"Twelfth Night" celebration

Last nite my friend, Ann, graciously hosted a "12th Night" dinner to celebrate the ending of the Christmas season. Ann was born in Scotland, and as a child, her and her family migrated from there to the US to Britain   eventually ended up in southern California. One of her childhood traditions was celebrating "the Twelfth Night". She explains it like this:
"Twelfth Night....on the religious calendar it's called Epiphany, and sometimes referred to as 3 King's Night.  The carol "Twelve days of Christmas" ends on the twelfth day, January 6...the first day of Christmas is Christmas day itself. (I have no idea what the significance is of all the lords leaping etc.)  In Britain, some people wait until this day to give gifts, as this was the day the Magi finally arrived in Bethlehem and gave their gifts to the baby Jesus.  In our family, we just kept the decorations up until this date, until Christmas was "over".  The dictionary describes it as " a yearly festival celebrated on the sixth day of January, the twelfth day after Christmas, in commemoration of the revealing of Jesus as the Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi at Bethlehem, sometimes called "Twelfth  Night."  To this day, the word "epiphany" is used to mean a profound revelation."
Ann set a beautiful table, served a creamy fennel soup, spinach salad, baked lamb chops, mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus. It was heavenly!!!! If that wasn't enough, dessert consisted of a wonderful currant pastry (also a family tradition), cheeses and pears with Port. We exchanged gifts and had a great time as usual! I am so blessed to have such good ( and talented) friends!!!!

I have a terrible habit of saying "holy crap", this notebook has a very "appropriate" title!

Dena made this beautiful photo book for my upcoming "Grandma" pictures!
Thanks again for the wonderful evening and thoughtful gifts!! Now, NO MORE FOOD,( just until the next time!!) Can't wait........