Ring in 2014 New Year's Day Brunch

Cathi Hatch with hostess Jan Rogers

Yesterday, Ken and I went to an entirely delightful New Year's Day brunch at the home of talented friend and amazing hostess, Jan Rogers.  No one can set a table like Jan can do and her two tables were exquisite with lots of gold candles, gold netting, and gold ropes with sparkling sterling and crystal.  In fact, her entire house was decorated from top to bottom and was so festive and welcoming.

She began the brunch with a lovely Cremant Rose which wine guru Bob Betz had suggested.  It was light and crisp and easy to sip.  She had done most of the food herself and had another good friend of mine, Judy Bone Hebert of Hey Jude Catering in the kitchen to help her with service, organization and clean-up.  

It was an elegant brunch buffet menu which began with a butter lettuce salad which included lots of fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and pecan halves,

Arlene Wright, Ken Hatch, Sandi Premselaar

a delicious cheese souffle prepared by friend Tula Holmes, decadent and yummy eggnog baked French toast and another pecan French toast, thick sliced spiral ham with soft rolls and lots of maple and fruit syrup accompaniments and finally an amazing rum cake with whipping cream prepared by Arlene Wright's daughter, Crissey.  I think we all want the recipes for the eggnog French Toast, the cheese souffle and the rum cake!

We had English crackers at each of our places which we pulled apart to reveal jokes, crowns and prizes.  Diane Kuenster

Penny Thackery, Tom Raschella, and Diane
Kuenster showing off her prize.

definitely got the largest prize which was a manicure set inside a metal case, though she did try to make us even more jealous than we already were since she said it was a camera!

Some of the other friends we so enjoyed catching up with at the party were Penny & Mick Thackery, Nancy & Van Strom, Michele & Dan Heidt, Carole Ellison, Sandi & Tim Premselaar, Kathie Price, Gordon Kuenster, and Sue & Tom Raschella.

Van Strom had just finished his fall batch of

Nancy Strom, Gordon Kuenster, Michele Heidt,
and Tula Holmes

Van Strom

sauerkraut and was kind enough to bring Ken and me a couple of bottles since we both love it and fight over Van's sauerkraut!

Thank you Jan for another warm and memorable time at your lovely home!

We're the group from Table One! . . .