Making my House a Home

This past weekend I hosted my very party in my very own home. I wanted to invite all of you, but alas, my little home would not fit all of you. So instead, I'm inviting you to my cyber house warming party. Welcome, come on in, grab yourself a plate and something festive to drink, and make yourself at home.

Orange and Cinnamon Scented Apple Cider with (optional) Spiced Rum... I personally love this option.

Thyme Infused Iced Tea

Seared Sirloin Buttermilk Biscuits with Merlot Onions and Blue Cheese Aoili
Also pictured on the cake stand: Miniature Carrot Cupcakes with Molasses Cream Cheese Frosting

Roasted Butternut Squash with Red Wine Soaked Fruit Chutney, served with Garlic Crostini,  Brie, and Gouda

Of course, besides the food, you have come to check out the place. And we certainly made it look festive.You know how great Mommaw is at flower arranging right? Of course I had to get her to participate in the party preparations! Fresh flowers always seem to make an occasion special, regardless of what it is. Look at the gorgeous arrangements!

A very fall mantel, completely created by my Mommaw.

My living room, which has turned into my favorite room in the house.

Welcome to my home!

Christmas Party: Part II

As promised in my previous post, here is the second half of the Christmas party, the food part! My previous post featured all the glorious floral arrangements (constructed so artfully by my grandma) and can be viewed here. Really, you should check them out, they really are breathtaking, she did such a wonderful job with them. They were catered to each room they were placed in and fit is just beautifully - I answered questions all night long from guests wanting to know who did our flour arrangements!

Here is my mom's and my contribution to the festivities. We stuck with a southern classic Christmas theme, as our home is a colonial Williamsburg replica, and everything turned out simply scrumptious. Feel free to browse all these great pictures, provided by my sister, and ask any questions you'd like!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

Our hot appetizer table

Crab Cakes with Creole Remoulade

Trio of Homemade Mustard for the Biscuit Sandwiches - Cranberry Mustard, Sweet and Spicy Mustard, and Grainy

Country Ham on Chive Biscuits

Poinsettia Sipper - lime and cranberry sparkling cider

Peanut Brittle (my favorite part of the holidays - these bowls had to be put is rooms very far away from me in order to stay full.)

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Pecan Fudge

Homemade Cookie Tray, filled with family recipes

Spritz cookies, Miniature Pecan Pies, Austrian Jams, and Peanut Butter Blossoms

Spinach Dip - complete with a crunchy water chestnut finish

Goat Cheese Log with Cranberry Jam

Festive Fruit Platter

Asiago, Parmesean , and Italian Herb Pita Crisps

Spicy Spinach Pinwheels

Olives and Cornichon Pickles

Stuffed Strawberry Tomatoes

Cheese Platter with Fig Jam

Our cold appetizer table, complete with our Egg Tree in the corner!

Me before the party, making sure everything is in it's place...

... and me after everyone has left and all the clean up was complete.