I'm Miss Janice...a preppy, prissy, conservative, Republican, Southern lady {displaced in South Florida}. I talk about a lot of my loves here...shopping, decorating my cottage, what I'm wearing, entertaining, Taste of Gourmet Southern food products, creative gifting ideas, and all kinds of social graces! Join me as I go through my life Making it Southern...Making it Memorable!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Hey y'all! I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and all the other dishaholics for Tablescape Thursday. Husband and I entertained a couple of friends from waaaaay back tonight, with a "Witchey Brew & Stew" on the porch. Both girls worked with us on cruise ships for many years. Our friend Joy lives in Savannah, Georgia and is a native of my hometown, Augusta. Gail is originally from way up north...New York City. Lord have mercy does she have a Yankee accent! She now lives in West Palm Beach.
Earlier in the day, here's Mademoiselle Coco Chanel, getting ready for company...
Some witches are really pretty--the centerpiece for my food table...
My "Witches' Brew" in a darling Halloween punch bowl with a black polka dot ladle, from Home Goods...
I served the "Witches' Stew" in these cute Halloween mugs, also from Home Goods...
Toppings for the "Witches' Stew"--the bowls and serving spoons also from Home Goods
Creepy pigs-in-a-blanket...
Boo Y'all!
Boo-tilicious brownies adorned with Martha Stewart witchey picks...
Earlier in the day, here's Mademoiselle Coco Chanel, getting ready for company...
Let the party begin! Welcome to "The Roost"...
First of all..."Here's What I Wore"
I was sporting my usual ponytail, secured with a black grosgrain ribbon bow. It was a very casual event, so I wore a casual white blouse and khaki slacks with a "witchey" apron I found at Home Goods. I wore my Cartier roll ring wedding band and a pair of festive pumpkin earrings.
The menu for the "Brew & Stew"...
The Buffet-Style Food Table...
First of all..."Here's What I Wore"
I was sporting my usual ponytail, secured with a black grosgrain ribbon bow. It was a very casual event, so I wore a casual white blouse and khaki slacks with a "witchey" apron I found at Home Goods. I wore my Cartier roll ring wedding band and a pair of festive pumpkin earrings.
The menu for the "Brew & Stew"...
The Buffet-Style Food Table...Some witches are really pretty--the centerpiece for my food table...
My "Witches' Brew" in a darling Halloween punch bowl with a black polka dot ladle, from Home Goods...
I served the "Witches' Stew" in these cute Halloween mugs, also from Home Goods...
Toppings for the "Witches' Stew"--the bowls and serving spoons also from Home Goods
Creepy pigs-in-a-blanket...
Boo Y'all!
Boo-tilicious brownies adorned with Martha Stewart witchey picks...
The Beverage Serving Cart
Hallowine y'all?
The Dining Table
The Halloween-themed plates are from Home Goods, and I used natural wreaths as chargers, available at Hobby Lobby. The solid black napkins are secured with "witches' hat" napkin rings, from Dillard's. The festive hats are "Glitterville" party hats by Dept. 56. The black goblets were purchased at Hobby Lobby and the black flatware was purchased at World Market. The party favors doubled as my place cards and are tins of Orange Hot Chocolate--by Mary Englebreit, also from Home Goods. I couldn't resist this "good witch" as my centerpiece, from Stein Mart. The black and white gingham tablecloth was custom-made for Miss Janice.
She's a good witch--my centerpiece...
Festive Halloween party hats...
Y'all don't forget your party favors!
My party favors doubled as place cards...
*Recipe for Miss Janice's Salad:
Toss together the following...
Mixed greens
Dried cranberries
Glazed pecans
Crumbled feta cheese
Trader Joe's Red Wine & Olive Oil Vinaigrette
** Recipe for Witches Brew:
2 3 oz. pkgs. lime flavored gelatin mix
1 qt. hot water
1 46 fluid oz. can pineapple juice
2 12 fluid oz. cans frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 cups white sugar
4 1/2 cups cold water
2 liters ginger ale
In a large saucepan, dissolve the gelatin in 1 quart of hot water. Allow to cool. When gelatin is cool, pour into a large punch bowl. Stir in pineapple juice, orange juice concentrate, sugar and 4 1/2 cups cold water. Pour in ginger ale just before serving.
***Recipe for Witches Stew:
3 tsp olive oil
2 lbs ground turkey
2 onions, chopped
4 cups water
2 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
2 16 oz cans kidney beans, drained, rinsed, and mashed
2 tblsp garlic, minced
2 tblsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Place ground turkey in the pot and cook until evenly brown. Stir in onion and cook until tender.
Pour water into the pot. Mix in tomatoes, mashed kidney beans, and garlic. Season with the chili powder, paprika, oregana, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Whew! A great evening with old friends and good food. Thank you for stopping by today. Don't forget to stop in and visit all the other tablescapes at Between Naps on the Porch.
Hallowine y'all?The Dining Table
The Halloween-themed plates are from Home Goods, and I used natural wreaths as chargers, available at Hobby Lobby. The solid black napkins are secured with "witches' hat" napkin rings, from Dillard's. The festive hats are "Glitterville" party hats by Dept. 56. The black goblets were purchased at Hobby Lobby and the black flatware was purchased at World Market. The party favors doubled as my place cards and are tins of Orange Hot Chocolate--by Mary Englebreit, also from Home Goods. I couldn't resist this "good witch" as my centerpiece, from Stein Mart. The black and white gingham tablecloth was custom-made for Miss Janice.
She's a good witch--my centerpiece... Festive Halloween party hats...Y'all don't forget your party favors!
My party favors doubled as place cards...*Recipe for Miss Janice's Salad:
Toss together the following...
Mixed greens
Dried cranberries
Glazed pecans
Crumbled feta cheese
Trader Joe's Red Wine & Olive Oil Vinaigrette
** Recipe for Witches Brew:
2 3 oz. pkgs. lime flavored gelatin mix
1 qt. hot water
1 46 fluid oz. can pineapple juice
2 12 fluid oz. cans frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 cups white sugar
4 1/2 cups cold water
2 liters ginger ale
In a large saucepan, dissolve the gelatin in 1 quart of hot water. Allow to cool. When gelatin is cool, pour into a large punch bowl. Stir in pineapple juice, orange juice concentrate, sugar and 4 1/2 cups cold water. Pour in ginger ale just before serving.
***Recipe for Witches Stew:
3 tsp olive oil
2 lbs ground turkey
2 onions, chopped
4 cups water
2 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
2 16 oz cans kidney beans, drained, rinsed, and mashed
2 tblsp garlic, minced
2 tblsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Place ground turkey in the pot and cook until evenly brown. Stir in onion and cook until tender.
Pour water into the pot. Mix in tomatoes, mashed kidney beans, and garlic. Season with the chili powder, paprika, oregana, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Whew! A great evening with old friends and good food. Thank you for stopping by today. Don't forget to stop in and visit all the other tablescapes at Between Naps on the Porch.
46 comments:
Everything looks so great. Love the tablesetting...the buffet and the food looks yummy. Happy Halloween
What an amazing post! I have really enjoyed reading all your Halloween posts and all of your suggestions about how to celebrate Halloween the well-mannered way. I have learnt many things and look forward to reading your future posts...will they be about Thanksgiving and Christmas? I hope so!
Best wishes, NM.
I just adore the Dept 56 hats! So cute!
Your friends are very lucky to have such a fabulous hostess in their circle! Thanks for sharing :)
This looks like a hauntingly good time! I made your Miss Janice salad last week for a church function -- adding some red onion to the mix and there was nary a green leaf left! Several people told me it was the best thing on the table! Thanks for sharing these fun fall recipes.
This tablescape is so beautiful! I love all the cute details! Oh, who am I kidding? I love it all!
Janice-What a fun evening. I know your friend were imnpressed with all your details! Love your Halloween tree and those mugs!
What darling tablescaping! Your guests are sure to have a be-witchingly good time. :)
Morning,Miss Priss! I must stop that, shouldn't I? :) Oh, what a joy it would be to sit at the table for one of your dinner parties! You look so cute in that Halloweeness apron! Thanks for the recipes!
Have a safe and fun Halloween.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
What a fun time! Looks yummy (in a spooky kind of way), too.
Christi @ A Southern Life
http://asouthernlife.com
Thank you so much for the wonderful ideas as well as recipes!
Miss Janice- you put on quite the spread, everyone is bound to be bewitched ;)
Mlle Coco looks darling, btw!
kHm
You are too creative girl! How do you come up with all this great stuff! Hope your having a great week! = )
Absolutely wonderful, Miss Janice!
Miss Janice,
I just adore your tablescapes and all of the little touches that you include to make your events to memorable. The festive party hats are just too cute.
Mlle.Coco Chanel looks just lovely with her scarf!
Happy Halloween!
-MMC
This just about scared me to death.
:) Have fun.
Hi Miss Janice! Looks FUN! Do they have Trader Joes in Florida now? CHEERS!!! Michele
Oh how fabulous! I just love the decorations and the Halloween-themed menu. What fun!
Your witches brew looks yummy! Love it all!!
Well, Boo, Y'All to you too, from another with a NY accent..I guess!
My sister moved to TX 25 yrs ago and she sure sounds funny when she comes home!
Your party is just wonderful! No detail left out.
I love it all from the food to the table.
Come by, you are in my TTH post!
Very cool tablescape. Did you put blackboard paint on those glasses to write the names? That is a brilliant idea. I especially like that punch bowl...lots of fun.
Susan
Look at how unbelievable that looks! I want to come over. xoxo
SC
Love your tablescapes and decorations ~ those party hats are adorable! I may be hitting Home Goods this weekend. It would be lovely to get some of these things you found on clearance {maybe?}.
I love the whole look especially those orange and black cat plates and cups wow are those just so beautiful and so colorful, they are just so perfect on the table, love the recipe also..
Everythings looks perfect...wonderful post today...thanks for sharing...Pat H
This could not be more fun!! You always have every last detail done to perfection!! Beautiful!
Another masterpiece Miss Janice! But, I want to know where you store all of your beautiful pieces and decorations?
Oh my goodness! You really know how to throw a party. All your ideas are fabulous to see! Happy Halloween to you...
booo, I was so skeered 'til I got to all the great food. Yummy..I am going to make some of these. Those little pigs in their blankets looked like little buggies!! :)
A great post, Miss Janice. and, you looked so cute in your little apron.
What a creative post. I am loving those witch napkin rings. You are so talented and the entire event looks like it was so much fun.
Looks like such fun. The witches are really unique!
nannykim--
http://spindlecottage.blogspot.com
Again, I would love to be a guest at one of your parties. Every thing, including the charming hostess looks perfect for a get-together with old friends or new.
Maybe I will be able to have you over one of these days. We have been looking at a house in Stuart at the YCC. Not sure I am ready to be a snowbird just yet though.
Hope you had a grand time at your party!
Everything looks fabulous!!! And the food looks & sounds so yummy.
I am just sick, sick, sick that I didn't get to enjoy the Creepy Good Fun! and what looks to be GrEaT food......
I'll wear my witches' hat for you tomorrow night.....
LoVe the TaBlE.....loved it ALL...
Another smashing display Miss Janice, it all looks so fun and so yummy! You have done such a splendid job with all of the Halloween posts, wow!
Of course, we do not want to forget Mademoiselle Coco, looking more-than-precious in her finery!
Hope your weekend is warm and wonderful!
tp
How delightful to be a guest of yours for one of your seasonal do's.
You create so much fun with your decor, menus and themes.
Your guests are among the luckiest folks on earth. Love is in the details! Happy Halloween! XOXO
What a fun evening!!! It all looks great!
Miss Janice...You are such a wonderful example. Please allow me to borrow these creative ideas next year!!
Black Eyed Susan's Kitchen, those little tumblers are from Pier 1. They are so cute and versatile! They are made that way and you write whatever on them.
Hi Miss Janice! Your tablescapes are equally as gorgeous and fun as your outfits!! Always a fun visit here and what would we all do without HomeGoods????lol Happy November - Sincerely, Jeannette
Southern Belle...borrow away!
Pug1, I think I've mentioned this before, but just so you know...all the comments I make on your blog come back to me as "undeliverable." Regarding Trader Joe's...No, unfortunately, we don't have TJ's in Florida. I always stock up on my fav goodies when I visit my mama in Georgia! LOVE Trader Joe's--everthing!
Hi Miss Janice! I did get your message on my blog! CHEERS! Michele
Wow, Miss Janice!!! You really go above and beyond at your dinner parties. Everything looks so beautiful!
Love all of your Halloween decor and dishes! Also like that fall tree...it's very pretty! I almost bought some of that hot chocolate, but I was "chicken" to try "orange chocolate". ;O)
LOVE this! So much whimsy...don't you just love Halloween! The flatware you chose was perfect for this tablescape. I just recently bought some of that same flaware...so cute. The Good Witch was great as your centerpiece! You do know how to throw an awesome dinner party! Susan
P.S. Loved your apron...very smart to wear one. I really should do that more when I'm cooking!