Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories Christmas Shopping

Well I am happy to say I am done with the Christmas shopping... I am usually an early bird, because I don't like shopping at night in the cold, wind, snow and the dark.  So I usually have it mostly done quickly because I work and time is always short.  That is all about Christmas shopping.  So on to another subject.

Today was the annual Christmas staff party.  The  last 3 years, we have had lunch together at the Lion House.  We then stay to play White Elephant gift exchange.  We started doing that as a way not to feel obligated to give all our co-workers gifts.  So we all agreed and it has been such a blast every year.  This is what I got this year!  We always try to get something else, as did I this year.  Someone always steals my gift that I probably stole from someone else. 

I got a cake pan shaped like a bear, I think.  At first I got a pinata shaped like a small girl with a bikini on.  It was hilarious and I wish I had had my camera, but I didn't because I brought the wrong bag.  Then I got a cute sign about messy offices.  My office has been the messiest ever in my career this past month.  I have been frantically working on writing college curriculum on German genealogy and things are so wild and crazy I can not keep up with the messiness.  Which is not me, but has been since getting this assignment full of deadlines...and stress. 
Here is a shot of another part of the white elephant I got that was stolen from me.

Christmas colored M&m's and the sign which I lost.  Oh well, better luck next year!

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories Outdoor Decorations

I am complying a bit with the theme today, at least for a minute to say that as I grew up we had no outdoor lights or decorations.  I don't think my dad wanted to put them up.  Can't say that I blame him, it's alot of work.  And it can be pricey.  But I loved to look at them and wished I had them in my yard.  Now as an adult we have a string of lights outside and that is about all.  I still like to look at the decorations others put out each year.  And I think everyone who does is so wonderful for doing that. So that is all I have to write about the theme.

So for my own "theme" of the day it is quite quickly the FamilySearch Devotional and Christmas luncheons.  Each year we have a lunch at work at Christmas time.  Each department goes to the 26th floor on a particular day along with their missionaries and a nice lunch is served to us, along with a Church authority who gives a message.  This year it was Elder Packer that spoke to us and it was about our Family History "Family", working together and enjoying our companionship.  It was nice.  Then we ate.  On today's menu was ham, shrimp, green salad, rice pudding, cheese and crackers, rolls, broccoli salad, and cookies, and cake.

Here is the plate I picked up.  We could have 2nds too.  I had another bit of salad because it was very good!

A little shot of the buffet table.

Waiting to eat!

 

 

So that was today.  Tomorrow will be a quiet day.  Once in a while I need that, too!

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories Christmas Cards

OK,  I apologize!  This is not going to be about Christmas Card today but I posted that because that is the only way the Geneablogger search engine finds it!  So for the "Sub-title"  I am posting:

The Office Christmas Party #1

So tonight Marion, our part-time counter helper at the Library had a German dinner for the staff and missionaries.  And because Marion is a great cook, she had a BIG crowd.  She cooked a fantastic meal  Here are our hosts Marion and Guenter.

Here are a few of the wonderful things on tonight's menu!

Here is the gravy in a Bunzlau pottery dish.  I have some of this Polish pottery also.  Love it!  Then a brocolli dish, another dish of kind of a creamed pea dish and cucumber salad.  Cheeses, salami, sourdough bread and another type.

So in the middle, red cabbage and on the other side is Sauerkraut.

German Goulasch and on the right 130 Roladen!  Now that's alot of Roladen.  I am glad I only have to make about 15 for Christmas.  That's plenty!  Marion was so nice we could even take home some left-overs!

Here are some of us eating while others are still in line, hoping there is food there when they get to it.  And there was plenty for all and then some!

And here is the other side of the table!  Notice I am smiling.  That was before I realized I had just gained 15 lbs!

Here is the elite group that sat in the formal dining room.  Notice they have no food yet!

Marion makes a 9X13 Black forest cake.  Really nummy, behind that some streusel Kuchen.  She made two kinds, one with blueberries, too.  She made about 6 different desserts. 

More dessert.  Did I say I gained 15 lbs?  or was it 16, 17...or what?

Those numbers just keep on going higher and higher... oh my.
Well, it's getting late, I'm tired and soon need to sleep.  So that unpictured items, were mashed potatoes, spaetzle, the breads and cheeses.  So it was fun, great food and now it's time to diet!

Advent Calendar Holiday Parties Dec. 7

This day's posts on holiday parties in my past left me wondering. My immediate family (parents) were my only relatives in the United States. So we didn't actually have any family "parties" as such. I know that as I became an adult we had church Christmas parties, and work Christmas parties, but I think for me it was more immediate family get-togethers.  On Nov. 30th we had our Christmas work party at the Lion House Pantry.  In the past, we have always given each member of the staff a small gift.  Sometimes it would get difficult because there were quite a few staff members.  This year we decided to do a white elephant exchange.  These are always fun as everyone fights for what they "Really" want!

Here is most of the group.  I am again always the photographer.  It seems to be that way for work, home, family, vacation, you name it!  Does anyone know what I look like??  MAYBE THAT IS A GOOD THING!
Anyway, it was fun, good food and great company.  I remember lots of church parties over the years.  This year our church party is this coming Saturday morning and a breakfast.  I hadn't heard that until after I traded a late shift on Saturday for an early...:( wouldn't you know the one time that I should have worked the late shift instead.  Oh, well.  I really don't like to work lates.

PARTY ADDENDUM:  OK, so today we had another work party hosted by the missionaries on our floor.  Everyone brought goodies, some from their countries, others not.  Here is how our spread looked today!

Below is my very own plateful of nummy food!  I have a little sandwich, inari sushi, pulled pork sandwich, a lentil salad 2 different green salads, 2 jello-yogurt type salads, funeral potatoes, green bean salad and another casarole.

And a little dessert of Marzipan cake, pumpkin roll, rice pudding with strawberry sauce and an item that I don't know but it was good.

And the festivities were in the true spirit of Christmas.  Look at the cute ancestors hanging from the garland.

My little "cube" is also festive...

And of course, a nativity

So Christmas is just wonderful at work, home and Church.  I love the festivities, decorations and all the trimmings.  Merry Christmas everyone!