Being in a blended family means that special occasions like Christmas

tend to take on a variety of forms.

Some years we spend the time with my family.

Some years with François’ family.

Some years it requires travelling great distances.

We have battled storms and closed highways.

There was the year when the power failed

…and the year of an ice storm when we cooked our meals on the wood stove

and flushed the toilet with melted snow.

We have spent our time in rustic cabins…

quirky chalets…

and family homes…

Well, another year has rolled around.

The year for Francois’ Family Festivus

and we are playing host to 35 family members,

four generations of fun-loving wonderful people.

Because we live in a small condo apartment

there is precious little space for accumulating things.

Although not as small as our boat environment

it still takes some creative planning to have all we need to feed that many people

on a day when shopping must be done at least two days in advance.

We have in the past depended on frigid Canadian winters to store some items on our balcony

but with consistent above freezing temperaures that wasn’t an option this year.

I think we can pull it off.

A partial menu,

and I mean partial.

We certainly won’t starve.

STUFFING and TURKEY BAKE (recipe here)

CROCKPOT MAPLE MEATBALLS

CHEESY POTATO CASSEROLE

BRUSSELS SPROUT SALAD (recipe here)

QUINOA and LENTIL SPROUT SALAD (recipe here)

POTATO PUTTANESCA SALAD (recipe here)

Cheeses and good crusty bread.

Desserts were purchased

I can do only so much.

And as with all our family gatherings there will be wine,

lots and lots of wine.