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......