Holiday dinner

So John and I hosted a holiday dinner for his research group on Friday. It went really well!

We invited everyone over at 6:30. John and I made a spiral sliced ham (with an awesome glaze John made), cheese potato casserole, green bean casserole, rolls, and salad. We also made AMAZING bacon and shrimp for appetizers. We had everything done and plenty of time to shower and get ready for our guests before they got here! I was so proud of us, and everyone else seemed to have a good time and enjoy the food.

Now the house is pretty much clean and ready for Christmas Eve with John's family.

Candied Bacon recipe: (You have to try this!)

Thick sliced bacon
Brown sugar
chopped walnuts

Line a cookie sheet with tinfoil and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the bacon in half so it is about 3-4 inches long. Lay the bacon on the cookie sheet so it is touching, but not overlapping.

Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the bacon (if you have difficulty, spread the brown sugar out with a spoon) sprinkle the walnuts over the bacon (more or less to taste).

Bake for 20-30 minutes (or until bacon looks fully cooked). Remove bacon slices to a cooling rack and allow to fully cool before serving.

*Be sure to take the tinfoil off the cookie sheet before the bacon grease and brown sugar cools, otherwise it is very difficult to remove*