Everyday Celebrations From Scratch

By Maria Provenzano

Spend time together as a family making fun crafts, baking delicious treats, and building memories for years to come. Elevate the ordinary and make every day special with your kids.

Everyday Celebrations from Scratch is filled to the brim with impressive (yet ridiculously easy) recipes, step-by-step craft tutorials, and inspirational ideas to set the scene--all to help you create the life and memories you want. Each section of the book provides inspiration for both food and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, so you can invest minimum time for maximum impact!

Discover how fun it can be to . . . 

Celebrate Weeknight Meals with:

• Delicious, fun meals and desserts like loaded veggie nachos, creamy Tuscan salmon, and homemade waffle cone dessert tacos
• Fun DIY projects like painted and personalized place mats and homemade confetti
• Tips for how to make breakfast boards, upgrade your takeout, or how to have family fun by intentionally making a mess!

 

Celebrate Family with:

• Creative kid time that incorporates fun treats like ice cream in a bag with homemade sprinkles
• Family picnics with DIY personalized tables and yummy fruit and brownie Kabobs
• Tasty family favorite recipes like mom's German pancakes and chocolate peanut butter bonbons

 

Celebrate Friendship with

• Creative DIY crafts like custom bookmarks for your reading club or wine glass tags for a girl's night in
• Tips for grazing boards and book club topics
• Delectable treats to savor together like angel food cake trifle in a wine glass or sparkling blackberry mint water.

 

Celebrate Sports with:

• Tips for tailgate success or planning a winning field day
• DIY crafts to cheer on your team and celebrate like canvas banners, trophies, or felt pennants
• Yummy treats like fried pickles and dips, caprese pasta salad, or chicken kabobs

 

Celebrate Seasons with:

• Outdoorsy DIY projects camp signs or flannel drink sleeves and coasters
• Tips for backyard campout success or how to make a snow day fun
• Satisfying seasonal treat recipes like grilled corn salad, pumpkin pizza, and turkey chili

 

Everyday Celebrations from Scratch gives you the ideas and inspiration you need to make every moment count with your family. Everyday celebrations are the foundations of memories that last a lifetime, and now you will have what you need to get started and see just how easy it can be!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Jun 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9780785245797

Maria Provenzano

Maria Provenzano is a lifestyle expert who loves inspiring others through crafting and unique recipes. She believes in all things homemade and hopes to encourage others to add a bit of creativity (and fun!) to every day.  Maria is the creator of the site FromScratchwithMaria.com and has had recipes published in numerous magazines, including Bake from Scratch Magazine, Taste of Home, Luxe Life Magazine, and Focus Magazine. She has also been featured on such sites as The Local Moms Network, LaurenConrad.com, Refinery 29, CafeMoms, and Giada De Laurentiis’s Giada: A Digital Weekly.  On Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family, Maria shares her love of homemade crafts, food, and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. As a mother, she also loves to inspire families to come together through crafting with kids. A native of the Great Lakes State of Michigan, Maria graduated from Florida State University with a BA in theatre and moved to Los Angeles after completing her degree. She is a wife and a mom to two happy boys, and she loves yoga, a great cup of coffee, and spending time with her family.  Maria is a lover of all things crafty and is obsessed with cooking and feeding those around her. She is self-taught--and mom-taught, taking inspiration from the most imaginative, organized, detail-oriented person she knows: her mom! Her hope is to inspire others to be hands-on in their own lives. Follow Maria on Instagram @fromscratchwithmaria.

Book preview

Everyday Celebrations From Scratch

© 2022 Maria Provenzano

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published by Harper Horizon, an imprint of HarperCollins Focus LLC.

Any internet addresses, phone numbers, or company or product information printed in this book are offered as a resource and are not intended in any way to be or to imply an endorsement by Harper Horizon, nor does Harper Horizon vouch for the existence, content, or services of these sites, phone numbers, companies, or products beyond the life of this book.

Photography by Leslie Grow and Bree McCool.

ISBN 978-0-7852-4579-7 (Ebook)

ISBN 978-0-7852-4578-0 (HC)

Epub Edition April 2022 9780785245797

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021950349

Printed in South Korea

22 23 24 25 26 SAM 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To my parents and my grandpa Provenzano. Thank you for teaching

me to connect through food, for always inspiring me to be

creative, and for instilling in me the importance of family.

And to my husband and boys, who give me something to celebrate every day.

CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Maria’s Favorites for Celebrating Every Day

Part 1: Celebrating Weeknight Meals

Making Messes Monday

Taco Tuesday

Pasta Wednesday

Takeout Thursday

Friday Fete

Wonderfully Sweet Weekend

Part 2: Celebrating Family

You’ve Got This Power Breakfast

Creative Kid Time

Family Picnic

Favorite Family Recipes

Part 3: Celebrating Friendship

Friends + Wine = Everything’s Fine

Books-Optional Book Club

Self-Care to Share Spa Day

Forever Friends Support

Part 4: Celebrating Sports

Breakfast of Champions

Soccer Mom Saves the Day

Go Team Tailgate

Neighborhood Field Day

Part 5: Celebrating Seasons

Summer Camp Classics

Autumn Colors

Snow-Day Play

Spring Gardens

Acknowledgments

Index

About the Author

INTRODUCTION

Blowing out birthday candles is one of the most dazzling activities in the world. There is something so pure and uplifting about making a toast, singing a song, having a bite of that special, tasty food. (I’m a believer that even a small taste of frosting has secret powers.) Epic milestones like birthdays and graduations, and big celebrations like Thanksgiving, will always command our attention. But what about the little moments: the smell of fresh-baked cookies, a handwritten note, an A on a test, sacred time with friends and family? When we think of celebrations, these may not be the first things that come to mind. We can overlook these moments because of important conference calls, afternoon PTA meetings, and, well, life! But when we slow down and remain present, those moments can become some of our most cherished memories.

Now what if we decided to make the most of these opportunities, both big and small, and celebrate them?

Seriously, let’s celebrate!

My mission is to inspire you to seek creative ways to commemorate all the good in your life. We live in a world where so much is premade, where almost anything can be bought and delivered in twenty-four hours, and we often forget that using our time and imaginations to make something handmade is more special than anything we can buy. Rejoicing in everyday moments can teach us gratitude and help us take pride in a life well lived—a major lesson my mom taught me. She was all about making the little things important. When I was in fifth grade, I woke up feeling anxious the morning of a big test. I walked into the kitchen and saw that my mom had prepared a delicious breakfast spread for me along with a good luck charm and an encouraging note that read, I know you can do it! I enjoyed the homemade pancakes as well as the comforting feeling that the work I did was seen and appreciated and someone was rooting for me.

That’s what celebrations are about: connecting with your family, friends, and loved ones.

Valuing and cherishing the small moments are beliefs passed down on my dad’s side, too, with food as the star. The Provenzanos love food—and I mean love food. In 1919, my great-grandfather founded an Italian grocery store with his family in my hometown of Saginaw, Michigan. Grandpa Frank and his two brothers later ran the store. Provenzano’s was known as a place of quality and integrity, and the stories about the shop seem magical. The air was filled with the aroma of fresh-made doughnuts on Sunday mornings, and the sound of friendly banter could be heard across the meat counter throughout the week. It was the only place you could find the most sought-after off-the-shelf spaghetti sauces in town. To this day, there is nothing like J&R Spaghetti Sauce, named after my great-grandparents, Jack and Rose. I remember being a kid and eating fresh doughnuts in the back with my sister while spinning on the stools. I saw firsthand that food creates memories, hard work matters, and relationships and connection to the community are important.

All of these experiences made me the celebration enthusiast I am today.

In Everyday Celebrations From Scratch, I share my family’s love of everyday celebrations with you, including fun themes and elements you can incorporate into your next soiree and lighthearted encouragement to discover easy and innovative ways to enjoy life a little more. The foundations of celebrating, with pantry and craft essentials that can be used time and time again for tons of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects and tasty dishes, will allow you to confidently put together your very own everyday celebrations. The book’s five sections—weeknight meals, family, friendship, sports, and seasons—define areas in our lives that are perfect for a touch of jollification. The recipes are simple and delicious (many standouts hailing from my Italian and Midwest roots), and the DIY projects are fun and achievable.

So here’s to nailing that presentation, wine night with your friends, your kid’s first soccer game of the season, and every day of the week that ends in y. This book is my official invitation to get the party started and celebrate those moments that weave together into the tapestry of a beautiful life.

MARIA’S FAVORITES FOR CELEBRATING EVERY DAY

As a dedicated do-it-yourselfer, I’ve found that the key to success, which I learned from my mom, is planning, organizing, and having the right tools. With that being said, you can make any area in your home function as a crafting space. Simply dedicate a place for your creative supplies, stock your shelves in the kitchen with the essential tools and ingredients, and you’ll be in business. Keep these essentials on hand so that the second you are inspired, you will be encouraged to make the most of your creativity.

Author’s Note

In my role as a lifestyle expert, I’m often sent products to review. Occasionally, I find outstanding products that I end up using all the time, and I am so pleased with these brands that I accept payment to help make them more visible to others. I recommend two of these products—Tulip fabric paints and La Gioiosa wines—for projects and celebrations throughout this book, and I hope that you come to love them as much as I do. I’m grateful for their support!

CRAFT SUPPLIES

My most frequently asked question when it comes to crafting is How do I get started? My favorite thing to tell people is to pick one, just one, project and get the supplies for it. Once you are done with that project, pick one item from your materials to be an asset to the next project and build on that. Each time you complete a project, you will have something new that will inspire another one, and you will end up with an entire house full of supplies (kidding—sort of).

MATERIALS

Clay: Clay is one of my favorite craft supplies because of its versatility. I like using oven-bake clay rather than air-dry, mostly because I am a very impatient crafter and don’t like to wait too long for crafts to dry.

Felt: Felt is, in my humble opinion, by far the easiest and most versatile fabric to use when crafting. It doesn’t fray, it holds an adhesive well, it can be sewn, it comes in a variety of colors—shall I go on? I find myself grabbing sheets in colors I like every time I’m at the craft supply store because they are so inexpensive.

Foam core: As a DIYer, I love having supplies that are a blank canvas that can be used in many ways, and foam core is just that. Also known as foam board, it’s basically a piece of foam sandwiched together with two large poster boards. It’s easy to cut with a craft knife and can be used in unlimited ways. Be sure when painting or using a spray adhesive on one side that you paint or spray the other side as well to avoid bowing.

Resin: Okay, this isn’t a must-have, but it’s one of my favorites. If you do one resin project, you will see how much fun it is. Resin is used for so many things, from creating trays to making jewelry. The process of combining two liquid components to create something that hardens always feels like a science experiment.

Ribbons and twine: These two items are good to have around for a variety of projects. From gift wrapping to setting tables, I always find myself reaching for a little ribbon or twine to add a last-minute festive touch.

ADHESIVES

Fabric glue: Fabric glue is used specifically for fabric because it dries in a way that moves with the fabric instead of making the fabric stiff. It also allows fabric to be washed without losing the adhesive.

Glue gun: Glue guns come in a range of options and prices. Cordless glue guns are my favorite. I like having one with a larger tip and the ability to use thick glue sticks for my bigger projects, as well as one with a small tip that uses smaller glue sticks for more intricate projects.

Mod Podge: Mod Podge is the best thing ever! It serves so many purposes when crafting, such as sealing paint and glitter or serving as an adhesive on a variety of bases.

PAINT

Acrylic craft paint: Paint is an essential craft supply that is used in more ways than I can count. I like to keep basic colors on hand, plus colors that I love. They always come in handy because just a simple coat of paint can change an entire project.

Fabric paint: Not all paints are created equal. Make sure that whatever paint you use in your crafting is curated specifically for the medium you are using it on. Fabric paint should be used on fabric because it will not only be easier to work with but also lead to a better final product and allow the painted item to be washed and used in the way fabric is meant to be used. Tulip Brush-On Fabric Paints are formulated exclusively for fabrics, which dry soft and remain ultra-flexible, so your results won’t crack or crumble with movement.*

Puff paint: I am a product of ’80s crafting, and you know what we used in the ’80s for everything? Puff paint! It has stood the test of time and is still one of my favorite craft supplies to use today. You name it, I put puff paint on it. Whether you’re creating T-shirts or mugs, Tulip Dimensional Fabric Paints dry flexible and are permanent but machine washable. Since I use puff paint with my kids a lot, I like to make sure I’m using a nontoxic paint, and Tulip Dimensional Fabric Paints not only check off that box but can be used by crafters of all ages and skill levels on everything: school crafts, apparel, canvas art, accessories, home decor, and so much more. They add fun dimensional texture that stands out on every project!*

Spray paint: Spray paint is one of the most fun craft supplies, and it makes such a big impact. I use spray paint whenever I can because it provides an even finish, dries much faster, and is much easier to work with than paint and a paintbrush.

TOOLS

Craft-cutting mat: I recommend getting a cutting board designed specifically for crafting. I like having one with grids and measurements on it.

Craft knife (aka X-ACTO): I use a craft knife for projects that include paper, foam core, and even clay, to name a few. The key to these knives are the blades because they are easily removed and replaced. For best results, always use a fresh blade.

Medium-size craft knife: It is also good to have a regular, medium-size knife for crafting. I use it for cutting things like wax, crayons, or any other medium that doesn’t require the precise cutting of the X-ACTO knife. It is the same as a kitchen knife but dedicated to crafting use only.

Cutting board: I have many cutting boards in my kitchen, but it’s always good to designate one to crafting as well. While I save my cutting mat for precise cutting with my craft knife, this cutting board is for things like cutting wax, rolling out clay, or any other cutting that is a little too rough or dirty for the cutting mat.

Cutting machine: Cutting machines have taken over the craft world. They completely elevate projects unlike anything else. You can create designs on your computer and attach them to a variety of materials, such as wood, clothes, or plastic.

Paintbrushes: Truth be told, I go through paintbrushes like crazy. I have nice ones that I use for important projects, but most of the time, I use inexpensive ones. No matter which budget you choose, having a variety of sizes in your craft space is helpful.

Quality scissors—for fabric and other purposes: Do you really need two different scissors for crafting and fabric? Yes, my friends, you do! Dedicating a pair of scissors specifically for fabric is necessary for clean lines and ease. Grab another pair of scissors, aka craft scissors, for basically everything else.

Rolling pin: I mostly use rolling pins when I am working with clay, but I find myself using them more than I expect when I am crafting. Dedicate one rolling pin to your craft supplies so you do not have to worry about craft materials ending up in your baking.

Ruler: I am oddly picky about my rulers. I like having a variety when possible. A large fabric ruler is great for, you guessed it, fabric. I often use smaller, clear rulers for smaller projects. A large metal ruler will also come in handy more than you think.

Tool kit: A basic tool kit is good to have around for even the simplest crafting. You would be surprised at how often hammers, screwdrivers, nails, levels, and so on are needed. Take the guesswork out by getting a kit that is already put together. If there isn’t a drill included, then I recommend getting a drill and some drill bits.

ORGANIZATION

Peg board: A great way to organize your supplies.

Craft cart: Perfect for small spaces or for kids.

Clear containers: The easiest way to stay organized because you can see where everything goes.

Color coding: Makes a space look extra organized, especially if everything is stored in clear containers.

KITCHEN TOOLS

Many of my favorite kitchen items are from my wedding registry. I feel like there should be a registry for simply entering the real world as an adult. Dear world, I do not need these things because I am married; I need them because I no longer live with my mom who has all the things!

Microplane: I use my Microplane for zesting citrus, grating garlic, and grating cheese. This simple tool is a great way to elevate your dishes by adding tiny bits of flavor that pack a punch.

Mandoline: Mandolines are a must! I find that most people do not have these in their homes, but they make a huge difference when it comes to creating uniform slices of food. A mandoline also helps with prep because it can drastically shorten the time it takes to cut food.

Good knives: All chefs will tell you that knives are an extension of their hands. Having good, sharp knives creates a better end product, and they are easier to work with.

Food processor: No joke, my mom has had her food processor for over thirty years. She always says that if you take care of your things, they will stand the test of time. I use mine for making things like pesto, scones, dressings, and sauces, to name a few.

Pancake griddle: There is nothing worse than bad pancakes, am I right? Trying to keep the temperature consistent, trying to figure out how many fit into a skillet, all the issues that go into making pancakes unsuccessful can be solved by getting a pancake griddle. Make sure to grab one that offers a consistent temperature. It will make your wonderfully sweet weekends extra sweet.

Stand mixer: My stand mixer is my best friend and all-time favorite kitchen item. My parents bought me one as a college graduation present; that’s how much I wanted it. A stand mixer will elevate your baking to professional status. I use it for mashing potatoes and mixing eggs into pâte à choux, and, of course, I use the attachment to make homemade pasta.

Hand mixer: A hand mixer is second to the stand mixer but definitely has its place in the kitchen. I tend to use the hand mixer for smaller items like whipped cream or zabaglione.

Mixing bowls: These are a necessity in the kitchen. I use mixing bowls when preparing both cooking and baking recipes. The French term mise en place, which means everything in its place, is a phrase chefs use to describe the process of setting out your materials ahead of time in order to prepare your meals efficiently. All you need are some mixing bowls.

Spatula: Rubber spatulas are good for both cooking and baking. I like having a variety of shapes and sizes as they all serve different purposes. Have at least five in your kitchen for efficiency.

Offset spatula: I use this small yet mighty tool for decorating cakes, spreading meringue and jelly, and many other tasks. This simple tool is worth having in the kitchen drawer.

Cookie scoops: When making cookies, creating uniform dough balls is key to them all cooking evenly. I