Spending time at home...

Being in the Restaurant and Catering business we work a TON during this time of year. I am so grateful that we have been so busy! I love this time of year!  This year has been a tough one though - last week my 7 day, 81 hour work week did not allow me Christmas shopping time This year I have done a lot of local shopping which I am proud to support as opposed to heading to U Village as a tradition in years past. I was finally able to do some shopping after work today and begin wrapping for the deliveries I need to do to friends and co-workers tomorrow. Every year I choose a theme for my wrapping.  This year I selected Paper Source's Moss Flourish Paper with a Cranberry Red & Green Ribbon. I love the way they tuned out and LOVED the the dogs were relaxing tonight after a huge run today. 

 Chloe 

Big Brother Olen 

Our Christmas Tree

~ Merry Christmas ~ 

Hosting Our First Christmas Dinner Party Together

Braised Short Ribs, Grilled Asparagus topped with parmesan & Polenta with White Cheddar 

 

Lyla joined us at the very end 

Last Sunday Adam & I hosted our first Christmas dinner party together. It was a fabulous night with some of our favorite couples. My menu was inspired by the Williams Sonoma's Dinner Parties book. I used many of the recipes in the Midwinter Dinner feature and added a few other elements. I did the table decor in an understated holiday look. I used little live christmas trees potted in cute silver containers instead of flowers. I used silver sparkly garland, ornaments and mercury glass candles on the table to add natural light and sparkle! We had each guest bring a wrapped ornament for the ornament exchange - which was so fun!

 We have decided that we LOVE dinner parties and cannot wait to host our next one! 

The Menu 

~Appetizer: Marinated Mushrooms & Homemade Cinnamon Holiday Nuts (made my my mother in law)

: Paired with LaMarca Prosecco - garnished with raspberries :

~ Mandarin Orange, Avocado, Fennel & Olive Salad served over mixed greens (I added this, I thought it needed a little more). Served with a fresh mandarin orange white balsamic & champagne vinegar dressing made from scratch 

: Paired with Starborough  Sauvignon Blanc (my favorite wine right now) :

~Braised Short Ribs 

~Polenta with White Cheddar

~Roasted Asparagus topped with Fresh Parmesan 

 : Paired with Cline Syrah :

~Chocolate Cupcakes topped with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting & Peppermint candies was served with a scoop of peppermint ice cream 

Dame Lola Holiday Show

Last Wednesday December 1st, Dame Lola, hosted her Dame Lola Holiday Show at our venue. Rebecca Dashow Baldwin is one of my dearest friends and also the owner of Dame Lola - this was one of her BEST shows (Dame Lola hosts quarterly trunk shows). Below are some of the beautiful finds from the day. Congrats on on another Fabulous event and show Rebecca! Check out her new blog too - The Dame Dish .

 Jessica Alexander feather hair pieces 

Jessica Alexander feather hair detail 

Jessica Alexander 

 Jessica Alexander 

 Jessica Alexander 

 Maya Moon 

Cozy Scarves 

Jessica Alexander Designs 

Great dress that I am loving! Thanks Emily for modeling this dress! 

Getting our Christmas Tree

Adam and I took our annual trip to Snowshoe Tree Farm in Orting last Sunday for out third annual Christmas tree cutting! This year as we were walking the farm & the many rows of tress his parents (my mother and father in-law) were talking about the last 15 years that they have been visiting this tree farm and how they love selecting the perfect tree each year. I hope that Adam and I can continue this tradition every year with his parents and we cannot wait until we have our own family to introduce to this tradition! Happy Holidays.

My husband on the search for "the" tree 

 Gary and Vicki have found "the" tree! 

 Cutting down our tree 

The Moll's

Midwinter Dinner Party

I am working on my to-do list tonight and getting very excited for our upcoming dinner party!