Christmas Day

Christmas Eve is always a relaxing day. This year my son and husband went to the Seahawk game while we worked on dinner and brunch. As I said, we changed things up at our house this year and it was wonderful.

Sometimes you have to take a look at traditions and see if something might work better. This from the "Queen of Tradition" sounds strange, but as children grow and parents age things change and needs change....

This year we decided to do a long leisurely multi coursed meal and take breaks to open presents. We opened stockings in the morning as usual, and had parents over for brunch. 

Then the twins went home for naps,(as did many of the adults.) we all gathered back at the house at three to start our dinner and gift exchange.

It worked out beautifully!

We started with an appetizer of a crab souffle with a thyme sauce. Each course was accompanied by a glass of wine chosen by the chef for that course.

From there we moved onto the salad course.

Winter Spinach Salad with Roasted Pears, Blue Cheese Toasts, and Dried Cranberry Vinaigrette

Wild Mushroom Soup with Madeira

A break for gifts. Lola loved her new slippers, ballet dress and Angelina doll!

Jack loves his new chain saw, and wearing no shirt.

Seared Halibut with Parsnip Puree, Spinach and Saffron Vanilla Sauce. This was my favorite, absolutely Divine!

Prime Rib served with a Beaujolais sauce, Chanterelle mushrooms and Pommes Anna

The cheese plate was fabulous. I have come to enjoy this as dessert rather than the traditional sweet ending to the meal.

Well, until we were served homemade 

peppermint ice cream!

What a great ending to a wonderful Christmas season.