Thanksgiving

Pallet Love in the Dining Room

/ Jodi / 68 Comments

palet wine rack

My daughter-in-law, Colleen, and I are slightly obsessed with things you can make out of pallets.  I look at sites, pin things to Pinterest, oogle and swoon, but don’t seem to get around to ever doing anything about it.

So how surprised and excited was I when my son, Jake, and Colleen presented me with this beautiful handmade pallet wine rack for my birthday?!

I found a cozy little corner of the dining room to hang it and just love it.

wine rack corner

And if that wasn’t enough, I got a text from Jake the other day asking if I would like this pallet table he made for Colleen’s cookie exchange party (remember that amazing post?!).

Uh – let me think about it…..    YES!!!

palet table

So I found a home for it in another corner of the dining room.  I love that it gives me more room to display some fun collectibles and special antiques.

dining room

Our dining room is one of my favorite rooms.  (Charlie doesn’t mind hanging out there too when I’m nearby.)

Many a holiday meal have been eaten here. Countless party games have been played around this table.  Innumerable stories shared, gifts opened, wine drank, laughter echoed.

There are actually very few things we have purchased ourselves in this room, but many things that we have been gifted with, that are handmade, that have been passed down, and that are very special to me.

This cow creamer has a long history in hubby’s family with many happy and humorous memories.  (and I know my boys will never forget the year I filled it with questions on pieces of paper for “conversation starters” at the Thanksgiving table – I’ll never live that one down!)

creamer

Colleen knew just how to “butter me up” with this knife and butter dish!

butter knife

And I was so honored to receive this family heirloom cutter this past Christmas when I mentioned to Aunt Gwen that I would adore having something from my paternal Grandmother’s home.

antique cutter

 

antique tools

A very prized possession is this handmade heirloom Noah’s Ark set passed down to me from my sweet cousin, Joyce, and my dear Oh Rob.

china closet

It sits atop the most beautiful “china closet” that was an old beat up, painted, book case hubby resurrected from a run-down barn that we had refinished and filled with hand-me-down Pfaltzgraff stoneware – also from Joyce and Rob – and full of happy memories.

Noahs ark

And as if they haven’t shared and given us enough, they continue to give and grow our collection, with this new pair of deer in honor of hubby’s big buck this year.

deer

And in memory of our sweet Mikey last year.

Mikey

Another miniature Noah’s Ark set was made by Great Uncle Carl and sits on a “dry sink” made by him too!  (The only thing missing is one of the sheep, which Charlie enjoyed during his early days in his new home with us.)

small noahs ark

Two different antique sewing machines sit in corners of this room,

sewing mackine

and a very cherished treasure box sits on the trundle of one.

treasure box

My BFF, Jill, gifted me with this beautiful memory box for my birthday this year.

treasure box open

We have shared so many memories in this home for the past 15 years, as well as our home before this one.

And I know we will cherish many more in the years to come – no matter where the brick and mortar takes us.

treasure box contents

Because, as you can see, my home is not filled with extravagant, expensive, fancy furniture and decorations, but it is overflowing with cherished gifts and wonderful memories.

The thing I love most about this room – and my entire home – is the people I share it with.

Cherish the moments.

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

 

Thanksgiving Family Photo Shoot

/ Jodi / 53 Comments

s14

We had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving this year with some very special family members.

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And I got to have fun playing with my camera afterwards doing a little family photo shoot.

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Little Mason was being a bit of a “stinker,” but oh what fun will this photo be to look back on a few years from now – eh?!  (Heck – it’s even pretty funny now!)

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It was a gorgeous day at the Lake House, so we took full opportunity to goof around outside and run…

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and walk…

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and take in views of the glistening lake.

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Ella is growing into quite the young lady, and we have such a special relationship.

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But nothing can beat riding the tire swing with your brother when you are 8 and 5 years old – right?!

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Remember those Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Turkeys I made?

ella chocolate turkey thanksgiving 2015 new braces

Two thumbs up from these turkey lovers.

Poppy and Mason Thanksgiving 2015

Our amazing hosts and our dearest family set out a beautiful and delicious feast.

thanksgiving 2015

And Mason beat Mimi in a game of chess afterwards while the rest of us played Apples to Apples (and Oh Rob lost!).  Ohhhhh Roooob!

Mimi and Mason chess

The next day brought setting up for “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the town center, so I had a chance to snag another photo of three of my favorite girls…

Mimi and her girls

and two of my favorite guys.

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It’s December 1st and time to get ready for our family’s next big holiday celebrations for Christmas!

It is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!”

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Eat Pie, Drink Wine, Be Thankful!

/ Jodi / 27 Comments

eat pie drink wine be thankful card

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS  Can you guess what I am taking to our Thanksgiving festivities?
Yep – You got it!
Wine and Pie!

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog….

/ Jodi / 33 Comments

originalcolorbars1080

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog for….

Thanksgiving Pie Baking Day.

You know I am in my glory!

Wishing you visions of pumpkin and dutch apple and chocolate and coconut cream dancing in your head!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Reese’s Peanut Butter Thanksgiving Turkey Treats

/ Jodi / 40 Comments

Reeses Peanut Butter Chocolate Thanksgiving Turkey Treats 1

Whether you are a white turkey breast lover or a dark turkey leg, thigh or wing lover, you have to love these adorable Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Thanksgiving Turkeys!

When I saw these cute little treats on Pinterest made by MomonTimeOut,  I knew I had to make these for a couple of little sweeties we will be spending Thanksgiving with.  (And I’m guessing even a few of the big “sweeties” might love them too!)

A Reese’s lover’s dream come true using full size, miniature size, and Reese’s pieces all in one amazing treat!

I had some colorful candy-coated chocolate sunflower seeds I picked up at Trader Joe’s that I used for the noses, but you could use a Reese’s Piece turned sideways too.  I melted some Wilton’s Light Cocoa Candy Melts for the “glue,” but you could use chocolate chips if that is what you have on hand.  For me, it’s all about improvising and using what you have on hand or can get locally.  And these go together super quick!  (Believe it or not, I keep a few sizes of candy eyes on hand!  I know – I have issues!  But I’m betting you can find them at your local craft store like Michael’s or Joann’s or a candy or bake shop – and of course there is always Amazon!)

Reeses Peanut Butter Chocolate Thanksgiving Turkey Treats

There’s still plenty of time to throw these together for your Thanksgiving festivities.

I made 12, and it only took about a half hour.

Reeses Peanut Butter Chocolate Thanksgiving Turkey Treats 2

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Thanksgiving Turkeys

Ingredients:Reeses Peanut Butter Chocolate Thanksgiving Turkey Treats 1

Directions

  • Melt Candy Melts or Chocolate Chips by heating in microwave for 1 minute, stir, then heat 30 more seconds, and stir again.
  • Spoon into a zipper sandwich baggie, push to one corner, seal, and then snip a tiny corner to allow you to squeeze chocolate out for “gluing” chocolate pieces together.
  • “Glue” Miniature Reese’s Cup to Full-Size Reese’s Cup with a dab of chocolate.
  • “Glue” on Reese’s Pieces Feathers using a strip of chocolate squeezed across top of full-size Reese’s Cup.
  • “Glue” on eyes and nose.

Enjoy!

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

Fall Cookie Baking: Pumpkin Cinnamon Spice & Gingersnaps

/ Jodi / 24 Comments

pumpkin cinnamon spice cookies

Fall is such a great time to bake.  I bake all year round, but Fall really lends itself to baking as it warms up the house and makes it smell so good…..  apples, cinnamon, pumpkin, ginger….  awwwhhhh….

gingersnap cookies stack

A couple of my favorite Fall cookies include a new one (Pumpkin Cinnamon Spice) and an old-time classic (Gingersnaps).  So today is a TWO-fer cookie recipe day, as I couldn’t decide which to share!

gingersnap cookie

The Pumpkin Cinnamon Spice were a first time effort, and we loved them!  I found a recipe at Sally’s Baking Addiction Blog.  The original recipe called for cinnamon chips, which my local supermarket was out of, so I found some Pumpkin Spice Hershey’s Kisses and chopped them up in the recipe.  They turned out AMAZING!  A couple weeks later, I found Nestle is now making Pumpkin Spice chips (so I snagged those along with several bags of Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips which were back in stock!)  WOOHOO!  I’m set for a while now!

The Gingersnaps are a perennial Fall favorite.  My son, Nick, loves them best.  I, however, reminisce about the memories they conjure up…

When the boys were little, we had a Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl (football game) every Thanksgiving morning in a ballfield our kids created with the neighbors between our yards.  It was basically a clearing in the woods that was a baseball field in the summer and football field in the Fall/Winter.

All the neighbors would gather while fathers and sons played football, little girls played cheerleaders, and us moms took a break from cooking and watched the game standing by a bonfire with hot coffee or cocoa (or Beer! 🙂 ).  I would always bake a fresh-out-of-the-oven batch of Gingersnaps that taste even better outside in the cold by a fire after playing football.

So here are the recipes.  Ready?  Set!  Bake!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Spice Cookies

  • Servings: 4 dozen large cookies
  • Print

Ingredients:pumpkin cinnamon spice cookies

5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 cups butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups pumpkin
2 large eggs
4 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups pumpkin spice chips, cinnamon chips, or chopped pumpkin spice kisses

Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Set aside.

Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla and mix until combined, about 3 minutes. Slowly add in the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Stir in the chips.

In a small bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon. Shape dough into rounded tablespoons and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Lightly press down on the cookies with a spatula or the palm of your hand.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Let cool slightly on baking sheet before removing to cookie rack to completely cool.

Gingersnap Cookies

  • Servings: 4 dozen large cookies
  • Print

Ingredients:gingersnap cookie

4 cups flour
2 Tbsp ground ginger
4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups shortening
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup dark molasses
1/3 cup cinnamon-sugar mixture

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together in medium bowl, and set aside.

Place the shortening into large mixing bowl and beat until creamy.   Gradually beat in the sugar, then the egg, followed by the molasses.

Add in the dry ingredients gradually, and mix until a soft dough forms.

Form tablespoon-sized balls and roll in cinnamon sugar.

Bake about 10 minutes or until tops are rounded and slightly cracked.  Cool on wire rack.

Happy Fall Baking!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Thanksgiving Reflections

/ Jodi / 14 Comments

thanksgiving 2014 group turkey shot

I hope everyone that celebrated yesterday had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
(It still blows my mind that people read my blog from all over the world, so there are places that don’t celebrate this American holiday!)

Today is a day of relaxing and reflecting for me – on an amazing day spent with this crazy coop of turkeys that I so adore!

thanksgiving place settings

My crafty and stampin’ friends might appreciate the table setting complete with hand-stamped fall wreath place settings :).

But…  as much as I love to dress up the table, decorate, and prepare creative dishes, I have to say – Thanksgiving is no time for breaking tradition!

turkey

No messin’ with the traditional turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, canned jellied cranberry sauce (though Jill did cut them into adorable little stars that made them taste even better!), Pillsbury crescent rolls (or Nick would be seriously upset), pumpkin and apple pie.

desserts thanskgiving 2014

A couple veggies took on a little twist this year – like my new favorite Roasted Butternut Squash with Rosemary, and the amazing Brussells Sprouts with Chorizo and Almonds that Joyce and Rob brought (still need to get that recipe!), but I did get in a bit of trouble with Marty (and only Marty!) for not making that disgusting green bean casserole with (GAG!) cream of mushroom soup…

table

We toasted family and friends, and of course Oh Rob had a story for us!

rob at table

It just wouldn’t be the same if he didn’t!  (Love you Oh Rob!) 🙂

vino

and homemade Reflection Wine – for in wine there is life.

cheesey turkey

Colleen made this cute cheesey turkey – complete with brussells sprouts eyes straight from Jake’s garden, which was devoured immediately.

bacon wrapped blue cheese stuffed dates

I also made this super easy, but TO DIE FOR appetizer:  Bacon Wrapped Dates stuffed with Blue Cheese.  Every single person L O V E D them, so don’t judge by the interesting combination of ingredients!  I simply cut a slit in each date, removed the pit and replaced with a pinch of crumbled blue cheese, wrapped it in a half strip of bacon, jabbed with a toothpick to hold together and make for easy serving afterwards, and baked at 400 degrees F for about 30 minutes.  Even those that claimed to not like dates or not like blue cheese adored them!  Highly recommend these for your next get together – just saying.  🙂

finger prints

Sweet Jackie brought the most adorable gift.  A print of a tree and a frame, to which we each stamped a fingerprint or two and labeled with our name and something we are thankful for.

fingerprint tree

I already have it hanging right outside my dining room.  What an amazing memory I will always have of this day and these peeps I love.  Thank you so much, Jackie!

turkey wine bottles

And how cute are these?  Isn’t this a fun way to take wine as a hostess gift?  Dress them up for the holiday.  Jackie also made these adorable bottles of red and  white into boozy turkeys.  I LOVE THEM!

thanksgiving hostess gifts

Colleen and Jake brought me the most awesome smelling winter holiday candle – who doesn’t love a wonderful smelling candle – and Joyce and Rob brought a crock stuffed with bags of pistachios and a festive apron and hot mitt along with a Bountiful Blessings calendar with a note written on it saying, “Looking forward to spending more time together in the new year.”  Now isn’t that a great idea?!  Such creative peeps I hang out with – eh?

calendar

I share these for those looking for great ideas for hostess gifts around the holidays.  Wine, candles, nuts, aprons, calendars – all very appreciated gifts!

And Jill handmade all of us these adorable turkey t-shirts.  Is she amazing or what?!!  And look how cute they all look.

hendy

They even had turkey feathers on the back!

turkey backs

It was wonderful to SKYPE with Julie, who if you look really close at the iPad Jackie is holding, is also wearing a turkey shirt that Jill sent ahead of time.  🙂  We only missed connecting with Jayme :(.

thanksgiving 2014 group turkey shot

We ended the evening with board games, including Cards Against Humanity…

cards against humanity

and laughed until our cheeks hurt!

cards rob jill

We were even fortunate enough to have Marty’s 91 year-old Aunt Francie with us, who is such a good sport.

Marty and Aunt Francie

I am simply stuffed with thankfulness and reflecting on my many blessings.

Wishing you all the same!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Closed for Thanksgiving

/ Jodi / 3 Comments

thanksgiving closed

I’m busy Roasting Turkey,

Mashing Potatoes,

Chopping, Slicing, Smiling, Laughing, Sharing, Clinking Glasses….

Being Thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you be thankful for everything you have at Life in Between and always.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi