Placecards

To seat or not to seat?...that is the question.  Holiday entertaining often means a large group so when it comes to setting a formal table, is it advantageous to also set the seating?  I vote 'yes' but that could be because I enjoy whimsical place settings with placecards or my 'controlling' nature.  My sister opted not to and with 24 guests for Christmas dinner managed just fine.  There was the hesitation of where to sit at first but once settled, people selected seating and enjoyed  most congenial tablemates.  So the answer would be 'depends on the guests' or as my nephew put it 'not overthinking the situation, Aunt Susan'. 

Chrismoose party

This year's holiday party theme was introduced with the invitation. I hand-colored "Chris", moose, and delivered when possible and emailed when not. The theme was first imagined 3 years ago on a trip to Maine where we visited a 1700lb life-sized moose made of chocolate. pic of Lenny

There I bought cookie cutters and a plush Chocolate Moose.  My moose collection had grown since (9 now) , living in the attic awaiting its debut.

The menu followed the theme with
                 stuffed mooserooms and
                                    moosetard chicken.

         deviled moose egg...is there such a thing? 
                 I'm not sure but I see antlers!

                   Labels were created to identify items, 

                            even at the bar

 

 My version of a mudslide served with the caveat 

 "goes down fast and you could be injured"

Apricot nectar, amaretto and rum

  

 
                         Guests got in the spirit 

                                      wearing antlers on                                                            their heads 

and I, eventually, resorted to them on my feet.  

The dessert table featured chocolate moose,

           moose droppings 

                        and moose cookies.  

 

       Guests left with their favor bags  
            (a box of chocolate covered mint patties).

 

To all and to all, a good night

Hospitality

is making your guests feel at home,

even when you wish they were     (smile)

Walt Disney's Birthday

is today.  Walt Disney, the creator of many wonderful movies, incredible characters, and
fascinating theme parks, was born in 1901. Did you know that he once ate a hot dog in
Disneyland and counted how many steps it took to finish it. It took him about 25 steps,
which is roughly the spacing used between trash cans in every Disney park today!
Trivia fact from Audri and Jim Lanford

National Cookie Day

A festive cookie for the season:  Poinsettia Cookie

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp extract (peppermint or almond)
2 3/4 cups flour
1/8 tsp salt
 maraschino cherry halves

In a large bowl beat butter and sugar with mixer until fluffy.  Add egg and extract.  Add flour and salt.  Divide dough in quarters.  Refrigerate until used. Between two pieces of waxed paper roll one piece of dough into 10 1/2 inch square.  Trim edges to 10 inch square.  Cut five 2 inch strips both ways.  You'll have 25 2 inch squares.  Place some on ungreased cookie sheet.  Cut corner in 1 inch towards center.  Fold every other corner in to center making a pinwheel.  Place a cherry in center.  Bake about 15 minutes at 350 degrees until golden.  Transfer to wire rack to cool.  You can tint half the dough red for a colored poinsettia.

December celebrations

• December is Read a new book month,  Safe Toy and Gift month, and Universal Human Rights month.  You can also have a party to celebrate Frank Sinatra's and Walt Disney's birthdays. or the patents of the phonograph, golf tee, and chewing gum.  In this month the thermometer and bowling ball were invented and the South Pole was discovered.  Whatever your faith, enjoy the blessings of the season and the first day of winter.