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When I was growing up, we always had a special new outfit for Christmas. Most of the time, my grandmother made this holiday apparel. It wasn't until I became an adult, that I realized ................
.............. what an amazing seamstress she was, and how much love she poured into everything she did.
We, (my sister's and I) would lay on the floor and peruse, painstakingly, through the Penney's or Sear's catalog, trying to decided on a dress that we loved. After the decision was finally made, we'd bring the catalog to Grandma and show her the specific outfit that we'd chosen. She'd study the picture for awhile and then (this is the amazing part!), she'd take some old newspaper and draw a pattern for our personally requested dress.
Next, we were off to the fabric store (usually the one in the basement of J.C. Penney's) to pick out some pretty cloth. When we returned home, she'd lay out the newly purchased fabric along with her pattern on the kitchen table and carefully cut out the pieces. Before we knew it, her sewing machine would be a-whirring. It didn't take long and she'd call us for a "fitting". She'd put a pin here and there, make a tuck or two and lower or raise the hem, always adjusting this custom-made dress to fit us perfectly.
This was no small task, since I have three sisters, so she had to repeat this sequence four times! But on Christmas morning, we were as proud as little strutting peacocks, sporting our beautiful new holiday outfits for everyone to see.
Nowadays, we're much more casual about the holidays and, if you peeked into our living room on Christmas morning, you'd probably find us in jammies or just super-comfy clothing. With our holiday meals, however, I love to make things quite special. One of my favorite ways is to pass a pretty bread basket filled with warm festive dinner rolls. I usually take a few extra minutes to make a fun compound butter (recipes to come!) to go along with the rolls.
It's funny, even if I've spent hours on the rest of the meal, often the bread and butter steals the show! I've put together a collection of six of my favorite dinner rolls (including one that's sure to make you laugh). They can all be made in advance and popped into the freezer. Just thaw for a few hours and warm them in the oven before serving. Click on the link below to check them out:
Monet says
The bread is beautiful but I just loved the story that went along with it. What a precious memory you have! Thank you for sharing!
Elzbieta Hester says
How cute are these?! I love the green accents on the outfits 🙂 ela
CQUEK says
'Yes, please!' These look and sound delish
Kim G. says
Lovely, these are just lovely:)
lena says
hi chris, those rolls are amazing!! all of them! and the piggy ones...i actually nvr thought that you are someone that will make piggy rolls...LOL! and i love them!
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Rolls are a big part of dinner here too! Every one of your rolls looks amazing Chris! Of course the piggies are my fav:@)
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Your rolls are once again a thing of beauty! You are an artist Chris - absolutely gorgeous. I remember new outfits during the holidays too. My mom would stay up late at night, while we were asleep, and make a new outfit for each of us. It was always a total surprise and I couldn't believe how hard she worked. Lovely!
Ginny says
these are gorgeous! But even better, I love the story about your grandmother making the four dresses, something I will not forget. Wonder what happened to them?
Pondside says
Thank you, thank you for the recipes and ideas. I have to contribute to someone else's Christmas dinner and these will be a hit!
How luck you and your sisters are to have memories of such labours of love from your grandmother.
Mary Hirsch says
I just looked at all your dinner rolls, Chris. So, of course, I pulled out my "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" Cookbook. I know there is a new cookbook #2 on the market but I haven't worked my way through this one yet. What you are so right about is people enjoying an interesting bread basket. And, you've provided some good ideas. Loved this Post about your Grandmother's talent.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
These dinner rolls are too cute! The memory of your grandma is lovely, thanks for sharing!
Liz Berg says
My mom was the one to sew our clothes...but don't think she ever made our holiday dresses! My grandmother would knit for us...lots of socks...wish I would have saved some of those. I just remember them being lumpy! Nothing better than homemade rolls for a holiday dinner...I'll have to try one of yours 🙂
La Table De Nana says
What a wonderful Nana you had..
Love the buns..I have some of those hard paper brioche cups..wonder how many I have left..
Patty Price says
whoops, forgot to say beautiful rolls-love the fun you have with these Chris!
Patty Price says
I agree with you that often the bread/rolls (homemade, of course!) often steals the show!!! Lol, sometimes it's the pie crust 😉 I enjoyed reading about your homemade clothing experiences-I had some very similar ones and loved sewing my own clothes in high school, now I think about what it costs to buy clothes at places like Od Navy and it's no savings to sew your own, for sure! If I could pry myself out of the kitchen I might sew again 😉
Chris Scheuer says
I agree Patti, I love to sew but it really isn't a savings these days.
Dewena Callis says
I have already printed out the parsley-pommengrante recipe and want to try it for the family party. Any homemade dinner roll is wonderful, and the smell so good.
Your grandmother is much like my own mother was except that my mother did not make her own patterns. But oh, the hours my 3 sisters and I spent with her at material stores while we were growing up! And she'd be hemming until midnight on Christmas Eve or Easter Eve.
Did you keep any of your dresses? I wish I had kept some of mine.
Chris Scheuer says
Sadly Dewena, I didn't keep any of my dresses, that would have been so fun. Often after we grew out of the dresses, my grandmother would cut them up and make quilts out them. I do have one of those and seeing it always brings a ton of special memories.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
So beautiful Chris!
What a lovely memory of your grandma. I don't suppose you have any photos of you and your sisters in her outfits? 🙂
Sandra Lee says
Too bad drooling doesn't burn calories!
Hovkonditorn says
These are wonderful!
Jennifer@ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
So pretty and festive!! I love them and would eat them all if they were served at my holiday dinner!
Angie Schneider says
So adorable! I like those brioche moulds.
Vicki Bensinger says
You are so creative Chris with all your cute little rolls. I'm not sure which one I like best - they all look delicious! I think the little piggy ones are awfully cute and I'm sure your grandkids love those as well. But the pesto one might be my favorite. I'll have to try those.
How lucky you were to have a grandmother that could sew so well. My mothers family use to have a manufacturing company but the only thing I remember being made for was were fancy Barbie clothes. Of course all my friends would love them, especially the full length fur coat my Barbie had.
Great recipes and fun story! Hope your Thanksgiving was a blast!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
These rolls are festive and beyond pretty, Chris!
Gloria Baker says
just beautiful!! love your molds!!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Your rolls are so festive, I could easily make a meal out of them and skip the main course ;).