Family Christmas

For the very first year, I did not have Christmas.  David, our eldest, offered to have us all, and gratefully I accepted.  My knee surgery was not quite a week old, and I was glad to be able to sit for the most part.

Amy made Swedish meatballs with help from Tommy and John, and Erin made the beautiful tea rings from my last post.  Tom made his fabulous corn casserole that we all missed on Thanksgiving.

David regaled us with rib roasts, spinach and cheese, and baked potatoes stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon (oh boy......that put me right over the top).  Sarah made us dips and plenty of Chex Mix (my personal fav!).

The day before my surgery, Cousin Greg came and we made kruppkakor together - we've talked about doing it for years, and finally did - and I also made pickled pears and sylta, so we ended up with a Swedish Christmas after all.

There was WAY TOO MUCH food altogether, and by dinner time, Jay and I passed, going instead for a little nosh.

Everyone was pleased with presents.  You can see our happy faces in this picture taken by Nate's girlfriend Samantha.

I hope your Christmas was as happy as ours was.....the only comment Jay and I made to each other was that we couldn't believe how fast the grands had become adults!

On the left: David, Sarah, Sam, and Nate in front.
Center:  Jay and me (with one steristrip on my knee)
Right:  Amy and Tom, Erin, John, and Tommy in front.

Oh YUM!

Our talented granddaughter Erin, at Culinary School, has outdone her grandmother (ME!) by not only making our family favorite Swedish Tea Ring, but decorating it as well!

Apparently she made it for a class, and it has become a huge hit......and well it should, as it is as delicious as it looks!!  Brava Erin!!!

CCEE1649 Gingerbread

From Maryann:

"According to the Days f the Year Web Site, the 10th of December is Gingerbread Decorating Day, and the 12th of December is Gingerbread House Day.  So for our challenge this week, let's include something gingerbread related on our cards."

I just love this new set from SU with the gingerbread boy and girl, and used them to add to my Double Z Fold card.

Please join us in this our last challenge for the year.  Post your card HERE.

Greetings from Montpelier VT!

This morning I am posting two pictures I got from our granddaughter at Culinary School.  The first is the landscape as she walked from her apartment VERY EARLY to her pastry class......I think she leaves before 5:30 AM.

She called it "Walking in a Winter wonderland, and it sure is gorgeous!

Then this is her Final Exam in her Laminations class.........Cruffins (a croissant in the shape of a muffin), with brown butter pastry cream, and maple sugared pecans on top.  They sold out immediately at the school bakery in downtown Montpelier.  And no wonder!!

I just hate it when she sends pictures of her pastry.....I salivate for nothing!!!  But...........

WAY TO GO, ERIN !!

CCEE1648 RED!

Maryann is our Hostess for the month of December, where we have only two challenges.

She tells us, "Today is 'Eat a RED Apple Day', so in the spirit of Christmas let's create something includes the color RED."  How perfect is that for ME!!!!!

Join us in making a RED card, and post yours HERE on our blog.