Holidays – Page 8 – Pollywog's Place Blog

Homemade Pizzelle Cannoli

Published on October 9, 2025October 7, 2025 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

We wanted to make this in honor of Christopher Columbus Day, which we happened to celebrate a little early, as it fell during the Biblical Feast of Sukkot this year. I think they looked pretty good, and everyone agreed that this will need to go on REPEAT for the dessert schedule!

This is not the traditional way to make Cannoli, however, this is the easiest way for me to get them made during busy days here. We found that we can use our Pizzelle recipe to make the shells… gotta work quick to roll them up, but it isn’t too bad other than your fingertips get a little warm. Having a cannoli roller works well, but is not completely necessary… we use a turkey baster to roll some of them, and it worked just as good!

NOTE: You definitely do not want to fill them too early. I chose to fill them before we served dinner, and they were still crunchy after we ate, but some of them were a little soggy the next day. We did put some in the freezer, and the kids really liked them!

Don’t worry if you don’t have a Pizzelle Maker or forms… you can turn this filling into dip, and eat it with some graham crackers, or fresh fruit!

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Special Holiday Meals: Days of the Dead Meal Plan

Published on October 8, 2025October 8, 2025 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

These are not something that we traditionally celebrate, but it was fun to see some traditions from other places, and we may try a few of these menus or we may make some of these recipes for upcoming family get-togethers. Please use your own discretion when choosing what special days to celebrate in your home.

10/31 – All Hallows Eve

Traditionally a day for bonfires, apple bobbing, and carving Jack-o-lanterns.

WEENIE ROAST or ‘Goblins’ in Blankets

Ranch Potato Wedges

Chick Pea & Pumpkin Soup

Soul Cakes or Doughnuts

Caramel Apples & Popcorn Balls

Apple Cider

11/1 – ALL SAINT’S DAY

Enjoy an evening walk.

Roast Chicken or Ham

Creamy Cabbage & Sausage

Corn Pudding, Carrot Souffle

Pretzels & Crème Puffs,

4 Layer Pumpkin Cake or Pumpkin Pie

11/2 – ALL SOUL’S DAY/DIA de LOS MUERTOS

Traditionally a day to visit the graves of loved ones and leave flowers.

Chicken or Pork Tamales

Gorditas, Chicken Mole, or Pozole – I haven’t made these in FOREVER so I’ll try to find my old recipes and get them up on the blog!

Salad, Beans, Rice, Guacamole

Sweet Potato Croquettes or Sweet Potato Casserole

Pan Dulce, Flan, Tres Leche Cake, Hot Chocolate

Days of the Dead Menu Download

A Hobbit Day Celebration with Pictures

Published on October 7, 2025October 8, 2025 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

Our first Hobbit Day went well even though we had to postpone it once. We had planned to start with Breakfast at 7:00 on Saturday but we had overnight guests and a late night so it ended up being more like 7:45ish.

“Good morning! I’m not quite sure what you mean,” said Bilbo, “but my meaning was that I wish you a good morning, or rather, that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?” – Bilbo Baggins

Mr. Awesome got up early and put some meat on the smoker. He put a couple of lamb quarters on too as those would be used for the pot roast later on.

Hobbit Day Menu Plan

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Start Your Holiday Prep: Week 3 Guide

Published on October 6, 2025September 16, 2025 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

Have you gotten started on your Holiday Prep? If not, don’t worry because you still have plenty of time, but don’t procrastinate any longer!

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Biblical Feasts: A Sukkot Menu & Activitities

Published on October 3, 2025October 8, 2025 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog2 Comments

If you’ve been around here for a bit, then you probably know that we have been on a journey to learn more about the Biblical Feasts. Well, Sukkot/The Feast of the Tabernacles is almost upon us, and I decided that being prepared makes it more likely that I can follow through with the intentions of celebrating this year. Definitely ask for help from your family if this time seems overwhelming, as Sukkot embodies the theme of unity, and we all need to come together as one to make this a special time of the year.

We will be trying to incorporate some of the garden harvest into our menus during this time, as this is a type of ‘Harvest Festival’ and we plan to eat by candlelight whenever possible. Please note that I am not an expert, and most of these ideas are just ideas that I have, and I can not say that they are traditional or ‘allowed’ for a traditional Jewish celebration.

The Challah bread is usually round by tradition. Wine is normally served with meals as well, although we will probably opt for sparkling wine, apple cider, or juice.

You can change whatever recipes you need to make this work for you… you can even buy premade foods and make this work. The idea is to celebrate your BLESSINGS and show THANKFULNESS to GOD.

DON’T FORGET TO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY! Click below for FREE printable invitations:

Biblical Feasts: An Invitation to Attend

Biblical Feasts: Celebrating Sukkot as a Christian

Here is the menu that we have come up with:

1st Day

Breakfast

Make Ahead Breakfast Quiche, Toast w/Jelly

Lunch

Cold Plate Lunch

Dinner

Baked Salmon or Mississippi Pot Roast w/rice – We’ve been making this with smoked lamb and it is so good!

Lentils, Rice, Salad, Seasonal Veggies w/Dip

Stuffed Mushrooms w/Dipping Sauce – can be prepared ahead and heated before serving

Challah or Sourdough w/honey butter

Dessert

Apple Pies, ice cream

SNACKS:

Fresh fruits and veggies

Beverages:

Sweet Tea, Lemonade, Apple Cider, Hot Cocoa, or Coffee – I might even set up a Hot Cocoa Bar for everyone

Notes:

You may choose to read Scripture during breakfast, or you may also choose to do a special Bible Study during this time.

You should already have your Sukkah or outdoor living space prepared. We will be using our back porch area. Set the table with some pretty festive fall decor, if applicable. Add candles too!

Say a prayer before sitting down to eat.

Read Scripture and/or say a prayer of Thankfulness after the meal.