'NANA PUDDIN' TO GO

My goodness y'all, I got so busy this week and forgot to publish this post. We went for Sunday Night Supper at the home of our friends Lester and Lane. I offered to bring the dessert...'Nana Puddin' to go.



I layered Jello banana cream instant puddin', vanilla wafers, and sliced bananas inside some tall Ball Jars. I embellished the lids with yellow and white gingham card stock, black polka dot ribbon, and a little gift tag. Easy dessert to go...keepin' it Southern and cute!

I found these new-for-Autumn special-flavored coffees at Cracker Barrel on Sunday and placed four packs inside a cello bag with some shred and tied 'em up with a black polka dot ribbon. This made a great hostess gift for my friend Lane. Even though she is the best Cuban Coffee Barista in South Florida, I do hope she will be able to enjoy these coffees on quiet mornings after her youngest child is off to pre-K in a few weeks.

"HERE'S WHAT I WORE" Keeping it very casual, I decided to wear black linen slacks and a white linen blouse..."Golden Girl-ish outfit!"

My "just in case it rains" umbrella is a cheery black and white polka dot!

The accessories...Black patent pouchette and matching slide sandals, by Ferragamo. The silver choker necklace has a monogrammed pendant. The earrings and charm ring are both by Chanel and the 'Return to Tiffany' bracelet is by Tiffany. The watch is 'Oyster Perpetual' by Rolex and Lord have mercy, I forgot to wear my wedding band! My ponytail was adorned with a white grosgrain ribbon, my fragrance of choice for the evening,by Ferragamo. My pedicure is 'Love That Red' by Revlon and lipstick is 'Star Red' by Chanel.

My friend Lane is the best cook evah! She prepared this fabulous appetizer...Bobby Deen's Hot Tomato, Jack, and Crab Dip. The recipe is below...y'all must fix it...it's delish!

Recipe for Hot Tomato Jack and Crab Dip:
1 8 oz. package softened cream cheese
1 cup (4 oz.) grated pepper Jack cheese
1/2 cup mayo
2 limes, juiced
1 tsp. hot sauce
1 lb. lump crabmeat, drained and picked clean of shells
1 cup seeded & diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. crushed black peppercorn
2 avocados
Crackers, crusty bread, or chips for serving (Lane used chips)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 1 qt. baking dish with nonstick spray. In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, pepper Jack, mayo, lime juice and hot sauce until smooth. Fold in the crabmeat, tomatoes, green onions, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Smooth the texture into baking dish. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Dice avocados and sprinkle them over the crab dip after it has cooled slightly. (Lane served sliced avocados--fresh from her Mama's own tree--with a fresh salad).

The hostess, Miss Lane, also prepared Paella, with fresh lobster, mahi, shrimp, and crab, and chicken. FABULOUS!

Of course, I enjoyed some of Lanes's homemade flan and Cuban coffee, while others chose the 'Nana Puddin'. After living in Miami for so many years, I'm a huge fan of flan and Cuban coffee. Of course, I didn't sleep a wink that night...after two cups of this caffeine fest!

Isn't it wonderful when someone else does the cooking? This is what entertaining is all about--making others feel wonderful and welcome in your home. People just want somebody else to do the cooking y'all! My friend Lane has it all down pat...she sticks with what she knows best and makes it special!!!

I thought I'd throw in a picture of their little Yorkie, Sissy...she's Miss Coco's little cousin. Prissy dog. Very prissy!

Oh, I almost forgot...one more thing. My friend Lane is into "Coupon-ing!" She is what you might call an "Organized Hoarder!" I'm not telling a story, she sent me home with a large grocery sack full of cleaning supplies and toiletries...hilarious and very much appreciated!

Thank you for visiting with me today!