Christmas In July
Janice Weinsoff2024-07-18T11:02:10-04:00Isn't Christmas Six Months Away? It's summertime, and while most enjoy the sunny weather, traveling, and outdoor activities, I can't stop thinking about [...]
July 4th Food
Janice Weinsoff2023-06-15T17:09:34-04:00Food for the Fourth When you think of July 4th food, what comes to mind? Traditionally, it's all about the dogs, burgers, chicken & ribs, baked bean [...]
Red, White & Beautiful Fourth of July Tablescape
Janice Weinsoff2023-06-15T17:05:05-04:00What are your plans? The Fourth of July is just around the corner. What better way to celebrate America's independence than with a sparkling tablescape? [...]
It’s Dad’s Day
Janice Weinsoff2022-06-09T12:54:59-04:00Celebrating the Special Dad in Your Life It’s dad’s turn to take the spotlight. On June 19th, it’s time to grab the craft beer, cigars, and golf clubs a [...]
Mother’s Day
Janice Weinsoff2022-08-04T16:09:49-04:00Mom Life I have been a mom to two daughters for half my entire life. It's a role I cherish. And, I'm fortunate that my mom, who just turned 90, is in d [...]
An Amazing Thai Inspired Dish
Janice Weinsoff2021-03-02T10:04:20-05:00Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp in Coconut Milk My daughters love to introduce me to food bloggers. The most recent introduction is the website Half-Baked Ha [...]
Our 2022 Hanukkah Tree
Janice Weinsoff2022-12-06T16:24:07-05:00Light, laughter, and lots of latkes This is my third year putting up a holiday Hanukkah tree. Yes, I have adopted a Christmas custom and applied it to H [...]
Why I Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Janice Weinsoff2022-02-24T13:45:46-05:00Valentine’s Day. A day to let others know you love them whether a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, friends - whomever you want to send a little love. As far back as I can remember, I always celebrated Valentines' Day; it was a tradition I grew up with and continued when I became a mom.
Are You Ready for Hallmark Holiday Movies?
Janice Weinsoff2023-10-27T14:30:42-04:00This was my first Hallmark experience so I had no idea they had a whole arsenal of movies. There were winter-themed movies, Valentine’s Day, of course, Spring, Summer, Wedding, Fall Harvest, and then the anticipated 7 night Thanksgiving event leading up to Christmas. I could now spend the entire year sucked into the Vortex of Hallmark.
Charcuterie Boards That Are Works of Art
Janice Weinsoff2020-12-08T08:50:08-05:00I am not sure if you noticed, but charcuterie boards are all the rage. My young adult daughters have been making charcuterie boards for years. My nephew has one almost every Friday with wine (according to his IG stories); he loves them so much, I recently bought him a large bamboo cheese board with serving tools. Head to Instagram and search under #charcuterieboard and you are bound to see some works of art. A typical charcuterie, the word derived from the French words that mean flesh and cooked, consists of mainly meats and cheeses. These boards have progressed to some of the most decadent and sweet hot cocoa holiday charcuterie boards.
2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Michelle Balaun2023-11-13T12:48:07-05:00I cannot believe that the holidays are approaching. For those that celebrate Hannukah, the first night is December 19th with Christmas less than a week later. I don’t know about you, but my email and actual mailbox, is filled with catalogs and discount coupons. Black Friday deals are out earlier than they have ever been. The shopping season has begun.
2022 Thanksgiving Table Decor
Michelle Balaun2024-10-14T13:27:10-04:00In case you did not already know, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year even in Florida. Sure there is no fall foliage minus the brown palm fronds that seem to drop this time of year and, in my 48 years of living down here, the weather typically is in the high 70’s or low 80’s. Even with the lack of fall colors everywhere, the holiday still holds a special place in my heart. Throughout my entire life, my mom has always hosted Thanksgiving dinner. We were welcome to include friends that did not have a place to celebrate. My mom would find a way to make tables fit even if it meant moving furniture out of the way (that’s a whole other story).
Happiest Time of the Year
Michelle Balaun2022-10-03T13:26:37-04:00We are approaching what is considered to be the happiest time of the year...Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, other holidays, New Year’s… for many of us, it is a time of joy, reflection, and family. Holidays can also be a very difficult time for those who are alone and those who have lost someone. I was raised in a family that always welcomed friends to share in our family holiday time so now to be facing the holidays while trying to balance protecting our matriarchs in the family, is forcing us to redefine how we celebrate.