Neighborhood Holiday Party

Well, I'm happy to report that our Neighborhood Holiday Party was another wonderful success!  

Great Fun!

Great Food!

Great Friends!

Over the years, we've tried to have a Get Together around the holidays for our neighbors.  It seems that everyone is so busy all summer long with their kids sports & vacations, that no one has time to just sit and chat!   And it's come to be a time we all look forward to.  Of course, I LOVE to entertain (I'm a huge PEOPLE PERSON) and Mark (though he won't admit it) loves visiting with everyone too!  He's always great at helping me prepare the menu and doing the cooking.  I really think he should have been a chef!

I didn't think to have everyone get together for a Group Photo like I did last year, but I did grab the camera and snap a few shots here & there.  This year our menu consisted of Swedish Meatballs, Fried Chicken & JoJos, Spinach Dip in Pumpernickel Bread Bowl, Shrimp Cocktail, Cheese & Meat tray, Mushroom Salad (recipe at bottom of post),  Fruit  and my wonderful Jordanian neighbor Hala brought homemade Hummus and Spinach/Cheese Pie.

Within a few hours, there were 25 people throughout my house and the chit-chat was buzzing!  A little later in the evening the men were in the livingroom watching the football game and the ladies were chatting around the kitchen table.  What a wonderful relaxing evening!!  It's so fabulous to have good neighbors who you can also call your friends!!

Here's that MUSHROOM SALAD RECIPE I promised you!

4 - 7.3 oz. cans/jars of Button Mushrooms

1 - 14 oz. can of Hearts of Palm (cut in pieces if whole)

2 - cans of Artichoke Hearts (halved or quartered)

1 cup small black olives (pitted)

1 bunch green onions chopped

6 cloves garlic (minces)

Cubed Pepperoni

Cubed Mozzarella Cheese

DRESSING:

3/4 cup red wine vinegar

3/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tblsp. Italian Seasoning

Mix all  ingredients (except pepperoni & cheese) together, place in large zip lock bag ... add dressing and let marinade in refrigerator at least 2 hours.  Shortly before serving, add pepperoni & cheese to mixture.  Pour into serving bowl & top with a little shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (optional).

Mmmmm ... so good!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you've been enjoying some of the recipes I've been sharing with you through out the past week or so.  Now to get some crafting done!  Why is it I just can't seem to get caught up?  Too much partying I suppose!  LOL!!

Happy Day Everyone!!

Hugs,

Darlene