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DESSERT

ENTERTAINING WITH CHARCUTERIE BOARDS: DESSERT EDITION

JOANNANo comment

Entertaining with charcuterie boards is one of my absolute favourite go-to tips when planning a party or gathering. They are very easy to put together because essentially anything can be used if you are sticking to similar flavours and items. I have seen some amazingly epic ones like this one from What’s Gaby Cooking and this one from How Sweet Eats if you are needing some fun inspiration. Today I want to go in a slightly different direction and talk about a type of charcuterie board that often gets overlooked, and that is the dessert charcuterie board! Can you imagine a full board filled with your favourite dessert items ever? Sounds like heaven to me!

My goal here at JMS is to share different companies and ideas from around the web for you to gather inspiration from and I am so excited to introduce you to Shari’s Berries and help showcase how they have put their own twist on dessert charcuterie boards.

Down below I have broken up the three main categories that you can take your dessert charcuterie boards in and each of them is filled with yummy goodness – I promise!

FRUIT LOVER

A large platter of fruits makes the perfect dessert especially if you are trying to keep things on the lighter side after a large meal! Depending on the season, the type of fruits can change drastically (summer = tropical and fall = harvest) and can completely change the theme of the charcuterie board, which is pretty neat. Also going with fresh fruit versus dried is a great way to change things up. The variations are endless and really provide a brand new dessert board each time for entertaining. Pairing fruit with some cheese, crackers and chocolate dipping sauce (my fav!)  rounds out the board for a fun dessert option.

Image via Shari’s Berries

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DRINKS

AUTUMN SANGRIA

JOANNANo comment

I am absolutely obsessed with sangria and cannot turn down a glass when it is offered! Personally, the sweeter the better from my perspective but all of them are equally delicious (red, white and rose). Whenever I go to a new restaurant/bar I enjoy trying out their version of the sangria that they offer. I am always surprised by the different flavour combinations one simple drink can provide.

Although typically the sangria cocktail is a summer drink (patio season is bliss), I wanted to bring it into the season with some additional fall flavours. Who wants to let go of a good thing just because the leaves are turning colour !? With the holiday season approaching, it is always a nice option to have on hand for drinks and sometimes even needed after all those family dinners (I kid – well maybe a little!) Bring on the autumn sangria I say! The more the better!

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TABLESCAPES THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING TABLESCAPE: OLIVE GREEN & GOLD THEME

JOANNANo comment

Thanksgiving is right around the corner here in Canada and it feels like it came quite early this year. Our traditions are pretty low key around this time of year, mainly involving getting together with family for the big ol’ turkey dinner (although half of us are vegetarian/vegans so the turkeys a little smaller nowadays!) and fitting in some fun Oktoberfest time. The city we are from celebrates Oktoberfest in a big way and we thoroughly enjoy it!

I love decorating for all holidays and seasons and Thanksgiving is no exception. Knowing the fall season was going to come in full force I wanted to start planning my Thanksgiving table early on. I am so excited to share this year’s Thanksgiving tablescape because I had the pleasure of coordinating with Kusala from Kukaru Designs on it! If you have not checked out Kusala’s website yet she provides tutorials on sewing and knitting and has various resources available on www.kukarudesigns.com. She also has a scrunchie tutorial that I have been eyeing and just may have to attempt shortly!

We started brainstorming this tablescape weeks ago and we knew we wanted to do something different than the typical fall colours. We both love the fall season and we’re excited to collaborate on this gorgeous tablescape! I hope you enjoy what we came up with because its really starting to feel like fall over here and we are in the celebrating mood. Check out all the fun details below!

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DRINKS

LAVENDER LEMONADE

JOANNA2 comments

Lavender is one of my favourite herbs/plants and I absolutely cannot stop myself from smelling it each time I walk by a some. Not only does it smell heavenly and comes in a beautiful purple colour, it also offers the body many health benefits. Did you know that lavender essential oil is great for reducing stress and anxiety as well as improving sleep? I love putting on my oil diffuser as I go to bed or smelling a lavender plant when I feel stressed. Lavender is also amazing for headaches, healing cuts & burns, and other body pain. If you have not had a chance to use lavender in your life I would greatly suggest it!

Along with its amazing health benefits, lavender is a great addition to recipes –  have you ever tried lavender shortbread cookies!? Soooo delicious! As it is summer time and I am trying to stay away from my oven as much as possible, I wanted to create a refreshing summer drink to enjoy. After going to our local lavender farm (more on that below) I was inspired by the beautiful lavender fields and the hot blazing sun! What better solution than to create a crisp, cold lavender lemonade drink! I absolutely love anything with lemon in it and the refreshing taste pairs great with the unique lavender flavour.

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DESSERT SUMMER FUN

GRILLED PEACHES – FOUR DIFFERENT WAYS

JOANNA2 comments

As you may have already guessed – one of my favourite summer activities is to barbecue anything and everything! I love the flavours and the whole process is fun and easy. Summer never truly feels like summer to me until we bust out that bbq and start grilling. My husband usually does all the grilling in the family which I am thankful for because it allows me to finish up a few additional items when company is coming over! Also he just makes it taste better! A few years back I discovered grilling fruits and we were hooked! Have you ever tried grilled pineapple? A MUST try!

This week I wanted to venture down the avenue of grilled peaches – my favourite fruit to grill. The warming of the peach just makes everything extra delicious-  think of peach cobbler or peach pie without the crust! Grilled peaches are an easy dessert to whip up and can be served in many different ways. I’ve compiled a few of my favourites below – I hope you get to try them out at your next bbq!

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