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 :-)