December 13, 2025

Little Bits & Bites Of Brightness

December made quite an entrance this year. For about ten days, we had some unexpected early snow that turned the Island into a winter postcard. It felt like the perfect excuse to hibernate a little, pull on cozy socks, and flip through recipe books in search of some Appy Hour inspiration. And then, as quickly as it arrived, the rain came and swept most of it away. A very PEI December transition.

Snow always seems to slow life down just enough for me to catch my breath. It nudges me toward the small comforts of the season. Warm kitchens. Simple food. Little creative sparks. And this year, I have been especially tuned into that feeling.

December brings a natural busyness, and while there is so much joy in it, I have also been craving the opposite, a little stillness to balance things out. This year, I am choosing creativity that feels restful. Trying a new recipe when the house is quiet. Reaching for what inspires me. Letting the kitchen become a place that slows me down instead of speeding me up.

(Photo: The Gardens Of Hope Entrance).

Small Kitchen Experiments

Last week, I decided to try the potato stacks that have been going viral ever since Sonia Wong shared them on Mary Berg’s The Good Stuff. And let me tell you, they lived up to the hype. Soooo yummy and a big hit. I made one version using our PEI Potato Pizzazz and another using our Roasted Red Pepper Dip Mix. Both turned out beautifully. They are fun as appetizers, but also make the nicest little side dish with chicken, steak, or fish.

I love moments like that in the kitchen, taking a trending recipe and giving it a little PEI Preserve Company twist. It feels playful, simple, and just right for this time of year.

And speaking of seasonal kitchen moments, the kids and I also got a lot of our holiday baking done last weekend. It filled my heart more than I can say. There is something about baking together, the laughter, the mess, the shared task of rolling, stirring, tasting, that anchors me right into the season. Those are the memories I hold onto.

(Photo: My kids mixing up some holiday magic, makes my heart so full).

A Recipe From Our Community

Earlier this fall, we received a lovely message from Rose, a longtime customer of ours. She sent us a recipe she makes every holiday season, an Orange Marmalade Baked Brie. The moment I opened it, I forwarded it straight to Ashley, our Director of Culinary Operations. Her response came back almost instantly, “We need to try that.”

And once we read through it, we understood why.

It is everything I adore in a December appetizer. Warm. Cozy. Easy. Brie wrapped in flaky pastry with a bright spoonful of citrus marmalade. It looks impressive on the table but comes together in minutes. And in the middle of a busy season, that is a gift all on its own.

Rose uses our Orange Marmalade, but the idea is wonderfully flexible. You could make this with Raspberry Champagne, Apple Cranberry, or Blueberry. Whatever flavour speaks to you or whatever jar is waiting in your pantry.

Creativity, Connection, and Shared Food

The holidays have this beautiful way of bringing people together. A drop-in for a drink. A cozy visit by the fire. Friends stopping in just for a minute that somehow turns into an hour of catching up. Food becomes the backdrop for connection, and recipes like Rose’s feel made for moments just like that.

I love when customers send in their favourite creations. It feels like being invited into your homes and your traditions. If you have a recipe using our products, submit it here or tag @preservecompany when you share it. These shared moments inspire us so much.

For almost 40 years, our jars have found their way into holiday tables, potlucks, brunches, and cozy nights in. Every time someone shares a new way they have used them, it sparks something in us too. Rose’s recipe is a perfect example of that. So today, with lots of gratitude, we are passing her holiday favourite along to you.

(Photo: Orange Marmalade Baked Brie recipe submitted by Rose.)