Both of my ovens are going...

So I thought I would take a break and sit down. Which I haven't done in quite a while! I love the holidays and all the preparations. I am a true homemaker at heart, ever since I was little when people asked me "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I always said "a wife and mother".

Right now I am baking cookies that I will package up for my guests to take home, both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. These are the cookies that I have made (and am making now)

Chocolate Orange Drops
Buckeye Balls
Raspberry Bars
Sugar Cookies (the girls decorated them so cute)
Double Ginger Crackles
Toasted Almond Butter Thins
Orange-Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies
Almond Biscotti

I am packaging them in red and white boxes with red or white ribbon. I'll try to remember to get a picture before I give them away!

The other day we made (well...decorated) a gingerbread house together. It was a kit that I bought at Costco so it was super easy. The girls had a lot of fun decortating it. Here's how it came out:


Tomorrow night we are hosting my husbands family over for dinner and to exchange gifts. One of his brothers does Christmas day with my husbands side of the family as well but we don't go. His father and girlfriend do not go there on Christmas day either so having them all here Christmas Eve works out well.

This is what we will be having Chrismas Eve:

Hors d'oerves:
Smoked-salmon roulades
Prosciutto-and-Pear wraps
Brie en Brioche
Assorted cheeses with crackers

Dinner:
Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Sauce
Gruyere-Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
Chopped-Vegetable Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

Dessert:
Cheesecake
Cannolies
Christmas cookies

All very easy dishes that I have made before so no surprises!

Christmas Day we are having my family over for dinner and this is the menu:

Hors d'oerves:
Melon-and-Prosciutto rolls
Crudites with dips
Assorted cheeses and crackers

Dinner:
Beef Bourguinonne
Golden-crusted Potatoes
Broccoli rabe with red currant vinaigrette
Citrus Salad (my sister is bringing)

Dessert:
Apple Pie
Something my mom is bringing (I think Chocolate Mousse Cake)
More Christmas cookies!

I have a lot done already so my time in the kitchen is minimized during the parties. All presents are wrapped and I think...we are all set. After these last batches of cookies come out and cool I will assemble the boxes and then relax!

I hope everyone has a lovely holiday!