Day 380 - A special evening!

My first attempt at hosting a Christmas in July dinner. Done and dusted! I cooked up a storm and made all my traditional Xmas dishes and passing around the 1989 copy of the 'Fair Lady' magazine that contains my traditional English Trifle recipe was quite funny! We realised that not that much has really changed - maybe I should take some pictures of the articles in the magazine and post it here so that you can decide for yourself!

Anyway, I decided to use apples for the flowers on the table and yep, I was pretty pleased with the result. As I never got to take pictures of the food, I thought I'd share some of these with you instead. What an inexpensive way to decorate a table! The flowers came from my mom's garden and the chicken pie she made for us, by the way, was to die for! What would I do without my mother? Even now that I'm a grandmother myself, there are some things that remain her specialities!! I have NEVER eaten a chicken pie as tasty as the one she makes and my guests agreed!

So, on the menu was:

Pumpkin soup

Sweet potato bread

Gammon

Leg of lamb

French beans with garlic butter, walnuts and blue cheese

Cauliflower with Parmesan and mustard sauce

Cinnamon and orange Sweet potato

Green salad

English Trifle with Port, Sherry and Brandy

Filter or Irish Coffee

Today is Tuesday and we've just finished the last of the leftovers!! What can I say, I cooked for a battalion, even though we were just eight! I share recipes with the greatest love, so if anything above tickles your fancy, let me know and I'll tell you what my instructions were!

To top off a GREAT evening, my friends all brought gifts for the playroom at the Red Cross Children's Hospital here in Cape Town. I'm delivering it to them tomorrow, what a wonderful way to end off a great get-together with very special people! 

I am blessed!