Everybody loves a party

Go back as far as you wish-way back to cave dwellers-and the evidence is clear: people have always marked their important events with a celebration. Druids danced beneath the midnight moon to celebrate the summer solstice. Ancient Romans loved to throw extravagant parties (orgies, in fact) honoring Baccus, god of wine. Then there were the Mayans (as wildly enthusiastic about sports as our fans are today), who celebrated victory in a ball game by cheerfully removing the losers' heads.

Though our celebrations nowadays tend to be a bit more moderate, they still offer (as they did in the past) a break in the humdrum-providing the lemon zest and the pickle relish for everyday existence.

Thanks to RVs, we can now add a new dimension to parties that brings fun and excitement to all the special events in life. To put it another way, your RV can become a movable feast that makes it possible to have a party just about anywhere.

Successful parties have two vital ingredients: they should involve a minimum amount of work for a maximum amount of pleasure. With a little planning, you can host an RV party that's far less effort than one in your home would be. As for your guests, what could be more relaxing and give more pure enjoyment than a get-together that offers a fresh scene as well as a reprieve from the hectic pace of daily living?

You don't have to look far to find an excuse for a good party-- a child's birthday, a promotion, a wedding anniversary. The possibilities are almost limitless. (After weeks of rain, we once had an RV party to celebrate sunshine.) Whatever the reason, celebrations help bring people together in away that, especially for families, can create lifetime memories.

KIDS' PARTIES

Having a birthday party at home for the younger set can mean hours of clean-up for Mom and Dad after it's over A good solution: have your party in a community park, using your RV as a chuck wagon. One of the best parties we ever hosted for our children when they were little had an Indian theme. Parents, warned ahead of time that old shirts and jeans were appropriate, dropped their party-going kids off at a nicely forested park not far from all of our homes. As the children arrived, we painted their faces with gaudy colors and gave each a feathered headband. The kids took it from there, whooping it up as they popped out from behind trees or raced across the lawn. About the time feathers (and kids) began to look a bit bedraggled, we were ready with hot dogs, birthday cake and ice cream.

While the Indian theme wouldn't be considered politically correct today, the same factors that years ago made our party such a smash still apply. Little kids love action and noise. Above all they love a mess. Since you don't have to worry about protecting your carpets and furniture when you have an outdoor RV party, you can let your imagination run wild. Consider face-- painting-with kids in teams of two slathering paint on each other's faces. Give prizes for the funniest, prettiest, etc.

Equally messy and always a hit is a doit-yourself ice cream party. You'll want to pack plenty of ice cream (two or three flavors) in your fridge. Take along packets of chopped nuts, candy sprinkles, chocolate bits and other appealing toppings. Let each child create his or her own sundae.

Since birthdays are never complete without a cake, here's one that's ridiculously fast, and travels well. Add 1/3 cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients of any good brand of angel food cake mix. Bake as directed. (The cake has a slightly denser texture and is guaranteed to please all chocolate lovers.) Insert candles before cutting. Instead of frosting, I buy cans of whipped topping and let each child squirt on as much as conscience allows. For an adult party, shaved semi-sweet chocolate adds a nice touch.

FAMILY PARTIES

Besides providing a moveable feast, your RV is a moveable cabin-a cozy retreat in the mountains, desert or seashore-that can be the hub of family parties, whether they last a day or a week.

Last year, to celebrate our wedding anniversary, our children and grandchildren joined us at a primitive campground in the high Sierras for a few days of hiking. They arranged all meals and brought the food. Since they're still tenting, we provided the refrigerator, a place to cook and bathroom facilities. (Also hot showers for grandchildren who waded in the nearby creek.) For us, with our love of the wilderness, no other anniversary celebration could have meant as much.

For tradition with a contemporary twist, if you live in a southern climate, try an RV Thanksgiving Day party. Instead ofa whole turkey, I like turkey steaks that can be barbequed outside. The rest of the meal (candied sweet potatoes, for instance) can be prepared a day ahead and reheated in the microwave. Cover a picnic table with a decorative cloth and heap bright gourds and small, colorful corn ears (available in produce markets) in the middle.

If you live in a northern state, as leaves turn to gold and crimson consider a Harvest party. Same menu, but add corn (wrapped in foil) to roast with the turkey.

Easter parties can be great fun (with foil-wrapped candy eggs hidden in grass and bushes for youngsters to find). In summer, we've used our rig as a beach house, supplying everything from food to first aid. I recall one especially happy evening when we built a bonfire on the sand and held a clambake. Very romantic, with moonlight reflected on the waves. But with our gang's hearty appetites, we soon ran out of clams.

For summer get-togethers like this, I usually try to include a cold pasta salad-- the kind that's really a meal in itself. Here's one that always brings applause:

PASTA SALAD WITH BROCCOLI

2/3 cup olive oil

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons sweet basil leaves

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 package (10 oz.) spinach rotelle pasta

2 cups broccoli flowerlets (cook briefly, but leave crisp)

1 can large, ripe olives, drained

1 cup cherry tomato halves

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, cubed

Combine oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice and basil. Cook pasta as directed, drain and rinse in cold water Toss dressing with pasta and remaining ingredients. ChilL Makes 12 cups salad. I make this salad a day ahead, adding tomatoes and broccoli at the last moment (Note: Blend in a little low-fat mayonnaise and substitute diced chicken, shrimp or artificial crab for the cheese.)

Copyright T L Enterprises, Inc. Jun 1999
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