We are officially booked for every weekend from now until New Years! Good gracious, the holidays creep up faster and faster each year!
Last weekend, TJ and I headed down to Tallahassee to attend the engagement party of our sweet friends Brandon & Allegra. The party was held at her brother, John's, home (which had the most beautiful knotty pine moldings and wainscoting!) The appetizer menu featured chicken liver paté, assorted fruits and veggies, smoked fish dip, and fried alligator - caught by John and his dad the previous week. It was chewy, as gator usually is, but delectable with the homemade sundried tomato dip! I couldn't get over the fact that these "imports" from New Jersey were becoming real, bonafide Swamp People - ha!
Dinner included organic salad, grilled chicken, ribs, and pulled pork, as well as potato salad, slaw, beans and other delectables. Her sister Valerie, sister in law Jeannine, and neice Lexie made two delicious desserts - a flourless chocolate torte, and a delicious spice cake with caramel frosting and fondant leaves. And to top it off? Steaming mugs of homemade chai tea! Y'all, I was in heaven!

Brandon & Allegra were, of course, thrilled that everyone had come to offer their support, love and congratulations. They are a truly special couple and I love them both to bits!
This weekend, TJ is going with Brandon and some of their friends to the mountains of Georgia, to go on their annual dirt bike riding adventure. Imagine if you will, a passel of guys holed up in a cabin, riding in the mud all day, and drinking beer and swapping stories all night. Very manly, no?
I will be contributing 2 french loaves stuffed with a delicious mixture of ground beef and pork, mozzarella cheese, onion, and hot mustard and lightly brushed with butter and garlic salt. They'll be wrapped in aluminum foil, perfect for throwing over the fire pit to warm up for dinner! After all, they've got to keep up their strength for the exhausting ride ahead!


Meanwhile, Bean and I have a full weekend planned. Saturday morning, we have an appointment to meet Santa for breakfast at La Reunion in Helena. Afterward, I figured we'd hit up the Helena Mercantile and do a little Christmas shopping, then head back to the house to change for the "Princess Birthday Party" she's invited to. The Bean will be sporting her Ariel costume, with hair up, crown adjusted, and ready for her tea and crumpets! Sunday, of course, is church - then the 64th annual performance by the Alabama Civic Chorale and Alabama Symphony Orchestra of Handel's Messiah. I can't imagine a better way to kick off the holiday season!
I've been listening to Christmas music all week at work and have wondered if I'm not rushing a bit this year. What if I'm burned out on Christmas by the time it arrives? (doubtful, but it could happen!) TJ has already chastised me for "forgetting" Thanksgiving, as if I could forget my commitment to make 2 batches of sausage balls, cream cheese mini muffins and a citrus cheesecake! I guess I just can't wait to get in the spirit of the season - how about you?