Crafting A Blissful Bungalow

Featured cooking utensil of the month 👩🏼‍🍳 These are called offset spatulas and they come in different sizes. They are primarily used for icing and decorating cakes, but they’re also extremely useful for being able to get an even spread of whatever you’re working with - peanut butter, jam, mayonnaise, cake batter, etc. While making chocolate bark I used one which enabled me to get a consistent thickness for the bark!

What do you use this tool in the kitchen for? 🤔 Comment below!

Love Potion No. 9! 🍸 I gave you a sneak peak of this earlier in the month, but I served this one up to friends for a Galentine’s Day dinner and it was a hit! 

Chambord is a black raspberry liqueur. The recipe calls for strawberry flavored vodka, but regular vodka works nicely too. Head to the link in my bio for the full recipe!

Meet Patricia Svelnys! 👋🏻 About a year ago Ryan, her eldest grandson, came to her and said, “Geega, would you be willing to teach us how to make some of your best loved meals?”; that question started what is now a lovely Sunday night family tradition of cooking together!

Typically Pat plans out the meal earlier in the week. Sometime she shops for the ingredients, and other times, her grandkids do the shopping. Pat shared her recipe for bolognese sauce with me and I’m thrilled to be able to share it with you! She serves this delicious sauce over freshly made pasta 🍝

Head to the link in my bio for the full recipe!

If you enjoy a good cocktail, I highly recommend taking a mixology class! 🍸 It’s a lot of fun learning about various spirits you may not be familiar with, in addition to learning new techniques, and getting creative with garnishes! HUGE thank you to our friend and mixologist extraordinaire, Izzy! 🙌🏻 Swipe for the variety of cocktails that you can make at home! Full recipes are at the link in my bio!

After making 2 cocktails from our ‘Cocktail Mixology’ class syllabus at the Conservatory Bar at the Hotel, it was time for us to concoct our own! 🍸 Bill made his own take on a margarita using General Diaz Tequila, St Germain Liqueur, Cointreau, & fresh lime juice. I made one that I’m calling ‘the mixologist wanna be’ 😂 I used Pickering Lime & Ginger Gin, Bermuda Gold Liqueur, fresh lime juice, & simple syrup!

Swipe to the last photo to see the full class syllabus!

More Bermuda fun … 🌺 Bill arranged for us to a take a special cocktail mixology class which, was not only a wonderful surprise, we also had a ball! As you saw from my previous post, Izzy, the premier mixologist at The Conservatory Bar at the Hotel in Tucker’s Town, Bermuda, was the host of our workshop! Stay tuned to see what we concocted, smoke, shoot, and garnished!

Bill and I recently enjoyed a little get-away, and although it was warmer in my ‘happy place’, it wasn’t the usual sunny and 70 degree weather. So for any of you who are in the same mindset and could use a dose of the tropics, here’s some pics to take your mind off the weather!

Which travel destinations do you consider to be your ‘happy place’? Comment below!

Hello February! 💋 Also known as the shortest month on the calendar, yet we somehow pack a lot into it! I hope you all had an amazing Valentine’s Day spent with the ones you love!

Throwback to my tablescape I created when I hosted a Galentine’s Day ravioli making workshop a couple of years ago! I used a red table runner, real rose petals, fairy lights, and cylinder hurricanes with candles inside - very easy to pull together! 💕 You can also scatter those little heart shaped candies with ‘be mine’ written on them, on top of the table runner!

My February issue 2 newsletter is live on my blog! 🙌🏻 If you’re not already signed up to receive them, head to the link in my bio and subscribe! Lots of fun, interesting, and exciting content is shared that may just help you make each month the best one yet!

The Super Bowl is tomorrow so l’m sharing the 5 ‘tapas style’ nibbles on my menu! 🏈 Swipe to see the winners from my weeks of testing 🏆 Which one would you make?! Comment below!

Head to the link in my bio for the full recipes!

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#2024

Proud mom moment coming in… We couldn’t be more proud of our son and first responder, Charlie! 🚑 He was awarded the Bridgeport Hospital Excellence in EMS for Pre-Hospital Delivery where he ensured the safety of both the mother and baby, while successfully assisting in the delivery of a newborn in the prehospital setting! 🎉👏🏻

Cheers to all the others who were also awarded!

Culinary tip: have you ever come across a recipe that requires buttermilk? 🤔

Did you know you can easily make your own with just 2 ingredients you likely do have: lemons and milk! If you don’t have a lemon, you can use white vinegar. Measure out 1 scant cup of milk product of your choice and add 1 TBSP of freshly squeezed lemon juice or white vinegar. Mix throughly and let sit for 10 minutes. Mix again before using! Enjoy! 👏🏼

Many of you will recognize Mrs. Edgerton from the December newsletter. She just celebrated her 97th birthday and shows no signs of slowing down! 🎉 She is truly inspirational!! She recently shared with me that this is one of her most requested recipes, so I’m thrilled to be able to share it with all of you!

Head to the link in my bio for the full recipe ✨

Besides the ads, the best part about Super Bowl Sunday is the finger food! 🏈 Every year I try to put a ‘healthy’ spin on the nibbles, but let’s be honest; cheese, sour cream, bacon and sausage are a MUST! I’ll be testing recipes this week & next to see which ones will make it to our Super Bowl Menu this year 👀

What are your Super Bowl snack must-haves? Comment below 👇🏼

Meet Izzy! She is an extraordinary cocktail mixologist and I’m sharing her story in my next January newsletter issue. You won’t want to miss it!!


’s5:00somewhere!

This month I’m featuring my sister Julie’s grilled herb shrimp appetizer/hors d’oeuvre recipe! 🍤 Whenever she is asked to bring a dish to a gathering, nine times out of ten, the hostess asks her to bring this dish and boldly requests that she include a little extra that won’t be shared with her guests! Clever hostess!! 😂

Head to the link in my bio for the full recipe!

Hostess Gift Idea: Homemade Vanilla Extract! 🍦

Homemade Vanilla Extract serves as a unique and thoughtful housewarming gift, perfect for the person who loves to bake! It adds a warm and aromatic essence to their cooking space, making it a sweet and memorable gesture.

Head to the link in my bio for the full recipe! 🙌🏼

Hostess Gift Idea: Sugar & Spiced Candy Nuts! 🌰🥜

These make for a delightful housewarming gift, combining sweet and savory! This thoughtful treat not only adds a touch of warmth to the new home but also provides a tasty and versatile snack that can be enjoyed during celebrations or cozy moments at home.

Head to the link in my bio for the full recipe! 🙌🏼

Hostess Gift Idea: Chocolate Bark! 🍫

Chocolate bark makes for a delightful housewarming gift, combining the richness of premium chocolate with a medley of creative toppings like nuts, dried fruits, or swirls of contrasting chocolate. This sweet and visually appealing treat not only satisfies the recipient’s sweet tooth but also adds a touch of indulgence to their new home, making it a delicious and thoughtful gesture.

Head to the link in my bio for the full recipe! 👏🏼

Hostess Gift Idea: Limoncello! 🍋

Homemade limoncello is a vibrant and refreshing housewarming gift, infusing the new home with the zesty essence of freshly peeled lemons. This handcrafted citrus liqueur not only provides a taste of Mediterranean sunshine but also adds a touch of sophistication, making it a delightful and memorable present for the recipients to enjoy and share in their new space.

Head to the link in my bio for the full recipe!

I’m a firm believer that if you’ve received an invitation to someone’s home for a gathering, (large or small, formal or informal), it’s always nice to bring your hostess a little gift as your way of saying “thanks for inviting me!’’ 💐 While it’s totally acceptable to bring your hostess a store bought gift, why not take it up a notch and bring something you’ve made?

What type of hostess gift do you like to receive? Comment below!

I’m trying something new for January and I would love your input! 💭

Instead of one monthly newsletter, I’m going to divide it into 4 parts and send one email out each week. They will be shorter to read and still as informative with tips, techniques, and creative ideas for the home. Sign up to my newsletter at the link in my bio!

Another New Year’s ‘tradition’ that has 2 schools of thought is making resolutions for the new year ahead ✨

Personally, I don’t make resolutions. Instead, I like to set goals for the new year! To quote the Pirates of the Caribbean movie, “they’re more like guidelines” 👏🏼

Comment below some of your 2024 resolutions and/or goals! 👇🏼

Happy New Year + Hello January! 🥳 When it comes to ringing in the new year, which camp do you fall into?👇🏼

🌃 Are you one who loves the thought of being in Time Square with thousands of people waiting for the ball to drop?

OR

🛏️ Are you in bed well before midnight?

I happen to fall somewhere in the middle. I prefer small, cozy gatherings with good friends and family & if we make it to midnight, well, cheers to us! That is how Bill and I rang in the New Year this year!

Comment which one you are below!

This month I’m dehydrating different types of fruit slices to use in both my indoor and outdoor decorations 🍊🍋 I of course did my research across several blogs and they generally all had the same steps and suggestions. Since I do not have a dehydrator or an air fryer, I went with the traditional method of using my oven!

Have you ever thought about making your own dehydrated fruit decor? 🤔

Looking for a quick and easy app to impress all your guests? Try my Million Dollar Dip recipe! 😋 I brought it to a recent girls gathering and to say it was a hit is an understatement!

Head to the link in my bio for the full recipe! If you happen to make this, take a photo and DM it to me!

Happy New Years Eve! 🥂 Wishing you all a blissful new year filled with happiness, love, and success! I have lots of exciting things in the pipeline, so be sure to subscribe to my newsletter at the link in my bio!

Mrs. Edgerton generously agreed to share this treasured family recipe with me which goes back 4 generations! 👏🏼 I had a delightful conversation with her in the hopes I’d have all the pertinent details needed to make these delicious ravioli. Back in the day, the women making the pasta rolled it out by hand (no pasta machines for these ladies!) and this is how Mrs. Edgerton has always done it. No need to go to the gym after prepping this recipe! 🍝

Head to the link in my bio for the full recipe! If you happen to make this, take a photo and DM it to me!

When it comes to decorating our mantle, kitchen island, and dining room, I always make sure to decorate with a mix of fresh and faux greens as well as seasonal must-haves such as pine cones, fruits, and more! What staple pieces do you include in your mantle decor? Comment below!