twelve (plus) days of traditions: films and fondue

Today's tradition post is full of yumminess.  I'm so glad Bev from Flamingo Toes was willing to contribute to twelve (plus) days of traditions.  She has a fabulous blog full of her fabulous talent . . . plus she is sooo fabulously kind. 

Let's find out more about how her family spends Christmas Eve.

Hello Twelve Crafts Till Christmas Readers!! I am so excited to be here today!

My name is Bev and I blog over at Flamingo Toes.

I have so enjoyed reading everyone's traditions. I can't wait to share one of ours with you!

When our kids were little we didn't really establish any traditions of our own, but when we moved to California about 6 years ago, we wanted to be more intentional about creating traditions that the kids would love and remember especially because we weren't near any family. I was worried that at 12 and 9 they might be too old to really establish family traditions - but after only a couple of years, the traditions were important to them, they looked forward to each thing we'd established and planned for them.

Here is one of our favorites:

We usually go to Christmas Eve service - at our church there are several service times so we attend an early one. After we get home everyone puts on their pj's. We pick two movies - one is a kid's pick and one is a grownup's pick. The last couple of years we've gotten stuck on the same two movies.

Kids Pick:

Grownup's Pick:

We set up lots of blankets and a low beach picnic table and we have a Fondue dinner while we're watching movies.

It's so fun - we can all munch and lay around and relax and enjoy the movies together. There's something about sitting on the floor and eating that makes it more fun. :)

For the dinner, we usually have two different Fondues - and a variety of things to dip. French Bread, Ham, Meatballs and lots of veggies. The fondues are usually quick fixes, and you can prep all your dipping items earlier in the day - so it's not a lot of work.

Here is a Recipe for one of our favorite Cheese Fondues.
(adapted from The Book Of Fondues by Lorna Rhodes)

Cheese and Onion Fondue

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons flour
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons snipped chives
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Melt butter in a large saucepan, add onion and cook 4 to 5 minutes until soft but not brown.

Stir in flour; add sour cream and cook 2 minutes.

Add cheeses and continue to cook, stirring until mixture is smooth.

Add heavy cream and mix well.

Add chives and season with salt and pepper.

Pour into fondue pot or individual serving bowls. Dip away!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season!

Thanks so much Elizabeth for including me in the 12+ Days of Traditions!

And thank you Bev!!  You've got me craving veggies and fondue . . . I don't think I'm going to be able to wait until Christmas Eve to try this!

Tradition on!