Celebrate Everything

C is for COOKIE

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I am at the midpoint of my holiday cookie baking.  I have a lot of fun each year making sugar cookies that I decorate with royal icing. In past years I have made snowmen, reindeer, and Jack Skellington cookies to name a few.

I am always on the lookout for new cutters to add to my collection. I take a few things into consideration when buying new cutters that you may find helpful. I usually ask myself the following questions:

1. What is the cutter made from –  plastic or metal (and what kind of metal)? 

Plastic cutters keep their shape well, but may crack or chip. Some plastic cutters can stain if the cookie dough contains food coloring. Check plastic cutters to make sure they are BPA free and dish washer safe for your health and convenience.

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Shop #SmallBizSat for the Food Lover in Your Life

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*UPDATED 11/2020*

Happy “Black Friday”!

Don’t forget – tomorrow is “Small Business Saturday”!

SBS

I always love to shop “small”. I find that small businesses are often local “Rock Star Brands“.  Whenever I travel, I always try to visit the “Mom and Pop” shops in order to get a better feel of the city or town. When I am home, I find it more interesting, more authentic somehow, to try to shop and eat local.

I have compiled this short list of small(er) businesses to check out this #SmallBizSat if you are a food lover or if you have a “foodie” on your holiday shopping list.  There are many wonderful shops but these places have left an impression on me this year (or in past years).

Several shops have websites, but if you are able, try to visit the shops.  I think you will love the special attention and customer service you receive. 

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Happy National Root Beer Float Day

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Today is National Root Beer Float Day!

A root beer float is a fun, simple, classic, easy treat.

Chill a mug or pint glass.

Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to the glass.

Pour root beer slowly over ice cream.

Enjoy with a straw and a spoon!

My root beer floats will be made with Abita root beer.  Abita tastes amazing, is made with cane sugar, is caffeine free and is my favorite.  Abita is a Louisiana based brewery. To make it easier to find Abita products, the company has a sleek, concise, cleanly designed, and free App for iPhone and Android. Get the App or try Abita’s web based product finder tool at www.abita.com.

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A&W is a name nearly synonymous with root beer. A&W Restaurants will be celebrating National Root Beer Float Day with free small floats while supplies last. A&W will also be using the celebration to raise funds and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project. You can find all the details here.

Hope you enjoy your day!

-Jenn

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

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I hope you are all having a nice Valentine’s Day so far!

I just want to express my thanks for all the “love” you have shown this blog by commenting, sharing and chatting with me about it on and off line.

Whether you are cooking for yourself or a loved one or “just a friend” tonight remember to add an extra dash of love. Even if you are just making a cocktail or pouring a glass of wine focus a little love into the experience and make it a little extra special.

Have a great day and thank you again for all of your support and feedback!

Enjoy,
-Jenn

Fun-filled, Food-filled February

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February is not exactly my favorite month because in the past it has been marred by nasty weather and sad memories.

This year, I am determined to change my opinion of February and bring fun (and of course FOOD) to my February canvas!

After some quick research, I realized that February has some major and minor events that can easily celebrated with food.

A big thank you to the very fun website www.punchbowl.com which I used for a resource and for inspiration.  Continue reading →

Burns Supper – Let Us Toast The Bard!!

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Happy Birthday Bobby Burns!!!

It is time to raise a glass of whisky to…

…the Great Scot, Robert Burns, poet 1759-1796!

I have come to love this supper tradition celebrating the man who gave us Auld Lang Syne, Red Red Rose and many others.

More than ten years ago, I was in England on January 25, and took part in a walking tour/pub crawl in honor of The Bard. Though, to my knowledge, Burns never lived in London, it was a fun night enjoying the city, playing tourist, listening to our guide recite Burns’ poetry, sampling single malts and eating haggis. The tour concluded in the historic Lamb & Flag which to this day boasts a lovely collection of Whisky.

My 2013 Burns Supper menu tonight features:

  • Scotch Broth
  • Haggis
  • Mashed Tatties (potatoes)
  • Whisky Cake
  • And of course a wee dram or two of single malt (to be determined)!!!

You can read about my Burns Supper 2012 here.

You can read more about Burns and hear samples of his poetry here.

A toast to Burns…

…and of course to You and Yours!!!

-Jenn