A Christmas Cookie Exchange Party

December 18, 2016December 17, 2016 / Jodi / 52 Comments

My sweet daughter-in-law never ceases to amaze me! With a brand-new baby, she still managed to pull off the loveliest of Christmas Cookie Exchange parties this past weekend. I am so proud of her. I love that she values creating traditions and memories for her family…. and admire that she does it on a few hours’ sleep each night!

This year, three new babies attended the party. Although our granddaughter is the first grandie on our side, she is the fourth on her other side – three of which were born this year! What a joyful occasion.

Of course no cookie exchange party is complete without a hot cocoa bar (oldest nephew’s fave – especially when stirred vigorously with peppermint candy cane sticks). And my daughter-in-law’s s’mores cookies made it even more special.

And don’t veggies taste better when shaped into a Christmas tree on the platter?

And cheese and sausage on a bed of aromatic rosemary shaped into a wreath?

Deviled eggs are more festive, too, when dyed red and green.

There is nothing like Christmas through the eyes of children and passing down traditions.

Lovin’ from the oven! The best kind.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Bacon Cheese Ball Bites

December 17, 2016December 18, 2016 / Jodi / 44 Comments

Are you looking for a fun party treat?

Everybody loves a good cheese ball, but how about bite-sized appetizer cheese ball bites?

Mini individual cheese ball bites rolled in bacon, chopped pecans and scallions and served on a pretzel stick.

Enjoy this fun party appetizer for the holidays!

Bacon Cheese Ball Bites

Servings: 30-40
Print

Ingredients:

2 8-oz. blocks cream cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. smoky paprika
1 lb. bacon, finely chopped and cooked
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Pretzel sticks (approx. 24)

Directions:

Blend together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder and paprika. Roll into approxiately 30-40 small balls using approximately 1/2 tsp. of mixture. Refrigerate approximately 1 hour until firm.

Mix together cooked chopped bacon, green onions, and pecans in a shallow bowl or plate.

Roll balls in bacon mixture. Insert a pretzel stick into each ball.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Best Ever Homemade Caramel Corn

December 11, 2016December 10, 2016 / Jodi / 34 Comments

One of the things I make every holiday season for parties and gift-giving is homemade caramel corn.

This is not your ordinary caramel corn, however; and the secret is that its made with Hulless Puff-n-Corn instead of regular popcorn.

Its super simple, makes a huge batch, and I have never taken it somewhere or given it away without being asked for the recipe.

I got this recipe years ago from my dear friend, Pam, who is, by the way, one of the best Jewish “Christmas cookie” bakers I know!

Here’s the recipe, and be warned….. it is crazy addictive!

Best Ever Homemade Caramel Corn

Servings: huge batch
Print

Ingredients:

2 6-oz bags Snyder Puff-n-Corn (or a brand you can get locally)
2 sticks (1 cup) butter
1 Tbsp peanut butter
2 cups brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup Karo light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking soda

Directions:

Spray large roaster pan with Pam cooking spray, and empty both bags of Puff-n-Corn into it. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large saucepan melt butter and peanut butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, add brown sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil. Stir constantly, and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and baking soda and stir well. Pour mixture over popcorn, and stir well to coat.

Bake in oven for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Allow to cool.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Krautfest 2016!

October 11, 2016October 10, 2016 / Jodi / 48 Comments

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

A Hot Air Balloon Themed Baby Shower

October 4, 2016October 3, 2016 / Jodi / 52 Comments

Oh what fun we had this past weekend celebrating the anticipation of the sweet baby girl we are awaiting with a Hot Air Balloon Baby Shower!

I made these miniature hot air balloons using super inexpensive 12″ white paper Chinese lanterns that I attached to quart-sized cardboard pulp berry baskets with wooden skewers and embellished with all the pink ribbon, yarn, sequins, buttons, lace, or pearls I had in my craft stash. I added a tiny battery operated tea light to each basket and hung and placed them all over the house.

It was such a collaborative effort of all the girls involved. Check out this amazing Aunt Squad surrounding the beautiful momma to be!

We had a hot air balloon cupcake cake,

Hot Air Balloon Cake Pops in a puffy white cloud,

and Hot Air Balloons, clouds and cherubic baby faced sugar cookies.

The favors were made using Eos Lip Balms to thank our guests for sharing their time and love with us.

A Hot Air Balloon banner with baby pictures of the mom and dad to be as babies themselves was a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

An Extra Large Basket Lady Pole Handle Wicker Storage Basket with pink and white balloons tied to it was filled to overflowing with children’s books guests brought in place of cards to start a wonderful library for baby.

The books were requested by a special insert in the invitation, and the overflowing abundance of new and extra special, well-loved books from people we love will be so cherished.

The time and love put into gifts blew us away. A very special Gram blessed Mom and Dad to be with this amazing handmade Hot Air Balloon quilt.

We also had a Hair Bow Boutique…

where guests were invited to create a hair bow (or two or three – like sweet Ella did) for baby.

And they surely blew us away with their talent and love.

Instead of a guest “book,” we had guests add their fingerprint and name to a hot air balloon watercolor painting that can hang in baby’s nursery as a sweet reminder of all who shared in her special party.

A simple game of “Guess the Baby Item in the Bag” had guests brainstorming

on what the heck starts with an “O” or “W” or “H”

while munching on fruit from a hot air balloon fruit tray (which we forgot to get a picture of – 😦 – sorry Jen!) – but looked a lot like this inspiration from Pinterest, as well as Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders and Chicken Salad with dried cranberries and walnuts in miniature croissants, veggie pizza, and Strawberry Spinach Salad.

and yep – we had that yummy Salted Caramel Apple Sangria too!

My heart is surely overflowing!

Balloons are now popped, and the house is back in order. Grandma is still glowing, though, as we await the arrival of this already abundantly loved baby girl.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS Thanks to BFF Jill for being event photographer for Grandma-to-be who was simply too overjoyed and excited to even think about snapping pics! What would I do without you!? ❤

Salted Caramel Apple Sangria

October 3, 2016October 2, 2016 / Jodi / 37 Comments

Are you looking for the perfect Sangria recipe for your Fall party?

How about mixing some crisp chopped Honeycrisp apples with some light citrusy Pinot Grigio, decadent Salted Caramel Vodka and apple cider?

Drizzle a little caramel sauce for the finishing touch…. and you have

Autumn in a glass!

Doesn’t that sound divine?

Here’s how I made it for a recent gathering I had. It was quite the hit! Hope you’ll give it a try.

Salted Caramel Apple Sangria

Servings: a crowd
Print

Ingredients:

5 large Honeycrisp (or your favorite) apples, chopped
1/4 cup caramel sauce
2 bottles Pinot Grigio (or your favorite white wine)
1/2 bottle Salted Caramel Vodka
1/2 gallon Salted Caramel Apple Cider

Directions:

In a large punch bowl, combine chopped apples drizzled with caramel sauce, wine, vodka, and apple cider. Stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight or several hours. Pour over glasses full of ice to serve. Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Lake Park Bash 2016

July 4, 2016July 3, 2016 / Jodi / 49 Comments

Happy Fourth of July to the USA!

We are relaxing today after a fun-filled weekend

at the Second Annual Lake Park Bash

hosted by the the best ever “hood”

in Conneaut Lake, PA…

Look at this crew in their red, white, and blue

from Lake Park Way!

Whether by land or by sea…

a fun time was a guarantee!

A photo booth welcomed guests

and hosts alike.

Some of us were silly…

an others were very pretty.

Friends and family

and my most specialiast of all ladies. ❤

There were refreshing drinks

because the cutest mixologists/most generous hosts/sweetest family ever made sure!

There was food galore…

with lots of meat…

and of course there were also

plenty of treats!

To ~~work~~ play it off

there where games a plenty… Like Twister

and life-sized Kerplunk

and Jenga

and corn hole

and Bocci Ball to name a few.

There was also music

and young ones to make life bright.

All were winners

on a gorgeous Saturday.

And when the sun set

the bonfires lit and the sparklers twinkled

while fireworks glowed and banged and shined.

And then since one day was just not enough…

there were bloody marys and screwdrivers with the next morning’s coffee

and a shared breakfast of pancakes with blueberries and chocolate chips

and scrambled eggs and bacon and sausage.

The Lake Park Bash was a real holiday treat! Thanks to all that made it so sweet!

Hope you are enjoying –
wherever you are –
the special moments to cherish.
Reach for a star!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Pineapple Blueberry Salsa

June 27, 2016June 26, 2016 / Jodi / 50 Comments

It was HOT here in Mars this past weekend, so Sunday supper called for something light and fresh. I rarely make fish as Hubby is a bit skeptical about it, but I had some frozen Hake loin filets in the freezer that needed to be used.

I was still OOGLING the amazing Fish Tacos I had the night before at Breakneck Tavern – O M G – and thought I’d try some type of version at home.

So I made this super yummy, bright, fresh, fruity and savory (with just a touch of heat) Pineapple Blueberry Salsa to accompany the fish, but it also tastes AMAZING on tortilla chips. I had some Tostitos Wholegrain Scoops, and they were just the ticket to balance out the flavors and allow for a healthy scoop of fruit and veggies in every bite!

This salsa and chips would be a great company or party snack to go with white wine spritzers or some white sangria (and everything goes with Gin and Tonics in the summertime!).

Here is the recipe. Hope you’ll give it a try, and let me know what you think.

Pineapple Blueberry Salsa*

Servings: approx. 4 cups
Print

Ingredients:

2 cups diced fresh pineapple
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup chopped sweet red and/or orange peppers
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 fresh lime, juiced (or lemon)
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped or 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes (for a bit of heat)
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cumin

Combine all ingredients and serve with tortilla chips (especially yummy with Frito Lay Whole Grain Tostitos Scoops, or alongside chicken or fish for a fresh and light, summery accompaniment.

Tastes bests when chilled for several hours to allow flavors to fully blend.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*slightly adapted from Jen @ CarlsbadCravings

Political Views

March 5, 2016March 4, 2016 / Jodi / 51 Comments

Here’s my ballot.
Anyone want to join this party?!?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

A Carnival Baby Shower for Jackie & Matt

January 25, 2016January 24, 2016 / Jodi / 48 Comments

Oh what fun we had planning, preparing, and celebrating the soon-to-arrive Baby Ben with our McHendy daughter and son-in-law, Jackie & Matt.

I was designated the “official” photographer, so get ready for lots of photos. I was so busy worrying about capturing it and so busy just enjoying it, that it is just now hitting me, after I shared the photos with Jackie (and she posted on her Facebook page), how close I am to being an “almost” grandma!

When Jackie shared the photos, she wrote:

Matt and I have always hoped we could welcome our baby boy into a community of people who will love, encourage, and support him. On Saturday, we were shown a million times over that we without a doubt have that for our baby boy, Ben. Thank you to everyone who braved the snowstorm and made it out to the shower. We are so blessed for all of you (and for all the people who couldn’t make it)! A special thanks to my mom,Jill Henderson, my mother-in-law, Carol Kallis, my future sister-in-law, Becca Cura, and my second mom, Jodi McKinney for throwing us one creative, awesome shower!!

So for the past half hour ( I am drafting this Sunday evening), I’ve been bawling happy tears and cherishing these very special moments.

I hope you enjoy viewing these photos as much as we had in creating and being a part of them.

(If you click on the first – or any one of the pics – you can scroll through the photos in full size.)

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

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the creative life in between

cherishing the moments and exploring my passion for creativity… through art, photography, food, and writing

party

Bacon Cheese Ball Bites

Bacon Cheese Ball Bites

Best Ever Homemade Caramel Corn

Best Ever Homemade Caramel Corn

Krautfest 2016!

A Hot Air Balloon Themed Baby Shower

Salted Caramel Apple Sangria

Salted Caramel Apple Sangria

Lake Park Bash 2016

Pineapple Blueberry Salsa

Pineapple Blueberry Salsa*

Political Views

A Carnival Baby Shower for Jackie & Matt

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Bacon Cheese Ball Bites

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Best Ever Homemade Caramel Corn

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Salted Caramel Apple Sangria

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Pineapple Blueberry Salsa*

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