Last night we invited a few families over for New Year's Eve and ended up with over fifty people. Thankfully we live on four acres so the teens and younger kids were able to run around outside in the dark and sit by the bonfire.
We had French dip sandwiches which are just roast beef on roles served with Au jus gravy. I bought twenty pounds of chuck roast at Costco. In the morning I browned the roasts in olive oil and had grilled some onions at the same time. After they were browned I stuck them in the oven, three roasting pans in all, and then later in our electric roaster. Before everyone arrived I shredded the meat and started the Au jus gravy. We used little French rolls to hold the meat. Everyone brought drinks, desserts, appetizers, salads, s'more fixings, and a vegetarian lasagna.
The adults played Apples to Apples and the kids ran around having a great time. Some went home early, but almost forty people were still here at midnight. We had party horns, hats, beads, and sparkling cider to greet the new year.
This morning was clean-up time and later in the day a well deserved nap. I had all but one of my children home, and for that I am truly thankful.
This last year brought us two grandbabies, a high school graduation, an honor roll student, a daughter and her children moving in with us, and many other blessings. I know 2014 is bringing us an ending to our time with our son Joe as he heads off to boot camp in April. It brings Jesse and his family back to us though. We'll see Sarah and her family heading to their new duty station, and that's all I know about. I'm curious to see what the rest of the year holds. Happy New Year and hopefully you have a restful rest of the week.
