Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

What is it about Christmas time that brings on the parties and good food?  Now, believe me I am definitely NOT complaining here, but very rarely do I go to 2 parties in a week, let alone 3, but this is the week.  We had our annual Bunco Christmas Party Monday night, our annual Book Club luncheon on Tuesday and then tomorrow night it is our neighborhood BookClub Christmas Dinner.  I'm lovin' this because it means not much cooking go on in this house.  Ofcourse, to be honest there is not much cooking going on in this house ever.  Since my Mom passed away and Gary is no longer with me, my cooking has gone on hiatus.  It is amazing the dinners, lunches, breakfasts' that can be found in the frozen food aisle at the grocery store.  And most of them are made for one serving....fits my needs perfectly.  I really try to stick with the healthy choices and not get too many that are loaded with sodium.  And they certainly are a far cry from the early TV dinners that first made their appearance back in the 50's.
Gerry Thomas is the man who invented both the product and the name of the Swanson TV Dinner. In 1954, Swanson TV Dinners fufilled two post-war trends: the lure of time-saving modern appliances and the fascination with a growing innovation, the television. More than 10 million TV dinners were sold during that first year and for $.98 per dinner, we were able to choose among Salisbury steak, meatloaf, fried chicken, or turkey, served with potatoes and bright green peas.  I remember those first TV dinners and we just thought that was so cool to have your whole dinner on one platter, divided neatly and even with a dessert.  Believe me, frozen dinners have come a long way since Gerry Thomas' original Swanson TV dinners.  Eventho the frozen dinners have improved, there is still nothing like a home-cooked meal. 

Our Bunco Dinner was just that.  Mary goes all out for us at Christmas.  December is always her month for hostessing Bunco and we look forward to this night with tummy's ready, willing and able to savor her homemade lasagna.  Even the lasagna noodles are homemade.  The salad is passed, the wine is poured, a blessing for our food is said and the feasting begins.  A happy evening enjoyed by all.  And.....all 12 of us were there, which has become a rarity these past months, someone always has an emergency, or is sick, or has another engagement, so it was wonderful that all 12 of us were together to celebrate. 

Beautiful table with the food that was an absolute miracle in your mouth....

Mary really, really, really decorates.  

I managed to capture a few of us....

Maryanne

Sue

Sharon

 Joanne

Deb

And then the gathering for the group picture...things weren't going well....
  

Finally got everyone to sit nicely and now I am the one with my mouth open...probably barking instructions to Marie, Mary's daughter who was gracious enough to take our picture....

After saying our goodbye's and thank-you's for a lovely evening, while walking to my car I noticed this house across the street from Mary.  I really like how they just layed a grouping of lights beneath the sleigh to represent snow.  Since all we have had is rain, this may be the only snow we see.

The next day it was our Book Club's Christmas luncheon.  Not nearly as tasty as Mary's but still nice to enjoy an afternoon with friends.  At the Christmas luncheon we always invite a special book reviewer, Barbara Rinelli.  Barbara is a hoot.  I have been to several of her book reviews over the years but this one had to be one of her better ones.  Barbara always, always, always dresses for the part.  She reviewed "Cleopatra" by Stacy Shiff, a favorite among book clubs this year.  But I will have to say that our book club chose that book for the month of October and only one of us read it.....the hostess.  Most embarrassing, but after a chapter or two it was just too, too much like reading a history book.  But, hearing Barbara tell the story, it was quite entertaining. 

And finally, my friend Marti had called me earlier in the week to help her with a little decorating in her home.  She had bought some glittery fruit sprays and some ribbon and just needed me to put them together and make a pretty bow to tie on.  Since I worked in a gift/decorating/designer shop a while ago, making bows became second nature to me.  I think it turned out rather nice, and Marti really liked it.  This mirror sits above an antique table from her husband's Mom & Dad.  Beautiful piece and the mirror with the glittery fruit enhance the piece. 

OK, I am done for now.  Christmas is only 11 days away, OMG, I am behind, behind, behind.  Hope you are enjoying every minute of this Christmas Season.

"God evidently does not intend us all to be rich, or powerful, or great, but He does intend us all to be friends."  ~  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Until next time......