Celebrating Christmas with friends is the best thing and this year we had a party at our house, inviting some couple friends over for dinner. When you spend hours decorating your house for Christmas, it’s nice to share it with others and with a total of 13 of us, it was a fun evening. Two couples had to cancel at the last minute due to circumstances beyond their control. My best friend from Georgia, Wanda, was in Alabama for a family reunion and it worked out perfect for her to come to our party too and it was great having her spend the night with us and meet our friends. 
As usually happens with couples, the girls hung out in the kitchen and the guys talked football in the other room. Most of these folks go to church with us. 
I do think football was the topic of the night for the men. And who can blame them, since we are heading for a National championship game very soon. Roll Tide! 
Guy talk going on.
Fun group of folks and we had some great food and fellowship.
We 7 girls decided we would camp out in the dining room (no boys allowed) and the conversation was lively and fun. Not to mention the food! Yum! You can see we all had filled plates. 
I made that Chicken Alouette I told you about a few weeks ago and it was a big hit. Go over to Beth’s blog for the recipe, that’s where I found this tasty dish. I asked everyone else to bring a side dish and it was all so tasty and delicious. Everyone brought some fantastic food and we were all stuffed to the max.
But not too stuffed for The Pioneer Woman’s Best Ever Chocolate sheet cake, along with coffee beverages from the Tassimo hot beverage machine. I took orders for capuccinos and lattes and along with that chocolate cake…Oh. My. Word, was it all SO good. PW is so right, that cake is the absolute BEST ever. This was my first time making it, but it won’t be the last!
Merry Christmas from my house to yours. Celebrate with friends as often as you can.
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Rhoda, what a great night you must have had – love the photos but most of all I love that grogeous black Christmas cardie one of your friends is wearing!!! You all look like you are having a wonderful night – I dream of oneday having a cold Christmas!!
Love the pictures of all your friends enjoying time together.
I also love looking at your decor and your home.
Have a nice week. Stay warm.
WOW, THAT MANTEL!!!
HUGS FROM MAINE
Looks like a lot of fun, Rhoda! Glad you had a great time!
XO,
Sheila
Beautiful home! It’s so wonderful that you were able to share it with friends. Looks like a wonderful evening.
I loved that you shared with us your Christmas party. Looks like it was alot of fun. Your home is so beautifully decorated.
Your home looks gorgeous with all the beautiful decorations and your party looks like so much fun and a huge success. Just beautiful. Hugs, Marty
Beautiful party and it looks like fun had by all. Oh, love the gals attire, with new holiday colors that combine reds, fuchsia’s oranges, etc!
Rhoda,
I don’t comment often but even less in the last few months…two surgeries for me and one for my husband coupled with a month long hospital stay. But I had to comment today while my house is still quiet and tell you how much I have looked forward to your blog every day especially through my difficult times. Your inspiring pictures and thoughtful accomanying prose were such a pleasant distraction for me daily. I want you to know how much I appareciate it; so on those days you get tired of blogging you will think of your readers who really do think you are great! Thanks so much!
Sandy
A beautiful party and gathering of friends. Rhoda you know how to do Christmas right!! Merry Christmas from my house to yours as well Dear Rhoda! ♥
We had a wonderful time! Bill is still talking about ‘Rhoda’s Chicken’. I’ll have to be making that.
But… geesh~ that photo is horrible. Remember to crop out the bad girlfriend.
Oh it looks like it was such a great time! I just love getting together with friends and at Christmas time what better time?! Thanks for letting us experience your party with your friends virtually!
sweetjeanette.blogspot.com
What a lovely evening!
No, don’t crop out anyone! I see Sister Sandi is wearing the sweater she knitted while she was in London. Your home is beautifully decorated and so festive for the season…thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas!
What a great party!
Is your coffee cup the Pfaltzgraff Filigree pattern? I have that pattern for our dishes, and love it! 
The chicken looks fabulous!!! I had to giggle about the boys and girls being separate…it’s just like middle school, but it happens at every party! Thanks for sharing your night with us. 
What fun!! I also made Pioneer Woman’s cake for the first time last night too. Delish!
Oh, Rhoda, it looks like you had a lovely time together!
I’ve made that sheet cake. And you are right, it is phenomenal. Try her cinnamon rolls if you haven’t! The frosting/icing tastes like the maple frosting used on donuts and long johns. Oh. My. Word. SOOOO good!!!
Rhoda,
Your home is so over the top!! I just love it. You are an inspiration. Your party looks like fun, just good friends, good food and a warm home to have it in.
Merry Christmas
Looks like a lot of fun! I love hosting parties.
Your home is decorated so lovely! You inspire me! Looks like y’all had a wonderful time. Merry Christmas!!
Oh does that chicken look yummy….how did i miss that recipe. Did you have a nice white wine with it and some Xmas music on low !!! Looks like a nice time…..and how great to have your friend stay with you !!!
I love that green jacket you have on….cute necklace too, very festive Rhoda….
Thanks for the pics…
Kathy
It looks like it was a wonderful party. Your home is beautifully decorated, Rhoda!
Nancy
Looks like you all had a wonderful time. I’ll have to try that chicken dish sometime. Looks yummy and so elegant also, but I saw your recipe so I know it isn’t hard to make. Maybe I’ll try it for my Christmas party. Wanda looks great. Loved the picture of the both of y’all. Would love to see her sometime.
Everything looks so nice. As you cn tell from my blog, I am a diehard Dawg but I would love Alabama to win the National Championship. Roll Tide Roll!!!!
Your home is truly decorated so beautifully! Thank you for allowing me to have a peek!
I had such a wonderful time with Rhoda and her friends. I am missing Rhoda already. The food was GREAT! Can not wait to make the chicken and the famous cake. Ya’ll, I got to stay in the famous guest room. I felt like I was at a B&B.
Wanda
What a fun way to share your beautiful home with all of your friends. It looks so elegant and festive, I am sure they all ooohed and aaahed.You are one busy lady but it is obvious to me you have your priorities straight, always remembering the people you love, now that is the Christmas Spirit. Kudos to you my dear friend,Kathysue
I loved seeing pictures of your home. Thank you for sharing!
Your house looks great and how nice you were able to share it with friends! Fun and friends ~ a great way to celebrate the holidays!
You’ve got it right, Rhoda. The BEST Christmas decor are the friends, family and loved ones that gather round your tree! Looks like everyone enjoyed your Southern Hospitality!
Your decor looks so festive. Nothing better than an evening with friends. Where can I find the recipe for the Chicken dish…looks scrumptious. Kristy in Ohio
Rhoda….what a fun night! We are still ‘making friends’ since we are new to the area and hopefully by next Christmas we’ll have friends to invite in! That really is what makes the holidays more fun. Love it..you did such a beautiful job!
Blessings…
xx
that is perfect advice Rhoda!. There is nothing better than being with friends & family on the holidays.
Looks like a wonderful evening
Im sure you were the hostest with the mostest..lolol
have a merry one!!
Rhoda, that looks like a wonderful evening of food, friends, and fellowship. Your home is beautiful and having people over is a real gesture of friendship. I love the green color on your kitchen walls. Do you happen to remember its official name.
Would love to know.
Looks like you all had a fun evening. I see Sandy and Bill were there too. George and I need to make another trip to Birmingham so the 6 of us can get together again.
Merry Christmas to you and Peter.
Hugs!
Kat
If you loved the icing on the PW womans cake then you should certainly make try the icing used in a Coca cola Cake.. It is the BEST icing ever! I make the same cake just so that I can eat the icing!! FABULOUS!!! Being from the south we all LOVE to use Coke in recipes right??
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon cocoa
6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
1 box confectioner’s sugar, (1pound)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
In a saucepan, bring butter, cocoa, and Coca-Cola to a boil. Stir in the sugar and mix well. Stir in nuts. Spread over the cake while both cake and frosting are still warm.
Oh yum! Everything from the decorations to the food looks fantastic. I’m so glad the chicken was a hit and I have The Pioneer’s Woman cookbook on my Christmas list so hopefully I’ll be trying that cake soon!
Hey Rhoda, haven’t commented in a VERY long time. But I do want to stop by and say what a lovely home you have. The touches you add reflect beauty and elegance as you stamp the essence of YOU to your home. What a perfect way to celebrate with friends, so happy for you and your hubby.
Blessings – Debbie
Wow. At the first pic, I thought you were standing in a store.
No offense, but hording never looked better.