Superbowl and Valentines Day

Don't be caught with out your "BIG GAME" Grub next weekend.... There is still time for Shrimp Trays, Veggie Trays, Meat and Cheese Trays! Just let me know...

Also Valentines Day is 16 days away! Place your orders now!!!!!!!!! There are pics below to show you what I have!

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Time has gone by way too fast this week. I have been on vacation all week cleaning and tearing down the Christmas decorations. I am sure everyone has some sort of plans this evening. Whether you are spending it with family or friends please remember to enjoy yourself and please drink responsibly.

I am sure that there are going to be a few resolutions going around as well. I started my resolution 3 weeks ago by starting a lo-carb diet. This has been the only way to lost weight for me (along with exercise) in the past.... Weight watchers and low fat diets do not seem to work. So I am beginning the journey again that I started 6 years ago. I am doing the Kris' version of the Atkins/South Beach Diet. The good news is that I have a 3 week jump on everyone else....(Going into my 4th next week). And down 12 lbs! ( which I am sure was water, so you can't tell!) So resolution #1 is too obviously loose some weight. #2 is to spend more time with family! I have really enjoyed the 2 years I have been back with my mom and dad. We have done a lot of things together that I probably wouldn't normally do if I still had my own place. I want 2011 to be special for them.... I do not want to relive the beginning of 2010 again.

2010 did not get off to a good start when my friend Cathie passed away in January. As time went by it was harder to imagine life without her here. I would think that she was not gone and go to pick up the phone and remember she was gone. She was in her mid-fifties and had a heart of gold. She was a great friend, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister. She was soo loved by everyone that she came in contact with. It is still hard to believe that she is gone.

Despite the fact that I lost a very dear friend I did end January on a positive note, I received a promotion at work. However I really did not get a chance to do my job all year until the last quarter. A summer filled with a hurt knee and a different route every week due to the fact that we were 4 men down didn't stop me from making my dream a reality. In July I did a something I have not done in about 6 years. I catered a party. It made me feel alive! I smiles on peoples faces when they come up to you and say this was the best food I have ever had! It makes you feel good!

The fall came and we were back on board at work by getting fully staffed. I was a little more relaxed until the bomb got dropped that they were possibly eliminating my position at work. I freaked at first and then I decided it is was it is. (I dislike that saying) So I decided that I had a few orders for Thanksgiving treats so I posted some pics on FB and boy did the orders start rolling in... Time went by too fast and soon it was Christmas and I had orders for then also. I am starting on making some valentines day ideas and posting them so people can order! I am excited to see what 2011 holds for me. So I hope this finds all of you a Happy and Healthy New Year!

And as always Mangia!

Holiday Baking

Last week I was on a roll... Holiday Baking has begun.... Made everything under the sun... Christmas Cut-Outs, 5 Chipper, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Cashew Drops, Covered Chocolate Cherry Cookies, Snicker Doodles, Chocolate Butterscotch Fudge w/Nuts, Russian Tea Cakes, Lemon Truffles, Cookie Dough Truffles, Peanut Clusters, Carmel Truffles and lets not forget the Chocolate Ho-Ho Yule Log!

Let me help with your holiday baking and party needs!

27 days until Christmas!~

Christmas orders will be taken until December 17th!  So please order early:

Ideas for Chritmas treats:

Cake Truffels
Cookie Dough Truffles
Krispie Truffles
Chocolate Covered Nuts
Almond Joys
Peanut butter balls

Christmas Cut-Outs
Molasses
Snicker Doodles
5 chipper
Chocolate Chip bars
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cashew Drops
Pumpkin Drops
Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
Peanut butter Kisses
Peanut butter Chocolate Chip
Magic Bars
Milky Way or Snicker Cookies


Chocolate Covered Chex Mix
Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Assorted Breads: Pumpkin, Banana, Blueberry and Coffee cake bread.

Cheesecake, Ho-ho cake, Orange delite cake, Lemon cake, Raspberry cake, Coconut cake! Pumpkin rolls, Brownies, Assorted desserts: Oreo, peanut butter pie dessert and Lemon Lush....Mini Cheesecakes....Fruit Pizza. Individual Fruit pizzas...

And the list continues....If you are having a holiday party and you need some appetizers let me know....

PLEASE SEND MESSAGES TO MY INBOX OR EMAIL! 

THANKSGIVING WAS A GREAT SUCCESS, THANKS TO ALL THAT ORDERED!

Turkey Day countdown~~ TWO WEEKS FROM THURS~!** Don't forget to order your pumpkin rolls!

OK so no one is probably running around like a chicken with it's head cut off yet.  You can still be prepared.... There is still time....  start shopping this week..... For those of you that have a Kroger there are some excellent deals out there with their MEGA SALE this week and if you clip coupons you can seriously pay nothing... which you should, you all say that you don't have time but come on people multi task..... I can be on Facebook and clip coupons at the same time. Here are some websites to go to..... coupons.com, ppgazette.com, smartsource.com and many more.  There are alot of couponing blogs out there too that update on FB! 

So let's head out to the grocery store and buy your non perishable items and remember the Coca-Cola of course ;-)

Mangia~

Taking Orders~

Thanksgiving is coming quick and I am getting slammed with holiday orders.  So anyone wanting pumpkin rolls, cookies, breads or cakes Let me know....No job too big or small, just want to make sure I have everyone taken care of in a timely fashion. Send messages to my inbox or email. Thanks!
Please leave me your E-mail address in my inbox so that I can e-mail you a menu!
Mangia~

TURKEY DAY COUNTDOWN~

Well good day everyone, oh how I missed you!  I thought the perfect way to get back to the blog is to chat about our upcoming fav holiday in the Brandi fam and that is Turkey Day!~
My mom is the most organized woman when it comes to planning a holiday gathering.  She will start making her plans, for dinner at my sisters in a few days.....and everything I have learned was taught to me by who else?  Mom! 
So to those out there that maybe having their 'first' Thanksgiving Dinner or to those that want to get more organized.  Here are some tips for you!
*  3 weeks before----- Let's think about how much space to you actually have.  Do you have a double oven?  Do you have a spare fridge in the basement or garage?  Start planning your menu.  How much can you make ahead? How much will have to stored?  Are you cooking the turkey in the oven or on the Weber grill?  We began cooking the turkey on the Weber grill because we had no more room in the oven.  It turns out so nice and juicy!  Now if you are cooking the turkey in the oven you have to choose recipes that will fit in the oven with the turkey and cook at the same temperature.
----If your guests ask what they can bring, answer very carefully.  Where are you going to put it, while socializing?  In the fridge that is full?  Is the spare fridge full?  Or maybe it will be cold enough to set outside or in the garage.   If your fridge and oven will be full then let them bring dished you can heat or reheat in the microwave.  Or have them bring something that can be brought in a crock-pot.  Or better yet, have them bring the rolls from the bakery or fresh homemade bread!
---Let's start making the list of menu items. Note off to the side how long those specific dishes take to bake.  What time should you put them in the oven.  Keep this handy for Turkey Day also.
2 weeks before----Start shopping.  Ok I know you think I am crazy however I of all people know what it is like in these stores the week prior.  So please save yourself the hassle and please start shopping now.  You can buy your non-perishable groceries this week.  Buy the turkey this week.  I am sure there are some deals. If not who really cares how much it cost for a little sanity?  Also, pick up some extra storage containers and zip-loc baggies! 
4 days before---  Start thawing your turkey.  You have no clue how many people do buy in advance and try to thaw out the day of Thanksgiving.  ALLOW 24 HOURS FOR EVERY 4 POUNDS.  SO A 15-16 POUND TURKEY WILL TAKE 4 DAYS TO THAW IN THE FRIDGE!
3-2 days before---  Final shopping.  Buy your veggies and perishables and anything you forgot.  Remember the stores are open in the AM on Thanksgiving but seriously you should be organized.  You can also set your table.  Cover with a clean old sheet.  Also, buy some extra carrots and celery and other items that you may need to make Turkey Noodle Soup!  PS don't forget the garnishes, parsley or kale for a veggie tray, napkins or of course the Coca-Cola!
1 day before---  Make ahead day.  Mashed potates, dressing, salad dressing, sides, desserts and breads.  Check out my sample menu.
TURKEY DAY--  Double check your list.  What time does the turkey have to go into the oven or grill?  Prep your turkey and start your appetizers.
What is on the Brandi Menu for TURKEY DAY? -- this is our standard menu
Turkey of course on the Weber grill.
Dad's secret homemade Italian Dressing.  I changed the name to Wop loaf.   My grandma use to stuff the turkey with this dressing, however we make it in loaf pans as serve it sliced.
Mom's homemade dressing.  She has put a little twist on it now and has added Italian Sausage and it is so yummy.
Make a head mashed potatoes.
Sweet Potatos
Corn Casserole (like corn bread)
Gravy
cranberries (for my mom yuck)
Salad with homemade Italian Dressing
Rolls from Hamilton Bakery!
Dessert--- My brother in law makes homemade pumpkin and pecan pie.  I wonder if my friend Barb will make me a Lemon merigue pie since the whole family will be here this year!
I will make some truffles and I think I will attempt a Pumkin Roll.....
Need any other pointers let me know~

Well as always Mangia!~