holiday

Christmas Pittsburgh-Style Thumbprint Cookies

/ Jodi / 33 Comments

Christmas Pittsburgh Thumbprint Cookies 2

Christmas baking time is in full swing around here.

Christmas Pittsburgh Thumbprint Cookies 3

And those of us that live in and around Pittsburgh make thumbprints our own special way.  With icing!  and Sprinkles!

Christmas Pittsburgh Thumbprint Cookies

So for my Cookie Swap Party this coming weekend, Christmas Pittsburgh Thumbprints it is!

If you’d like to give them a try and share something different with your family and friends, try a few new thumbprints – like last week’s Twix Chocolate Caramel Shortbread version and these tasty Pittsburgh favorites.

Christmas Pittsburgh Thumbprint Cookies

Cookie Ingredients:

  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups butter, at room temperature
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tsp vanilla extract
  • Sprinkles

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream together the butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour and salt. Once it is mostly incorporated, slowly increase the speed back to medium-high and beat for another minute or so until a dough forms.
  3. Form tablespoons of dough into balls and roll in the sprinkles.  If dough is a bit dry, you can add a little bit of milk or cream or put on your hands when rolling the balls to allow sprinkles to stick.
  4. Place on baking stone about 1 – 1/2  inches apart. Make a slight indentation with your thumb or finger on the tops of all the cookies.
  5. Bake for 8 minutes, then make a deeper indentation in the middle, and bake for an additional 7-8 minutes. The cookies should not brown much at all around the edges. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Icing:

  • 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp corn syrup
  • 3 Tbsp milk or cream
  • Pinch salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tsp butter, room temperature
  • Food coloring

Stir together all ingredients until smooth, then drop a spoonful into each cooled cookie.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

 

Twinkle

/ Jodi / 23 Comments

snowman twinkle christmas lights

Wishing you a sprinkle

of weekend holiday twinkle

that causes your nose to crinkle,

laugh lines lest a wrinkle,

and eyes that have a winkle!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Twix Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

/ Jodi / 24 Comments

twix cookies 1

It’s Christmas cookie baking time, and I always like to try cookies that are a little different, a little more decadent, a little fancier, a bit more festive than usual for holiday baking.

I think I am on a chocolate caramel kick (Rolo Hot Chocolate Recipe Monday)!

I found a ton of different cookies with these ingredients, but ended up trying one posted by The Recipe Critic and tweaking it very slightly.

Twix Cookies

If you are a fan of Twix Candy Bars, you are going to go BONKERS over these awesome thumbprint cookies.

Twix Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

  • Servings: Approx. 4 dozen
  • Print
Ingredients:twix cookies 1
Shortbread Layer:
  • 4 sticks (1 lb) Butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 6 Eggs (yolks only)
  • 3 tsp vanilla
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Caramel Filling:

Chocolate Topping:

Directions:

  • Shortbread Cookies:  With electric mixer, combine butter, sugar, egg yolks and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until creamy.   Add flour, and beat at low speed until well mixed. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm.
  • After dough has chilled, shape into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets or baking stone. Make indentation in center of each cookie with thumb or end of wooden spoon handle. Bake at 375 degrees F for approximately 8 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool completely.
  • Caramel filling: Melt the caramel and cream in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds until fully melted. Using a teaspoon fill each indentation with the caramel.
  • Chocolate: Melt the chocolate in the microwave stirring 30 seconds at a time until smooth.  Spoon into a ziploc bag.  Cut a tiny snip in the corner of the baggie to pipe the chocolate onto the cookies.

I bet these would taste wonderful with a steaming mug of Rolo Hot Chocolate!   Can you even imagine!?!  ‘Tis the season!

Cheers & Holiday Hugs,

Jodi

Let it Snow

/ Jodi / 29 Comments

PP274 snowflake card

This week’s Paper Players’ Theme Challenge is “Let it Snow.”

pp274

Well – no snow happening here in Mars, but we can dream, can’t we?  I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…

My design team inspiration card this week is stamped and heat embossed with a glittery embossing powder for the snow and snowflakes to sparkle, and I added some miniature pearls for an extra special touch.

pp274 inside

Stamp sets used are StampinUp’s Endless Wishes & Gorgeous Grunge.

Time to get this card in the mail, and Celebrate the Season!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Eye Spy a Christmas Angel

/ Jodi / 22 Comments

eva eyes

This week’s WordPress Daily Post Photo Challenge is Eye Spy, and I cannot recall ever spying more beautiful eyes than on this little angel I had the privilege of photographing for fun recently.

Can you even stand the cuteness?!

I dare you not to smile!

This is sweet little Eva, and she is very excited about her first Christmas.

Wishing you the innocence and joy of a child this holiday season.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Homemade Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

/ Jodi / 31 Comments

coconut cream pie slice

One of the ways I express love is through my baking.  And amidst all of the darkness and sadness of the past few days, I thought it time to share some love.

coconut cream pie

When my dear “Oh Rob” sweetly requested an old-fashioned coconut cream pie for Thanksgiving this year, I was so happy to oblige.

coconut cream pie slice2

As it turns out, his mom always made a coconut cream pie (or two) for Thanksgiving.  Coconut Cream is also one of hubby’s faves and our dear 92-year old Aunt Francie’s too, who joined us this year to celebrate.

coconut cream pie2

This pie was a huge hit – even with the kiddos.

Made with lots of love and dreamy, creamy awesomeness.

Delicious, nostalgic, and oh so yummy!

Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Ingredients:coconut cream pie slice

For the crust:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup Crisco shortening
  • Dash of salt
  • Approximately 1/2 cup cold water

Coconut Cream Filling:

  • 3 cups Half and Half (or whole milk)
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 2/3 cup white sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 3 large egg yolks, beaten
  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract

Whipped Cream Topping:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 Tbsp powdered sugar

Directions:

  • Prepare pie crust by blending flour, shortening, and salt with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Gently blend in water until dough forms.  Do not overwork.
  • Roll dough out into approximately 12 inch circle, and place into a  9 inch pie plate.  Flute edges and poke bottom of crust with a fork 6-8 times.
  • Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
  • Cool completely before adding the filling.
  • For the filling, scald the milk in the microwave or on stove top to almost boiling.
  • Combine flour, sugar, salt and coconut into a saucepan.
  • Over medium heat, whisk 1 cup of the scalded milk into the flour/sugar mixture.
  • As this mixture begins to thicken, add another cup of scalded milk and continue whisking until it begins to thicken again.
  • Add the final cup of milk, and cook over medium heat until mixture  begins to thicken.
  • Remove from heat, and pour 1/2 cup of thickened mixture into the beaten egg yolks, continuing to whisk.
  • Pour this mixture back into the pot and continue to whisk.
  • Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until mixture reaches pudding consistency.
  • Remove from heat, and stir in butter, vanilla and almond extract.
  • Cool for 15-20 minutes.
  • Pour into baked pie shell.
  • Chill completely before adding vanilla whipped cream.
  • For whipped cream, combine heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla.  Beat until soft peaks form.
  • Spread on top of cooled coconut cream filling.
  • Garnish with toasted coconut

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

 

Festive Flurry of Snowflakes

/ Jodi / 32 Comments

Turquoise Brusho Festive Flurry Sparkle Snowflake Card

This week’s challenge at The Paper Players is a Tic Tac Toe Challenge.   These are always so fun to choose which way to go.

For my Design Team Inspiration Card this week, I choose the Diagonal: Snowflake-Sparkle-Die Cut.

pp273

I had an idea in mind, but when I saw a card done by one of my favorite stamper/ cardmakers, Sharon White of Copy Cat Cards, I was totally blown away and completely inspired to create my version featured here (with her permission of course – gracious CAS’er that she is!)

Turquoise Brusho Festive Flurry Sparkle Snowflake Card 2

This card combines Brusho Watercolor Crystals with embossing and stamping and die-cutting.

I started with Arches 140lb watercolor paper.

Using the StampinUp Festive Flurries Stamp Set, I randomly stamped a few snowflakes with VersaMark Ink and then heat embossed with Sparkle Embossing Powder.

I then taped the watercolor paper down, masking off the edges with painter’s tape and painted the paper with water.  I then sprinkled Turquoise Brusho Crystals onto the paper and spritzed with some additional water before letting it thoroughly dry.

While that was drying, I stamped a festive flurry snowflake in turquoise on white card stock for the the first card and one in Versamark on Pacific Point Blue card stock for the second one and then heat embossedwith some more Sparkle Embossing Powder.  Once dry, I die cut them with the matching Festive Flurry Die.

I then attached each to a card base, the first to Whisper White, and the second to Pacific Point.  I used some different fun sparkly ribbon for each and added a snowflake embellishment to the center of the large snowflake.

I’m thinking these will make beautiful Hanukkah cards for a few dear friends!

Hope my stamping and paper crafting friends will join us this week for our Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge at The Paper Players.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

 

A Turkey Day Card for The Paper Players

/ Jodi / 47 Comments

Thanksgiving Turkey Paper Players Sketch Challenge PP272

“Soon will be Thanksgiving Day – Gobble Gobble Gobble!
Children run and laugh and play, but I think that I will stay,
and hide until the day is done – Gobble Gobble Gobble!”

This is a silly Turkey Song my kids and I sang when they were little (and I have to admit I still get it stuck in my head this time of year!)  I sang it with my family as a little girl, so it is hard to think of Thanksgiving week without singing it!

pp272_A

This week is Sketch Challenge #272  at  The Paper Players , and I had turkey on the brain for my Design Team inspiration card.

Thanksgiving Turkey Paper Players Sketch Challenge PP272 Close Up

My turkey looks a bit concerned – doesn’t he?!   I’m guessing turkeys are not so fond of Thanksgiving!

I had fun making this whimsical card and giving it to my sweet daughter-in-law with a few of those decadent Heavenly Hot Cocoa Brownies I made last week as a little surprise.  She works really close to our house, and I practically pass her office to get to mine, so it is fun to drop by with a little surprise every once in a while.  (And sweetheart that she is, sometimes I find little surprises in my mailbox from her too!)  🙂

For my stamping and papercrafting friends, below are the supplies and instructions.  You can certainly improvise with colors and shapes and scissors and stamps, but I thought I would share what I used.   There are lots of cute ideas on Pinterest to inspire you and which inspired me.  I just made due with things I had on hand.  Hope you will join us for this week’s Paper Players Sketch Challenge.  So many fun things you can do with it and lots of other great inspiration from our creative design team.

Supplies & Instructions

  • Card Stock:  StampinUp (SU) Hello Honey Yellow, Pumpkin Orange, Real Red, Chocolate Chip Brown, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Papercraft Nordic Noel DSP
  • Ink:  Stazon Black for greeting, Tim Holtz Ranger Tea Dye Distress Ink for sponging around all pieces
  • Stamp:  Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler for “Celebrate”
  • Signo White Gel Pen for white stitched outlines and eyes
  • Paper Studio Embossing Folder for feather texture and swirls
  • Punches:  SU Owl Punch and SU Bird Punch for cutting out turkey parts and SU Scalloped Tag Topper for Tag
  • Framelits:  SU Circles (second smallest for head, third smallest for round body part, largest for scalloped circle for cutting out feathers) and SU Ovals (smallest oval for body)
  • Tombow Mutli Mono Liquid Glue and Tombow Mono Permanent Adhesive Tape
  • SU Linen Thread to put on top of tag

Happy Thanksgiving Week!  I sure am thankful for all of you!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Lake Park Bash Fun

/ Jodi / 26 Comments

signs

What a fun Fourth of July Holiday Weekend we had!

I am just catching up after a great picnic in Conneaut Lake with family and friends…

a couple hours of sleep at the best “Brugnoli B&B”…

then off to Cleveland to to celebrate a wedding with more wonderful friends!

aerial

So today, I’m sharing a little photo journal of the fun festivities we had the great pleasure of being a part of at The First Annual Lake Park Bash!

Group Shot

And I’m guessing, it will not be the last!

group telephoto

I hope you will join me in reminiscing on the fun gathering.

1st Annual Lake Park Bash

We were greeted by an “Uncle Sam” Scarecrow

uncle sam scarecrow 2

and festive decorations in red, white and blue.

table decor

Those who arrived by boat, were greeted by a salute from George himself

 

Lake Park Landing

and directed with arrows to point the way to the party.

This Way

One you got near, the smell of smoking chickens, pork, lamb, and beef permeated the perfect summertime breeze.

 

Meat Truck

chickens

Pig

And an ice cream truck offered sweet treats to satisfy every child….

Ice Cream

and every grown up

ice cream 2

with delectable, cool, creamy yumminess.

ice cream 3

There was plenty of beer…

Beer Station

and “Crappie White” wine

Crappie White Wine

and “Chewed Alive Red,” and even a special Fraternity Brother Blend!

Chewed Alive Red Wine

There were games galore –

like Kerplunk,

Kerplunk

and Bocci Ball,

Bocci

and Corn Hole,

corn hole

and pickle ball,

games

and putt putt.

Putt Putt

There were crafts

 

kids crafts

pennants

and hula hoops

Hula Hoop

and music

band

and dancing.

dancing

dancing al on ground

There were families

families

and friends

ladies

and lots and lots of hugs,

hugs

 

Ella and Marty

and even High Fives!

High Five

Puppies joined in on the fun.

puppy

New talents were discovered…

 

musking hula hoop

and serious discussions were had.

conversations

There were private little chats,

laughs

and twinkle lights when the day grew dim.

 

flags fence lights

bikes

And the day didn’t end until early the next morning

with bonfire songs sung with guitar and fiddle.

bonfire

It was a great Bash on the Lake Park cul-de-sac.

Thanks to the members of “da hood” for allowing us to be a part of it!

da hood

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Happy Fourth of July!

/ Jodi / 8 Comments

flag fourth of july monochrome black and white

Let Freedom Ring!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi