Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas Recap

Christmas morning is always a circus, but one I've managed to keep under control by some excellent planning and training. First, the kids open their stockings, while I get coffee for my dearly beloved (who really suffers mornings) and tea for myself, and then get myself looking somewhat humanoid. Silly little toys, some candy, everyone laughs.

Then, they migrate from the dining room to the breakfast room for the Sugar Fest. Added to the table, you might notice punch bowls at either end. Our punch is simple and almost nutritious: orange juice, diet cranberry ginger ale, sliced bananas, frozen strawberries to keep it cold, and that's it! Isn't it pretty?
Skip the presents and whatnot; there's no dog in the paper to make us laugh.

Here's my Jeffrey carving the standing rib roast (done in the convection oven in about 11 or 12 minutes per pound, and simply fabulous):

And the table set up for the hungry hordes:

From the other end (Note GMarie's pretty Christmas napkins on the plates):
And a close-up of the roast.

The hungry hordes began to arrive! The menu:

Standing rib roast
"Party Rice"
Creamed Spinach
Steamed broccoli
Pullman Bread
Oat Rolls

And my plate (I didn't photoshop out the rice Ryan dropped when helping to serve me. This is reality, you know).

The extra guy (bespectacled) in some of the pictures is Cass' boyfriend. He's a nice guy, and decided he'd rather spend Christmas with our family than his own. He was blown away by the food, and spent days raving about Mickle's Dad's Oat bread. So, for those of you who can distinguish who is who, that's who the extra person is!

16 comments:

Sue said...

Wow, it actually looks pretty organized for such a large group. The punch sounds fantastic. I need to make some of that.

Unknown said...

Love it, looks like a wonderful day.

rottrover said...

What a wonderful celebration!!

Linda said...

I always wanted to join a circus.....yours looks like one of the best;))) Merry Christmas and all the best in 2012.

pam said...

I'm sure it was bittersweet, not having your best dog around.

Two French Bulldogs said...

you have a beautiful family over there
Benny & Lily

Faye Lewis said...

The picture of the roast makes me salivate! What is party rice like? I am such a rice person.

Unknown said...

Aw...what a gorgeous header picture! And as usual, your family celebrations just sound like the BEST!! I wanted to be adopted by you!! :-)

I'm so sorry this is so late (things have been really crazy lately with our move to Sydney, etc, etc!) but Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

Hsin-Yi (& Slobbers from Honey the Great Dane)

Breezy Point Mom said...

That dinner, and that standing rib roast, looks so scrumptious. I'd have liked seeing the bread on your plate, too, or had you already devoured that? I don't think my plate would have stayed full long enough to take a photo. Have a wonderful, blessed New Year, all of you!

The Blonde Duck said...

Have a great New Year!

Big Dude said...

No doubt about it - when you throw a Christmas, it's an event. Glad you had such a big time and I know your Thor is missed. I hope you have a great 2012 and let's get together if you make down to Murvul.

SissySees said...

Oh that roast... YUM!!! What a festive, wonderful time... even without the most awesome dog in the paper.

Anonymous said...

I knew we'd wring the menu out of you. Sounds and looks delish.

Christo Gonzales said...

I hope you have a joyous new year!

Claire S. said...

I knew there was a face I didn't recognize LOL

Your day sounds like so much fun !

Ann Made Studio said...

As always it appears like there was a lot of delicious food and great company :)

Happy New Year!