Babs

These chocolate covered strawberry jello shots are a little sweet, a little boozy, and perfect for Valentine’s Day! Let’s make them together 🍓🍫 INGREDIENTS 3 (16-oz.) containers of large strawberries 1 cup dark chocolate chips 1 cup white chocolate chips 2 tsp. refined coconut oil, divided 1 packet plain gelatin 1 cup boiling water 1 cup vanilla vodka To prepare the strawberries, slice off a piece of the side of each washed strawberry. Place strawberries in a cupcake/muffin tin to keep steady. You may need to fold paper towels to keep them steady until the gelatin congeals after you fill them. Use a small spoon to scoop out the middle section of your strawberry to make a little cup. A small spoon or small melon baller works wonderfully for this job. Combine one cup of boiling water with a pack of plain gelatin. Stir until no clumps appear. Add one cup of vanilla vodka to the gelatin mixture and stir to combine. Fill each strawberry with the vodka gelatin mixture (I use a teaspoon to fill them) and place the muffin tin in the refrigerator to allow the gelatin to congeal. This will take 2-3 hours. Add white chocolate chips to a bowl, and do the same for the dark chocolate chips. Add one teaspoon of coconut oil to each bowl. Heat each bowl in the microwave for 30-second intervals until melted, stirring in between each interval. It should take about 60 seconds total for each. Once the chocolate is melted, dip each strawberry into the chocolate and place it on wax or parchment paper. Then, put the tray in the fridge to cool and set the chocolate. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve! #ValentinesDay #chocolatecoveredstrawberries #jelloshots

Every year my daughter goes to a Holiday party and comes back raving about a self-serve carving station. I set out to find this special ham that is the centerpiece of the party. You will never believe where I found this incredible 14lb Serrano Ham. COSTCO! You can find the ham in the Holiday gift section and it comes with a stand, knife, and cover. If your friends don’t finish off this very special DIY charcuterie, it will last for four months on your countertop. It is an amazing addition to any Holiday table, especially for $99! Can you imagine receiving this as a gift?! #christmas #costcofinds

This is your sign to clean your dishwasher and washing machine filters! #CleanTok #appliances

My daughter’s family got hit hard with the stomach bug. Here's how to manage the vomit #1 If you’ve been exposed to the bug, cut off all red foods—red stains! Stick to bland foods. #2 Babs Barf Basket - Sandwich a glow stick between two garbage bags and place around a laundry basket. Put it near their bed (this works like a charm), especially at night #3 If they do miss…here’s how you get the vomit out of upholstery and rugs: Remove all excess vomit before cleaning. Sprinkle enough baking soda to cover the impacted area and let it sit for at least 20-30 minutes. Vacuum the baking soda up. Then, with a mixture of: - ¼ tsp dish soap - 1 tbsp white vinegar - 1 cup warm water Blot the stain and then sponge any excess residue away with cold water Save this for the next time the bug hits 🤢 #stomachbug

Dont be the one with the stinky house 🫶 come join the Babs community getting you one step closer to being your fullest self #CleanTok

🍸FIGITINI🍸 If you’re looking for the perfect holiday drink, this fig martini is it! With a hint of sweetness and a whole lot of holiday cheer, this recipe makes two delicious martinis. And here’s the best part: you can batch up to six martinis in a 750ml liquor bottle ahead of time. Just pour your drinks into the empty liquor bottle, pop it in the freezer, and you’re ready to serve whenever the festivities begin. Cheers to making spirits bright! 🍸✨ INGREDIENTS (for two martinis): 4 oz gin 2 oz Cointreau 2 heaping tbsp fig preserves 1 oz lime juice Splash of maple syrup (1/2 oz) INSTRUCTIONS: Chill your glasses as you’re preparing your drinks, and then when ready to serve, pour your martini into your frosty glasses! Combine all ingredients into your shaker and shake away (for about 15 seconds). Optional: garnish with a fresh fig and a sprig of rosemary. And of course, enjoy! #holiday #martini

These old-school cocktail meatballs never disappoint. They bring back a touch of nostalgia — of simpler times and simpler recipes that everyone loves! One of the best parts of this recipe for me is that they can sit on the buffet or counter in the crockpot, and everyone can just help themselves. This year, I am taking it back to simpler times—even when it comes to appetizers! Enjoy. They are so easy and so yummy! INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup grape jelly 3/4 cup chili sauce 1 (24 oz) package of frozen meatballs INSTRUCTIONS: Combine grape jelly and chili sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker. Whisk until somewhat smooth. Pour in the frozen meatballs. Use a spoon to coat the meatballs in the sauce. Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or on LOW for 4 hours. When meatballs are heated through, turn the slow cooker to warm. Serve and enjoy!

✨Sugar Cookie Countertop Cake ✨ This Sugar Cookie Countertop Cake is the perfect cross between a sugar cookie and a cake. Why choose between two favorites when you can have both? This Sugar Cookie Countertop Cake is soft, buttery, and the perfect sweet treat for the holidays. It’s an all-in-one countertop sheet cake. The buttercream frosting has the perfect amount of sweetness, too! I do love a sugar cookie, but this cake is so much easier! Just leave it on the counter and watch it disappear. This countertop cake is famous in my family every holiday season, and I think it will likely be famous in your family this year. Don’t forget the sprinkles! INGREDIENTS: 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1 ¼ cups sugar 4 large eggs (one egg separated) 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 1 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp fresh lemon juice FROSTING: 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1/4 tsp salt 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted 3-4 tsp heavy cream 2 tsp vanilla extract INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 15x10” pan with baking spray. To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat one room-temperature egg white until stiff peaks form. Set aside. Switch to the paddle attachment on the stand mixer and cream together the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla (there is no need to clean the bowl). Turn the mixer off, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, turn the mixer on, and mix until the dough forms. Next add in your egg white (that you set aside) to the batter and fold in. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake at 350° F for 11-13 minutes, until very lightly golden and almost set in the middle. Lean towards undercooking, as it will continue to cook when cooling. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 1 hour. While the cake is cooling, add the frosting ingredients to the bowl of the stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and whip together for about 1 minute or more until light and fluffy. Check the consistency and add more cream if needed. Set aside until ready to use. Once the cake is cool, frost with the Fluffy Vanilla Frosting. Decorate with Holiday sprinkles, cut into squares, and serve. #christmas #sugarcookie

🍒 BABS BOOZY CHERRIES 🍒 Soaked in rum, dipped in chocolate, and ready to elevate your New Years Eve party! Sweet, boozy, and oh-so-irresistible, you won’t be able to have just one… INGREDIENTS: Maraschino Cherries Spiced Rum Candy Melts Glitter Sprinkles INSTRUCTIONS: Drain your cherries and cover with some spiced rum (you could even use bourbon). Refrigerate for at least four hours. For extra boozy cherries, you can leave them in the fridge overnight. When the cherries are done marinating in the spiced rum, remove the cherries and let them dry on a paper towel. Microwave your candy melts (you can use milk chocolate or dark), and make sure you melt in 30 second intervals. The chocolate should be ready in about a minute and a half. Dip each cherry by its stem in the chocolate, and immediately decorate with sprinkles. Happy New Year! 🥂 #newyearseve

Feeling sick? Here are three things MY Mom would do to make us feel better back in the 1950’s and now, I am sharing them with you! First, she would make a nice bowl of Pastina. Here’s how she would make it: INGREDIENTS ¾ c dry pastina (you can use any small pasta, I use Acini di Pepe) 3 c chicken broth 2 tbsp salted butter ½ cup grated parmesan cheese. INSTRUCTIONS Boil your chicken broth, add the pastina and then salted butter. Bring to a simmer and after about 9 minutes your pastina will be ready to serve, just add your parmesan cheese! Second, she would make a mustard plaster. Slowly add water to 1 part water and 1 part dry mustard. Spread the paste onto a soft cloth (can be an old t-shirt or any old cloth). Fold the cloth in half and then apply it to your chest and/or back for up to 15 minutes. Remove the plaster and wash the area with warm water. *You can apply Olive Oil or Coconut Oil to the area where you apply the cloth to avoid burns Third, she always told us to gargle with salt water if we had a scratchy throat. All you need is 1 tsp of salt in a cup of warm water (let it dissolve), and gargle away! XO, Babs

Here are six things never to do with your tree this holiday season. 🌲Never toss that little piece of wood from the Christmas tree trunk after sawing the base off. Save it for an ornament! Mark the year for a meaningful tradition year after year. 🌲Never decide on a tree without tapping it on the ground. If needles don't fall off, that means you have a fresh tree! 🌲Never let your tree run out of water. Water your tree twice a day - especially the first two weeks after you get the tree. If you don't add water, the sap can build up in the trunk causing a sap cap to form which will prevent the tree from drinking water. 🌲Never place the tree near heat sources - fireplace, heating vent, and even direct sunlight. The heat will dry out your tree in no time. 🌲Never take your Christmas tree down before January 6 - January 6 is Little Christmas —the real end of the season. Enjoy it to the fullest! 🌲Never vacuum your tree needles with a regular vacuum, either sweep them up or use a heavy duty shop vac. Use a broom or a shop vac to avoid damaging your vacuum. 🌲Never forget to recycle your tree! Check out local recycling centers or nonprofits. Some Boy Scout troops offer a pickup service for a small donation. Are you making these Christmas tree mistakes? #christmas #christmastree

Replying to @Amanda Kelley110 THE BABS BARF BASKET! Perfect for those who are struggling with the stomach flu. Sandwich a glow stick between two garbage bags and place around a laundry basket. Put it near their bed (this works like a charm), especially at night. #sick #stomachbug

@brunchwithbabs on instagram but here to stay too 🥲 #savetiktok

Here are three simple holiday traditions you can start today, December 5th, with your family! 👟Eve of St. Nicholas Day: The night of December 5th, which is the night before the feast of St. Nicholas, became a time for children to leave out shoes by the front door or fireplace in anticipation of small gifts —mirroring St. Nicholas’s secretive giving. By morning, St. Nicholas may leave little surprises like trinkets and candy. The tradition emphasizes appreciation for simpler times when a modest gift could bring so much happiness. Such a sweet way to embrace a tradition full of wonder and joy! 📜Paper Chains: Create festive paper chains using wrapping paper or paper from vintage books. Perfect for decorating or counting down the days to Christmas. It’s fun for all ages and it’s very therapeutic — even for me! 🕯Advent Wreath: The Advent Wreath is a way to countdown the Sundays before we celebrate the birth of Christ. The first (purple) candle represents hope, the second (purple) candle represents faith, the third (pink) candle represents joy, the fourth (purple) candle represents peace, and the fifth (white) candle, placed in the center, represents the light of Christ and can be lit on Christmas Eve. These are a few of my favorite ways to make the holidays extra special. Do you do any of these? Let me know in the comments! #christmas #holidaytraditions

Keep track of your paint colors the easy way — write the name on the back of your switch plate in each room. No more guessing! Plus, if you're going to sell your house, the new homeowners will thank you for this one. If you are saving paint just for the name of it, this is the perfect way to dispose of it (and declutter your space!). How to dispose of your paint: Oil-Based: never pour it down the drain, instead, bring it to a local hazardous waste disposal site Water-Based: you can let it dry out completely if there is a small amount of paint left (once dry, you can throw it in your regular trash)...if you have a lot of paint left, take it to a hazardous waste disposal site if no longer needed. BABS TIP: if you have a large amount of one color, donate it to a local school or community center! #paintcolors #Home

I could use your help! The one thing we're unsure of is the great room's stain. Should we stain it closer to the stair color (a bit darker, not as warm), paint it cream, or leave it? I think it's finally safe to say we have a month left until the Basket House is ready This was my first renovation, and I've learned so much. What do you think so far? Our biggest goal was to keep that 1800's charm. Also, to clarify we are putting built-in pull out beds in the loft area for my older grandkids #baskethouse #thebaskethouse

Last weekend, we flew back home to Chicago for a special weekend that's been on Mr. Bab's mind and his heart for a long time. We got to attend a Bears game as a family. It was so beautiful being home. We also got to celebrate my sister's 80th birthday, I had a luncheon with life long friends and a few college sorority sisters I had not seen for over 55 years, we visited our Chicago family and along with our kids coming to the game, some of our Chicago family came as well. #chicago #homesweethome

This time of year can feel like a whirlwind. There is so much to do and so little time to do it. If you are rushing through the holiday season and not enjoying it, it may be time to return to simple ways to celebrate. Indeed, years from now, the simple traditions you do are likely the times you will remember most, like riding around in the car to see Christmas lights. These next few weeks, I urge you to scale back and do what makes you and those around you feel joyous - not because you have to but because you want to. Maybe it's time to simplify things and focus on what's around the tree and not under the tree to quote a commercial l've seen recently). Maybe plan a movie night snuggled with the ones you love most, with everyone in pj's immediately after dinner, sipping a cup of hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies. Maybe simple things like this one evening you'll remember years from now. I'm here for you, and I'm giving you permission to keep it simple, slow down, and be in the moment. Sending holiday blessings to my online family! #merrychristmas #grandma #advice

I have been making this cheeseball for over 40 years. It is a mainstay in my cookbook Celebrate with Babs. At Christmastime, instead of rolling the cheeseball in pecans, I roll the cheeseball in pomegranate seeds. I add a simple Rolo and a bow! The effect is show-stopping and always makes a splash on the Christmas appetizer spread. 2 (8oz) pkgs cream cheese, softened 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese 1 tbsp finely chopped pimentos 1 tbsp finely chopped green pepper 1 tbsp finely chopped yellow onion ½ chopped pecans (optional) 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp lemon juice Dash of cayenne pepper Dash of salt Seeds from 1-2 pomegranates 1 Rolo and Bow for ornament topper Crackers to serve In the bowl of a stand mixer (you can use a hand mixer, food processor or do this by hand) fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together cream cheese and cheddar cheese until well blended. Add pimentos, green pepper, onion, pecans, (optional) Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, cayenne, and salt until well combined. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about one hour or until chilled. Once chilled, shape it into a ball. Roll the ball in pomegranate seeds until well covered. Top cheeseball with Rolo and bow. Serve with crackers. Enjoy! #merrychristmas #christmas

A love letter to my younger self. 💌 #coffeeshop #youngerself #selflove