HIS FIRST CHRISTMAS PARTY...FABULOUS APPETIZERS AND DECORATIONS

 
Good Morning Loves....
as we enter the Christmas Eve gathering,
I wanted to capture an impromptu
family Christmas party at our son's townhome.....



We began Sunday morning with a fabulous
Dutch Baby.....nothing better in my opinion....

As the day wore on....cleaning and organizing for our
Christmas Eve event, we were invited over
to see our son's townhome decorated for the season
and to watch the Cowboy football game....
and, the darling and I were excited to go......



It gave us a chance to visit and see all the gorgeous
Christmas lights.....



It was a rather chilly and blustery evening..
a feeling of Christmas was in the air....

What a lovely entry on the first level....

They did a beautiful job with all the decorations....
credit goes to his significant other for the placement
of the decorations...it was really beautiful....

I have neve seen blinds like these and simply
love the sophistication of this loft style townhome....

What a beautiful tree.....
I gifted him some ornaments from my
years of collecting and I will say, they
created a gorgeous tree....

The appetizers were amazing.....

delicious grilled shrimp

Get in my belly Bruschetta.....

A very cool liquor cabinet....

A tiny gnome was featured on this window seat....

Oh my gosh....to die for stuffed mushrooms using
fresh lump crabmeat...seriously the best I have ever had...

What a wonderful and festive evening.....

It's a special event to host your first

holiday party in your new home....

it was a wonderful evening with family....

Merry Christmas everyone....

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS....FABULOUS FOOD AND FUN

Christmas Eve seems to have a particular feeling in the air.... 

it's palpable....family gathers for an evening of holiday foods,
seasonal cocktails, games to bring us together and laugh...
while we await the arrival of Santa, but our thoughts are also
with the true meaning of Christmas.....

Merry Christmas to all..

Who's ready for a cozy holiday Christmas Eve?
The menu has been decided and it's time to
choose what festive serving pieces will be used this year....
I love this part...I want to use some of my oldest
and most beautiful servingware..
our punch bowl which is now probably close to
forty-five years old, my vintage cake stand
from when the children were little and my
mother's and grandmothers crystal bowls....

I like using pretty paper goods for ease of clean up
and can simply fall into bed after the gathering....

I simply adore this cake stand...it's so old and brings back
so many happy memories...this will be for the
Red Velvet Cake

This beautiful Spode Santa Mug was on sale recently....
perfect for holding festive appetizer picks....

I think I included all our favorites for the candy corner

Now, let's talk food from Estelle's kitchen.....

oh, my Daddy loved Christmas cookies....
he was a very joyous baker...

I try to never let the season pass, without making his
fabulous fruit cake cookies...
This year I could not find the candied fruit anywhere but
was able to order some from Amazon.....

The taste is such a sweet memory of a wonderful time in my life....

For a heartwarming lunch..
a Butternut Squash Soup

This is the season for slow cooking....

Tonight, chicken and mushrooms in a spicy
garlic Parmesan Sauce,,served over buttery rice
with fresh broccoli

-An afternoon treat of Warm Eggnog Bread

Past family favorites that will be served on
Christmas Eve....

I love serving special jams with the appetizers
and my family looks forward to this....
I am including the Major Grey's Chutney this year....
I have seen rave reviews and can't wait to try this....

Everyone loved my cheese ball from the past few years...mmmm good!

And the BROWNIE CHEESECAKE TRIFLE....
always requested by our youngest.....

I need the step ladder to bring out the punch bowl ....
I am serving a very delicious and refreshing Vodka punch!



I fell in love with these paper mache ornaments...
I plan on making something very special with these.....



I added one more ornament of this beautiful Santa face...



I wish you all a very Merry Christmas...
may you find joy, peace and contentment ....

It's the time to make merry......

COZY CHRISTMAS BEDROOM AND NUTCRACKERS ON THE BAR CART

Good Morning Kindred Spirits...
is your weather cold....perhaps a few rainy days?
Are you listening to Christmas classics on the radio,
baking cookies and wrapping gifts?
Whatever your days look like,
I do hope you are loving the Christmas season... 



Yes, I have baked cookies, and wrapped gifts...
all the presents are now under the tree and I
feel good about that.....

This is the first year, I decided to decorate
our bedroom for Christmas...
I cannot believe I have not done this before now..
It's a little gift to ourselves...and it's so cozy and warm..

I purchased the new velvet comforter
from My Texas House and it is just lovely...

My Bath and Body candle in the scent Flannel...
smells so cozy.....

The holly pillow is also new from My Texas house and
I paired it with this lovely needlepoint pillow I have had
for years....

I am in love with this Merry Christmas quilt and this
beautiful, soft Nordic blanket....

I know Miss Lucy is loving the new Nordic Blanket....

We love reading in the living room during the afternoons...

The BAR CART features a Nutcracker theme

I am in love with Nutcrackers and this will be the theme
for our Christmas Eve buffet on the farmhouse table....

I love wrapping the stairway with a lighted garland
which creates such a warm, welcoming festive entrance
to the family arriving on Christmas Eve....
We will celebrate and honor the birth of the Christ Child..
what a time for love and kindness....

HIGH TEA FOR THE HOLIDAYS....DALLAS STYLE

Good Morning Loves....
I have created a few posts on hosting
and afternoon tea here at Estelle's
and so enjoyed this rather sophisticated
gathering... 

Hosting a holiday High Tea is an opportunity
to bring out your favorite serving pieces
and make some delicious tiny bites....

I loved this one which featured Mother's Spiced Tea for 
the Autumn season...

I combined this High Tea with Book Club
featuring the Jane Austen Cookbook....

Dallas features some glorious tea rooms
to meet up with your closest lady friends
who enjoy this type of experience.
But specific rules apply and it can be a bit pricey...

All of the hotels and tea rooms require an advanced reservation
made a week in advance.
Prices per person range from $60 TO $115..
Children under 12 must have separate reservations
that range from $35 to $80 per person.

The Taschen Library at The Joule

You will be presented with a menu for adults,
in addition to a menu for children

There will be a variety of Champagne choices to choose from
as well as selected choices of loose leaf teas...

Most also offer a Plant Based Menu
Guests will enjoy a three course dining experience...
which will include..
Savory Indulgences
Scones with Clotted Cream
Tea Cakes and Pasties
Caviar and toast points

The French Room at The Adolphus Hotel

And remember, there is a dress code for all tea rooms....

A few others which offer High Tea

Hotel Crescent
DeGolyer Tea Room
Potpourri Boulanger

This would be a very special holiday experience
to enjoy with your daughter and granddaughters...
a delightful afternoon of sophistication....