Saturday, December 15, 2007

Progressive Dinner 2007


Last night was our annual Manwaring Christmas Progressive Dinner. It was a night FULL of great food and fun. I think it was our best one yet. (Although honestly, when is a night full of food EVER bad?) I sure wish I would think to take more pictures at these events. (I borrowed these from my father-in-law.)

We started the night out with appetizers in Blackfoot at Justin and Amber's. They served us yummy deep fried ravioli with marinara sauce, a veggie tray, and my all time favorite spinach/artichoke dip with bread. Mmmmm....so good and practically a meal in itself.

A short drive to Shelley and we met up at Brandon and Emily's for drinks. Emily has a "Grinch" themed Christmas this year and served us Grinch Punch, a lemonade slush type drink complete with sugared rims. We got to listen to Grinch music, look at her cute Grinch tree, and even her dog Addie was "Grinched" by wearing her reindeer antlers. They also read "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas", but my family had to head out early to get the next course ready.

My house was in charge of the soup and I served my new favorite Baked Potato Soup. The grand kids performed the cutest nativity ever on my new stage. It was a great debut for our recently finished basement.




Next stop, Becky and Kevin's for jello cups. She made darling layered jello cups garnished with cool whip and a cherry on top. They looked like little cupcakes or something. So fun, and everyone gobbled them up.


Finally it was time to go to Gregg and Anna's (my parents-in-law) for the main course. It was delish. A pork loin roast, rice with cranberries and pine nuts, and rolls all served on REAL dishes. (Not paper.) By this point everyone was full to their throats so we kind of lingered and let everything settle.

Then we were off to our final stop at Ben and Kaylin's for dessert. She served a chocolate torte cake with peppermint ice cream. Right up my alley!



Everything was just delicious and I think I am still full. I really love this tradition and am so glad we get to live close by to participate in it. We miss Katie's and Melissa's families who live in UT at these types of events, but we'll get to see them next week, so all is well. Thanks everyone for all the wonderful food. I think eating is just about my most favorite thing in the world!

10 comments:

Jennifer P. said...

That is SUCH a fun tradition! I so wish I had a big family to do something like that with. I love the way you took everyone's picture by their Christmas tree, and I love, love, love your stage! How did you make the backdrop? Your kids will make so many fun memories there, and when they get too old for it, I picture a nice little computer desk up there for you :).

And by the way, who doesn't love to eat? If I'm not eating, I love to watch people cooking or read recipes. SIGH!

Anonymous said...

The backdrop is my mother-in-law's. I am not sure where she got it. Guess you better have some more kids so you can have a big family to do this with someday. :)

LouandAngela said...

That IS a fun tradition! I love that you took a picture of everybody next to their tree. Reading blogs like this makes me jealous, since I'm the one away from family and am not able to participate in something like this. Maybe someday we'll all move back or everybody will come my way?!?!!

And yes, I agree--eating is one of MY favorite things in the world to do! :) Too bad you can tell, eh?

Lee Ann said...

Sounds like so much fun! I love my extended big family and am so sad my kids are all "alone." sniff, sniff, sniff

Lee Ann said...

Can you send me your recipe for the potato soup? I know you posted it but I can't find it right now.

lderoos@gmail.com

Mama Williams said...

Sounds like lots of fun and lots of food! Can't wait to see you next weekend.

becky ward said...

What a great summary! Can I just copy and paste this onto my blog?

Natalie and Quin said...

The Grinch Punch sounds like a Mormon Margarita.

Jonathan & Rachel said...

How fun!! I love all of the pictures. Fun to see everyone's tree! What a fun big family you guys have. I wish we were there to be with ours-but it will be fun to have our own little Christmas too.

Elise said...

Everyone looks so great! I love that you guys had a play on your stage-- so perfect!