Christmas Morning Breakfast

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.




A Christmas Morning Breakfast is a tradition Darrel and I have started for his immediate family. It's our way of doing something nice for his mother and sister and her family. His older sister, her husband and sons live out of town, so they aren't able to join us. We set the time for 8 AM so everyone could enjoy a leisurely Christmas morning.

This is how we greeted our guests

To the left we had a large poinsettia in a black, wrought iron plant holder and to the right there was a wreath on the French doors. I was in such a hurry, I forgot to take pictures of them that morning before the guests arrived.

Our den is just inside the door and I decorated the mantle with the same fresh greens I used on the baker's rack. We live in the country so fresh greenery is available all year. I used Leyland Cypress, pine, cedar, holly and variegated citrus. It smelled wonderful.

This was before we lit the fire. We haven't been able to have a fire at Christmas in years and we were thrilled to have a very cold, wintery Christmas day.

A closeup of the mantle.

Any time we have guests I want the table to be special. I used my Christmas dishes and a recent acquisition, my newest vintage tablecloth. I wanted to bring out the colors, so I used red, green and a touch of white in the dishes. I don't have glasses or coffee cups on the table because I set up a beverage station on the counter near the Keurig.

I absolutely love to cook and it makes me happy to share the fruits of my labor with family and friends. Our menu included bacon, grits, pumpkin muffins, sausage balls, fruit, monkey bread and breakfast casserole (out of view). I set the food station up on the bar and decorated it to match the table.

A few pictures of some of the decorations in the kitchen and den.

Our Bichon Frise, Keeper, has her own Bichon tree in the den.

The nativity in the living room.

It's so nice to spend quality time with family. Sometimes I wish life wasn't as hectic and busy and we spent more time just visiting and talking.

These are the times of which memories are made, to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with family and friends.

China: Christmastime by Nikko about 22 years ago
Chargers, Small Votives, Napkin Rings and Napkins: Target over the years
Flatware: Arlington by Reed and Barton
Tabletop Trees and Apothecary Jar: A local find
Red Candle Holders: Gift from a friend
Serving Bowls, Cake Stand and Platters: Carmen by Mikasa about 20 years ago
Santas, Gingerbread Houses: My own personal collection