Holidays at the Espinolas

A few weeks ago, one of my favorite Tampa families generously hosted  a few of us for a dinner party at their home. The night was full of scrumptious food and lots of laughter! Jen and Wayne are excellent hosts that create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. They also excel in creating delicious dishes for us to enjoy!

For the holiday party, Jen and Wayne brought their A game in the kitchen. For appetizers, we enjoyed bacon wrapped scallops (a personal favorite) and a crostini topped with a chicken and cheese mixture. Of course, no party is complete without a signature drink. We sipped on buttertinis and sparkling wine.

The dinner menu was nothing short of YUMMY! The meal began with this fabulous Roasted Pear with Blue Cheese salad. This starter would be an excellent addition to any dinner party you are planning or an excellent choice for a dinner for one special.

Our fabulous hostess in her kitchen

Before: Pears with Blue Cheese

After: Great starter to any meal

We also feasted on ham, mashed potatoes, rolls with a herbed butter, and fresh green beans. We topped the meal off with a buttery shot and tiramisu trifle for dessert.

Our host bringing out the after dinner delight

I cannot describe how amazing this was!

As a parting gift, we all received a Christmas Pickle. The tradition is that when decorating the tree, you hide a pickle ornament in your tree. On Christmas, everyone searches for the mystery pickle. The one who finds the pickle receives a special gift and good fortune for the year ahead.

I enjoy all of the fellowship with friends and family that comes with the holidays. This event was certainly a highlight of my season. I hope you enjoyed good food and great times with your friends and family!

A special thank you to the Espinola Family for their hospitality and allowing me to blog about the special event!