Christmas Breakfast and Gift Exchange

The Monroeville Garden Club had a Christmas Breakfast at the home of Laura Bodiford on December 8, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.  Dana Shinholster was hostess and Brenda Gardner was the co-hostess.  Members were served Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole, Grits, Sausage, Fresh Fruit, Banana Nut Streusel Mini Muffins, Orange Juice and Coffee.

     After breakfast, members exchanged gifts by playing the "Right, Left Game".  The game started with each member holding a gift and as a Christmas story was read, when "right" or "left" was mentioned the gift was passed accordingly.  At the conclusion of the story, members kept the gift they were holding.

   Following the gift exchange, members traveled to Franklin where they toured the "Thompson-Rutherford-Johnson "house.  Members attending were Laura Bodiford, Judi Burns, Bev Colquett, Brenda Gardner, Margaret Groves, Carolyn Hutcherson, Dana Shinholster, Patsy Wadlington, Nancy Ziebach, Robin Rawls, Jean Singleton, Sharon Brewton, and Jeanie Sewell.

Christmas Luncheon

     The Monroeville Garden Club met on December 12, 2013 at 12:00 pm for a Christmas luncheon at Grace Fellowship Church.  Voncile Stringer, Dana Shinholster, Carolyn McMillian, and Sara Bradley were hostesses.
     Christmas decorations in the fellowship hall carried out a rustic garden theme.  A large Christmas tree was decorated with birdhouses, bird nests, birds, and garden tools.  Burlap banners stenciled with garden items were hung on the walls.  Buffet tables were decorated with vintage seed packets and fresh pine boughs.  Each dining table featured a small Christmas tree as a centerpiece and small terra cotta pots of succulents at each place setting were given out as favors.
     The buffet lunch featured Smoked Turkey Sandwiches with Cayenne Mayonnaise and Orange Marmalade, Lemon Basmati Rice Salad, Goat Cheese Mousse with Cranberry Relish, crackers, cheese straws, Mint Tea and a large table of assorted desserts.
     Each member brought a "consumable" gift and following the luncheon, they exchanged these by playing "Dirty Santa".  Next members were given a personality profile based on the shape of their lipstick.
     Eighteen members and two guests attended.

(L TO R) Hostessess:  Carolyn McMillian, Sara Bradley, Dana Shinholster, Voncile Stringer

Dot Martin Presents Program on Christmas Decorating Trends

     The Monroeville Garden Club met on November 14 at 1:00 pm at the home of Evelyn Bond.  Patsy Wadlington served as co-hostess.

     During the business session, it was announced that the December fund raiser had been cancelled.

     Bev Colquett reported that Walter Crim of Central Farm Supply should have the plants for the containers on the square by next week.  The large pots will be planted with cone-shaped compacta holly shrubs and white pansies.  Red bows and berries will be added in December for a festive touch.

     Dana Shinholster reported that the rose garden had been weeded and fresh pine straw was put down.

     A program on decorating for Christmas was given by Dot Martin of Finishing Touches.  Dot said that red and green continue to be the most popular Christmas colors but she showed ways to introduce "trendy touches" to the traditional look.  Burlap is very big this year and is often paired with elegant embroidery and glitter that make it dressy enough for any decor.  Dot demonstrated how to use deco mesh to decorate a tree and how to put together a tree "topper".  To facilitate putting lights on the tree, she recommended using a multi outlet extension cord which has an on/off switch.

     Following the program, members enjoyed refreshments of Apple Pecan Cake, Lemon Glazed Tea Biscuits, Butterscotch Haystacks, spiced tea and coffee.  Fourteen members and one guest attended.

Dot Martin demonstrates adding a tree topper.

Gail Touchton and Sara Bradley with the wreath made by Dot.
An artificial wreath was used as the base and fresh greenery was added .

Christmas At the Cabin

     The Monroeville Garden Club members donned their tackiest holiday wear for an "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party" on December 13, 2012 at the Hornady cabin in Peterman, Alabama.  Pat Hornady was the hostess and co-hostesses were Bev Colquett, Deloris Dean-Bailey, Elba Bonham, and Kim Dillow.
     To start the party , a paper plate art game was played.  Members were given a paper plate and pen and told  to place the plate on top of their head.  They were then instructed to draw various things such as a Christmas tree, ornaments on the tree, a fireplace, etc.  At the end, points were given based on the drawing.  Winners were Judi Burns and Carolyn Holley.  Carolyn won a ceramic holiday platter and Judi won a garden journal.
     Members each  brought a garden related wrapped gift and played the "Right-Left" game to exchange.  The Christmas Story was read with the words "right" and "left" inserted throughout and each time the words were used, the gifts were passed accordingly.  At the end of the story, each member unwrapped the gift she held.
     Following the games, members enjoyed hot spiced cider, cheeseball and crackers, and an assortment of cookies.

Door Prizes decorated with fresh flowers (hydrangea and Queen Anne's Lace) and
greenery (asparagus fern, rosemary, pittosporum, and boxwood)  The gold holder is
a Christmas ornament purchased from the Dollar Tree.   Floral foam was used inside

the holder to help keep the flowers fresh.

  Pat Hornady, Dorothy Jernigan and LeNette Knapp

Ree Smith and Carolyn Holley

Judi Burns, Margaret Groves, and Audrey Griffin

Kim Dillow and Dana Shinholster

Evelyn Bond, Margaret Groves and Gail Touchton

Deloris Dean-Bailey and Dorothy Jernigan

LeNette Knapp and Elba Bonham

Members playing the paper plate art game

We had some interesting "Master Pieces"

Judi Burns with her nicely decorated Christmas tree which won a prize.

Members look at their gifts.

Enjoying spice tea and other refreshments.

Beautiful wreath made by our hostess, Pat Hornady

Easy Cheese Ball

Brought by Kim Dillow

2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened                           2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 (1 oz.) package of ranch dressing mix (she used Dill)       1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:  In a medium size bowl, mash cream cheese.  Mix dressing mix and cheddar cheese into the cream cheese.  Shape the mixture into a ball.  Roll the ball in the chopped nuts.  Refrigerate covered until ready to serve.

Rollo Pretzel Bites

Brought by Bev Colquett

Rollo Candy

Pretzels (small)

Pecan Halves

Lay pretzels on a baking sheet.  Top each with an unwrapped Rollo.  Bake at 350 for about 3 or 4 minutes.  Remove from oven and place a pecan half on top of the rollo and press down a bit.  Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to harden.

Decorating the Patio For Christmas

     The Monroeville Garden Club held their December meeting at the home of Bev Colquett in Monroeville, Al. on December 8th, 2011.  The program was on decorating a patio for Christmas and members were shown a number of ideas which were used on the Colquett patio.
     Decorations included a large "bird themed" Christmas tree which featured birdhouses, birdseed ornaments, twig balls, bird nests,  small fresh flower tussie mussie ornaments, and red berries.  Other garden related decorations included a cart with a collection of watering cans filled with fresh flowers, a small Christmas tree decorated with garden tools, and a display of a gardener's hat trimmed in Christmas fabric, red garden gloves, and red rain boots.  The patio table was set using red snowflake embossed chargers, white dishes, and holiday napkins.  The centerpiece was an iron birdcage decorated with red roses, rosemary and pittosporum.  Fresh greenery was used throughout the patio including covering the trellis over the patio gate and fresh wreaths on all the gates.
     Following a tour of the patio, members went inside and played several Christmas games.  Afterward, they enjoyed sampling a variety of cookies that had been brought by all members.  Cookbooks of all the recipes were given out along with treat bags for taking home cookies.