Christmas with Family and Friends

This Advent season was one of my favorites (I'm sure I feel this way almost every year!). Between wonderful church celebrations (including one led by MSS), opening up our new home for a tree trimming party, visiting friends' homes, having extra time to host friends for dinner and lunch, making lots of cookies with my favorite little people and a commitment to keeping gift giving simple, the actual Christmas day was just icing on the gingerbread!

Chris made 2 quiches: smoked salmon/smoked Gouda and mushroom chive.

We also had a punch made with an iced tea blend: orange blossom green tea/pomegranate white tea topped with TJs pomegranate sparkling juice. It was served in a wine decanter with lots of citrus slices.

The fruit salad was made with pineapple, grapes, banana, walnuts, dates and a squeeze of lime.

I also made Gingerbread Pancakes from the Tassajara Recipe Book (this was the recipe that helped me make the decision to buy the book).
Combine 2 Cups Flour, 1 T Baking Powder, 1 t Cinnamon, 1 T fresh Ginger (grated), 1/4 t ground Cloves, 1 t salt.

In a separate bowl, beat 2 Eggs, and whisk in 2 Cups Buttermilk (I used sour raw milk), 1/4C molasses, 1/4 C Canola Oil.

ladle 1/4 C batter for each pancake onto hot, well oiled griddle.

Other food included magic cookie bars, whole wheat gingerbread cookies, peanut butter blossoms, chocolate waffles. Sharon brought flan and Brenda brought bread pudding. By the time we got to Tasha and Ed's in the evening, we were already full. But we still thoroughly enjoyed the veggie stew and George's bread pudding!