Only A Month Behind!

I know it's January, but I was reminded by my friend Lynn's recent post that I hadn't posted about the Ladies' Christmas Brunch I hosted here at my little house...a mere month ago. Part of my hesitation has probably been fueled by my lack of pictures of the event. Of the people anyway.

In any case, it was a WONDERFUL morning and I had such fun planning and carrying out the preparations. :o) And any chance to use the German-made tea and coffee set I got from my husband's aunt for our wedding is something I celebrate. It is SO me.

I'd love to make this holiday brunch an annual thing, whether I always host the same people or purpose to vary my guest list. That actually was the thing I deliberated most over, even more than my menu! Should I invite all of my aunts, collection of new friends/neighbors I want to know better, old friends, etc.?

This year I decided to invite the ladies in my Care Group from church (and my mom). There were 8 of us total, 2 couldn't make it. We enjoyed the food certainly, but more than that it was the conversation around the table that brought the most satisfaction. And I was thrilled that my mom could experience the fellowship that I've been so blessed by with these women.

We pulled some Christmas-type questions out of a bowl to answer as we ate. I completely reused the questions from a meme I had posted on my blog from a year ago. They generated so much discussion and laughter, oh my!

I closed the morning by reading one of my favorite children's Christmas stories, "A TALE OF THREE TREES". The power of the gospel message so simple, yet poignant that there were tears by the end.

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In case you are interested in the menu, here 'tis! Some recipes I've linked, some are new and are tried and true favorites (especially because they are super easy).

Fruit salad

Vanilla Yogurt (PEQUEA VALLEY FARMS awesome, oh so creamy yogurt made from grass-fed Jersey cows) ***slivered almonds for on top

Lemon Scones w/lemon curd

Almond Biscotti

Assorted hot and cold drinks

Bacon and Cheese Quiche (see below)

Baked French Toast (see below)

The recipes...

Bacon and Cheese Quiche

1 prepared pie crust

6 slices bacon, fried and chopped (or 4 pre-cooked sausage links, chopped)

1 c. shredded cheese (cheddar or whatever you like)

garlic powder

dried mustard

salt

pepper

1 c. half-n-half

4 eggs, slightly beaten

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, while you prepare crust.

2. Layer bacon and cheese over bottom of crust, then sprinkle seasonings lightly over top (about 1/4 tsp. each).

3. Measure half-n-half in bowl, then add eggs and beat lightly. (If you blend too much the quiche won't get as light and puffy.) Pour into crust.

4. Bake at 400 for 15 mins., then reduce temperature to 325 and bake for 30 mins. more.

5. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Baked French Toast

1-2 loaves French bread, sliced (about 3/4 inch thick)

8 eggs

1 c. milk

1 c. half-n-half

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 c. butter, softened

1 1/2 c. brown sugar

1 1/3 c. chopped pecans

3 Tbsp. dark corn syrup

1. Grease 9 x 13 dish well and fill w/sliced bread, up to 1/2" of rim.

2. Mix and pour eggs, milk, half-n-half, vanilla, nutmeg & cinnamon over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

3. Mix and spread remaining ingredients over bread just before baking at 350 for 50 mins.