Peter Pan Set Design by Jeanne Benedict

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Many have noticed that I’ve been “away” from my on line life for a little while. I’ve been being a mom! Or rather, volunteering my artistic abilities to design and construct the set of Peter Pan at my son’s school along with my TV set decorator husband, John Sparano. It’s been great and very rewarding. […]

April 3, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Jeanne on TODAY Show for St. Patrick’s Day (video)

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I had the pleasure of spending St. Patrick’s Day in New York, first with an appearance on the TODAY Show followed by activities at the famed parade and infamous pubs. I had a blast, especially with the antics of the TODAY Show’s guest host, Olivia Munn, who decided to spend her hour on the show […]

April 2, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Irish Whiskey Balls (no-bake cookies)

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These deliciously soused no-bake cookies are my St. Patrick’s Day version of bourbon balls, both of which I did on the TODAY Show. Here’s the St. Pat’s video clip with guest co-host Olivia Munn sitting in for Kathie Lee Gifford. Munn was hilarious and a tad tipsy from too many balls and brew. 1 cup […]

April 1, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

St. Patrick’s Day Pizza

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My favorite St. Patrick’s Day snack from here on out! This pizza features corned beef and cabbage (ala Reuben Sandwich style) perfect for the holiday. This recipe was a big hit with my husband as well as hosts of the TODAY Show, Hoda Kotb and guest-host for Kathie Lee Olivia Munn, who filled up on […]

April 1, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Mashed Potato Martini Bar

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Mashed Potato Martini Bars have been a popular party station for years at Los Angeles events and elsewhere. Invidual servings of mashed potatoes are set out in Martini glasses and small bowls of toppings are placed nearby for guests to tailor-make their taters. The photos for this dish are from my St. Patrick’s Day appearance […]

April 1, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Super Bowl Cupcakes

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Bring on the sporty sweets to compete with the spicy fare on most Super Bowl party tables by trying these cupcake ideas for your Big Game Day!  These cupcakes are some of my favorites! For the Beer Cupcake, I printed a photo of beer on to photo paper and wrapped it around a cupcake topped with mini marshmallows and frosting. For the Ref […]

January 25, 2011 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Christmas Ornament Cupcakes

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My daughter and I made these cupcakes for her school Christmas party. The ideas was inspired by a cupcake from my friend Tammy Massman-Johnson’s book, “Kids in the Holiday Kitchen.” It’s a great book for kids and my daughter flagged just about every page adding her own ideas to the awesome ones in the book! This baking […]

December 17, 2010 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Bourbon Ball No Bake Cookies

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My holiday hostess gift is always boozey cookies. Some times I make them into a Christmas tree (think croquembouche shape using a Stytofoam cone, toothpicks, and the ball cookies) and sometimes I packed them into a sweet little bag with a label urging, “Don’t eat and drive.” Seriously, they pack quite a punch, but they […]

December 17, 2010 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Jeanne’s Holiday Cocktail Segment on the TODAY Show (video)

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Third times a charm! This was my third appearance on the TODAY Show since June, and I feel like a kid on Christmas! Not only did I get to do the “teaser” for my Holiday Cocktail segment with the one and only Donny Deutsch, I was able to experience the magic of Christmas at Rockefeller […]

December 14, 2010 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Flocked Christmas Trees

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A “flocked” Christmas tree means to snow it up! This year, my kids really wanted a white Christmas tree and after visiting a few tree lots, we found that these white wonders can be scarce. Sure, we could have used a spray-on snow, but ya’ know, with the holidays, school, and work – we wanted things to be easy. Then we […]

December 13, 2010 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Nutcracker Cupcake

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What fun I had making an army of Nutcracker Cupcakes ready to take on the Mouse King and all others in the famed Christmastime tale! Nutcrackers used to be so expensive, and now it seems that just about every stylish budget store (read Target) has a collection of them sporting a variety of themes. My daughter […]

December 6, 2010 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Frozen Cranberry-Mint Ice Wreath in a Wine Cocktail

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I love it when guests just drop by my home during the holidays, and I always keep a few specialty food and drink items on hand to make things a bit more merry! These Frozen Cranberry-Mint Ice Wreaths are ideal in a wine cocktail, such as this one, which is like a holiday white wine sangria. […]

December 5, 2010 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Homemade Egg Nog with Bourbon-Chocolate Glazed Cookie Ornament Garnish

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Egg nog is the quintessential Christmas tree trimming cocktail! Wether you whip up a batch from scratch using this recipe or pick up store-bought eggnog, add a fun touch like the cookie ornament that I’ve decorated the glass handle with as demonstrated in the Holiday Cocktail segment I did on the TODAY Show with Kathie […]

December 1, 2010 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Bloody Mary Christmas Cocktail

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Being more salty than sweet, I’m all about the Bloody Mary cocktail on Chrsitmas morning with a huge plate of Eggs Benedict. The red and green garnish is super easy to do and makes this cocktail beyond festive! 2 tablespoons minced red pepper (patted dry of juices) 2 tablespoons coarse or kosher salt Lime wedge, plus […]

December 1, 2010 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Holiday Cocktail

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A favorite holiday recipe of mine,  I make a big pot of this Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Christmas cocktail for all my winter parties. Guests love the marshmallow garnish, which you can make by dipping it in white or dark chocolate and then in sprinkles, chopped nuts, or chocolate shavings as pictured. This was included […]

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December 1, 2010 CONTINUE READING THIS POST →

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