getting in the holiday spirit

We're back and anticipating a really busy week. The company Christmas supper was great fun... and of course Mom-in-law didn't disappoint with her feast of baked ham, Honey Lemon Chicken, Gourmet Potatoes, carrot coins, Crunchy Lettuce Salad, fresh tropical fruit salad, fresh baked bread with homemade strawberry jam. Very delicious! Not to mention my sister-in-law's contributions in the form of the appetizers: cocktail sausages (baked in a sauce consisting of grape jelly and brown sugar), hot ham dip in a bread bowl... and the dessert: Pioneer Woman's Caramel Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake to top it all off... mmm!

I've been really getting in the spirit of Christmas around here - the garlands are up, as well as mini evergreens in my planters in front of the house. Candles are lit, and homemade potpourri has been simmering... Christmas songs are being sung, stories of Jesus' birth retold... I've been dreaming of the turkey and trimmings and drooling over Pioneer Woman's Thanksgiving recipes... for this year is the first year I'm doing the Big Dinner with my in-laws!

If you're wondering how to make your own potpourri for the holidays... just dump the following into a saucepan half full of water: orange slices, cinnamon sticks, whole allspice and whole cloves. Simmer as long as you want, refilling with water when needed.

I've never been as into the whole seasonal thing like I am this year - am I showing my age? My housewifely-ness? Stay tuned for more Christmas-y, cinnamon-y, holiday-y recipes... :)