Elevated... party meatballs?
Apr. 28th, 2026 08:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
which_chickTrys's older boy had a birthday party over the weekend. He's a teenager now, which ... wow, that was fast. Anyway, she made party meatballs (frozen meatballs, Heinz chili sauce, grape jelly, throw all that in a crock pot and let 'er rip) for the function.
If you're not from these parts, note that party meatballs are a standard for festive (but not holiday) occasions. They're easy and do-ahead and folks will eat them right the hell up. Maybe it sounds weird, but party meatballs are a thing, just take it as read, and there are lots of recipes online if you want to give them a go yourself.
Now, I didn't go to the birthday party, so all I have is Reports From the Field. Trys didn't invite me because she knows I don't want to be at a function of excited thirteen year olds. I do not want and will not eat commercial ice cream cake. Absolutely nobody's feelings were hurt, here. I am much happier being not-invited to child birthday parties and she knows this. There is only kindness and acceptance on all fronts regarding me not being invited to or attending child birthday parties.
Report from the field the first: Lala, who mentioned at Sunday morning that Trys's party meatballs were unexpectedly delightful and that multiple people commented on their greatness.
Report from the field the second: Trys, who mentioned at yoga (this is at-home yoga with an app, ain't nobody got money or time for a real yoga class, we just set up the mats in Lala's living room and follow the new zealand lady on the phone) that Mordecai (birthday boy) was, "Mom, these meatballs are great. They're better than usual. What did you do different, they're amazing!" Trys was like, "It's the same recipe as always... meatballs and chili sauce and grape je-- . I used which_chick's home made grape jelly. That's what was different."
Now, while I am a bit shocked that someone took my artisanal grape jelly and dumped it in with ultra-processed meatballs and Heinz chili sauce (such travesty, what thoughtlessness), the grape jelly was gifted to them to do with it as they pleased. It's not what I would have done with it, but I don't... adore grape jelly and I mostly make it for other people. Once it's gifted, it is theirs. So, I can't be too mad about that and I am absofuckinglutely chuffed that the quality difference in the resulting party meatballs was obvious enough for a thirteen year old boy to notice and comment upon.
It really is quite good jelly. I care a lot about jelly and I produce a delicious, quality product that spreads the way I want it to spread and tastes noticeably better than store-bought even in party meatballs.
If you're not from these parts, note that party meatballs are a standard for festive (but not holiday) occasions. They're easy and do-ahead and folks will eat them right the hell up. Maybe it sounds weird, but party meatballs are a thing, just take it as read, and there are lots of recipes online if you want to give them a go yourself.
Now, I didn't go to the birthday party, so all I have is Reports From the Field. Trys didn't invite me because she knows I don't want to be at a function of excited thirteen year olds. I do not want and will not eat commercial ice cream cake. Absolutely nobody's feelings were hurt, here. I am much happier being not-invited to child birthday parties and she knows this. There is only kindness and acceptance on all fronts regarding me not being invited to or attending child birthday parties.
Report from the field the first: Lala, who mentioned at Sunday morning that Trys's party meatballs were unexpectedly delightful and that multiple people commented on their greatness.
Report from the field the second: Trys, who mentioned at yoga (this is at-home yoga with an app, ain't nobody got money or time for a real yoga class, we just set up the mats in Lala's living room and follow the new zealand lady on the phone) that Mordecai (birthday boy) was, "Mom, these meatballs are great. They're better than usual. What did you do different, they're amazing!" Trys was like, "It's the same recipe as always... meatballs and chili sauce and grape je-- . I used which_chick's home made grape jelly. That's what was different."
Now, while I am a bit shocked that someone took my artisanal grape jelly and dumped it in with ultra-processed meatballs and Heinz chili sauce (such travesty, what thoughtlessness), the grape jelly was gifted to them to do with it as they pleased. It's not what I would have done with it, but I don't... adore grape jelly and I mostly make it for other people. Once it's gifted, it is theirs. So, I can't be too mad about that and I am absofuckinglutely chuffed that the quality difference in the resulting party meatballs was obvious enough for a thirteen year old boy to notice and comment upon.
It really is quite good jelly. I care a lot about jelly and I produce a delicious, quality product that spreads the way I want it to spread and tastes noticeably better than store-bought even in party meatballs.
