cheers to the holidays!

we had a few friends over to celebrate the holidays at chez valley. sarah was a rebel rouser and now the ginormous patron bottle is almost gone.

for savories we served crudites with a mint and green onion dip, gougeres with bacon and arugula, foie gras with brioche and peach preserves, point reyes blue cheese ball with sweet potato and beet chips, caviar with creme fraiche and bellinis, an assortment of cheeses, stuffed mushrooms, salumi with caperberries and cornichons, crostinis with goat cheese, beets and frisee. oh, mickey and jaime brought doritos per sarah's request. for sweeties we had red velvet whoopie pies, earl grey and lavender cookies, rice krispie treats and oatmeal orange chocolate chip cookies.
the house was cozy and toasty with a holiday log on the fire.
connell is super happy to open his white elephant gift. little did he know that the evil oldham clan would swoop in and steal it. thanks brother. book lovers trivial pursuit rules.
clearly, mitch is not so thrilled about his white elephant selection.
here is michelle happily taking it to christmas-partytown.
mickey and jaime recycled their wrapping paper into fashionable headware. it really was a green holiday!