Table Setting

Last weekend we hosted our church Christmas party. I wanted to do something pretty for the adults table, and it was all really simple. In general, I don't really like red for Christmas but I'm feeling a bit more traditional this year. I had a large piece of red and white gingham that I used as a tablecloth. A few white pointsettias from the grocery store worked for a centerpiece, and they were only $3 each! The plastic gold-colored pots were not working for me however, with a little bit of burlap tied with a piece of bakers twine, they looked really cute. White paper napkins with a subtle grey pattern worked well with the busy tablecloth, and cutlery, along with small-sized red party crackers finished off the table. I placed a blackberry IZZE at each setting for a bit more color (and yumminess).

Worth 1000 Words

Is this Christmas excitement, or what?

Papa Bears

My hubby makes gingerbread bears every year at this time. They are made with a gingerbread recipe that is a family secret. This is his second batch so far this year, making around 10 dozen so far. They will all be gone by Christmas. Derek always uses the same cookie cutter, which is a squished bear. I tried, early in our marriage to go out and buy him a fatter, cuter, cookie cutter but he insisted on using this one that his Grandpa, or "Papa" as they called him, had always used. Now Derek gets requests from all of our family for some.

Our house smells really delicious.

Christmas Party

We had an ugly sweater contest at our Christmas party yesterday. These are my friends. I'm a bit embarrassed.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The Christmas Trees are up!

Yes, it's bit much but I put up 2 this year. The one upstairs is 7 feet tall and really wide. We've had it for a while and it's decorated in blue/teal, white and brown. This was the first year that I didn't buy more decoration for it and I'm glad I didn't...it's pretty full.

The other one is in the basement. It's colorful. I used red and pink ribbon and had a bunch of brightly colored decorations to put on it. My wrapping matched the Christmas tree in the basement better, so that's where the gifts will rest until Christmas.

I've started my Christmas baking and Derek has turned out his first batch of Papa Bears (Gingerbread Bears) More to come on baking this week...