Christmas Dinner

Last night was our Christmas dinner for Relief Society at church. We had a dinner for all the adults in our ward and I was in charge! Me being the control freak that I am decided I'd prepare all the food myself and then had it off to people to cook. On the menu was Cherry and Blue Cheese Salad, Cranberry Chicken, Mashed Potato Casserole, Homemade Rolls, Slushy Punch and Chocolate Fountain for dessert. Some fabulous ladies in my ward volunteered to come set/decorate a table and host their table. We served the food family style, which helped because nobody had to stand in line for a buffet! I spent four days running around like crazy and alternating from being totally under control to having slight panic attacks. Everything turned out beautifully and the food was really good, if I do say so myself (I had never made the chicken, potatoes, or punch before!!).
Our program was excellent! We had two beautiful musical numbers, Janelle sang beautifully for us and Laura played a lovely song on the piano. The Johnson's gave us a short talk on "The Spirit of Christmas". Kelly shared an absolutely sweet story while her husband shared different ways that we can bring the Spirit of Christmas into our homes. The night was just what I wanted. I think it is the perfect kick off to the Holiday Season for me because now I can start to focus on Christmas in our home!
Thanks to all my wonderful friends who very graciously helped me in every way possible!
I'm horrible and completely forgot my camera to take any pictures, but I'll share the recipes so hopefully that will make up for it. Enjoy!!!

Punch
3 oz. package jello, any flavor
1 cup boiling water
3 cups cold water
1 large can pineapple juice
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
1/2 cup lemon juice
Sprite

Place jello and sugar in gallon size ziploc bag. Add boiling water. Mix until disolved. Add the cold water, pineapple juice, almond extract and lemon juice. Mix to combine. Place in freezer. Every few hours mush the bag so it will remain slushy and not an ice block! Place in punch bowl and add sprite.

Mashed Potato Casserole
8-10 potatoes
Salt/pepper
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup sour cream

Boil potatoes until soft, mash with salt and pepper to taste. Mix in cream cheese and sour cream. Place in 9x13 pan and dot with butter. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Can be made ahead and either frozen or placed in the refrigerator. Serves 10-12 people.

Cranberry Chicken
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4-6 chicken breasts
1/4 cup butter
1 heaping cup whole cranberries
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbs. red wine vinegar
dash nutmeg

Combine flour, salt and pepper. Dip chicken in flour mixture. Melt butter in skillet. Brown chicken 4 minutes per side.
Boil cranberries in orange juice until the berries pop. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until dissolved.
Spray a 9x13 pan and add chicken. Pour sauce over chicken. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Uncover for the last 10 minutes.