Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Sisters Snowy Christmas

Yesterday was my sisters (and best friend from 7th grade) Christmas luncheon here at the farm.  We awoke to snow on the skylights!  A thought flashed through my mind - I hope it doesn't snow so much that we can't have our party!  Hubby gets up first to walk the dog and I asked him to bring me my camera.  The snow was so pretty coming down, like lace.
This is the view from our cozy bed, the skylights where you can tell the minute you open your eyes what the weather is.  :-)
I had my camera in my pocket and snapped this one of the snow out of the kitchen window towards the barn.   
The other kitchen window, you can see everything is white and snowy!  We have at least one hummingbird that is staying with us and Dayle is the one who makes sure the feeder always has nectar in it.  He's good that way. :-)
All white on the deck.. how Christmassy can you get? 
The good news is that the roads were clear and it warmed up - all my guests called to make sure it was okay to make the trip out to the farm.  I set the table with my vintage Jadeite dishes I've collected over the last year - it's the "Alice" pattern, which has flowers and leaves around the rim.  I put my guest's Christmas cards on their bowls.  The hand crocheted lace tablecloth was the perfect backdrop for the 40-50's dishes.
Then I began making the main course, home made clam chowder.  There is nothing better on a cold snowy day than a bowl of hot soup, is there?  I cubed the Yukon Gold potatoes and set them to boil in another soup pot, and chopped up 6 slices of bacon and set them to browning in the French oven - then chopped up a whole big onion to add to the cooking bacon.  Then I sliced 2 cups of celery to add to the boiling potatoes.  When the bacon and onions were cooked well, I added in the clam juice from two cans of whole baby clams to deglaze the pot, then added in a quart of heavy cream, some bay leaves and a tablespoon of Thyme which I rubbed hard between my palms as I put it in the pot.  Then I added the clams and used a slotted spoon to pull the potatoes and celery out of the other pot and added it to the soup.  Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.. a big dollop of butter on the top, and voila!  Done!
A closer look. :-) 
Dayle carried the heavy pot to the table for us and poured the sparkling punch for us.  Isn't he a doll? 
Shirley brought a broccoli salad, elder sister Roberta brought bread and Denise brought dessert, home made Panna Cotta with pureed blueberries on top!  I wish you could have joined us! 
I made a toast to my guests, telling them I was so happy to have them join us in our home, that they were some of the people I love most in my life.  :-)  Cheers! 
We had the best time over lunch - we had my eclectic collection of Christmas songs going in the background, such as Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas", Johnny Mathis singing "I'll be Home for Christmas", Manhattan Transfer, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and many more.  We then retired to the living room by the fire (laid and lit by hubby) where we chatted away and opened gifts from each other.  Shirley brought us the most unusual things, a sparkly little "dust plug" for our iPhones, which keeps dust out of the hole where the earphones plug in.  We all "modeled" our new phone "bling". LOL!
The room glowed with candles and a log fire and the lights from the tree.   
Then Denise brought out our dessert, served in my Jadeite tea cups - her Panna Cotta.  It's so creamy and delicious!  It's not a pudding or custard, but similar and delicious.  The recipe is by Giada De Laurentis - click HERE for the recipe.
As the girls were walking out the door I remembered that I wanted a group photo - so here we are by the tree. :-)  From left, Roberta, Teresa, Denise & Shirley 
I made the girls each a pair of my Swarovski crystal Christmas Tree earrings - theirs are on sterling silver hoops, these are mine, on my own gold hoops.  I was wearing them when the girls arrived and Shirley goes.. "I want some of those!" - needless to say I was happy that I'd made each of them a pair. :-) 
Denise had made me a new pair of patchwork "mug rugs" - the colors are perfect for our new paint colors! 
Sister Roberta got us these funny little felted gnomes while on a driving trip to Canada.  Cute, huh? 
I'm going to try to fill out a few cards to send out to those who've sent some to us today. Then this afternoon we're heading over hill and dale to Denise's house for a family Christmas dinner!  She is making spiral sliced ham, a cheesy potato bake and some other things which I forgot.  But our brother and his wife will be there, so all 4 siblings will be together.  :-D  I hope you are having a wonderful holiday time!


❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ 

((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

23 comments:

  1. Oh Teresa, what a lovely luncheon!! And the snow was the icing on the cake!!! So pretty, and inside, so warm and cozy!! Love the earrings you made, and the other gifts too. The mug rug does go perfectly!!! Love that gnome!!!!
    Enjoy the next party, with your siblings!!!
    Merry Christmas!!
    xo Kris

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  2. Looks like a perfect day, especially with the snow. I am hoping we get a white Christmas here in northern Illinois. Snow is predicted for tomorrow, but you never know. Your chowder looks yummy, and the panna cotta too. I've always wanted to try it.

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  3. Glad you had such a good time with your company! The snow was wonderful-I've already notified my Christmas Elf (hubby) that if we don't get more I shall require a trip further up into the mountains:)
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  4. What a wonderful time you've had Teresa. How beautiful the snow looks. We have rain - again. The Clam Chowder looks delish. Beautiful presents that you exchanged with each other. Enjoy your next celebrations. Lv Anne x

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  5. Wonderful lunch Teresa, could smell it from here (in my head lol).
    Beautiful snow and I saw buddy in your group photo too ☺☺
    Enjoy today.
    Merry xmas to you all

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  6. Teresa, It looks like it was so much fun and yummy too. Yikes, it's coming soon. I'm still up to my eyeballs.. Kids start coming in tomorrow, all the way to January 3rd!!
    Help, xoRobin❤

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  7. Wow...How lucky you are to wake up to a blanket of white snow!! I can only dream!
    Looks like you had a fabulous day with your family...food looks delious!
    Merry Christmas my friend!
    xoxox,
    Shari

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  8. What a lovely, lovely luncheon. How blessed you are to have your sister so close. Mine are all far, far away from me. You sent your early morning snow eastward to us. It's all white and very slippery outside. We're supposed to have 8 inches by morning. Yikes! Love all the gifts you've given each other. Very imaginative.

    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  9. Beautiful and such fun! Your recipe for clam chowder is very similar to my mom's. The gifts you chose for each other are really neat! I almost have all my Christmas cards addressed. Thanks for posting, Teresa :) xx from Gracie

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  10. Teresa, you have a perfect Christmas! God bless your happy days among family and friends! I showed the pictures of your holidays house to my colleague, she was also sunned by the beauty of your house:) Have a nice day! Warm hugs,
    Anna.

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  11. Your home looks so magical Teresa - like something I've only seen in movies. Just beautiful !! Your day (and meal) sounds wonderful too and I'm so glad you had a lovely time with your sisters. xoxox

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  12. That sounds wonderful Teresa...love the earrings you made, they are so cute. Your Ouse is beautiful and it looks like you are always enjoying life. So happy for you :)

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  13. The snow set the scene for such a wonderful festive lunch Teresa. What a fab time you all had and the food looked absolutely delicious especially your chowder.....mmmmmmm.
    Jane x

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  14. That looks like the perfect luncheon! Your home looks absolutely gorgeous Teresa, I'm wishing you and your loved ones the best of holidays! :-) xxxx

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  15. I have never made a Chowder...but it looks perfect for the Winter weather. I could find all the ingredients but I have never seen canned clams...I have never looked for them but I have never spotted them when I trawl the supermarket. It looks like you 'Golden Girls' had a fantastic time...I really wish I could have joined you especially for desert! Wrap up warm xxx

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  16. Ooops 'dessert' not desert! lol xxx

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  17. I've never even had clam chowder before :D It looks interesting but I'm not sure I'd like it - best to try it first and decide :) The photo of your tree made me laugh, the angel barely has any room it's so big!!

    Looks like you had a super day, hope you get all your cards sorted :)

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  18. What a wonderful day, wonderful food, friends and family and gifts. Next year I am coming!
    Meredith

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  19. Love clam chowder and yours looks yummy. You are such a sweet hostess, the earrings are the perfect gift and just the right fun thing to wear for the holidays. Your table couldn't be more perfect either. It looks like all of you were having the best time ever. Good friends are hard to find, they are one blessing that we can all use to brighten our lives.
    {{{Hugs}}} Susanne :)

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  20. What a lovely celebration with your sisters and school friend! It all looks so happy, cosy and festive! Your home looks like the perfect place for Christmas!
    Have a happy time at your next family gathering, and enjoy the countdown!
    Helen x

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  21. Definitely looks and sounds like you had a most wonderful time! Your Christmas tree is gorgeous! And the earrings are so pretty. Happy holidays! Tammy

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  22. Oh! And that felted gnome! Adorable!

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