Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Christmas Eve Spectacular (and day after Christmas pancakes from a box)

WHEW. With that, the Christmas season has come to a close. New Years is right around the corner and everyone has joined a new gym and we're almost done cleaning up after Christmas Eve Dinner. Almost. Leftovers? Still in the fridge. Christmas cookies? Still on a 3-a-day diet. Might have to up it to 4. All in all the Holiday was a good time for just about everyone. We've picked up the tradition of  hosted a big dinner on Christmas Eve for both of our families and some close friends every year. Last year we tackled a beef wellington dish and had four other courses. This year we toned it down just a little, preparing a rack of pork with sides and French onion soup. The meal definitely created a sense of fullness which really set the trend for the rest of the next two days. After dinner we sat around the fire and exchanged gifts and had a white elephant gift exchange. If you've never done one its a good time to see Murphy's law in action and may be the only time you can see a staunch Republican get a commemorative Obama plate or Charisse let Eric have a garden gnome. One of Eric's family traditions growing up is reading a Christmas story on Christmas Eve, so Eric read "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus"  to everyone as the party wound down. For those who made it we took a walk around the neighborhood around midnight looking at all the lights and talking about what tomorrow would bring. Christmas started for us around 6 AM with trips back and forth between both of our parents houses. When we got home, it was straight to bed with a thankful heart, full stomachs and the feeling that when we woke up, the house would be a disaster. The next morning, we discovered that it was worse than we thought. Paper, boxes and ribbons everywhere and stacks of dishes to do so we did the only sensible thing: made pancakes from a mix with Eric's new Pancake molds, which turned out to be the perfect after Christmas breakfast. We hope you all had  a wonderful holiday (whichever one you might celebrate) and all have wonderful and safe New Years Eve! We'll see you next year!


Christmas Eve Dinner



Day After Christmas Pancakes

17 comments:

  1. LOVE those pancakes. What a great idea. my little ones would love that.

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  2. What an amazing Christmas spread!! And my hubs and cuz would dig those Star Wars pancakes.

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  3. how wonderful. the pork looks absolutely gorgeous. Yum. And I like the pancakes too. :)

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  4. what a perfect meal! The table looks great, and the lamb amazing!!!
    Thanks for sharing your Christmas with us!
    Wishing you and your family a Healthy and Happy New year!
    Dennis

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  5. I love the look of your Christmas table, and the pork looks fantastic, cooked perfectly!!

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  6. This had all the markings of everything I'd want at a Christmas Eve celebration -- family, friends, fun, tradition, and good food, of course. As my grandma would say, "You done good!"

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  7. Star Wars pancakes? You guys are the coolest people ever.

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  8. What a spread for Christmas Eve, everything looks soo good. I love the Star Wars pancake molds.
    Where did you get them?

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  9. Wow your holiday celebration looks fabulous! ..And the pancakes are a true winner!

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  10. @Becky...We found these pancake molds at Williams Sonoma. They had a whole section of Star Wars items such as lunch boxes and cookie cutters (which my husband got under the tree as well!)

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  11. What a feast...everything looks perfect!!!

    Happy New Year!

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  12. What a terrific day of celebration! I bet the pancakes were a complete hit. Happy New Year and may it be filled with much happiness!!

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  13. Now that looks like a family meal!!

    Happy Thursday Darling! xo

    If you're interested, I'm doing a perfume giveaway at my blog!

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  14. How fun! I've hosted many a dinner like that, wedging people into every nook and cranny of my then apartment. Love the Star Wars pancake molds! We have a barn animal waffle maker that chirps when the waffles are done. Love that. Happy New Years!

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  15. my husband would flip if I made him star wars pancakes... hes such a child. that being said.. i have got to get these molds! =)

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

    cant wait to read more of your blog! Thanks for finding me chica! <3

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  16. I wish we were neighbors. I hope you and your family have a wonderful, New Years!

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