Palmabella's Passions

We have a fun tradition in our neighborhood, called "Toast the Trees". Each year, a few neighbors offer to open their homes and share their holiday decorations at a progressive neighborhood party. This year there were three homes and we were the third. We all began at House 1. Those attending, make an appetizer to share, and are assigned which house to bring it to. Everyone carries a tote with their own wine or other beverage and glasses. Host houses just provide plates, napkins and ice. All of the beverages are left in the front courtyard of the house we are at. We spend 45 minutes at each house, then walk on together as a group.

We began at Priscilla and Damon's. At each house, with lots of visiting, food and drink, we toast the tree and the hosts.

Next we went to Maryann and Jay's. We left 10 minutes early to go home, light candles, fireplaces, and put out ice, so we missed the actual toast, but here is their tree. It is so much fun to see everyone's trees, decoration, tables as well as the lights around the neighborhood!

My table was filled with goodies! The were some lovely appetizers from Cathy and Beverly, and 9 platters of cookies and treats. I got pictures of SOME of them.

The house was all ready, and then 38 people arrived to toast our trees. We gathered in our great room and kitchen to toast our Italy tree.

Brad explained our passion for Italy, and made everyone say, "Buon Natale".

It was a really fun party, and our friends were here for a nice long time!