'Tweener Luncheon

As I like when there is a whole week of November left 

after Thanksgiving,

I also like the week 'tween

Christmas and New Years

We're still decorated

But the hustle and bustle that is before Christmas

is gone, once December 25 has come

I like to have company for lunch during that week

It's much more relaxing than a lunch would be 

before Christmas

Today, three dear friends came for lunch

It's a tradition, started a few years ago

And we decided that this is our fifth year

Shaun, Jeffrey and Kate are great guests

And there is a lot of table talk as we eat lunch

Since it is still the Christmas season . . .

A poinsettia as a centerpiece

But it is tall

Often when there is a foursome for lunch,

if the centerpiece is tall, I'll move the "centerpiece" to the end of the table.

so that we can see and visit

My Quaker Lace tablecloth, the Christmas dishes and Jim's grandmother's cutlery

The china is Royal Dolton Tartan 

Made during 1986 and 1987

It's a classic, I think

(and is a nod to Jim's Scottish heritage)

Luncheon today was an Ina's luncheon

From three of her cookbooks

Maple Roasted Carrot Salad

a yummy salad full of roasted carrots, dried cranberries, almonds and goat cheese.

The greens were supposed to be arugula but, alas, you can't find it here

so I subbed a Spring Greens Mix

Recipe from Cooking for Jeffrey

40 Cloves of Garlic Chicken served with white and wild rice

It's yummy and comfort food

Recipe from Barefoot in Paris

French Apple Tart

The flavor of apples with a bit of crust

I decided that after all the cinnamon and nutmeg flavors of the season

that a dessert that was pure flavor

would be a nice change of pace.

It's a favorite of ours and I've made it many times.

Recipe from Back to Basics

It was a fun afternoon.   No one felt the pressure to hurry for there was no last minute gift to buy, or cookies to make.    We talked of Christmas past and plans for New Year's.