Blessings to one and all.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Showing posts with label celebrate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celebrate. Show all posts
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas Eve Family Dinner
- apricot meatballs
- honey baked ham
- roast beef
- Bruce Lee wingettes
- macaroni & cheese
- green beans
- deviled eggs
- shrimp salad
- herb & parmesan monkey bread
- garden salad
- red velvet cake
- a variety of cookies
- a punch bowl of egg nog & vanilla bean icecream
- a variety of sodas
- Moscato wine
- Rum egg nog
- lemon iced tea
- and a special holiday punch (made with Pinnacle Vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry juice, orange juice and a little lemon juice)
And presents under the tree:
(And that's only half the gifts. More arrived after I took this picture)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
So Many Hats
I started collecting Christmas hats about 5 years ago. I wear a different one every day in December. I'm up to about 19 hats now.
This is the latest hat. One of my co-workers surprised me with it a few days ago. Can't wait to wear it for "Purple Friday", representing our Baltimore Raven's football team. Now if I can find some Raven's socks.......
Sunday, December 4, 2011
All A Glow
As I sit here at the lap top, I hear the timers go off in each room throughout my little palace. It's the Christmas lights coming on....
A Visit to 34th Street
Last night some friends and I decided to go into the city and see the lights on Baltimore's 34th Street.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Happy Holidays!
It's two days post Christmas. I hope that everyone had a nice holiday. My holiday was fantastic, though there was almost a chance that it wouldn't happen.
Woke up last Tuesday with a terrible sore throat. I could not believe I was having the same issues I had during the Thanksgiving holiday. Still I continued to get things ready for Christmas Eve. Wednesday I had to go out and get the remaining groceries for dinner. I was slowly falling apart and by Wednesday night, I was feeling so bad, all I could do was lay in bed, rest and get myself together. I dranked a hot cup of Thera-flu which soothed my throat and relaxed me. I didn't even feel myself doze off to sleep.
Thursday morning when I woke up I felt a little better. I was supposed to be preparing dishes that could be made ahead of time but I ended up going out with one of my best friends to finish gift shopping. I didn't get to do it Wednesday because I felt so bad and didn't feel like going anywhere else after marketing.
Oooooh, I've got to tell you what I found when I walked into a Dollar Tree. I found Santa hats that fit over the top of your chairs.
I was just browsing through the store while my friend was grabing some things she needed, and there was one hanging on the rack. I asked a worker if this was all they had left and she said yes. I was so devasted, but I didn't give up. I searched high and low through the shelves hoping to find three more. Just when I was about to give up, I found them, hiding under a bunch of tissue paper. I had to laugh at myself for the way I was acting. When I got up to the register the cashier said she was surprised there were any left. She said they knew these would go fast so they just dumped them all in a shopping cart and left it at the front of the store instead of putting them on the shelves. When my friend saw them she wanted two so I went back and found two more. These will be used next year.
We got home from shopping just before the evening rush hour started. When I got in I decided to take it easy. A hot bath, warm pajamas and a cup of Thera-flu and I just layed in bed and rested. The food prepping would have to wait until Friday.
Friday morning, I was up early with no problem. I got in the kitchen and got busy. Just took my time and did not stress out about all the food I had to prepare. Know what? It worked. Got everything done and still had time to relax before the guests arrived. This was the menu.
Appetizers:
cheese/ham spirals
crab-red pepper dip
caribbean style wingettes
Entree:
Pork ribs
Bourbon glazed chicken
Steak with carmelized onions
Sides:
roasted potatoes
macaroni & cheese
green beans
fresh garden salad
fresh baked dinner rolls
shrimp salad
deviled eggs
Dessert:
variety of homemade cookies
large punch bowl of eggnog with vanilla bean icecream
The ribs were a last minute thought. Just had a taste for some. The only thing I didn't get around to making were the cupcakes but it was okay. Noone cared. I tend to go overboard with the menu. I just like to make sure that I have something that everyone would like.
The evening went off without a hitch. I even got a nice surprise. Some relatives came in from New York whom I hadn't seen in three or four years.
After dinner we opened presents. Everyone was very pleased with the gifts I got for them. Especially the one who received the Washington Redskins car mats. He completely lossed it. After I watched everyone open their gifts I opened mine. I got a cute bath set (rug, shower curtain, hooks, towel set), a soft hooded robe with some soft slippers, 3 piece glass candle holders, another candle holder set that has some beautiful writing on them (will go nice with the new bath set), a bottle of Moscoto (my favorite wine), perfume, a 15 inch tall nutcracker (from my neighbor), a gift card for Lane Bryant, a lovely spa set, a digital photo frame (I've always wanted one) and the nicest gift of all - a new laptop computer.
Back in the summer my mom decided to buy herself a new laptop and she would give me her old one. Well for months I had been waiting for her to give it to me but she kept saying that she was transferring information from the old laptop to the new laptop. So on Christmas while we were opening gifts she surprised me with a brand new laptop. When I tore off the wrapping paper I thought it was some glassware. It wasn't until I turned the box around to open it that I realized it was a laptop. I was so happy - like a kid. I couldn't open the box fast enough. Now I can sit in bed or on the sofa and use the computer instead of being stuck at my desk. Ooooh, it's a nice one too. It has a built-in web cam (Now I can chat with my newphew whose in college on Skype) and something called light-scribe. Light-scribe adds designs to your cd/dvd. No more do I have to buy the paper and waste the ink from my printer to make labels. I'm still learning all the programs installed. Yep, she got me good.
Christmas day for me was a day of rest. I layed in bed most of the day and watched holiday movies. My poor feet were hurting so bad. I could barely stand when I got up to get something to drink. Usually I am in a coma after partying with the family the night before, but I think because I made sure to get proper rest all week, I was feeling okay.
Well, let me stop boring you guys. It's almost 8 in the evening and my Monday night line-up of shows are about to begin. More tomorrow. Good night!
Woke up last Tuesday with a terrible sore throat. I could not believe I was having the same issues I had during the Thanksgiving holiday. Still I continued to get things ready for Christmas Eve. Wednesday I had to go out and get the remaining groceries for dinner. I was slowly falling apart and by Wednesday night, I was feeling so bad, all I could do was lay in bed, rest and get myself together. I dranked a hot cup of Thera-flu which soothed my throat and relaxed me. I didn't even feel myself doze off to sleep.
Thursday morning when I woke up I felt a little better. I was supposed to be preparing dishes that could be made ahead of time but I ended up going out with one of my best friends to finish gift shopping. I didn't get to do it Wednesday because I felt so bad and didn't feel like going anywhere else after marketing.
Oooooh, I've got to tell you what I found when I walked into a Dollar Tree. I found Santa hats that fit over the top of your chairs.
I was just browsing through the store while my friend was grabing some things she needed, and there was one hanging on the rack. I asked a worker if this was all they had left and she said yes. I was so devasted, but I didn't give up. I searched high and low through the shelves hoping to find three more. Just when I was about to give up, I found them, hiding under a bunch of tissue paper. I had to laugh at myself for the way I was acting. When I got up to the register the cashier said she was surprised there were any left. She said they knew these would go fast so they just dumped them all in a shopping cart and left it at the front of the store instead of putting them on the shelves. When my friend saw them she wanted two so I went back and found two more. These will be used next year.
We got home from shopping just before the evening rush hour started. When I got in I decided to take it easy. A hot bath, warm pajamas and a cup of Thera-flu and I just layed in bed and rested. The food prepping would have to wait until Friday.
Friday morning, I was up early with no problem. I got in the kitchen and got busy. Just took my time and did not stress out about all the food I had to prepare. Know what? It worked. Got everything done and still had time to relax before the guests arrived. This was the menu.
Appetizers:
cheese/ham spirals
crab-red pepper dip
caribbean style wingettes
Entree:
Pork ribs
Bourbon glazed chicken
Steak with carmelized onions
Sides:
roasted potatoes
macaroni & cheese
green beans
fresh garden salad
fresh baked dinner rolls
shrimp salad
deviled eggs
Dessert:
variety of homemade cookies
large punch bowl of eggnog with vanilla bean icecream
The ribs were a last minute thought. Just had a taste for some. The only thing I didn't get around to making were the cupcakes but it was okay. Noone cared. I tend to go overboard with the menu. I just like to make sure that I have something that everyone would like.
The evening went off without a hitch. I even got a nice surprise. Some relatives came in from New York whom I hadn't seen in three or four years.
After dinner we opened presents. Everyone was very pleased with the gifts I got for them. Especially the one who received the Washington Redskins car mats. He completely lossed it. After I watched everyone open their gifts I opened mine. I got a cute bath set (rug, shower curtain, hooks, towel set), a soft hooded robe with some soft slippers, 3 piece glass candle holders, another candle holder set that has some beautiful writing on them (will go nice with the new bath set), a bottle of Moscoto (my favorite wine), perfume, a 15 inch tall nutcracker (from my neighbor), a gift card for Lane Bryant, a lovely spa set, a digital photo frame (I've always wanted one) and the nicest gift of all - a new laptop computer.
Back in the summer my mom decided to buy herself a new laptop and she would give me her old one. Well for months I had been waiting for her to give it to me but she kept saying that she was transferring information from the old laptop to the new laptop. So on Christmas while we were opening gifts she surprised me with a brand new laptop. When I tore off the wrapping paper I thought it was some glassware. It wasn't until I turned the box around to open it that I realized it was a laptop. I was so happy - like a kid. I couldn't open the box fast enough. Now I can sit in bed or on the sofa and use the computer instead of being stuck at my desk. Ooooh, it's a nice one too. It has a built-in web cam (Now I can chat with my newphew whose in college on Skype) and something called light-scribe. Light-scribe adds designs to your cd/dvd. No more do I have to buy the paper and waste the ink from my printer to make labels. I'm still learning all the programs installed. Yep, she got me good.
Christmas day for me was a day of rest. I layed in bed most of the day and watched holiday movies. My poor feet were hurting so bad. I could barely stand when I got up to get something to drink. Usually I am in a coma after partying with the family the night before, but I think because I made sure to get proper rest all week, I was feeling okay.
Well, let me stop boring you guys. It's almost 8 in the evening and my Monday night line-up of shows are about to begin. More tomorrow. Good night!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
A Funny Story
Things settled down and my friend said probably 20 - 25 minutes later her husband had started up again. She said all anyone in the room could do was laugh because they couldn't believe how he literally got upset. My best friend said she laughed so hard that she was intears. My friend's mother told her, "Leave him be." I was so tickled and happy that he enjoys coming my house for the holidays.
I know when I see him Christmas Eve he's going to make sure I hear about it.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Entertaining At Christmas
I started this tradition about 8 years ago. It was something that my grandmother used to do but as she got older the tradition sort of fell by the waist side. So I thought I would bring it back. What started out as a small group of 16 people sitting down at dinner has now grown to 40 plus buffet dinner.
Christmas Eve is the perfect time for me to have family dinner because Christmas day is busy for folks. Some family members may have plans to spend Christmas with their spouse's family or those with little ones would rather stay at home so that the kids could enjoy playing with their presents. I remember being a little girl and my parents dragging me and my brother out the house to go visit my grandfather's sister for Christmas dinner. It always made my brother and I so mad because we would rather stay home and play with our toys. Selfish I know, but we were kids and that's how some kids are. Plus it was so boring. Dear great auntie did give us some cool gifts though.
I spend months getting ready for this day - all thanks to Organized Christmas and Magical Holiday Home. I design a budget, plan a menu, make guest list, send out invitations... I go all out. Guests usually start arriving about 6 in the evening. We say the blessing before dinner. After dinner we mingle a bit - the kids hang out in the guest room where I have games out for them and the tv set up for watching movies. Later we open gifts. After the gifts we mingle some more and eat more. Like I've said before, some of the family don't get to see each other much throughout the year so on this night there's a lot of catching up going on. There's also lots of memories being captured by yours truly. The house is usually empty by midnight. My guests are full and happy and I am giddy like a little kid. So happy that once again, the holidays with family was a success.
My family has come to expect being at my house Christmas Eve. When asked, I tell them that as long as I'm physically able to and have the passion, it will continue. I doubt that the passion will ever go away. As far as being physically able, that remains to be seen.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Spending Christmas in Another Country
If I could spend Christmas in another country I would choose to spend it in either Switzerland or Germany. I watch a lot of public television and one of my favorite programs is Rick Steve's - Travels in Europe. One year I saw a Christmas special he did showing several countries and the traditions they share during the holiday season. The towns he visited in these countries are not places a lot of tourists would ever think to go to. The people were sweet and charming. And although each country he visited was beautiful, magical places, Germany and Switzerland really stuck out from the others with me.
I like Switzerland, one because you're guaranteed a white Christmas. (at least it seems there's always snow there in winter). Plus there's so much you can do. I would love to go sleigh riding and walking through the villages/towns looking in the shops. The scenery was so old world - quaint and cozy. One tradition I saw was in the evening they were sking down a snow-covered hill holding torches. It looked lot a lot of fun. Then afterwards, they were all gathered in a cute little cabin enjoying a lovely meal by candlelight. A perfect way to end a day of being with family and friends.
The town Rick visited in Germany was hopping with lots of Christmas cheer. The marketplace was alive with music, lots of food, cute little stands to shop for gifts and decorations everywhere. Germany has such a rich, strong tradition. It'as all about family and friends. I so would love to visit one Christmas. Who knows. Maybe one day I'll get the chance. Maybe. Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas
It's finally here! It's Christmas Day!
I'm lying in bed watching tv, recoupperating from last night. About 40+ family members were in my apartment. It was. Great. You could barely move around. People were making comments about having the heat on. I told them I don't have the heat on. It's you people. When evryone was gone I looked at the thermostat - it read 79 deg. LOL! I had to crack open my window when I finally went to bed. I zonked out almost immediately.
Dinner started around 6:30. There was plenty to eat - spiral ham, roast beef, mac & cheese, meatballs, collard greens, shrimp salad, deviled eggs, bbq seasoned and carribean style wingettes, potatoe salad and fresh baked rolls. For appetizers I served baked crab rangoon, blt dip ( a recipe I got from Cathymac - MHH) with asiago cheese & vegetable crackers (What a great combination) and fruit. For desert there was red velvet cake, chocolate cake, and a variety of cookies.
After everyone was done eating and letting their stomachs settle a little, we opened gifts. I started a new tradition last year where I hand out my gifts to everyone and then have them all open their gifts at one time while I record them with my camera. I think everyone loved what they got. I listen to them throughout the year and take notes unbeknowns to them.
I received some great gifts as well. I got a really nice Baltimore Ravens fleece throw, a pretty top, one of those snuggies with matching slippers, nice scented diffusers, a glass salad bowl set, my middle niece made me some home-made cookies (yummy), and something I really needed - flatware. I also received several Walmart gift cards which will be used tomorrow. I also got a nice carrying bag for my new portable Dvd player. I can't remember everything but I love them all. I'm not hard to please. I appreciate everything I get.
I'm posting from my phone so when I get back to work (in the new year) I will post pictures.
One of my cousins is having dinner at her house today, so I may go there. On Christmas Day I usually just lounge around the house, relaxing, taking it easy.
I think I'm going to pour me a glass of milk and eat a few of my nieces homemade cookies. Ta ta for now!
I'm lying in bed watching tv, recoupperating from last night. About 40+ family members were in my apartment. It was. Great. You could barely move around. People were making comments about having the heat on. I told them I don't have the heat on. It's you people. When evryone was gone I looked at the thermostat - it read 79 deg. LOL! I had to crack open my window when I finally went to bed. I zonked out almost immediately.
Dinner started around 6:30. There was plenty to eat - spiral ham, roast beef, mac & cheese, meatballs, collard greens, shrimp salad, deviled eggs, bbq seasoned and carribean style wingettes, potatoe salad and fresh baked rolls. For appetizers I served baked crab rangoon, blt dip ( a recipe I got from Cathymac - MHH) with asiago cheese & vegetable crackers (What a great combination) and fruit. For desert there was red velvet cake, chocolate cake, and a variety of cookies.
After everyone was done eating and letting their stomachs settle a little, we opened gifts. I started a new tradition last year where I hand out my gifts to everyone and then have them all open their gifts at one time while I record them with my camera. I think everyone loved what they got. I listen to them throughout the year and take notes unbeknowns to them.
I received some great gifts as well. I got a really nice Baltimore Ravens fleece throw, a pretty top, one of those snuggies with matching slippers, nice scented diffusers, a glass salad bowl set, my middle niece made me some home-made cookies (yummy), and something I really needed - flatware. I also received several Walmart gift cards which will be used tomorrow. I also got a nice carrying bag for my new portable Dvd player. I can't remember everything but I love them all. I'm not hard to please. I appreciate everything I get.
I'm posting from my phone so when I get back to work (in the new year) I will post pictures.
One of my cousins is having dinner at her house today, so I may go there. On Christmas Day I usually just lounge around the house, relaxing, taking it easy.
I think I'm going to pour me a glass of milk and eat a few of my nieces homemade cookies. Ta ta for now!
Friday, September 25, 2009
This Week
Well it's Rudy Day at MHH & OC. There's two more before the big day (Dec. 25th). This week found me putting up more fall decorations and organizing the master bedroom. Also I printed labels for the DVD greeting cards I'm sending out this year.
My famiy is really gonna enjoy watching this homemade dvd over and over again. While watching the many photos of Christmases past, songs by Donny Hathaway and Luther Vandross play in the background.
My dessert list is finally done! It's mainly cookies.
I'm at work right now and things are really quiet and slow. My boss has kept hisself closed up in his office all morning. Well I'm enjoying it while I can.
Be sure to check out my other blogs, Hey Rudolph! and The Harvest. I just added new posts over there.
My famiy is really gonna enjoy watching this homemade dvd over and over again. While watching the many photos of Christmases past, songs by Donny Hathaway and Luther Vandross play in the background.My dessert list is finally done! It's mainly cookies.
- chocolate chip
- chocolate cake mix cookies with peanut butter chips
- old-fashioned snicker doodles
- sugar cut-outs
- eggnog sparkle
- oatmeal-raisin
- Santa thumbprint
- pecan-shortbread
- Oreo balls
- Ornament shape holiday cake
- Grandmother's jelly cookies.
I'm at work right now and things are really quiet and slow. My boss has kept hisself closed up in his office all morning. Well I'm enjoying it while I can.
Be sure to check out my other blogs, Hey Rudolph! and The Harvest. I just added new posts over there.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
22 Days to Christmas
Today is going to be a productive day for me. I'm making sure of this. First thing I did today was change the screen saver and wall paper on my computer. Then I changed the ringtone and wall paper on my cell phone. During lunch I will down load some Christmas tunes to my new MP3 player. It is one of my gifts to me.
First thing after work I'm heading to Walmart. I need to get a couple boxes of popcorn and other treats for the movie baskets I'm putting together. Then it's straight home to finish decorating. Everything except for the kitchen and the dining room are done. Also I need to dress up the trees. The ornaments are out and ready to go.
Once the decorating is done it's celebration time. To celebrate the Twenty-Four Days to Christmas" I have planned movie & popcorn night. Tonights feature is "Fred Claus" with Vince Vaughn. But before I start the movie I want to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefella Center in New York on NBC.
First thing after work I'm heading to Walmart. I need to get a couple boxes of popcorn and other treats for the movie baskets I'm putting together. Then it's straight home to finish decorating. Everything except for the kitchen and the dining room are done. Also I need to dress up the trees. The ornaments are out and ready to go.
Once the decorating is done it's celebration time. To celebrate the Twenty-Four Days to Christmas" I have planned movie & popcorn night. Tonights feature is "Fred Claus" with Vince Vaughn. But before I start the movie I want to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefella Center in New York on NBC.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)