Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Sisters Christmas Luncheon

Today was the luncheon I host each year for my 2 sisters and my friend Shirley.  I am a bit of a procrastinator so it's good to have a deadline to have everything decorated.  :-)  I was so pleased when I got up this morning that my early riser DIL Kristi had put on a fresh tablecloth, moved the decorations to the back of the table and had gotten down my Christmas dishes down from the high cabinet above the fridge.  Wasn't that a nice surprise!  All I had to do is put the silverware on the napkins and get some butter in dishes.. :-)  I had Dayle get Kerry Gold butter for our rolls.


Dayle prepared the ham.. we found this fabulous currant glazed ham at Costco and love them.  It was SO tender and juicy and delicious!


My sister Denise picked up our favorite scissor rolls and two bottles of sparkling cider.  Shirley made a yummy broccoli salad with bacon, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries.  


I made a pan of "Classic Bistro Style Gratin Dauphinoise" - French gratin potatoes.  They turned out delicious!  I used Yukon gold potatoes, Kristi sliced them in the Kitchenaid mixer attachment and grated the Gruyere cheese for me.  When it was time, I layered the sliced potatoes in my buttered pan, sprinkled them with salt and pepper and some of the Gruyere.. then heated up a pan of half and half with sprigs of fresh rosemary in it and crushed garlic cloves.. to near boiling.. then poured it over the potatoes and baked it at 300 deg. F for about an hour and a half, or until nice and toasty on top.  Boy they were great with ham!!



Shirley's Broccoli Salad is truly delicious.  


Broccoli Salad Recipe:

5 cups broccoli (nice bite size)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon (4 or 5 strips)
1 cup frozen peas

Dressing:
1 cup Mayonnaise
2 Tbl white vinegar
1/3 cup (or less) sugar


Mix together and chill


The gang.



What a good meal!  I wish you could have joined us!



Buddy thought I might have a few bits of ham fat for him.. shall I?


We retired to the living room where Dayle had lit a fire and exchanged gifts.  That was fun!  My younger sister Denise gave me this wonderful rocking horse!  Isn't he handsome?



Shirley gifted me this wonderful vintage cast iron bunny.. holding two handmade wire baskets!  I am going to have fun putting little things in the baskets.  My sister Roberta gave me two bread crocks.. it will be fun to try baking bread in them.


Here are the boys enjoying the fire with Grandpa.  My sisters and Shirley brought gifts for Kristi and the boys too.. they were happy! 


We're in full holiday swing here at the farm!  I have a few more gifts to make and some more to get.. but it's all good.  It will happen.  



Kristi snapped this photo of Simba yesterday.  He's getting a little friendlier each day... but still skittish.  



We're enjoying our evening.  We are reveling in the glow of a wonderful day full of family, friends and holiday enjoyment.. by the crackling fire.. I hope you're having fine times, too.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

21 comments:

  1. Teresa - What a wonderful idea to have a special day with your sisters and friend. I know a good time was had by all. Your home looks beautifully decorated and the food looks really yummy!

    Judy

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  2. What a wonderful day! Everything looked so beautiful. I now have a major craving for Christmas ham. I hope to have a very productive Thursday. Completing a few chores will help with the merry making.

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  3. Lovely! Thanks for sharing Shirley's salad recipe. I have had that before and it is delicious! I picked up the cards, and they are perfect! Thanks again for helping me design and order them. The whole family is grateful to you. We have our packages that need to be mailed nearly ready and Tim is going to help me send them tomorrow...God willing and the creek don't rise in this next wave of rain. I am enjoying this season and am glad you and yours are enjoying it, too. xx

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  4. Hi Teresa, it looks like you had a wonderful day today. The ham, the potatoes, the rolls and the broccoli salad. Yum Yum Yum! I've made a very similar broccoli salad before and it's always a hit. I got the recipe from a very sweet lady at church. She moved to Seattle and I took over her spot by taking it to potlucks, etc. Such nice gifts you received. Kristi is definitely a big help to you isn't she? What a blessing she is to your family. I have to admit, I'm a bit envious of all the parties you're having with family and friends this week. I wish I could join you. Have a lovely time my sweet friend.
    Blessings, Betsy

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  5. yummy meal and fun times with sisters and friend. I am behind in everything. Just made fudge to take to my work party (at work) tomorrow. Make calendars and clean the kitchen. Sigh. Enjoying the beauty of the season though and always look forward to the fun involved this time of year. Take care and see you soon!

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  6. That meal looked so pretty Teresa, your candy cane decorations were a great finishing touch. Only 8 more sleeps......xx

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  7. Your table setting was beautiful Teresa, the food looked delicious too. I am going to give the broccoli salad a try. It is such a wonderful time of year, a season to be enjoyed and you and your family are doing just that. Kristi is a gem, you are truly blessed. Have a wonderful Christmas.

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  8. Oh my, what a lovely spread ..... I also wish I was there to share it with you !! The potato dish looks interesting - we do it a little different here but I think I'll pass on your recipe to my DD1 who usually makes it when we have family get togethers. The broccoli salad also looks delicious - is the broccoli cooked or not? Your gifts are wonderful, your living room looks so festive and all up, you look like a very happy family (and friend). Xox

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  9. What a fantastic meal. You and Kristi are a good team I think, it all looks completely delicious. And how beautiful your room is with the fire and the tree. I bet you couldn't say no to dear little Buddy, his face is so adorable. Enjoy the rest of the week Teresa. CJ xx

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  10. Hi Teressa,you look like your having loads of fun at your house,wow that ham made my mouth water it looks beautiful,wish I could have been with you and your friends to taste it.,we are sending you best wishes for Christmas and the new year,take care,stay safe.x.Una.x.

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  11. What a lovely tradition . . . I'm sure that you had a ball visiting and enjoy that wonderful meal. Teresa, your table and your home look beautiful . . . so festive and cheery.

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  12. Nothing is nicer than spending time with your dear family and friends. Looks like you had a beautiful holiday luncheon. And, thank you for the recipes. Wishing you a fun, festive week, Pat

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  13. Ohhhh I want that ham !!!! the potatoes sound Divine. So fun to see all your festivities. We may have a fire tonight. ENJOY it all. You seem to be doing so!! Hooray

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  14. What a wonderful lunch and way to spend time with your family! Your home looks beautiful too. Happy Christmas! xx

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  15. What a wonderful tradition to share a special lunch (dinner?) with your sisters and closest friends. My mom (in Portland, OR) used to have a special "before Christmas" tea with her 4 daughters (me and whoever else could make it from states away) and a friend or two. After she passed, us sisters have not kept up that tradition very well for which I'm very sad. Your home is so homey and pretty and that food looks wonderful.... oh if only I could reach into my computer and grab a bite! Love those little burlap candy canes on your beautiful dishes.. and as always, your table looks so festive. Just a little Christmas envy going on here! Marilyn

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  16. I think your daughter-in-law is a real treasure. What a beautiful and yummy-looking lunch. So glad you had a nice time. The cast iron bunny is darling.

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  17. Simba's fur is such a beautiful color.

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  18. Your meal looks so delicious! I sure hope Buddy received just a small bit of ham :)

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  19. Wonderful fun Teresa and here I am roasting with 40 Celsius temps lol

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  20. You and Kristi set a gorgeous table my friend. Everything looks delicious and the love that you all share for each other is really the best present of all.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  21. Dauphinoise Potatoes are delicious, I can almost smell the ham too!

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