Ushering in the New Year

I've always wanted to host a formal New Year's Eve dinner party, but at this stage of life, most of my friends have family commitments or are just too tired to enjoy such an evening.  But, this year I was determined to round up some people who could celebrate with me.  I envisioned an evening of feasting with friends, much like what I look forward to when we arrive in heaven.  It ended up being only seven of us, but it was the perfect number for intimate dining.

The menu:

Appetizers:

Flat bread with Parsley Pesto

Goat Cheese Tarts

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Ham & Cheese Crisps

Spiced Grape Juice

Assorted wines

Main Course:

Cream of Zucchini Soup

Jan's Salad with Pomegranates

Rubbed Pork Loin

Roasted Potato Mix

Buttered Green Beans with Cashews

Rolls with Butter and Green Pepper Jam

Dessert:

Candy Cane Brownie Trifles

Coffee & Tea

It was a fun evening - everyone was so relaxed and enjoyed each other's company   (Most likely the wine had something to do with that!).  I hope to do it again another year!

Christmas Traditions

My mom used to bake Sand Tarts every Christmas - a fond memory for me and my siblings. After my mother passed away in 2003, the tradition was passed on to me since no one else in my family cares for tedious process of making cut-out cookies, even though they love eating them! I use the same cookie cutters that my mother used, so it always feels very nostalgic. These are usually the only Christmas cookies I get around to baking, but it's a tradition I enjoy. And, my family always looks forward to them, especially since that's the only time of year we get to eat Sand Tarts!

Snowflakes....

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/pipe-cleaner-snowflake-ornaments

2009 Christmas Memory Ornaments

My nephew and I had fun making felted wool scarves for Christmas gifts this year, and these two ornaments were made out of the scraps that were left over:

 Ricky made this one for me.

I love this little mitten ornament!  I had him trace around his hand to draw a mitten, then I shrunk the pattern down on the copier so that it was truly his.  :)

Ricky loves doing origami, so this dove became a perfect remembrance.


We also had fun making a variety of pipecleaner ornaments last February (during the Super Bowl!).  For directions, click on the Martha Stewart link below each picture.

 http://www.marthastewart.com/article/easy-ornaments-wreath

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/pipe-cleaner-ornaments

 http://www.marthastewart.com/article/easy-ornaments-stocking

 http://www.marthastewart.com/article/pipe-cleaner-snowflake-ornaments

My ornament collection keeps growing, so decorating the tree becomes more and more special each and every year!

Welcome December!