…and don’t forget to hang up your sock…
*dances around*
Last night was the beginning of our Christmas. Christmas carols played while we decorated our Christmas tree. We set everything up a week early this year because FH is leaving for Winnipeg a bit sooner than last year. We wanted to be sure to get some enjoyment out of our Christmas decorations before leaving for our family time. FH spends the season with his son, and I head home to Victoria with family and friends. We come back to spend New Years Eve together.
‘Tis FH’s year to use his Santa topper on the tree. We take turns. I used my angel last year.
Don’t ask about the pipe. lol. He just feels it’s a festive touch. :)
I wait all year to wear my Christmas socks!
And this year we decided our tree wouldn’t be complete without bendy Elvis…
I also added to the Starbucks ornament collection thanks to a birthday gift card from Tasha…
We have 10 now! I told FH I might have to get a separate mini-tree next year just for the Starbucks collection. We can call it the ‘corporate whore tree’…lol.
While we danced around the Christmas tree we nibbled on a fondue feast! We used to fondue fairly regularly but since we moved here (almost two years ago!) we hadn’t even unpacked all of our fondue stuff.
In trying to keep it a little on the healthier side, I asked FH if he would mind trying a broth fondue instead of the usual boiling oil. He agreed. WooT!
I Googled a super easy recipe… chicken stock & white wine…adding a garlic clove, onion chunk, and bay leaf to the simmering pot…
Also made a 1/2 pot of beef broth…splash of red wine, beef stock, garlic clove and lots of fresh cracked pepper.
The concept was great, but the broth just doesn’t stay hot enough to really cook the meat and veggies…so we did end up switching the chicken stock for oil after all. The beef one worked OK because it was a smaller portion in a smaller pot. (The chicken had to be able to properly cook the raw chicken and we weren’t taking any chances.)
Super duper yummy. If you have never fondued, I highly recommend it. All you need is a good pot, some fresh veggie oil, meats of your choice (we chose chicken, steak, and mild Italian sausage), fresh veggies (FH must have mushrooms, I heart zucchini), and some tasty dips to finish each bite.
I made garlic aioli (I recommend trying roasted garlic, this was pretty strong with raw garlic), honey mustard mayo, and pick your favorite BBQ sauce (we found a Bulls Eye made with Guinness!).
Add some bread and cheese to round it out, and open up a bottle of wine…et voila, fun fancy dinner. :)
Finish with chocolate of course… milk chocolate almond bark in our case…
We then cozied up on the couch for the first our favorite Christmas movies…Love Actually! :)
Do you have a traditional meal for you decorating day/night?
16 comments:
Love your tree!
The fondu looks amazing!
Yum! That sounds so good ... I haven't fondued since the days of living with my parents. I just might have to look into it though. :)
I don't have a traditional decorating meal, BUT the day does have to include a couple glasses of port and at least one play through of the Kenny and Dolly christmas album. So fun! I never let myself do anything Christmasy until after Dec 1 so I am counting down the hours now!
i collect those same starbucks ornaments! but i only have about 6 or 8. cant wait to get the clear cup this year!
Aww that sounds like such a fun time together! What a great night.
You are a Victoria girl!?!! Yay for Island girls!! :)
Beautiful tree, and what a great idea to do the fondue while setting up the tree!!
We set outs up last night too!!
Wow what a spread. Looks great!
Mmmm, can I come visit you and you can feed me? That looks yummy!
I want to get our tree up on December 1.
We do Hot Pot or Chinese Fondue (whatever you want to call it) with broth. You do need to have your meat sliced thin, and I can't tell what your fondue pot uses for heat? Ours uses Swiss Fire Gels. We usually do a bunch of meat and veggies, and have different asian sauces for dipping. That is our traditional New Year's Day supper. :)
I love your tree! It's so neatly done, too :D
I love fondue, but haven't had it in years. We only have it going out.
No traditional decorating food, but we do play our Christmas music CDs. That is the official beginning of the season when we bring those out!
LOL, love the pipe!! Tree looks great! My family does the fondue thing on Christmas Eve, we all are ridiculously stuffed afterwards, mostly because we actually eat it slow enough for our brains to keep up. Always makes me laugh cuz it really isn't any more than an average meal (which we can cram in in no time).
Will we be doing our annual SB evening this year? I hope so! :)
Okay, you don't know me or anything, but can I come and live at your house?
Beautiful and very festive! The "spread" you put out for the fondue was really something.
Love Actually is one of my favorite movies. We watch it every year too! Along with Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, The Grinch, and Polar Express.
'Tis the season!
I love fondue! Have you been the the Grizzly House in Banff? You can use a hot rock instead of oil to cook the meat. Tres yummy.
"Love Actually" is one of my favourite movies! I can't believe that my S. hasn't seen it. Hmmm...perhaps we should rent that for Wednesday date night...
H =)
I love the S'bucks ornaments--last year I bought one for my mom and personalized it with her drink order. She loved it!
I can't believe how many times I've used the word 'love' in this post. Sheesh. You'd think it was Valentine's day, not Christmas.
BEAUTIFUL TREE!!!!!!
I love it!!!
My tradition is just to have eggnog...tonight I made an eggnog misto...but we didn't finish the tree due to a power outage...does this mean I am allowed more eggnog tomorrow night??
I can't wait to start watching CHristmas movies!!!!
This is going to sound horrible but I have always decorated the tree by myself, hubby doesn't give a darn..
but Love Actually that is the best Christmas Love Story, love that movie!
Your tree is gorgeous, love FH's pipe! :)
You should so make a seperate Sbux mini tree!
Try cooking cauliflower (in oil is the best) and when it comes out you top it with caper butter (butter with capers mashed into in and a little bit of the juice). We had fondue quite often with I was little and no fondue is complete without this! I would love to do it while setting up our tree, but add a 3 and 5 year old and I just thing that spells trouble! Oh well, there is always New Years!
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