Wassail Holiday Open House Punch

One of my favorite ways to gather with friends and family during the holiday’s is by hosting a Holiday Open House and what better way to greet guests than with a bowl full of Holiday Wassail punch.

WASSAIL defined

NOUN

1 Spiced ale or mulled wine drunk during celebrations for Twelfth Night and Christmas Eve:

1.1 Lively and noisy festivities involving the drinking of plentiful amounts of alcohol; revelry:

VERB

[NO OBJECT]archaic

1 Drink plentiful amounts of alcohol and enjoy oneself with others in a noisy, lively way:

1.1historical :: drink to (fruit trees, typically apple trees) in a custom intended to ensure a fruitful crop:

2 Go from house to house at Christmas singing carols:

{as defined by OxfordDictionary.com}

As with many traditions the folklore surrounding it varies and evolves over time… especially when there is alcohol involved.

As I attempted to dig deeper into the drink and the activity around this holiday punch, my favorite of the wassail traditions rose to the top. Tradition has it that the spiced cider was offered as an ancient honor to the trees in the hopes of a plentiful harvest the following year.

“In wintertime, wassailers would prepare the traditional wassail – soaking pieces of bread, cake or toast in it – and travel from apple orchard to apple orchard in effort to ensure a good harvest for the coming year. Wassail-soaked pieces of bread or toast were then buried at the trees’ roots or hung in the trees’ branches to appease the tree spirits and feed them well until the next harvest.”

Other stories talk of revelers walking from pub to pub singing, or some holding bowls of wassail in the streets and selling cups to those who passed by for pennies. All I am sure have some truth to them and simply make the tradition wassail all the more intriguing to me.

Along with the many different stories as to the origin, it seems no two recipes for Wassail are quite alike. All generally contain apples and spices in some combination, eggs, egg-free, cream, cream-free, with out with ale, sherry, Bourbon, Whiskey and the list goes on. A few recipes require the use of slow cookers and a few traditionalist only serve Wassail warm.

I recently hosted a holiday open house and served my Wassail chilled with frozen cranberries, spices and orange slices as floating garnish. It looked super festive on the bar and was a huge hit with guests of all ages. {I may have consumed more than others, but thats the fun of being the host right!?}

My suggestion… Fill a large punch bowl with a non-alcoholic batch to offer to all your guests as they enter then let them add their favorite spirit as they wish.

Holiday Wassail Punch Recipe

INGREDIENTS

6 cups apple cider
1 cup orange juice
4 cinnamon sticks, plus additional
6-8 whole star anise, plus additional
6 whole cloves
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Pinch of allspice
Bourbon or whiskey – optional

Garnish: optional but recommended
cinnamon sticks
star anise
pomegranate seeds
orange zest/slices
whole cranberries

METHOD

In a large dutch oven, bring all of the ingredients to a low boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for a few hours. Strain. Serve hot or cold; spike with bourbon/whiskey, if desired.
Garnish with whole cinnamon sticks, star anise and orange slices.

SERVES 6

Looking for a new holiday punch but not familiar with the term Wassail or the verb wassailing? Listen in to this youtube video.

November 23, 2016November 23, 2016

Metallic Inspired Thanksgiving Tablescape

Looking for Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas on Pinterest boards and home decor magazines can be as overwhelming and time-consuming as planning a wedding! Give your brain a break this Thanksgiving and create a Metallic Inspired Thanksgiving Tablescape with an easy but elegant mixture of metallic and natural elements.

The metallic trend is here to stay but don’t believe this means you can’t also use some of the traditional nature inspired Thanksgiving decor, such as gourds, wheat and Indian Corn, on your Thanksgiving tablescape this year as well.

One of my favorite looks is mixing the two decor trends together. Look for faux gourds in rich metallic tones like bronze, matte gold and copper which naturally complement the gold tones of wheat and the deep reds and browns of dried Indian Corn.

Place textured chargers under your china, then top each Thanksgiving placesetting with a linen napkin tucked into a grapevine napkin ring – then add a placecard if you like. One of my top tips for setting a Thanksgiving tablescape is to keep the decor low and tight, this allows guest to speak to each other over the centerpeice.

For this tablescape I am mixing and matching my glassware… we have “lost” a few to kitchen tragedies and I have more than enough. So why buy more when they all look so festive mixed together.

Entertainers Tip :: when mixing glassware have one common variable. For instance here they are all clear glass with a stem.

Bring all the tones and textures together on your Thanksgiving table by tucking in a few sprigs of my favorite foliage Eucalyptus. The leaf color and shape looks great with metallic seasonal decor and perhaps even a bit of the calming energy to your gathering.

Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours!

November 20, 2016April 3, 2023

Mini Stuffing Muffins {#SundaySupper}

Stuffing is one of the most popular dishes of a Thanksgiving meal, I thought why not try making it as fun appetizer bites served before the big meal OR as a fun twist on leftover stuffing recipe served Thanksgiving night or the next day.

You can use this recipe with any stuffing recipe or leftovers, the key is to add back in moisture then bake the muffins to ensure they stick together.

Serve your mini stuffing muffins with the a side of cranberry relish for a tangy fruity and colorful topping.

MINI STUFFING MUFFINS RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon fresh chopped sage
1 cup stock, chicken/turkey or vegetable
1/2 cup dried cranberries, rough chopped
4 cups stuffing – left over or pre-made

METHHOD

Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease 12-cup mini-muffin pan with cooking spray.
In a large skillet melt butter, add sage and cook on medium heat until sage begins to crisp.
Add stock and bring to a boil.
Add chopped cranberries to liquid and allow to cook on medium for 2-3 minutes or until cranberries begin to absorb liquid.
Pack the stuffing into the muffin cups and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden. Transfer to a rack and let stand for 5 minutes. Loosen the muffins with a sharp paring knife and lift them out.
Serve warm with Cranberry Relish.

Whether you are a seasoned pro or it is your first time hosting Thanksgiving the number of details to keep track of can be daunting to say the least. You need the Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Checklist.Get yours HERE.

How to Use Holiday Leftovers

Everyone loves the holidays, but often we’re left with way too much food. This week the Sunday Supper Community helps us spice up our leftovers and turn them into new and exciting dishes!

Thank you Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventure, for hosting.

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

November 17, 2016November 23, 2016

Easy Pumpkin Placecards

Pumpkin Placecards are super easy to make and add a festive fall accent to your Thanksgiving, Friendsgving or Harvest Celebration Tablescape. Use either kraft paper cut outs or chalk paint to give each placesetting a personalized touch.

I don’t know about you but I LOVE mini pumpkins and gourds of all kinds so while I have the chance to decorating the table with Autumn gourds I take every opportunity to do just that!

Start setting your Fall tablescape by lining the center of the table with mixed gourds, Indian Corn and a Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece or two. There really isn’t a wrong way to group them. Pick out a variety of shapes and sizes ~ I promise they will all look perfect together!

Once I have my centerpiece in place I like to add a textured charger, a main serving plate and a fall leaf plate at each placesetting. Continuing adding seasonal elements like a grapevine napkin ring around a natural linen napkin.

The stress of hosting can be overwhelming. No matter if it is your first time hosting, Or your 10th. My ULTIMATE Thanksgiving checklist is HERE to make you look like an entertaining pro. Download yours for all my seasonal entertaining must-haves.

For a step-by-step demo how to make your own Pumpkin Placecards, you can watch my recent segment on WFLA Gayle’s Guide to Pinterest.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel and never miss a recipe or design idea! {It’s free!}

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PUMPKIN PLACECARDS::

SUPPLIES ::

mini pumpkin
chalkboard paint
foam paint brush
chalk marker
leaf stencil
scissors

INSTRUCTIONS ::

For Chalkboard Pumpkin Placecard –

Using a foam applicator simply apply a stroke of black chalk paint to the side of mini pumpkin. Allow to dry and apply a second coat.

Once dry, use a chalk marker to write your guest’s name on the card. Repeat for all guests.

For Kraft Paper Leaf Pumpkin Placecard –

Using a Maple leaf form, trace the edges onto kraft paper, Cut out shape and write your guest’s name on each card.

Carefully slice a slit in the top of the pumpkin stem. Insert paper placecard into stem and place on table!

Not the DIY type… Did you know I offer services tailored to meet the needs of busy women. They are especially valuable during the holiday entertaining season. Learn more on HERE on KraylFunch.com

November 1, 2016September 21, 2017

Spiked Pumpkin Rice Pudding for October Unprocessed

For the second year in a row I am a proud contributor to October Unprocessed. A month long pledge created by Andrew Wilder of EatingRules.com to reduce the amount of processed food we consume. This year however, pushed my knowledge of processed versus unprocessed AND my comfort level in the kitchen to new levels as I created first a Baked Sweet Dumpling Squash with Pumpkin Custard and then recipe #2…. Bourbon Pumpkin Rice Pudding.

Yes, you heard correctly. I ended up creating two recipes but only one was fit to be published during October Unprocessed 2016. Why you might ask?

Turns out there is an entire FAQ on sugar, how it is processed, which sugars are considered the least processed and why we should/or should not consume them. I thought I was doing the right thing by using brown sugar {and the folks at Bob’s Red Mill consumer team have provided me thorough information regarding how they are using the best possible methods to create their line of sugars} but other companies may or may not have your best health in mind so please be sure to learn more about this topic HERE.

See how my Bourbon Pumpkin Rice Pudding turn out, my lessons learned in the kitchen and take the October Unprocessed pledge HERE.

Thank you to Andrew and Kristi at EatingRules.com for their patience, support, understanding and commitment to their cause and Bob’s Red Mill for providing me with their tasty baking Congratulations on another successful year!

October 28, 2016September 18, 2017

Baked Sweet Dumpling Squash with Pumpkin Custard

As you know I LOVE a gourd. Gourds of all kinds can be found on my entranceway, dining room table and kitchen counter, but when I found out one of my fav was actually considered a squash my world was turned upside down!

Sweet Dumpling Squash are readily available in the Fall and are great for filling kitchen island baskets with seasonal color but let’s open up our eyes – and mouths – to the wide variety of recipes for Sweet Dumpling Squash, a hit in my home is baked with pumpkin custard. Serve it for dessert on Thanksgiving or to end your upcoming Fall gathering.

Squash versus Gourd versus Pumpkin :: what’s the difference?

The family screams Fall but I can barely say the name. The Cucurbitaceae family is the latin name for gourds, squash and pumpkins, which most of us tend to simply lump into one big category of bumpy, viney, some say ugly, I say gorgeous, ground growing beauties that we generally associate with Fall.

Read on to amaze your friends with your Squash, Gourds and Pumpkins knowledge.

Gourds.

The ornamental squash, hardshell, bottle and turban are the most common gourds seen on tablescapes, grouped in glass vessels and adorning mantles in the Autumn, aren’t generally meant for eating. Mainly decorative, our current day gourds – my spirit fruit {or is it vegetable… no fruit} – have been used throughout history in many ways including as tools, musical instruments and food. The are a staple in my seasonal decorating projects with clients and in my own home.

Squash.

Hubbard, butternut, acorn, sweet dumpling and spaghetti squash {just to get the party started} that are perfect for roasting, souping, dicing, pureeing or any other shape or form you prefer to eat them. Most squash have a thick skin and dense flesh you must cut through in order to use for most squash recipes. However, once you cut back the skin simply scoop out the seeds {save them for toasting with a bit of kosher salt} and you are ready to go.

Pumpkin.

The most popular of the cucuritaceae, pumpkins are both ornamental and edible. The super mini’s are more like gourds when it comes to getting any flesh from them for cooking but DO not discount them as a serving vessel or other ornamental seasonal piece. Medium and Large pumpkins make great entranceway decor, carved or un-carved, as well as provide tons of glorious flesh for recipes calling for pumpkin.

So the bottom line is – pumpkin is sort of “our” term for the round orange squash and not a biological name.

I say let’s celebrate the season with the entire family! Squash, gourds and pumpkins are welcome on my table or plate any day.

See my recipe for Baked Sweet Dumpling Squash with Pumpkin Custard below.

[yumprint-recipe id=’36’]

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? My Ultimate Thanksgiving Checklist will be your new BFF. Grab yours HERE.

October 27, 2016October 29, 2016

Plan Ahead For a Stress Free Thanksgiving Day

How many plates do I need? How will I serve the potatoes? How long do I defrost THE bird? How do I keep track of who is bringing what? What if I run out of forks before dessert?

And the details add up if you are hosting overnight guests.

Where will they sleep? Do I have time to put up the wall paper in the main floor powder room before Thanksgiving?

What fork goes where?

Not to fear. My ULTIMATE Thanksgiving checklist is HERE to make you look like the entertaining pro you know is your real calling.

Avoid the last minute stress of Thanksgiving with my ULTIMATE Thanksgiving Planning Checklist.

When you say yes to the checklist you will immediately receive the first week’s must do list. Then over the next few weeks you will receive a weekly checklist of what you need to accomplish + schedule that week to have a stress free Thanksgiving.

How easy is that?

You can be the hostess you know in your heart you are. Get access to the checklist HERE.

Are you an overachiever? Perfectionist who can’t stand to wait for the weekly updates? My Fast Track planner was created for you. For only $15 you can have access to the entire checklist collection now. Buy yours HERE.

October 12, 2016August 25, 2020

#FALLFLEA Home Decor Favorites + New Additions

The Fall Flea is now in it’s second week and the feedback has been really great! It is hard for me to say what my favorite Fall home decor items in the shop are. However if I had to pick, the Wood Cake Stand with Metallic Pumpkin accents, the Faux Cotton Wreath or the Metallic Leaf Candle Holder would make the list this week.

SHOP THE FALL FLEA NOW

According to you, the shoppers, the most popular items in the shop to date have been the Burlap Runner, Gold Leaf Thankful pillow and the Gold Fall Acorn Decorative Dish.

Have you had a chance to shop the #FALLFLEA to pick your favorite Fall decor item for you home, kitchen or Fall gathering table?

If not, this is the perfect time to stop in the virtual pop-up market because new items have been added this week AND doors will close Sunday October 16th for the season and your opportunity to shop from my favorite Fall Decor items for 2016 will be like a leave blowing in the Autumn air…

SHOP THE FALL FLEA NOW

Ready to see a few of the new additions? I have added items to the home accent category, the kitchen collection and of course the entertaining collection!

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF WHAT’S NEW IN THE FALL FLEA SHOP!

Hammered Copper Cheese Knife Set – Set of 3 Cheese Knives are a must have item for every well equipped host. The Hammered Copper handles on this set easily transition from rustic to modern tables, giving any style a touch of urban craftsmanship.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE.

Give + Gather. Harvest Kitchen Towel

Give + Gather Harvest Kitchen Towels feature script give and gather lettering set around a fall foliage pattern. Enjoy in your kitchen or give them as a gift to your favorite hostess.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE

Amber Glass Apothecary Bottle

Fall decor is all about warm colors and textures. Bring both this season to your kitchen, or bathroom, counter with Amber Glass Apothecary Bottles.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE.

Faux Golden Apples – set of 2

I love to place faux fruit everywhere around my home these days. You will find Faux Golden Apples lining shelves, down the center of dining room tablescapes and dozen or so together in a bowl on my kitchen island.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE.

Here are my top 3 tips to make the most of The Fall Flea Pop-Up ::

#1 – Be sure to sign up + open your emails over the next two weeks to learn about new + featured items.
#2 – Join the Facebook Event Group for daily updates and community conversation about their favorite items.
#3 – Follow along on Instagram to see new + featured items first. And share your favorites using #FALLFLEA

Happy Fall! Shop the Fall Flea here now.

October 9, 2016April 12, 2022

Julia’s Mushroom Quiche – Quiche aux Champignons {#SundaySupper}

Almost exactly 4 years ago today on October 14th, 2012 I started cooking my way through Julia Child’s classic Mastering the Art of French Cooking , I began in my favorite category brunch. Cooking every quiche recipe in the massive cookbook and created my first Mushroom Quiche blog post – which is amazingly to this day one of my top articles on the blog.

I say amazingly because over the last 4 years blogging I have learned an incredible amount about recipe creation, photography, and writing – among many other things but that’s for another day – and my journey from the 2012 Quiche aux Champignons article to current day has been one filled with many trials, questions, friendships and of course lots of quiche.

I have been itching to have the chance to bake a Mushroom Quiche and when my friends in the Sunday Supper Movement Community posted the “sleepover foods” topic for this weeks recipe inspiration I knew it was my time to honor Julia once again, after all what is better to wake up to after a sleep-over than a slice of warm quiche for brunch.

Also in the spirit of a sleep-over, I have kept Julia’s Mushroom Quiche rustic. Crispy bits in the pie plate are a reality when baking a quiche – at least in my world – so I have chosen to keep them in. And you should too. If you are having guests sleep over most likely they are good friends and although I still love to create a seasonal Fall tablescape, I do not like to fuss over a perfect crust. And neither should you.

For the tablescape – set a few white pumpkins down the center of the table, use a rustic Water Hyacinth Charger, pull out the copper flatware, wrap your napkins in grapevine ribbon, cut a slice of quiche and wait for your guests to come down for brunch and recap the night before.

For a step-by-step demo of the Julia’s Mushroom Quiche recipe, you can watch my video tutorial below. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel and never miss a recipe or design idea! {It’s free!}

Now that’s what I call a perfect morning! What quiche should I make next?

Quiche aux Champignons  Recipe {Mushroom Quiche}

Adapted from Julia Child, Mastering the Art of French Cooking

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons diced shallots
1 lb large white mushrooms, sliced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons port
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
8-inch partially-cooked pastry shell
1/4 cup grated Swiss cheese
1/2 teaspoon pepper
pinch of Nutmeg

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Melt butter in pan add shallots for a short time then add in the sliced mushrooms, salt and port. Cover pan and cook over moderately low heat for 8 minutes. Uncover. Raise heat and boil for several minutes until liquid is completely evaporated and mushrooms are beginning to saute in their butter.

3. Beat the eggs, cream and pepper in a large mixing bowl to blend.

4. Gradually stir in the mushroom mixture {save 2-3 slices to the side}. Check seasoning. Pour into pastry shell. Spread on the cheese and place 2-3 sliced mushroom slices on the top in the center.

5. Bake in upper third of pre-heated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until puffed and browned.

Note – I have skipped the addition of the additional butter dots on top which Julia’s recipe calls for. I have found the recipe is incredibly rich even with out the extra butter dots – sorry Julia.

Makes 1 Quiche

* * * * *

Remember in the beginning when I mentioned all this things I have learned over the last few years, well the Sunday Supper community has been there the entire time – all growing together and supporting each other in person as well as on-line. For that I am very grateful. If I could I would invite them all over for a giant sleep-over and brunch. Until then please enjoy all the fabulous recipes from the community as Marion of Life Tastes Good hosts us all.

Breakfast

Bacon Jam Recipe by Life Tastes Good
Baked Ham, Egg and Cheese Sandwiches by Food Lust People Love
Breakfast Strata with Bacon and Date by Caroline’s Cooking
Broccoli Breakfast Bake by Cricket’s Confections
Classic Buttermilk Pancakes by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
Freezer-Friendly Breakfast Burrito by Brunch-n-Bites
Julia’s Mushroom Quiche – Quiche aux Champignons by An Appealing Plan
Nutty Sweet Potato Waffles by Wholistic Woman
Overnight Green Chile Breakfast Burritos by Cooking On The Ranch
Peanut Butter Chocolate Cereal Treat Bars by Crazed Mom
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes by Books n’ Cooks
Pumpkin French Toast Casserole by Moore or Less Cooking
Swedish Pancakes with Brown Sugar Bananas by Bottom Left of the Mitten
Waffle Fruit Kabobs by Home Sweet Homestead

Desserts

2-Minute Quick Fudge by Sunday Supper Movement
Classic Oatmeal Cookies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Heavenly Oreo Dessert by Confessions of a Cooking Diva
Peach Slab Pie by Pies and Plots

Snacks

BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders by Mindy’s Cooking Obsession
Better Than Anything Chex Mix by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
Caramel Corn by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Cobb Salad Dip by Food Done Light
DIY Grilled Cheese Bar by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Fluffernutter Puff Pastry Turnovers by The Weekend Gourmet
Make-It-Yourself Caramel Apple Bar by The Freshman Cook
Maple Fish Party Mix by Sew You Think You Can Cook
Midnight Chicken Nuggets by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
S’mores Snack Mix by Positively Stacey

September 28, 2016April 12, 2022

FALL FLEA – a virtual pop-up home decor market

Fall Flea :: Monday October 3rd through Sunday October 16th

Seasonal decorating of private homes + gatherings is my passion. I have even been told that creating personalized environments is my “special gift”. I LOVE it and intend to keep creating these for my clients but I started thinking…

Why keep all the good stuff to myself?

Why not share my seasonal finds with my online community so you can add personalized touches to your home too?

Well you have by now I am sure, heard about my Seasonal Home Box which is available 4 times a year ~ that will continue to be available, not to worry. But I wanted more. I wanted another opportunity to share my finds, especially my one of a kind finds, with you each season. For you to benefit from the hours I spend scouting seasonal trends and in the stores.

I am excited to announce my first virtual pop-up market, the #FallFlea!

For two weeks this Fall – Monday October 3rd through Sunday October 16th – you can shop the virtual pop-up market from your desk, train or couch! For two weeks only you will be able to purchase fall decor items from my personal collection, recent finds and new arrivals. There will be items for your home, table, and gatherings – all decor that I use in my own home, on client projects or simply a piece I couldn’t resist!

Items will be very limited, with some only having one in stock, so if you see something you must have add it to your cart ASAP before another market goer grabs it.

What do you have to do to be a part of the #FallFlea virtual pop-up market?

Mark your calendar and get on The List for updates and announcements leading up to and during the Fall Flea.SIGN ME UP

And of course be sure to share your #FALLFLEA finds on Instagram + Facebook for a chance to win a $50 gift card that can be used during the #WINTERFLEA!

September 20, 2016August 25, 2020

Mary’s Maine Bars l #OXOGoodCookies

Cooler days have me craving warm beverages, the cozy flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg + spice and getting back into the kitchen. But you know any time I am in the kitchen it is time for a get together with friends. The perfect excuse to host a tea party and bake up a batch of Mary’s Maine Bars.

Tea Party Menu

:: :: ::

Variety of Hot Teas

Smoked Salmon + Dill Tea Sandwiches

Cucumber + Butter Tea Sandwiches

Mary’s Maine Spice Bars

Yes, cooler weather alone is reason enough bake but when I learned about Cookies For Kids’ Cancer and the partnership between Dorie Greenspan + OXO I had to roll up my sleeves and dust off my apron.

“Cookies for Kids’ Cancer was founded by two OXO employees when their 2-year-old son was diagnosed with childhood cancer in 2007. Larry and Gretchen Witt pledged to support the funding of research for safer, more effective treatments for children battling cancer. With the help of 250 volunteers, Gretchen baked and sold 96,000 cookies, raising more than $400,000 for research.”

Each year, OXO continues to support the organization by donating $100,000 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. This year OXO is also working with bloggers to showcase cookie recipes and will donate $100 per blog post in support of the cause. OXO is highlighting cookies from Dorie Greenspan’s new book, Dorie’s Cookies, which features over 200 recipes from classics to brownies to savory cookies.

With the help of my OXO baking tools making Mary’s Main Bars was a breeze! I loved working with both the Glass 3 Qt Baking Dish with Lid and the Glass 2 Qt Baking Dish with Lid. Each is made from BPA-free borosilicate glass and can withstand extreme temperature changes. Generous handles and sloshproof lids make moving full dishes easier, and the clean, elegant design means you can take them from the oven directly to the family table.

And the Brownie Spatula made cutting and serving the bars easy and the perfect size for my tea party.

However, what I did not expect is how much I really enjoyed using the Illuminating Digital Hand Mixer! No joke. Who would have thought a light on the front of a blender would be that useful!! “With a light to guide you, OXO On Illuminating Digital Hand Mixer includes intuitive digital controls to steadily increase or decrease speed. When you’re finished, the on-board beater clip, wrap-and-secure cord, and flat, stable base allow for compact, upright storage.”

For a step-by-step demo of the Mary’s Maine Bar recipe, you can watch my video tutorial below. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel and never miss a recipe or design idea! {It’s free!}

[yumprint-recipe id=’35’]
Disclaimer Statement :: This post is being sponsored by OXO in a partnership with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer {OXO will generously donate $100 in my name during the program to reach their goal of $100,000 commitment}. I did NOT receive any compensation for this post, I received OXO baking tools to help me create Mary’s Main Bars by working smarter not harder.

WASSAIL defined

NOUN

VERB

Holiday Wassail Punch Recipe

MINI STUFFING MUFFINS RECIPE

Appetizers

Breakfast

Dessert

Mains

Sides

Soups

Squash versus Gourd versus Pumpkin :: what’s the difference?

Gourds.

Squash.

Pumpkin.

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF WHAT’S NEW IN THE FALL FLEA SHOP!

Give + Gather. Harvest Kitchen Towel

Quiche aux Champignons Recipe {Mushroom Quiche}

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

Breakfast

Desserts

Snacks

Fall Flea :: Monday October 3rd through Sunday October 16th

I am excited to announce my first virtual pop-up market, the #FallFlea!

Tea Party Menu

Variety of Hot Teas

Smoked Salmon + Dill Tea Sandwiches

Mary’s Maine Spice Bars

Quiche aux Champignons  Recipe {Mushroom Quiche}