Christmas Party

'Tis the season for partying... menu:  ham, shrimp, veggie chili/corn bread, bourbon hot dogs, chicken salad in filo cups, cheese/crackers, fruit, veggies/hummus, brownies, cookies, wine and cranberry drinks.  Add friends and family.

 

 Taste tester and tour guide.

 Great company, great party.

First Snow

 The garden in last week's snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 All photos taken by the golfer of the family.

For more  garden scenes from around the world  visit Today's Flowers #124.

Gingerbread House

We attended the Rock Creek International School Reunion and Gingerbread House Party the other week-end. Our connection is my sister who worked at the school until it closed.  In past years the event was held at the Swiss Embassy.  This year they were able to use the old school building, now used by the Lab School.

 

Good food provided by the elfs.

The elfs assemble the houses.

 And let the decorating begin.

 

I must say that the houses did not co-operate by staying "glued" together.  Since I had just read the Women's Day article by Eddie Ross about faux gingerbread houses I used his idea and took ours apart  so the kids could work on each piece flat.  It also made for easier transport!

 

 Everyone else used the conventional way.

  

 Many creative roofs.

 

 We assembled at home.

 

And for safe display I put them up on the pie safe.

Birthday Boy

Then

 Now

 Happy Birthday H

Ripe for the Season

 These are Japanese Bamboo (I think) berries in a September photo.

 

 

 And here they are ripe with December cheer.

 

For a further glimpse into the world of flowers visit Today's Flowers # 123.

Christmas Spirit

Finally some decorations are up.

This little display of books has some salt cellars I got this week-end at an estate sale...I using them for votive lights.  I got these rechargeable lights at a yard sale.  I like to use them around children for the no flame aspect.

 

Aren't these footed ones perfect?

 This is actually a pair that I've stacked.

 Happy decorating.