Sunday funday

Since I needed to run a few errands in Birmingham, I figured I would make a day out of it.
I met my friend H from college up for brunch at Chez Lulu's. Their delicious chocolate hazelnut crepe and stoneground grits really hit the spot. Per usual I got a chocolate croissant to go.
I then met my sister to look at a few stores since I need tea cups for an upcoming party I am hosting. We foud some cute stuff in Homewood's Edgewood neighborhood. We also saw several cute things that were added to our Wish Lists.
After dropping my sister off, I went to Old Time Pottery, a store I always swore I would not visit. The vow was broken since they have glass cocktail plates for a reasonable price. Should you need to host a party for 50 people ever, hit me up because I am the proud owner of 60 glass cocktail plates.
I also stopped by Costco for some groceries.

Christmas Dinner

I had LML's Family over for Christmas Dinner this year, yeah can we talk about how weird it was being THAT OLD!

The Buffet

I mean it seems like just yesterday that I was the one so excited to see what Santa brought myself and my siblings.  In fact, I can remember pouting one year when Dad made us wait to open all of our gifts until after Christmas Dinner at our house.

This year, LML had to make me open his gift before Christmas, because I just did not have time.  I was on a schedule and trying to get everything made for Christmas Dinner.  I do have to say that everything went beautifully, except for a minor mishap with spilling heavy cream in the fridge.  That resulted in a time out to clean out the entire fridge since I spilled it on the top shelf.  (OOPS!)

One of the Tables for Christmas Dinner

I had a wonderful Christmas and throughly enjoyed visiting with my family Christmas Eve and Christmas Night. I guess we are lucky that we live so close to both of our families because we are able to juggle them on holidays for the most part.  I do refuse to drive back and forth from one town to the next, but my family was up here Christmas Eve and Christmas Night for visiting my parents siblings at their Christmas parties.

The Dining Room Table

I could not have asked for a better Christmas.   I will try and post a few of my new awesome recipes that I made for Christmas over the next week .  I know that most of them are Gluten Free due to diet restrictions in LML's Family, but I would make them again for my family who eats bread likes it going out of style.  They were just that wonderful!

Christmas Decor, Part Two

Besides the Christmas Tree, which I leave up until the new year, I always love to decorate the mantels.  This year, I did a fresh greenery swag again on the big mantle in the den and used two china-berry garlands to sit on the formal living room mantle.

I will be back tomorrow with my Christmas Dinner set up!

Christmas Decor Part 1

The silver is now polished and I have made a few deliveries of presents and only a few left for tomorrow.  My groceries have been bought and now it is time for me to start setting the tables for eleven people!

Here are few glimpses at my tree! Enjoy and have a wonderful day!

I got this ornament this year at the Pottery Barn Outlet in Memphis.  It is so delicate and see-through!  

This ball was bought on sale by Hubby...I do love some silver

My Christmas Tree this year...I love me some real tree!

Christmas Dinner

2009 Christmas Tree

I am sitting at my grandmother's recovering from a minor sinus surgery.  Do not fret, everything went well and I am well on the way to feeling fine and dandy!

The only downside is that I have spent Thanksgiving weekend not eating.  I mean I do eat some ice cream, yogurt or other cold items.  Just missing the traditional Thanksgiving staples.

In order to deflect my focus from what I am not going to eat, I am already planning my Christmas Dinner menu.

This is the first year to have Christmas at our house.  I am really excited about the possibilities and the ability to start a new tradition.

Growing up my family tended to have just another turkey and some ham for Christmas.  I would like to adopt a new traditional meat for our Christmas so that it does not blend with Thanksgiving.

I am leaning towards beef or duck.  I think LML would prefer beef.

Now starts the hard part, I have to cypher through the millions of different recipes to find the perfect recipe. Then build the rest of the menu around my meat dish.

Any suggestions out there?  Links?

Much Love,