Our Progressive Dinner

One of the things we enjoy most about the holidays is being with our family and friends. We started a tradition several years back with our sweet friends from Florida, the Corleys and the Bancrofts........who also migrated up here to Franklin. We do a progressive dinner. We each have 4 kids, so it's quite the group, but yes, kids are included, we eat for 5 hours straight, and all go home very full having had plenty of everything........including laughter. Here's how we do it. One house hosts the appetizer, one the main meal, and the next dessert. We rotate courses each year. Our kids even ask about "that thing where we go to each other's house and eat", so I feel like we've started a tradition that they will remember. Each family has very busy lives, we all attend different schools, so this is one of the times each year we can reconnect and reminisce about the past year, and dream of the year ahead. We love this night. One fun thing is seeing the kids grow! We are out growing our stair picture!!! There were many good dishes, but here is the recipe for the salad we had. One of my all time favorites! Enjoy!!! J

CRUNCHY ROMAINE TOSS

1 cup walnuts, chopped

1 pkg Ramen noodles, broken up, discard flavor packet

4 Tbls unsalted butter

1 bunch broccoli, coarsely chopped

1 head romaine lettuce, washed and broken into pieces

4 green onions, chopped

1 cup Sweet and Sour Dressing (see accompanying recipe)

Brown walnuts and noodles in butter; cool on paper towels. Combine noodles and walnuts with broccoli, romaine and onions. Pour Sweet and Sour Dressing over and toss to coat well.

Sweet and Sour Dressing:

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

1 Tbls soy sauce

salt and pepper to taste

Blend all ingredients. Yields 2 1/2 cups.