Bratney Christmas Party

Our Christmas party was a success again this year. Last year was the first time we served a dinner at our house and it ended up being such a fun time that we decided to do it again this year. No need trying to talk in a noisy restaurant (and coming home with a sore throat from yelling as you try to talk). We try to make it relaxing by serving the plates restaurant style - bringing out one by one to the table as Bruce and I fix each one in the kitchen. It's actually sort of fun pretending we're a fancy restaurant.

Good food, good drink and good company = fun Christmas party.

As I said in my previous post, I haven't had many days off work leading up to this party so I picked up some of the food from Whole Foods. The appetizers were a big hit. I got some Roasted Asparagus Wrapped in Prosciutto

and Crab Cakes with Dipping Sauce

I highly recommend both of them.

Our festive beverage for the evening were the white cranberry spritzer holiday drinks.

Our dinner menu was actually quite similar as last year with the main entree being the super yummy mustard crusted beef tenderloin

and it was once again a big hit tonight. I have to admit that the dessert was my favorite. Another item at Whole Foods was the Vanilla Bean Budino with Huckleberries.

The tops got a little smashed transporting them home so before I served them I put a little whipped cream on top with Christmas sprinkles.

And don't forget the holiday coffee drinks to accompany dessert.

Each guest got their little bag of almond roca to take home which looked very festive at each place setting so we were not short in the "sweets" category.

Even the cats enjoyed the party since it did not disturb their cat nap. (The children did a great job playing with them and tiring them out! Good job!!)

The holidays can be stressful and exhausting so my philosophy is to do the things that you enjoy doing and the things that make you happy and your happiness will rub off on those around you.

Merry Christmas and hope your holidays are full of good food, good drink and good company.

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