• about us
  • beautiful feet
  • shop makeup
  • get a color match
  • contact

Heape of Love

early Christmas dinner

20 Dec ’12

Let me start by prefacing that I do not typically post photos of myself that I do not approve or personally think I look good in. (Ask Bethany if you have any doubts!) However, this one instance… I’m breaking the rules. In fact, I hate this photo of myself – but, I love these ladies and was so incredibly thrilled to be with them that I’m posting it either way. So, disregard my wrinkled shirt, puffy/swollen face, and the zit on my chin. Please and thank you.

Back to that “so incredibly thrilled” comment, complete truth – I was literally giddy at the idea of several couples getting together for an early Christmas dinner. Why? Rewind to my first year in Savannah, this lady and her husband invited me (along with several people I did not know) over for a pre-Thanksgiving feast. A bit nervous because I only knew a handful of people going, but it quickly turned into one of my favorite memories ever. Again you may ask, why? Because it was that pre-Thanksgiving feast in which I met some of my absolute best friends and that gathering evolved into a weekly tradition we liked to call “family dinner.”

Now fast forward to the present, why wouldn’t I be excited about the possibility of this fabulous group of people becoming some of my closest friends? Exactly! The anticipation built after Katie sent me a text invite and quickly the dreaming planning began. First question, what to bring? Vegetable casserole, after all it is one of Justin’s favorites. Second question, what to wear? Eh, scratch that one – my wrinkled shirt is evidence that I didn’t plan too well.

On the day of, I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I rushed home from work, shoved the casserole in the oven, quick make-up check, hair-up, hair-down, snatched the wrinkled shirt, casserole out – let’s go!

the ladies

Unfortunately, this was the best picture snapped and the guys resisted a pose, so you won’t be meeting them. Sad, I know. However, I did snap a picture of my extremely, full plate of food! Everything was so delicious. To give credit where credit is due, I’ve numbered all of the tasty treats and will happily tell you the chef of each!

the food

1. green beans, Katie & Jon
2. sweet potato soufflé, Maryanna & David
3. grape salad, Teal & David
4. dressing, Katie & Jon
5. turkey, Katie & Jon
6. vegetable casserole, me & Justin
What you can’t see…
7. homemade, apple pie, Katie & John

8. brownie trifle, Jessica & Eric

Seriously, everything was fabulous! Did you notice that Katie and Jon provided just about everything? Yes, me too. They are fabulous hosts and we greatly appreciate them opening their home to all of us.

Although I do not have the recipes for all of the delicious foods you see above, here is the easy recipe for vegetable casserole,

What you need:
1 can Veg-All® Original Mixed Vegetables, drained
1/2 cup of diced onions
1/2 cup of celery (optional)
1/2 cup of mayonnaise
1/2 cup of shredded, Cheddar cheese
1 cup of water chestnuts, drained
20 Ritz® crackers, crumbled

1/2 stick of margarine, melted

  • Combine Veg-All®, onions, celery, mayonnaise, cheese, and water chestnuts. Bake at 300° F for 45 minutes.
  • Melt 1/2 stick of margarine and combine with crumbled, Ritz® crackers. Sprinkle over casserole and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
  • Serve and enjoy!

heart-divider

It’s almost Christmas – the most wonderful time of the year! Get excited, if you aren’t already.

merry, merry Christmas,
the Heapes

More from my site

  • jalapeño + corn frittersjalapeño + corn fritters
  • a few july birthdays + summer app recipe!a few july birthdays + summer app recipe!
  • first time grillersfirst time grillers
  • apple infused tenderloinapple infused tenderloin
  • a heapen’ helpin’a heapen’ helpin’
  • poppyseed chicken, yum!poppyseed chicken, yum!

Share

Facebook Google+ Twitter Pinterest Email
Previous
Next

About Me

About Me

I'm Brianne Heape; a wife, mommy, crafter, designer, oil enthusiast, makeup artist, homeschooler, & believer.  I'm alive because of Him, in love & married to Justin, enamored with our 3 little loves; blessed with a Heape of love & joy. This blog is a special place for me to share my story, while connecting with incredible people like you.

Newsletter

Categories

  • Aurelia
  • beauty
  • Britt Colby
  • clubfoot journey
  • essential oils
  • family
  • favorites
  • friends
  • gift guides
  • happily ever after
  • homeschooling
  • Joy Belle
  • lifestyle
  • little Heapes
  • marriage
  • our home
  • our journey
  • parties
  • recipes
  • reviews
  • series
  • thank yous
  • the proposal
  • tutorials

Search

Honest Essentials

Latest Posts

  • Recreate Look: Autumn Sunset
  • All-in-one Compact Makeup
  • Move Over Lip Smackers!
  • Shade of the Month: Wallflower

fine print

on occasion, you may notice affiliate links on products & brands. please note that although I may receive a small percentage of these sales, I would never promote a product I wouldn’t recommend regardless or didn’t truly love. any compensation is purely an added benefit for our family & helps justify my time invested in this blog.

Copyright 2023 Heape of Love | Site design handcrafted by Station Seven