it was our first Christmas in our own home, without traveling.
Nathan's family was all here, which was lovely.
it was my first time planning a whole Christmas, doing stocking stuffers and Christmas breakfast and Christmas dinner and everything that comes in between.
the day started off with making my Mom's cranberry coffeecake recipe, a Palmer Christmas morning tradition
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAltCv7rLVTIBg6HQ4SCuq9rjwh9O69msy-IGw_Xk1s9vk9jxP0ce-SuEA1uMx-ejAR65M5d8AiPoO4kA0OsADK8P28PJVFx6GUDkvewA41vsCMH1aNKOhrT5tPJy261kGAOdV_V-xEAE/s400/Christmas+collage+1.jpg)
the other side of the family has traditions too, so I made Nathan's mom's coffeecake as well.
{this coffeecake is one of those multi-step processes, and may be the reason I got very little sleep the night before Christmas.}
served with eggs and bacon
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5kMRTP9ZBbNmdedWorV-CmyT2bmK4IEBzzJgy-MK2pr9i1j_S4qP5KpZDDlrpG50tRdYX7EYGAVKrX07MC6bJMpUzUAqUKuH_jkOYT_N0eKlOYPMo0oS-FtfS4fuZj58Ic2AMFRTpjs/s400/Christmas+collage+2.jpg)
{Melissa and Roman came for breakfast, but we forgot to take a picture of them!}
there were stockings to open...
and then the gifts, distributed by Andrew, the designated "Santa."
A prank from Andrew for Stevedad, who had requested salami {don't ask me why}: a cucumber, wrapped so as to trick the recipient into thinking it was a salami.
a gift for Baby... from this soon-to-be Mom who just couldn't help herself
a late brunch after church: Andrew's specialty breakfast burritos with orange julius
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHvbJjGzN65kQMtG7K2qJtBRFBt66t-jMGHBfcQqRGLJmhYmTiAVI3iNtDazlFuMMdcHoE9cV-_Hj29M8UZVSqXuVUTVI5RB7i6wIGuolj6LPuLNEMuklVE2bIHmCdo5ByWDU43DM0MY/s400/Christmas+collage+3.jpg)
from Andrew, to Nathan, who does not always excel at arguments, a book of witty comebacks with a particular suggestion thoughtfully bookmarked by the gift-giver.
new gloves for Andrew
and finally, Christmas dinner!
Nathan set the table and photographed everything
dinner is served:
| boeuf bourguinon |
| mashed potatoes {with grapefruit-pomegranate punch in the foreground} |
| mixed greens with candied pecans, pomegranate seeds, and dried cranberries |
| brussels sprouts chiffonade with toasted hazelnuts |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu1jWOXcr2OewBhPRc3uzf_Dse1GIuJv4a5OQR3KQWRP9zThaQu8x4FEU5fVdvP6I3ETZMrAS1PFEZS5XcAFJBMNiAvnf_S9QWCh-FeOPl74kZulrQ6El32uIJ8umxNH6txODOGKtTB4/s400/Christmas+collage+4.jpg)
cardamom bread
{and it only took me about 5 hours to make everything... sitting down at the table that evening never felt so good.}
there was cranberry-apple-pear pie for dessert, too.
all in all, I think it was a very merry Christmas!
Yum, Sarah! It all looks so good.
ReplyDeleteYou entertain beautifully. I can't help but think that when I'm pregnant I usually invite friends for potluck spaghetti. :)
ReplyDelete