The Kitchen Window

The Kitchen Window
Antique Milk Bottles with Herbs and Flowers

Welcome!

Welcome to the Frog Hollow Farm blog! I've been blogging since January 2010 and have switched from Blogger to Word Press, but I'm back to Blogger because, for me, it's easier to use. My husband and I live on a little farm in Northwest New Jersey. We have some chickens and a very large vegetable garden with asparagus and raspberries, and rows and rows of sunflowers, snapdragons and zinnias. Traveling, entertaining, gardening, spending time with family, studying Italian, blogging and reading keep us busy and happy. With all of this going on, moving towards a simpler life seems almost impossible but it's definitely a daily goal.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Christmas at Frog Hollow Farm

My goodness, it has been a busy few weeks here at Frog Hollow Farm - but definitely in a good way!

FHFB and I have hosted several Christmas parties over the last few weeks; FHFB's office staff  for a holiday cocktail party - 26 people in all, our annual Christmas House Dinner and Christmas Eve. 

Let me tell you, a room full of meteorologists is definitely very interesting and also a ton of fun!  Most of these guys are young - under 30 - and they are adorable to watch with their wives and girlfriends.  Every so often a different couple was snuggled up in our cuddle chair with a glass of wine or one of our delicious specialty cocktails of the night, the Blizzard (if you like bourbon)! 

I decided to cater this party from a local little restaurant called Stella G's.  This was definitely the way to go!  FHFB wanted something a little more elegant - and the appetizer selection from Stella G's was just perfect. 

Lobster salad in puff pastry cups...
I did some research and found that if a cocktail party is replacing a meal (like ours did), each guest would need 2-3 appetizer pieces, from 8-10 selections.  We also had to consider our vegetarian guest and a guest who is allergic to shellfish.  

Sesame Ahi Tuna on Wonton Crisps
 Parma Prosciutto with Asparagus...

In all, the menu included 5 cold appetizers and 7 hot appetizers.  

Cold
Sesame Ahi Tuna on Wonton Crisps
Parma Prosciutto with Asparagus
Hummus Selection with Herbed Pita
Lobster Salad Tartlets
Vegetable Crudites

Hot
Crab Cakes with Jicama 
Baby Rack of Lamb Lollipops
Individual Mushroom Quiche
Sesame Chicken Skewers with Teriyaki
Mini Beef Wellington
Coconut Shrimp
Filet Mignon with Horseradish Chutney

The cold selections were available when the guests first arrived, placed on silver serving pieces on our breadboard dining room table, the pine server and small round drop leaf table covered with a soft moss green jacquard tablecloth.  The hot appetizers were served to the guests on small antique silver platters throughout the evening.

Our invitation listed the hours from 6pm-9pm, just so people could drop by at any time and not worry about any formal time frame.  As it was, everyone arrived around 6pm and the last guests didn't leave until 11:30pm!!!  LOL - I was exhausted but so happy to see that everyone was having a great time.  

FHFB is so lucky to have such a wonderful staff - he's worked hard at putting together a great group of people.

Here are a few more pics of the food and tables...







We also hosted our annual Christmas House party for a small group of friends that we often travel with.

Our menu included:

Christmas Blessing cocktail
Clementine Cosmos
(Double the amount of clementines, reduce the sugar by half, and use citron vodka instead of vanilla vodka.)

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
Parmesan-Thyme Crackers
Tellegio Cheese with Frog Hollow Farm Marmalade on Flatbread
Buttered Nuts

Lasagna Bolognese
Frog Hollow Farm Stuffed Artichokes
Arugula, Cranberry and Roasted Pecan Salad

Desserts were provided by our guests - there was a delicious cheesecake, a wonderful pecan layer cake, a yummy pumpkin pie and fantastic platter of Italian pastries!!

Here are a few photos of the table:


The tablecloth was purchased recently at a little store called La Petite Provence in Bethlehem, PA.
The chargers are from Home Goods.
The white dinner plate is rimmed with gold and was purchased in Macy's years ago, along with the gold flatware.
The salad plate is from a pattern called 'Winter Greetings' from Lenox and was purchased at Macy's this year. 
The napkins are from April Cornell.
The napkin rings were made from a soft white gold rimmed wire ribbon, with gold leaves tucked into the tied ribbon.
The water glasses were purchased at Williams-Sonoma years ago.
The two-tiered cake stand in the middle of the table was a recent purchase from Pottery Barn.



Our two spectacular helpers for the night:



Sara... 





and our daughter Katie below.


Thank you so very much for taking the time to stop by Frog Hollow Farm to see what's been happening lately. 

I'm taking part in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch - please stop by to see all of the wonderful ideas for your seasonal table!

Ciao, bella!
Happy New Year!!

Google Image

12 comments:

  1. i loved seeing all of this..the wonderful menu...yum...everything looks so good...and your beautiful home...looks so pretty and festive...what a great time you all had.

    sending warm happ new year greetings to you, my friend

    kary and teddy
    xxx

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  2. Oh my.... everythings looks so nice, beautiful and delicious!!!! I love it!!!

    In the meantime I wish you and all FHFG staff a wonderful happy new year..hugs, Flavia

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! Happy New Year:@)

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  4. Absolutely beautiful. I hope you get a rest soon though. happy New Year

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  5. Let's try this again... 2nd time! Your guest must have been thrilled to share an evening in your beautiful home, partaking in all the fellowship and delicious food.
    Happy New Year, dear friend!
    Yvonne

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  6. What pretty tables. The food looks fabulous. Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  7. wonderful menu! I love the thought of not one big meal, but many little bites. So Neat.

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  8. WOW!!!! YOU HAD SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TABLESCAPE, AND YOUR SELECTION OF FOOD LOOKS SO GOOD. EVERYTHING IS SO ELEGANT.
    FARM BOY MUST BE SO PROUD OF YOU. YOU DID A VERY NICE JOB.
    HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS. LOVE, AUNT RIZ

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  9. Hi Ann Marie,
    So happy to hear you had such a lovely holiday and such fun gatherings at your home! Everything looks and sounds so delicious. And your daughter is so adorable!!
    Enjoy 2011 I hope and pray it is a great year for all!!
    xx

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  10. just stopping in to say Hi to you, my friend

    kary and teddy
    xxx

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  11. Your home is beautiful! I love the beamed ceilings.
    Your food looks soooo very yummy.
    What are the square plates on your table? Those are really pretty1

    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
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