Sisterhood December 2010

Yeppers, that time has rolled around again. Time for the meeting of the Sisterhood.

Host sisters Janie and Grace prepared a wonderful brunch.
If I remember correctly there was:
Bacon and egg casserole
Ham and egg casserole
Cheesy Potato soup
Blueberry french toast (stuffed with cream cheese and topped with blueberry sauce)
Link sausage
Cinnamon rolls
Coffee cake
Fruit salad
Potato breakfast casserole
as well as plenty of wine, mimosas, eggnog, coffee, hot tea and soda.

The table settings were so pretty with green tablecloths, lace doilies, crystal stem ware, too many forks, and lots of candles.

Before we ate Elizabeth posed in front of one of Janie's 10 trees.

Reindeer Callie and Santa Ellen smile for the camera.

Marla and daughter give a quick smile.

Annie, Ellen, Jessica, and Melissa serenaded us with Christmas carols.

Lori and Elizabeth are all decked out. Oh I forgot to tell you, the theme for today's event was gaudy Christmas sweater. Not that Lori's was . . .

Elizabeth is enjoying her powdered sugar donut while sitting on my lap.

Darlene is doing her annual Christmas reading. It went something like this:

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare... You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog..

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand and wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Grace is leading the nieces in a little song and dance routine.

Of which Elizabeth had had enough!

And then, we all, me included, performed a rendition of Rudolph the red nose reindeer.

The five sisters also sang for us.

Larraine's sweatshirt. (Sorry that's all that would fit in the space)

Our annual group picture!

Off we went in multi vehicles for the house tours. My house was first. We then called Mom on the web cam in Texas!

Another outstanding sisterhood party!



I leave you with Grace leading us in song.