring meals (and I only sign up for a couple, NEVER a family), I always get nice steak dinners with all the fixings from Steak-Out. There's always coupons for it and it's a nice change from soup or creamy chicken casseroles.
BABYSITTING! I am a sorry, sorry, sad cook, and I always over stress myself about my pathetic offerings.
When kids come to play, they are just happy to while away their time in my toy room, and then I give them some cookies so they will tell their mom they had a good time.
The End.
i offer to babysit. anyone, anytime. but if i am asked to bring a meal i just make sure that it's in containers they can keep or toss. i HATED all the dishes i had to wash and return when i had cate. i wrote a lengthy entry in my journal wishing they would never have brought me that crusty casserole in the blankety blank pan.
i have since learned i was suffering from post partum depression. but still, leason learned.
I did it. I made your mac and cheese recipe last night. I couldn't resist the picture.
After much heartache and worry that it was looking too "soupy"(5 cups of milk, wow!), and after the baking and cooling a bit, it turned out great.
There was one problem. After eating about 5 bites, I honestly felt like my arteries were closing up. And not just my heart, every artery from my temples to my little piggie toe. Oh my richness! Even the kids could only eat about 1/2 their bowl. Maybe the double recipe was a little much.
But thank you anyway for the experience.
So glad I heard back from you Matt. I worried all night. Sorry about the arteries.
Mmmm. Thanks for the recipe. Looks like something even I could make.
I would so much rather watch kids. Dinners are hard for me. Especially if it's summer and I can't (well, I can, but it's not very seasonal) just take over taco soup and corn bread (from the Trader Joe's mix...so good). That's the one meal I make and serve with confidence! Maybe I can add Mac 'n' Cheese to my list.
sorry to cause you worry, but glad I got to talk to you, even if it was for a few short minutes. I was telling my friend about the mac-n-cheese experience and she interjected, "You actually called C jane?" You really are just a little bit famous in blogdom. I laughed and said, "Yeah! and she answered for little ole me."
i call the mom and ask for her favorite local take-out place. you know we have a hankering for chipotle sometimes!
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