Thursday December 30, 2010

 

Getting Ready For a Christmas Celebration

With Our Children

Monday Evening, December 27

 

 

With the eight Myers at our house, there is usually a lineup of shoes inside our garage door. They look especially neat for this picture because I had just arranged them in preparation for many more sets of shoes when our other children and grandchildren arrived. I should have taken a followup picture when shoes were stacked on top of shoes.

 

 

Cerwin had taken his mother to a doctor appointment earlier in the afternoon, so she was the first one to arrive. In this photo she is looking at our basketful of Christmas cards and letters.

 

 

Several of the children and grandchildren made decorations and place setting names for the tables. There were beautifully decorated cookies, candy, and packets of hot chocolate.

 

 

 

 

Red and green tablecloths

 

 

Lydia made the napkin holders out of red and green felt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I prepared a mocha punch just as people began arriving for the 5:30 p.m. supper. This is a family favorite.

 

Recipe for Mocha Punch

6 Cups Water

1/2 Cup Instant Chocolate Mix (I use Nestle Nesquik)

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/4 Cup Instant Coffee Granules

1/2 Gallon Vanilla Ice Cream

1/2 Gallon Chocolate Ice Cream

1 Cup Whipped Cream

Chocolate Curls (Optional)

Bring water to a boil in a large sauce pan (I microwave it 8-10 minutes). Remove from heat and add chocolate mix, sugar, and coffee. Stir until dissolved. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.

About 20-30 minutes before serving, pour cooled mixture into a punch bowl and add the ice cream. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate curls if desired. 

VARIATION: Strawberry Punch. Substitute Strawberry Nestle Nesquik and omit coffee. Use 1/2 gallon each of strawberry and vanilla ice cream. Garnish with whipped cream and strawberries.