Our Post Christmas Dinner Party~ Thursday Favorite Things

 Today I am   joining along with Amber   at Follow the Yellow Brick Road.

Last night we were  so fortunate to be able to host a small dinner party for 4 best friends. These two couples  attend our church and we have been   socially distancing and wearing our masks  for a  few weeks now and  felt it was safe to  be able to enjoy   the seaon together.

Earlier in the season while shopping at Hobbie Lobbie,  I found these cute  place setting holders  and knew  I had to have them.. The  little country red truck had  captured my attention last Christmas and  always reminded me of  going to grandmas as child, so  these just jumped out at me.  Immediately I had   the  thought of creating a tree farm  on the table  where " shoppers" could  buy their trees and  cart them away.

I was thrilled to find a whole slough of  trees at once at Amazon!  Note, in the center is  my hubby's  cute little  torquoise colored  sedan   he  kept from his childhood. - the perfect size for my  tree farm!

I thought the black buffalo  cloth would    be just right  for the   back drop  and I remembered I had red   checked napkins, so I was in business! I love pairing the   black check with my  black    with the ring of holly  place mats I found at Stein Mart last year.

That move prompted me to substitute  my white plates for the red transfer wear  ones I had  planned.  I like the contrast in tones!

  

And I had  at least 6  of each pattern I purchase.

Our menu was  perfect:

We started with :

 sausage balls witha  hot mustard dipping sauce

Mixed nuts

Homestead Creamery Eggnog (YUM)

Then we sat down to:

Cranberry punch/water

cabbage winter salad with cranberries and walnuts and a  homemade honey mustard dressing

roasted pork tenderloin

fresh cooked green beans with country ham

potato stacks  with gruyere chesse and bacon

blueberry crisp with vanilla ice cream

You might be wondering what the canisters were for?  Those canisters went right along with the theme so I had to have them,  as  a vehicle to    for sharing treats with my friends!

This is  our great band of buddies1    Always a great time with  these special friends!!

I like to retire to the parlor between dinner and dessert!

It was to balmy   yesterday for fire,  but    the  conversation was  still  wonderful!

I k now a lot of folks a re  starting to get their decorations down and put away if they havent already.  Not me.  I believe in  going straight through to Epiphany, January 6th.  I get my  best holiday   revival  in  during the post Christmas days when I can sit by a fire, listen  to carols and  contemplate  what has gone   behind us and what is  coming  upon us.    I  have all my  getting ready  and cooking behind me and   now it is all JOY!

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Hosted by Joyce!

1. Tell us about your favorite moment or share one of the bright spots from the year we're leaving behind. 

Anything that has to do with this! We found a new church in 2019 and joined later that year.There are so many things to  love about our new fellowship..  It is  loving,  inclusive,  the teaching is dynamic and timely.  

 Our young pastor  works so hard   and this covid year  posed many new obstacle before him, yet he persevered and sailed through them  victoriously!

https://vimeo.com/492876388

He   teaches three times a week, both in person, live on you tube, and   by zoom.  He  has weekly words of encouragement  like the link I  copied above.

And he is a professor at Liberty University..   But it is his heart and humility that draws  people to him... We all just love our little church!!

And I  think it is  so beautiful inside and out. .. very olde English!

I love the way the sunlight comes through the windows.  One really feels  the Presence of God here in through the   teaching of  this  wonderful church!

2. What do you wish you'd known at the start of 2020? Elaborate. 2020started out so poorly for me  ...  I was  suffering from torn meniscuses,  doing therapy, and learning to walk.. then the shingles set in    for 6 weeks,  then   a horrible  intestinal    upset that led to dehydration that led to  a terrible onset of gout.  Then my shoulder was impinged  and I  had another round of therapy..  these things lasted   through June..  and   I  was  so focused on getting better  I paid little attention to covid... I suppose I can  be thankful for it in one  way...  Our  daughter's family and we  had planned for a couple of years to tour Ireland in July  and  all was arranged and paid for  prior to  co-vid.. I suppose I am glad  that since I  was so  out of shape and    immune compromised  I'm glad we didn't get to go...  God  is good  even in co-vid..  But    I  have to    say  that  God is even good in co-vid   because of the separation and  self sacrifice    which is something each believer actually needed,  to  draw closer to God and   grow in our faith...  He used  it  for His purposes...  I  don't know that  being comprised of what was to come in 2020 befroe hand would have done me any good.  Taking each day as it  comes is best for me. 

3. Best book you read this year? If you did not read any books this year, what's the best thing you ate all year? We've all eaten, right?   A re-read of   Ann Voskamp's book, 1000 Gifts.  I absolutely love it and it prompts me to be much more intentional in my days to    see  God's hand in all things ...

4. The Pantone Colors of the year for 2021 are ultimate gray and illuminating yellow (a bright shade)...are you a fan? Would we find either of these colors in your home or wardrobe? 

I am very tired of the   decorator's choice of gray every where...  not  that much of a fan. I suppose  it is wise to  pair with with a bright yellow...  but I would never do a room in these two colors.  I have been known to wear  gray slacks with a yellow sweater.

5. If you were/are making a list of 21 things to do/accomplish in 2021 what is one thing that would be on it? 

Well, I used my new word  in another  answer.  My word for 2021 is  Intentional

 and I  need to be intentional in so many areas.  My eating habits, my exercise habits,  my journalling,  my   home purging, my Bible Study, my water color painting.  I fully intend  to    get  some priorities in my life.  Year 2020    did me no favors!

6. Insert your own random thought here.I am having a dinner party tonight   and  am looking forward  seeing our  beat  2 couple friends  agin.  We  do atttend church    with  masks and    a great deal of    social distancing   ( only about 12  people are  attending in person,  so I feel  safe having them over.  I know they    only  go  for  groceries  otherwise..   We are having a lovely  roasted  pork tenderloin,  layered potatoes, a recipe my daughter gave me,    wointer salad and freshly snapped green beans  with rolls,  and then   a blueberry crisp  and ice cream for dessert.

Tuesday 4 Happy New Year

Hosted by Annie!

Happy New Year and welcome once again to Tuesday 4 where we 

remember and honor the memory of our friend Toni Taddeo who   

began Tuesday4..The Times Square ball first dropped on December

 31, 1907. It is 12 feet in diameter and covered with Swarovski crystals. 

1.  Despite the weirdness of this past year, was it still a good year for 

you anyway or not?Physically, for me it was a horrid year.. but all things

 considered, especially in the spiritual and many other ways, too, it was a 

productive year. Because of the trials  of 2020, I believe we have  learned

much about  God, our faith,   and  learned how to apply that faith for 

 good things in God's kingdom.  That is a very good thing.  Also, in our

 family,  I am thankful for  the blessings of God,  and as I look at our 

daughter's family  whose husband has worked from home  this whole time, 

I believe the family unit in many cases has grown closer and   many won-

derful  memories have been made.  I have seen our granddaughters, age 5 

and 7  grow closer and  really  depend on one another much more!

 2. How will you spend New Years Eve? Quietly!  In prayer.

3. What do you do on New Year's Day? Is football part of the agenda?No. 

 Not for   me. I  will work on my new  journal.

4. It's a Scottish tradition to kiss at midnight.  Do you keep that tradition?  

Yes!  Does everyone get a kiss if you do?  Well, it's just the two of us now!!

A VERY CONTEMPLATIVE CHRISTMAS

I am sitting by the fire  while the ham bakes listenng to carols, enjoying my spice tea!

Hubs has stepped out for one last  stroll through the  market... You never know what he'll bring home!

The house is quite, except for the  heavy rain pattering  down outside  and string music from our new player!

I am enjoying the lights of the season..  reminding me that  Jesus  is the Light of the World and that  we carry that light into the world  demonstrating His love and savior  to others.

Merry Christmas to one and all and  stay safe and well this season!!

Click to enjoy!

Tuesday 4

 

Merry Little Christmas

 Thank you for joining in for Tuesday 4, begun by Toni Taddeo and kept in her memory.

   
        Hosted by Annie! 

Christmas is fast approaching for millions of people...

1. Do you have a favorite Christmas carol and if so is there a 

particular version you especially like?

I really had to think about this because I love carols so much,  

but truthfully,  every time the Piano Guys play just about 

anything , I have to stop what I’m doing and give my whole 

attention while I groove right along with them.

 2.Do you have a special dinner for the holidays? What foods are 

included? This year  I am actually baking my very first ham. 

  Mom always did the ham, then it was Amanda at her house, 

so this year, I’m determined to bake it all by myself.  I will 

have baked apples, sweet potatoes and roasted asparagus. 

3.Holiday movies ... which do you like to watch?  I love vintage 

movies at Christmas, even the black and white ones.  So far 

I’ve seen Beyond Tomorrow,  on YouTube.  Loved that one. 

I will also enjoy White Christmas on Christmas! 

4. What traditions do you continue to keep year after year

 for the holidays?Most of our traditions  have    gone with the 

people who have gone  before us..  So  our new traditions  are

 to  get together over the holidays as we are able and  plan 

 the same foods  we  have  always had over the holidays.. 

 Our daughter does  tweak  recipes and  menus that  are  

appropraite for her family and  when  she is hosting  we are 

excited to  enjoy  her  changes..  that is what families are all 

about..engaging  the holidays with  bits of the past and  

new ideas  for the future!!

Happy Homemaker Monday~Christmas Week

Hosted by Sandra!

The weather outside is::::

• 
  

DATE

TEMP

DESCRIPTION

PRCP

HMD

WND

MONDAY12/21

53°/

37°

Partly Sunny

0%

63%

W 15MPH

TUESDAY12/22

47°/

28°

Sun And Wind

0%

58%

WNW 17MPH

WEDNESDAY12/23

50°/

37°

Mostly Sunny

0%

56%

SSW 8MPH

THURSDAY12/24

52°/

31°

Rain & Wind

80%

63%

SW 11MPH

FRIDAY12/25

31°/

20°

Cold & Windy

30%

54%

WNW 15MPH

I would love to see a bit of snow on Christmas Day...

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

Coffee and yogurt,   later  baceon and hard boiled eggs

 

As I look outside my window::::

The fog is lifting and  it looks  kind of drear!  But as you can see it will warm up today  although it will be cloudy!

As I look around the house::::

I see  some areas that need to be    finished  as far as decorating goes.. especially the sunroom..  We ahd a package  form Amazxon stolen off out [porch last week, and it had    decorations I had bought to complete my   dining room table... Now my plan has been   deflated and Im sort of stuck for a table   idea  with the items I had already purchased... 

What I'm wearing today::::

I  am still in my pj's and robe!

 Currently reading::::

Ann Voskamp's book 1000 Gifts.  I have done the online study and now starting a new journal of 1000  blessings!

 

On the TV for this week::::

Christmas  Vlogs on Youtube

Christmas movies

 

 

On the menu this week::::

 

Monday - homemade vegetable beef soup

Tuesday - cheesy broccoli and   fried chicken

Wednesday - Sir fried  Basmati Rice with veggies

Thursday - baked ham, sweet potatoes, and   broccoli

Friday -   Christmas Brunch  and leftovers

Something fun to share::::

 

I found a great  vlog..

Entertaining with Beth..  Here is her idea for  Christmas dinner

Favorite photo from the camera::::

This was  our last Christmas  to have mom and dad with us...  We actually  brought them over from Assisted Living  to join us for our Christmas Brunch!     It was, also, dad's last Christmas  with us..    This year it will jsut be the two of us...  Amanda did say we   can  dine  at the same time on facetime and open our gifts together on line!  

 

Prayers, Inspiration quotes, Devotionals::::

Dear  God,  nothing takes you by surprise. You know everything that has transpired in the last  few years in  our nation..  I won't your time reminding you    but please  know  that our hearts are wrenching from the  knowledge that our nation  has  fallen beyond the pale into the  hands of an evil entity  that has been brewing for  a long time  but  who has  reared its ugly head  mightily  in the last   few weeks. Deception,   deception deception!!!   You know best   what is to be done,  so  we wait patiently for your help!   Thank you for your peace  that passes all understanding.

A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols (2019)

Last year our daughter performed in   this Boston.. She is sitting front row, 

right of conductor, playing her violin!  So  beautiful!

No Place LIke Home~ Week 5 It's All About Family and Friends..

 No Place Like Home~ hosted by Sandi!

When it comes to family, our's is very small.I was an only child and  you can see above  we  enjoyed Christmas with my parents  every year.  For the first  40 years of our marriage  we would go to mom and dad's for Christmas..  and it was wonderful because they lived  next to Grandma   who  lived until 1988 and our daughter got to know her and  the  whole  clan  as they would  trickle  by during the holidays.  In 1997 my parents moved  here, and even though they were  in their late 70's and 80's   they still wanted us to come to their home  on Christmas Eve,  and it was then I started  doing   Christmas Day brunch. 

Amanda left home    for college  the same year I retired  in 2003,  and  Christmas vacation was about the only time of the year we  really  got to visit with her,  so  we  really tried to make  Christmas beautiful and  special.  We  enjoyed  our times with her and her  fiancee   at Christmas, for Amanda  is our only child and  Josh  is our  beloved  now son-in-law!  They married in 2005,  and  now live in New England.  

But in 2013,  dad  passed , and even though we  expected to go  to  NE   to see the kids,  since it was early Dec. Amanda came home and   brought her wee one!  We had a glorious time, especially  once  Joshua  joined up and we were a  complete little family of 5 in 2 generations.!

In keeping with  a family tradition we  all went to a grand Hotel  here in town to enjoy the  festivities there.

                   We spent  Christmas Day  that year with mother at  the  Nursing Home.  That was the first and last time she saw her  great grand daugther

                                  That next Christmas  the kids came again for Mom's funeral.

How wonderful it was to  have  our angel with us that year!

 And ever since  we have gone to New England  over the holidays until this year. It is  wonderful to plan a Christmas for just the two of us,    HUbs has sat with me to  enjoy a Hallmark or two! But it is  sad, too.  But  on Christmas Day at Brunch time, we are face timing with the kids, enjoying our separate brunches and opening gifts!.    Then I will probably  go to my  bed and have a bit of a cry.  

But  cheer up,  I am planning  a   dinner here the week after Christmas  with friends. Many of our friends do not have  much family either, so  we enjoy  having a special  Christmas dinner with  them! Here   are my prayer gals...  We  always get together  over the holidays,, not yet this year,  but we will soon!

 and ever since covid  we havent seen any of these...  I miss them so much!!!!

And when we are alone,  the fire offers solace,  warmth and peace.. a wonderful time for  reflection and cocoa!

Skywatch Friday~ Blanket of Clouds

  Visit  our host at Skyley.

Even the earth needs  a blanket!