Festive Fare

We were so happy to have our oldest son Greg and his wife Michelle journey from South Carolina to spend 10 days in Morgantown.  Our son Chris lives in town and we so enjoy that closeness, spending at least some time every week together.  Michelle was born here too-but her parents moved to the west coast when they retired.  With her sister in town, and more friends here too, Michelle's parents are happy to visit.  Bob's brother loves their company and leaves his bachelor home to spend time here too.

I'm a career meal planner, and wanted to document our holiday feasts in some way.  Here are a few pictures and menus we did together as a family.  Most of the food was made from scratch.  

"Three days of family feasts-the first two days with just us and the kids-the third day with David and the Hunts.  It was fun working in our loving home, enjoying each others' company and treating David and the Hunts to a holiday away from home."

Christmas Eve Taco Bar
Mongolian Beef, Sesame Wild Rice, Brocooli Slaw
Taco Chicken, Black Bean Salsa
BBQ Pork, Slaw
Homemade Tortillas (White, Corn and Whole Wheat)
Shredded Cheeses
Salsa
Apple Annie's Canolini
Mulled Wine

Christmas Day Brunch
Veggie Pizza
Brown Sugar & Pineapple Ham
Crab Stuffed Shells
BBQ Beans
Gree Beans
Buckwheat Pear Bread
Italian Bread
Shorbread Cookies

The Day After Buffet
Michelle's Meatballs
Mexicana Shrimp Kabobs
Rainbow pasta with Sundried Tomato Pesto
Maple Roasted Carrots
Christmas Tree Cheese Filled Dinner Rolls
Wassail
Apple Cranberry Pie with Ice Cream

On January 1, Greg and Michelle made everyone an egg sausage tortilla bar-another winner-on the day Michelle's parents returned to California.
2016

December Cards

This is the card I made for my former colleagues-the HSC kitchen staff.

"Making a special card to send

To people such as you.

To wish you love at Christmas time

And each day all year through."

Bob's brother David celebrated his birthday on December 19th.  This card and book (he is a train buff) is for David.

"Like all antiques

You become more

Valued and

Appreciated with time!"

My nephew Dan was 38 years old on December 28th.  The book (we got him the 2017 edition) and card are for Dan.  Dan works a full time job, then goes to his Dad's restaurant to work.  He never quits.

"Today is very exciting,

It's a day that's just for you

It's a day when you're made a fuss of

for you deserve it-that is true.

You do so much for others,

So relax, have fun, unwind,

It's your turn to take the spotlight,

Because you're special-

You're one of a kind!" 

A former coworker, Tammy celebrated a birthday on December 27th.  I particularly love her kids!

"A very happy birthday

This greeting comes to you,

To wish you all the nicest things

In everything you do.!

My Christmas card for Bob.The words are to a song by Neil Diamond.

"And when people ask how we stay together

I say you never let me down,

And you make it feel like Christmas

Even when things go wrong

I hear the sound of Christmas in your son

All year long."

Thank you notes.  One for my sister Terry who sends thoughtful notes and gifts year round.  The other card for Sarah at the Senior Center who helped my Mom get heating oil.

"A generous spirit

Warm hearted too

People like you are very few

My thanks is only a touch of what you're due."

Verses are from craftsuprint.com .

Memory Makers

"The best memories are about things we did, not things we bought" .  Food and things we make together are big memory makers.  Bob and I made the house together last weekend, the day we decorated the tree.  A cardboard kit with a few embellishments we glued, painted and embellished together.  The cranberry chutney is a seasonal favorite.  I made and canned some 4 dozen (1/2 cup) servings this year for Moms' friends at the Senior Center and for Bob's coworkers.  (The recipe is on the jar lid).

The Winter Stollen cookie recipe can be viewed on my healthy meal blog.  I packed 2 each in little cellophane bags for Bob's coworkers with a few bags left for Bob and I.

Coat of Many Colors

Bob's Dad Jim loved his new winter coat and was happy to model it for us during our Christmas visit 1991.

Meet Again

It was just a few years back I brought my Dad and his first cousin together for the first time.  Bernice, who lives on the western end of my county, had never met Dad, who about 100 miles away.  Bernice and her niece Gerry knew much about Mom and Dads' hometown.  With Bernice now 95 and Mom 91, I wanted to get together again, though aging didn't make that easy.  Yet we did it, meeting in between at Penn Alps.  What fun we had being among women who love each other.

2016

Cute Tea & Cute Wife

Our son Greg titled this photo of Michelle as "Cute Tea and Cute Wife" after a visit to Laura's Tea Room.  I could spot vintage blue china, ladies in bonnets and doilies in the Victorian style tea room-all things Michelle loves.

November 2016

November Cards

 The last outdoor farmers market of the season was on the first Saturday of November.  Bob and I so enjoyed our 7 culinary demonstrations there, conducted on the first Saturday of each month.  These are thank yous I made for each farmer, or assistant, who donated foods, a kitchen and public relations throughout the season.  Some of the cards are unique to what that farmer grew, as in the "apple" card for the apple grower.

"This special wish is sent to you

To thank you for the good you do."

My lifelong friend Liz celebrates a birthday on December 3rd.  Thus the "3 French Hens" tie-in.  Liz, a retired special needs teacher, now babysits several of her nearby grand children.

Sally was a cashier at the Healthy Cafe and greeted each of her some 500 customers with a smile and "how are you today?"  This birthday card is for her.

"People love you for being kind

People love you because you care.

With all this love coming your way

I hope you have a special day." 

Verses are from Craftsuprint.com.