Friendsgiving :: Feasting with Friends

Oh, the holidays. The air is cooler (most of the time), the general population mood is a tad more cheery, and it’s when our focus turns to family and friends. One of the “newer” holiday traditions I’ve come to love is FRIENDSGIVING. And I have a couple of friends who really know how to throw a holiday bash…

My darling friends, Eastan and Hillary, of East Hills Boutique on Main Street in Fredericksburg. These two have been friends since childhood, thanks to the friendship of their mothers! The pair eventually decided to open a store on Main Street, and I’m so glad they did!

I can spend (and I have spent) hours wandering around their cute store. East Hills has an eclectic gathering of home goods, clothing, gifts, and decor. Their sense of humor is reflected in the kinds of greeting cards, posters, cocktail napkins and coffee table books they sell - which is very much appreciated.

Hillary and Eastan are gifted in all things cheer + festive. We love getting together to celebrate anything and everything! So, for our personal Friendsgiving, we put together a SPREAD of holiday themed decor, appetizers and munchies (with red wine, of course).

We had…

Charcuterie, Asian fusion brussel sprouts, pecan covered holiday cheese ball (a family recipe), lemon garlic brussel sprouts + bacon aoli sauce, and a mixed berry tarte for dessert! We snacked ourselves into a food coma. Or, at least, I did.

To keep the cheer flowing, we drank our red wine out of Hillary’s Simon Pearce glasses, which are sold in store. Simon Pearce makes a variety of glassware for the host/hostess with the mostest and their wine glasses + champagne flutes are ON MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST. AND, if you don’t have a Vinglace Wine Chiller, you need one. They’re the perfect hostess gift/trick. It keeps your wine/champagne chilled while you leave it on the counter top! Perfect for throwing holiday parties.

The pumpkins are hand-made by Eastan’s mom and are the PERFECT decoration for your home during the holidays. Aren’t they the cutest with their little feathers?! If you’re looking for the perfect items for your next holiday party or for the perfect gift, contact East Hills!

Coming together with friends and family is such a blessing. Wishing everyone the happiest holiday season.

FAMOUS CHEESE BALL RECIPE

Ingredients:

2 packages of regular Philadelphia Cream Cheese

1 TBS. Mayonnaise

1 tps. Regular Liquid Mustard

1 tps. Tabasco sauce

1 tps. Worcestershire sauce

1 tps. Cider vinegar

1/4 tsp. Accent

1/8 tsp. Salt

1 to 2 tsp of Cayenne Pepper (depending on how spicy you want it)