To Be Jolly

(I did not take this picture, fyi)

I am happy to report that the party was a hit. We're so blessed to have so many wonderful friends here in Birmingham, and we were happy to host {almost} all of them last night! The food was well received...yay! I have to admit, though, I was running around like a crazy person until about 10 minutes after the party started. I made the brilliant decision {can you sense my sarcasm?} to do everything the day of the party.

Really—what was I thinking? Well, I probably wouldn't have had such a hard time if I hadn't had to slow-roast the pork ALL DAY at 250º. What I should have done was start the pork first thing in the morning instead of 11 a.m. after running pre-party errands. I had three other things to bake, but they couldn't go in until one hour before the party. YIKES.

But Jason was the best sous-chef any girl could ask for. He was such a trooper...the two of us must have looked like a well-organized yet chaotic dance duo. I was here and there with scorching trays full of crostini, he was swinging by with bubbling pots full of peanut butter and chocolate chips. The oven would beep and we'd both go running. But...it got done. And miraculously, not much after 6:00 when our first guests came. {And in the meantime, Rebecca was a lifesaver with her beautiful platters and bowls, as well as her candle lighting, drink pouring, and general sweetness.}

Anyway, on to why any of you read this blog in the first place: here's a rundown of what we ate.

Savories…
Oven-Roasted Pulled Pork Sliders with Roasted Garlic Aïoli
Lemon Chicken with Creamy Lemon Sauce
Black-Pepper-Cornmeal Biscuits with Smoked Salmon
Rosemary-White-Bean Dip with Parmesan Crostini
Parmesan & Black Pepper Popcorn

Sweets…
Spiked Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Butterscotch Bark
Jason’s “Puppy Chow”

Recipes to come!