Holiday Party Time

David and I do a random gift draw at our party each year. It's always fun for everyone. Cathy's name had just been drawn.

Hanging around the bar...........

Ralph's name is drawn this time for a gift.

We did a wine exchange this year for anyone who wanted to participate. It was fun. Wayne drew the names since he wasn't participating in the exchange. Everyone cried "fixed" (in fun) when my name was called first to choose a bottle from those submitted.

I chose a bottle of Morgan Cab that Cathy and Dom brought for the exchange. I had never heard of it so I am looking forward to trying it.

Having fun and enjoying one another................

Who's that bearded man? Why it's my brother-in-law Fred!

Shawn and Dom fixing the world.

Scrooge.

My honorary son Wayne and friend Sarah...................

Kathy and Erin. Kathy was Erin's angel while she was at Stanford.

Erin and Jen celebrating....wooohoooo!

Justin playing with his party gifts.

Saturday Morning & Afternoon - One Little Gift Bundle

I finished making up the cold appetizers. This is a quick and delicious one. Slice English cucumbers, drain on paper towels to get water out. Spread with a bit of Boursin then top with a small piece of smoked salmon. They look colorful and beautiful and are very tasty.

My precious gift comes in the early afternoon. Look at him! I can't believe that he is old enough to sit in a high chair and eat people food.

He was eating chicken breast and sweet potatoes and loving every bite.

Making sure he gets it all stuffed in there........

And look....I drink out of my very own sippy cup now too!

"Talking" to Gram Gram.

MMMMMM, tasty biscuit.

Jacob and his new teddy bear/cloth book.

It went right into his mouth. A sure sign that he loves it. He is such a delight!

Friday - The Celebrating Begins

I spent the morning Friday preparing what I could a day a head of the party. Above is a round of brie topped with minced fresh garlic, white pepper and pine nuts. I "baked" it in the microwave the night of the party. simple, quick and always the hit of the party.

Hard boiling eggs for deviled or stuffed eggs as I call them. It isn't a celebration without stuffed eggs to David.

David's job; peeling the eggs. I made the stuffed eggs the following morning.

Shrimp ready to marinate.

After marinating a few hours I grilled them indoors on the George Foreman grill. so fast and easy this way, instead of dealing with the outdoor grill.

Set and ready for the buffet table the next evening.

I spent the afternoon visiting with my friend Sarah who flew in from Arizona that morning. It was alot of fun to spend time together instead of emailing. We were celebrating Sarah's 40th birthday this weekend as well. She helped me with the first step of the egg nog. Yeah, we did sample some of the Seagram's 7 with 7-Up earlier.

That evening Rob, Erin, Steven, Mackenzie and Deb arrived at their hotel and came over to hang out a bit and share some pizza and wine. Everyone was so thrilled that Erin had recovered enough to come to the party. We celebrated her recovery too.

Glimpses Of My Week

Simple to make sandwich cookies the kids love. I also have a following of adults who look forward to these as well. Take Pillsbury premade snowmen cookies and bake as directed. Sandwich them together with store-bought chocolate fudge frosting and get ready to pig out.

A few goodies for Toys For Tots.

Riley and Poopie hard at work at what they do best. Nap.

Dessert buffet table ready for the food tomorrow.

PArty Favor Basket of Home Canned Foods.

Food buffet table ready and waiting.

A small seating group I put together in front of the lighted forest scene.

David getting intot he wine room.

Choosing wines to serve at the party......

Give as gifts.............

And some for party presents given out by random draw during the party. We are also having a wine exchange this year, so we chose the bottles we are using to participate in that. We are getting excited!

Christmas Lights - A Welcome For Our Guests

David has been busy this week as well getting ready for our annual holiday party tomorrow by putting up the outside lights and decorations.

Pictures (at least mine) never do justice to outdoor lights at night.

This has been a challenging week for me preparing for the party because I have been fighting a nasty sore throat, achiness all over and lack of energy. I have been working, napping, working, napping............I am happy that today I actually am starting to feel human again.

Today our friend Sarah arrives from Arizona. Erin, the kids, Deb and Rob later in the day arrive as well. So looking forward to seeing everyone! We sure do wish Ron could be with us as well. (Love you Ron!)

Jen and her family arrive tomorrow as well as our long-time friends from the Bay Area. We so look forward to this each year!

Well, if this party is to happen, I had better get along with blogging and get to it. Today will be fun -- food prep for tomorrow.