This time of year is always filled with Christmas celebrations - Young Life Tacky Sweater Christmas parties, white elephant gift exchanges, watching Elf and Christmas Vacation, holiday baking, exchanging gifts with family, work holiday parties and Christmas concerts. This past Saturday was probably the highlight of all my holiday celebrations thus far. I got together with some friends for our monthly dinner, this time celebrating Christmas. On the menu was a balsamic salad, beer bread, timbalo, chocolate candies and some boozy gingerbread cupcakes (recipe here). All of the food was absolutely delectable, especially the timbalo. I'm looking forward to making this a tradition and having it again next year for our Christmas dinner!
The girls spent a few hours baking and prepping food in the kitchen followed by a few hours around the table eating and laughing. We ate in courses - salad and bread first. This was followed by a reading of what I think will become the traditional holiday story - Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer. Not only was the story incredibly entertaining but it also had a good message: celebrating the birth of Christ. While I love 'Twas the Night before Christmas and other "traditional" stories, I would much rather a story that reflects the true meaning of the season. After the reading it was on to the main course - timbalo - piping hot from the oven. Following dinner we retired to the sun room for our white elephant gift exchange. I have never been so entertained... and I think only pictures will really do this justice. After exchanging presents and laughing so hard my muscles were aching, we ate cupcakes (complete with Christmas decorations given to me by my sweet friend) and then watched another holiday classic - Christmas Vacation.
I left that night reminded of the reason we celebrate Christmas - Christ came to this earth to be with us. We can celebrate his presence among us by being surrounded by friends and good food and laughter rather than just giving gifts to people. I am even more convinced that in His presence there is fullness of joy. It's a beautiful thing. I am beyond blessed and so thankful for a tangible reminder of God's love this holiday season.
The girls spent a few hours baking and prepping food in the kitchen followed by a few hours around the table eating and laughing. We ate in courses - salad and bread first. This was followed by a reading of what I think will become the traditional holiday story - Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer. Not only was the story incredibly entertaining but it also had a good message: celebrating the birth of Christ. While I love 'Twas the Night before Christmas and other "traditional" stories, I would much rather a story that reflects the true meaning of the season. After the reading it was on to the main course - timbalo - piping hot from the oven. Following dinner we retired to the sun room for our white elephant gift exchange. I have never been so entertained... and I think only pictures will really do this justice. After exchanging presents and laughing so hard my muscles were aching, we ate cupcakes (complete with Christmas decorations given to me by my sweet friend) and then watched another holiday classic - Christmas Vacation.
I left that night reminded of the reason we celebrate Christmas - Christ came to this earth to be with us. We can celebrate his presence among us by being surrounded by friends and good food and laughter rather than just giving gifts to people. I am even more convinced that in His presence there is fullness of joy. It's a beautiful thing. I am beyond blessed and so thankful for a tangible reminder of God's love this holiday season.
Cupcakes!
Moral Support
funny faces are mandatory in the kitchen
Timbalo!
Entertaining the kiddo
Humphrey's First Christmas reading :)
Cupcakes!
Musical tie and blow-up reindeer = perfect white elephant
High School Musical Stick-ons
She made a new friend :)
1 comments:
Thanks so much for making my picture book Humphrey's First Christmas part of your holiday celebration! It was fun to read all about your Humphrey's First Christmas Party! Wish I could have been there too, it sounds wonderful, and... delicious! Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you and your friends. It was great to hear that Humphrey might become your traditional Christmas read!
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