La Famiglia….
I can remember back to Christmas as a child as though it were yesterday. Christmas Eve was always spent with my Dad’s parents, and Christmas Day at my Mom’s parents.
The Grandmas from both sides were very different in their approach of entertaining, but both yielded wonderful and homey results that we looked forward to each year.
As a child…Christmas was the most magical time of the year.
Time moves on and as I have gotten older and come to realize how much time and effort is put into the planning of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, it makes me appreciate more so, every one who took the time to make those days special. It truly does remind me to slow down, and remember what Christmas and the Holidays are really all about.
This year, my boys noticed that I was feeling a little overwhelmed by my long to do list, and they decided to decorate our Christmas tree.
In years past we have decorated a huge tree, sometimes even putting up two trees. This year, we have gone back to basics. “Our Family Tree” includes many photo ornaments of our family members and all of the handmade ornaments that the boys have created over the past thirteen years. The handmade angel, was made by JT when he was four years old
Time…Flies…By…
I have posted a picture, because I love the way the tree came out, but mostly because I love that the boys decorated themselves. What a treat to just sit down and enjoy!
The gallery below shows some photos from our “Family Tree”~
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- My Fathers Grandparents born in Sicily in the late 1800’s.
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- My Father and his Father.
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- The Butchers Grandma Jean…Yep, the one who makes the best Sunday Sauce.
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- My Paternal Grandfather.
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- My Maternal Great Grandfather who drove a Laundry Truck in NJ…. Wow…Laundry pick up and delivery!
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- My Paternal Grandmother as a baby. Born in the early 1900’s.
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- The Butcher’s Mother and her Grandmother.
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- My Maternal Great Grandparents.
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- The Butcher’s Uncle Joey.
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- My Mother and her Sister.
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- The Butcher’s Maternal Grandfather.
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- My Maternal Grandparents.
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- The Butcher’s Mother and her Aunt and Mother.
For Christmas dinner my Mother in Law will make this delicious Dijon Peppercorn crusted Prime Rib. I am including a menu just in case you’d like to add it to your family dinner this year.
The menu includes Warm Spinach Salad, Dijon Peppercorn Prime Rib, Fancy Scalloped Potatoes, Honey Glazed Carrots with Purple Grapes and Cannoli Whipped Cream Puffs for dessert!
The link for the individual recipes are posted below each photo:
Enjoy the Holiday!
http://randsmeatmarket.com/2014/12/10/dijon-peppercorn-prime-rib/
Fresh and Fancy!
Enjoy your Holidays!
http://randsmeatmarket.com/2014/12/20/fresh-herb-antipasto-wreath/
I like to make individual servings, but you could certainly make a large platter of this salad and serve the dressing on the side.
http://randsmeatmarket.com/2014/12/20/warm-spinach-salad-with-dried-cherries-and-pinoli-nuts/
So delicious!
http://randsmeatmarket.com/2014/12/10/fancy-scalloped-potatoes/
A great fresh side dish, that is super fancy:)
http://randsmeatmarket.com/2014/12/20/honey-glazed-carrots-with-purple-grapes/
End this fantastic Christmas Dinner with these delicious Cannoli Whipped Cream Puffs~
Or all together on one tray….
http://randsmeatmarket.com/2014/12/18/cannoli-cream-puffs/
The Butcher and I wish all of our friends and family a very Merry Christmas and a healthy Happy New Year!
As you prepare these last couple of days before the holiday, remember to take a step back and take notice of the most important people in your life…
La Famiglia~
Chowfancy 