Last night we invited neighbors from our old neighborhood over for a holiday dinner.
The menu….
We began with "New England Express Cocktails":
Directions: Make a simple syrup by bringing to a boil 1/3 cup water and 1/3cup sugar and 8 sprigs of thyme. Cool. In a pitcher combine 2 c apple cider, 1 1/2 c dark rum, 3/4 c lime juice and simple syrup. Pour into 8 glasses and top with Club Soda. Garnish with a slice of lime and a sprig of thyme
It snowed all day...
…so I set the table...
…with a snowman cookie jar as a centerpiece.
The napkin rings are "hair bows" I purchased in NYC for $.25 ea:
As an appetizer, I served Holiday Crunch Jello...
Directions: 10 Oz crushed pineapple, 1 pkg berry jello (any flavor berry), 1/2 can whole berry cranberry sauce, 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, 1 stalk celery, chopped. Drain pineapple and add water to make 1 1/4 c liquid. Boil this liquid and add to jello until dissolved. Add all other ingredients and chill until set.
I served it in crystal martini glasses:
The glasses sat on old dishes from Pier 1 Imports:
Which sat on my holiday dishes from Target:
This cookie jar was a gift from a girlfriend over 20 years ago, and it is one of my favorite holiday decorations! Just look at that cute face!
Another $.25 napkin ring:
I served water in a large green wine glass from the Dollar Tree
(I think we all have these glasses!!)
And wine was served in my Mom's wine glasses that she passed on to me:
The snow continued to pile up outside…
Candles lit...
Dinner served…Roast Pork, Parmesan Roasted Potatoes and Rosemary and Thyme Glazed Carrots:
Good friends, good food and lots of laughs!