Christmas Eve Progressive Dinner

We started what I hope will be a new tradition on Christmas Eve.  We had a progressive dinner! 

Appetizers were at our house....

Shrimp cocktail and....

Stuffed mushrooms at Rolinco Road.

Reynald ate more shrimp than those placed at his table setting!

The main dish was at Alicia's.......

Alicia had her table set for the season. 

She has decorated her home with decorations that grandma was willing to part with!

Our main dish was a gumbo type stew with black rice, butternut squash, carrots and homemade sausage.  So good!

And dessert was at Grandma Jo and Grandpa Jim's.......

Grandma's famous sugar cookies.  For nearly 60 years my mom has made this recipe which she got from an elderly neighbor, when mom and dad were first married.  

And vanilla bean ice cream with homemade chocolate sauce.  The chocolate sauce recipe is the one my grandma, mom's mom, always made.  It's still the best chocolate sauce.

Sugar cookies, ice cream and chocolate sauce and a cup of coffee.  A perfect dessert and a perfect way to end our progressive dinner!

It was a really terrific way to experience the warmth of our homes, share a meal and appreciate the decorations that help to celebrate the season.