Christmas Family Get-Together

We hosted Christmas in our home, this year, and had a blast! Since moving from the Chicago area and away from long-time friends and our church's youth group (that we hosted monthly), we don't do a whole lot of entertaining, anymore.

The menu is the same at Thanksgiving as it is for Christmas: turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, rice stuffing, gluten-free bread stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, canned cranberry sauce, and a gluten-free green bean casserole--or just served with sliced almonds as it was for today.
Every year, starting right after Thanksgiving, begins dessert making. Cookies, candy, and other goodies are made for friends, neighbors, coworkers, teachers, and last but not least, family. Our large freezer, aka garage, keeps these treats safe and cool 'til the opportune time.

Because a large crowd was coming, my youngest made a veggie tray while I made a parsley ranch dip shortly before family arrived. Cheeses and sausage also were served. A few days before this, I also whipped up two different cheeseballs. Gluten-free crackers accompanied these appetizers. Salmon pinwheels made with rice tortillas, a big hit, were a new hors d'oeuvre that wes served, this year.
After the feasting, there was a flurry of activity. Time flew by too fast, and soon people began trickling out, family by family.

A very Merry Christmas and Hannukah to you all! --LKR