From my house and heart to yours! Hope you enjoy this card with the photo of my Christmas Tree, aka, Jack's Tree. Here is another shot of it with the old porcelain Nativity that my Momma purchased many years ago. I am so blessed to have it and all the decorations she saved through the years, recently unearthed in a storage facility we hadn't cleaned out for years. It's wonderful to see them and hang them on the tree this year. Memories, So Sweet.
Can I just say without sounding like a braggart that I am so blessed to own a lovely home provided and preserved for me by the Lord. The reality is that by all indications, I should not be able to even rent such a beautiful home even half the size of mine, let alone own it, not with all that I have been through financially and physically these past several years. Yet, only because of His goodness, and favor, am I here, now, about to celebrate 6 Mortgaged years and going strong! I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that this home has not been given to me except that I am to share it with others and to use it for His glory.
Jack and my Mel's Hubby, Donny
Mel and daughter, my other Hannah!
Me & Melody
Me & my other Hannah, Mel & Donny's Daughter
Unfortunately I didn't get any good photos of Bekah & Kaylen but we have already decided to have another party for New Years, so, hopefully I will get a few then.
Below is a glance of the table and foods from my Christmas Party Luncheon.
Back Left to right: Garlicky Kale Salad, Kale Chips, in the crock pot is the warm Spinach & Artichoke Dip, with a bowl of fresh baked herb and olive loaf bread for dipping, A platter of chips also for dipping, a platter of crudites with homemade buttermilk dressing, A Brie & Crescent Roll Bake, Crescent Rounds, another platter of Crudites and Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. Missing from this photograph are both the Spaghetti Squash with herbs and parmesan, and the better than Olive Garden Zuppa Tuscano Soup that my friend Mel made. It was to die for!
Here's MY PLATE and MY BOWL of Zuppa Tuscano. I'm dreaming of all these goodies as I Blog. If only you all could have been here to share it all with me! It would have been perfect! That Garlicky Kale Salad that Kaylen makes has to be my favorite salad these days! YUM..
Love me some Zuppa Tuscano Soup
For dessert, Bekah made Pumpkin Cheese Cake Dip served with apple slices. Mmm! Mmm! GREAT! We also had Ginger Snaps Cookies made with REAL Molasses and Ginger!
I call this Brie In A Blanket - It is the Brie Cheese and Crescent Roll Recipe you may have seen on a tv commercial [I did] and just had to try it. It was unbelievable! So simple and So flavorful with those tender and flaky crescents covering a round mound of soft creamy melty brie cheese goodness that somehow holds it's shape even though baked inside the Crescents. Amazing! So richly satisfying!
This is the first Christmas since my Momma passed away, 4 years ago, that we have had a happy Christmas celebration in the house without tears of sadness and loss and grief. But she was part of my Christmas Luncheon yesterday. When I found I didn't have enough decorative pearls for both candles on my dining room table, I took my Momma's old pearls and wrapped them around the candle on the left. It warms my heart to see them. They looked beautiful , especially bathed in candlelight.
An old, antique, solid cherry desk being served as a side table for extra accessories.
Below is the view from Jack's favorite comfy chair, after dinner where he went channel surfing as you can see while we reminisced about the wonderful afternoon we shared.
Christmas Party Luncheon 2011 was super successful.
Here is a recap of the Menu
Zuppa Tuscano Soup,
Garlicky Kale Salad,
Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip,
Kale Chips,
Brie In A Blanket Crescent Roll Bake,
Spaghetti Squash with herbs and Parmesan,
Crescent Rounds with Real Butter,
Crudites with homemade buttermilk dressing for dipping
Pumpkin Cheese Cake Dip with Apple Slices & Ginger Snap Cookies for dessert
and last but not least, glasses filled with Chilled Sparkling Grape Juice to drink!
Hands down it was the tastiest & healthiest Christmas party, I have ever had.
That makes me SO Happy! It's not difficult to eat healthy and tasty during the Holidays. Who says you can't begin New Traditions! I just proved that you can! There is more to come as the month is still young! YAY! Love Christmas!
Just like my favorite Christmas Movie.... IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE....... No matter what.
All because of our wonderful Savior, & Lord of All, Christ Jesus, our ultimate gift, it truly is a Very Merry Christmas!
Blessings, HUGS, and Love,
Tina Maria
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