This past weekend was one of my favorites of the year! Time for the annual Brugnoli Family and Friends Krautfest Party!
Those of you who have been hanging around here awhile, might remember Krautfest 2015 or even Krautfest 2014.
The festivities kicked off this past Saturday in the beautiful Autumn weather at Conneaut Lake, PA with our dear “Oh Rob” welcoming guests and instructing newcomers on the sauerkraut-making process.
It starts with cutting…. 800 lbs of cabbage cutting!
The cut cabbage goes to the shredders, where experienced cutters teach newbies on equipment passed down through generations from grandparents…
and taught to new generations – where Moms teach sons…
and sisters show brothers….
and families do together.
It then gets measured,
and salted,
and pounded…
while friends and family chat,
and laugh,
and hug.
Old friends meet up after decades.
and new relationships bloom.
There is plenty of fun for kids of all ages!
From Jumbo Jenga…
to pick up sticks…
to lawn bowling,
and searching for bones and candy and money in hay.
There was pumpkin painting…
and t-shirt painting.
There was apple picking…
and apple pressing.
The kids loved learning how to turn apples into fresh apple juice!
and so did some of the parents and grandparents!
There was lots of food.
I made Grandma’s halupki – another Krautfest tradition served up next to hot dogs and kraut and homemade pierogies and cheesy polenta and fresh smoked ham and lots of other yummies.
There was an entire dining room table filled with desserts.
and of course plenty of wine.
There was tire swinging,
and bonfire-building.
There was Marty (hubby – on the left) and Martin.
There were quiet moments from afar,
and lots of singing and music after the sun went down and drew us indoors.
Even dogs of all sizes made friends!
Can you imagine a better time?
Thank you Joyce and Oh Rob! We love you! We ALL do!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 
Thanks for sharing this, Jodi! It’s wonderful to see my friend’s family and friends gather together and celebrate life, share, teach and be together. ❤
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Thanks Carrie! it is a very special group of people and time. Glad you enjoyed! ❤
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That is an amazing gathering!! Really wonderful.
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one of my favorite days of the entire year 🙂 ❤
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Oh Jodi we just love your pictures. You have captured our Krautfest perfectly. Krautfest is all about a community of loving people coming together in friendship and good times. It’s what life is about.
So love ❤️ you and your hubby for enriching our lives.
Italian and Polish hugs
Oh Rob and Cousin Joyce.
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so glad to call you mi familia and spend these wonderful cherished moments together! xoxo
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How fun! Looks like a lot of fun and joyful gathering! Lots of great pictures Jodi!
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so so much fun PJ! 🙂
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It looks like a lot of fun!
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In love!!! I remember how our family (grandmother, mom, brother and me) made sauerkraut every autumn. Now I’m inspired (thank you, Jodi) to make them again! As a mom and with my mom and girls :). But your festival is something i would love to visit :)!
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Oh Ilze! you should so start this tradition with your family! And if you EVER get a chance to come to America, PLEASE know there is a place for you to stay here! Would love to have a visit from you!!!
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Thank you so much, Jodi! That would be ONE OMG trip to me :). I hope to meet you one day!
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me toooo!
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Thank you for sharing..The Conneaut Krautfest looks wonderful.
Sent from my iPad
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You should come with us next year Aunt Gwen! 🙂
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So much fun Jodi! Thanks for sharing, I love these pictures!
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it sure was 🙂
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Looks like a happy time for all – thanks Jodi for sharing. 🙂
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Jodi, this makes me want to join your community! What a tight knit group and the kind of old fashioned fun that I would love. I remember making kraut with my mother when I was a youngster 🙂 and your Grandmother’s stuffed cabbage reminded me of what we called holishkes. Sounds like you had a wonderful Grandmother and have a lot of good memories of her. Aww…..felt like I walked back in time, what a wonderful post.
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It was a wonderful time, and we feel so fortunate to be a part of it! I had the best Grandma ever – I hope I can be half the grandma to my grandchild(ren) she was to me!
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I know that you will 🙂 I didn’t have a good Grandmother experience and that alone fuels my desire to be the total opposite, and it is quite easy because it is so naturally in me to love being one. 🙂 oh when is the little one due?
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Sorry you didn’t have a good experience but glad you enjoy now. We have about six weeks left 😝
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ooh how exciting! 🙂 yes…..we are to live in the present and not the past 🙂
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Ooooooooooo! Kraut!
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Hi greg! Where’ve you been?
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I took the summer off to do some long form writing.
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Nice!!!
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Looks like it was a really great day. I loved looking through all your photos. I think I remember you posting about this event last year. What a great tradition to have with good friends.
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Yes. You are right. This is the third krautfest post. 😉
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What a wonderful Blessing Family and Friends get to have together at Krautfest! Great pics and lots of fun!
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It sure is. Thanks! ☺️
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Jodi
What a wonderful post. This was my first Krautfest – but it will NOT be my last. The venue and the diverse mix of tightly connected folks makes this a world class, Social Paradiso!
Cousin, Carl
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It was so great to have you and there! Look forward to more hugs and “love yous” and laughs and good times. Xo
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Jodi! Looks like you guys had a great time 😀 wonderful photos!
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Looks delightful!! I want to be there, LOL! The warmth of the hearts comes through in the pictures!
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🙂 It was wonderful 🙂 ❤
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Wow what wonderful compilation of photos from the event! Your photos have captured the essence of this fun annual family and friends fest!
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Thanks Kathryn. It was such a fun day 🙂
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I do remember your krautfest last year, it looks like your clan really knows how to have fun, but get things done at the same time! Sounds like a wonderful time of love, harmony and celebration- I couldn’t get over the fall clothes, jackets and sweaters, we are still in the high 80s!
Jenna
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LOL! Yeppers – It’s Fall here! Some people had flip flops on and some had boots – it’s that time of year! 🙂
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Looks like fun!! 😍🍎🌻
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It sure was! 🙂
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What a hoot! I love it.
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😝
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Looks awesome!
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Thanks Eileen – it was 🙂
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