CHRISTMAS EVE PLANNING...including HOLIDAY WASSAIL

Oh the anticipation of Christmas Eve.......

The table has been prepared and the house is aglow with candles ....
the Christmas tree is casting shadows of twinkling lights in the foyer
and the family is driving up for an evening of festive fun...

there is a very special feeling on this night of December 24th....
Our thoughts turn to the birth of the Christ child and the story
of Mary and Joseph's trek to Bethlehem....Oh Holy Night......

Mother's sideboard has been decorated in warm whites this year.....
she would be delighted with this......

I love this tiny little house...aglow under a frosting of snow......

I am looking forward to decorating the farmhouse table with
the theme of Christmas village....Rob helped me select
this tablecloth....he said it reminded him of Maine....
one of his all time favorite Christmas's.
This is my menu for Christmas Eve.....
it includes their favorites from Christmas past, along
with a very old Southern Living appetizer which
I used to serve years ago.....

HOLIDAY WASSAIL
4 CUPS APPLE CIDER

4 CUPS FRESH ORANGE JUICE
4 CUPS CRANBERRY JUICE

3 CINNAMON STICKS

2 FRESH GINGER PIECES

2 T. WHOLE CLOVES

1 LEMON, SLICED

1 ORANGE, SLICED

1/3 CUP BROWN SUGAR

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS IN A SLOW COOKER.

WARM ON LOW FOR 6-8 HOURS
SERVE WARM

Isn't it a blessing to be able to make the holidays
special and memorable for those you love.....