Festive Weekend Recap

As if I wasn't already excited about Christmas, this weekend sent me over the edge. Work holiday party, cocktails at the Peabody, family dinner at Majestic, Advent, and our annual family cookie bake all in one weekend? Couldn't have asked for a better way to usher in the holiday season. Here's a few snapshots of our festivities:

{JT and me in front of the massive Peabody Hotel Christmas tree.}

{There were no seats in the lobby, so my ever-resourceful boyfriend spotted a friendly couple who let us share a table with them. We ended up chatting with them for a few hours while we waited for our reservations, and plan to keep in touch. Pleasant twist on the evening.}

{the cookie baking gals. an art 

our family has perfected for generations}

{JT getting excited for his second annual cookie bake}

{my lovely sissy and bebe T's first cookie bake. 

can't wait for him to play in the icing and flour next year.}

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Happy Friday

Thank goodness it's Friday! There's so much to look forward to -- not only is Christmas time in full swing, but my weekend calendar is turning out to look pretty darn festive.

{Peabody Hotel Christmas tree lighting, 2012 via here}

For starters, the CMi company Christmas party is tonight complete with drinks and appetizers. Tomorrow (after my not-so-festive oil change in the morning) JT and I are going to the Peabody Hotel to grab a cocktail and enjoy the fabulous tree (Memphis' equivalent of the Rockafeller Center behemoth) and atmosphere of the lobby while we wait for our reservation at Majestic Grille on Main Street with my whole fam jam. I'm so excited my aunt put the family dinner together, a great reason for everyone to get together and enjoy a yummy meal downtown. Another bonus is that (for those that don't know) the Majestic used to be a movie theatre and kept it's charm by leaving a giant movie screen up on the far end of the restaurant. During the holidays, they play Christmas classics (without sound) to enjoy while you nosh on the deliciousness. As if all that wasn't festive enough, we're having our annual cookie baking session (2010 session seen here) on Sunday after church (3rd Sunday of Advent). Oh how I love this time of year!

{baking Christmas Cookies circa 2010}

Happy Friday, my little elves!

Very Merry Christmas, or Three

There's a first for everything, and this year (due to work schedules and the craziness that is life), the Cox family is having three Christmases. Yes, three. Now, as a reference point, we always have two: normally Christmas Eve night we snack on such goodies as party mix, appetizer, dips, and various candies that we make, and Christmas Day brunch with all the fixins from monkey bread and cinnamon rolls to egg casserole and apple cider. 

This year, we're having brunch and snacks on the 23rd and 24th respectively and then a "formal" Christmas dinner on the 25th.

As the designated cook/baker of my generation (Emily once informed me that whenever I get around to buying a house it better have a double oven because holidays will be cooked by me), I'm throwing together an assortment of menu items for the occasion. Here's a sneak peak into the festive foods:

We'll still have our favorites like homemade party mix and crock-pot meatballs (those at the Christmas soiree can attest to their taste), among other dips and desserts.

The big deal is the new big, fancy dinner which if I get my way will include the following items:

 {rolls from here or Sister Schubert rolls}

 {sweet potato casserole: 

still debating which topping as I'm a fan of both}

{ turkey, dressing and honey baked ham}

 {green bean casserole, among other casseroles}

 {last, but not least, some of the famous Christmas cookies we make every year like clockwork}

I'm even considering throwing punch into the mix:

 Ho Ho Ho Punch:

1 bottle champagne 

1 bottle ginger ale, chilled 

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen strawberries, partially thawed Directions: In a large punch bowl, combine champagne, ginger ale and strawberries. Gently stir and serve.