Halloween Night on the Porch

Whew!  Another Halloween on the porch...at "The Roost!"  Hundreds of youngins {and some not-so-young} paraded up onto the porch for their treats.

There were also treats for the adults...Merlot and Chardonnay!

The first person arrived before the sun went down...at 5:20 p.m.  Lord have mercy!

As the sun was setting, more and more and more arrived.  We have many people who come by every year...to trick or treat and also to take photos of their children by the Halloween tree.

I planned to have enough treats for 600...just in case!  I think I had about 25 candies left when I turned off the porch light at 9:20 p.m.

I'm sure some of the children could have cared less about my monogrammed chevron gift tags!

This girl had the Best Costume of the Night...bridal gown and hat with a veil and painted face.  She was perfection!

Tomorrow the witches will come down off the tree and it will be adorned with turkeys.  That's if I can get out of bed and get it done.

Mademoiselle Coco Chanel was sure missed tonight.  Y'all know she would have had a cute outfit for the evening!  May she rest in peace!

Pumpkin Treat Pour Deux

Yes, my pumpkin obsession continues!  Tonight I made pumpkin milkshakes.  Goodness gracious these were so good!

My assistant in the kitchen, Jean Paul, is such a good sport and he's in full "Trick or Treat" mode!  Today I started putting together my treats and I hope to finish up tomorrow night.

Are y'all ready for Halloween night?  We'll be distributing the treats to the youngins from the front porch.  Of course, I always have "adult treats" as well...Merlot and Chardonnay.

This is truly my favorite time of the year.  In addition to the delicious flavors of the season, we are now enjoying a cold front for a few days so tonight was the first night I was able to wear a turtleneck.  I'm also wearing one of my favorite Halloween aprons from my "Prissy Apron Collection."

Recipe for Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes:

1 cup canned pumpkin pie mix
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
4 cups vanilla ice cream
Sprinkles
Karo Syrup

Combine pumpkin pie mix, milk, and vanilla in blender.  Blend until smooth.  Add ice cream; blend until smooth.  Dip the rim of glass into a bowl of Karo syrup.  Then dip the rim of glass into a bowl of sprinkles.

Pumpkin Deviled Egg Plate--Southern Lady Must-Have

You "Might be a Southern Lady" if...you have deviled egg plates for every occasion--egg plates for all the major holidays, egg plates to-go, and fancy, high-fallutin' egg plates--they are all de rigueur!

So, of course I have a pumpkin-shaped egg plate for autumn!

Southerners love deviled eggs.  The deviled egg is the perfect party food and a beloved staple at Southern events.  Nobody can eat just one...they are most definitely the first food to go at a party! Whether you are attending a baby shower or a bridal shower, a picnic, tailgating party, funeral reception, or potluck meal...if you want to be the belle of the buffet, show up with deviled eggs!

Southern ladies have recipes for all kind of deviled eggs--crab stuffed, Tex Mex, Tomato Basil, et cetera.  Last night I prepared some deviled eggs, using a very simple recipe...

Simple Deviled Eggs:
1 dozen eggs
Mayonaisse
Grey Poupon Coarse Ground Mustard
Salad Relish
Salt and Pepper
Paprika

I boiled the eggs, let them cool, then peeled and sliced them in half.  I scooped out the yolk into a large bowl and added the mayo, mustard, relish, and salt and pepper.  I didn't add a certain amount, just what I thought tasted good!  And, just 'cuz I like it, I sprinkled paprika on top of each one.

I served Harney Tea's African Autumn tea with our supper...it's the perfect beverage for this time of year.  I LOVE this tea!

My OOTN:  Black tee, with black leggings, and an autumn half-apron from my "Prissy Apron Collection."  And...pearls, of course!

Etiquette tip:  How to eat a deviled egg:
Deviled eggs are finger foods and only served at Buffets, Picnics, Tailgates, and other informal casual settings.  When eating finger foods, remember to follow the three-finger rule...Use the thumb, middle, and index fingers when picking up the food with your fingers.

If you are standing up at an event, sit your beverage on a nearby table and and hold your plate with your palm underneath.  Take a couple of bites of the egg...don't put the whole thing in your mouth at once and please don't slurp out the yolk--Lord have mercy, that would be tacky!

I'm busy today getting my Halloween treats together for the youngins on Wednesday.  Y'all have a great week!!!

Thank You Sale!

Now is a great time to start thinking about stocking your Entertaining Pantry and your Gifting Arsenal!  ALL of my Taste of Gourmet products are 15% off now through November 1, 2012.  Everything.  15% off!  Just use the code THANK YOU.

Taste of Gourmet products are the perfect "under $10.00" gift for friends and business associates.  All the products are packed and ready for gifting...just add a ribbon and gift tag!

  The Mississippi Delta Fudge Pie...perfect for your hostess or co-worker!

The Mississippi Delta Fudge Pie is a Southern favorite!

The Creole File Gumbo mix...add a wooden soup spoon and a ribbon and this makes a great gift!

Creole File Gumbo...an easy meal to prepare in the crockpot during autumn and winter and a must-eat during Mardi Gras season!

Jezebel Sauce and Sassy Seasoning...both are staples in my kitchen!

Bayou Beer Bread...add this to a bowl of our chilis and soups, and voila...Gameday food!!!!

If you are invited to a potluck meal, this Apple Cake is easy to prepare and will be the "Belle of the Buffet"!!

Apple Cake...always a favorite dessert!

Take advantage of this fabulous offer for 15% off on ALL my products and be sure to use the code Thank You when checking out!  Have a great weekend!

Marley Lilly Monogrammed Hair Ties

Last weekend I was out and about...shopping and lunching.  Even though it's still in the mid-80's here in South Florida, I like to pretend that I'm living in an autumn climate.  "Here's What I Wore"  

Jeans Ralph Lauren, Blouse J Crew, Jacket--very old The Gap, Pocketbook Dooney & Bourke, Belt Gucci, and Loafers Gucci, Monogrammed Hair Tie Marley Lilly
Y'all know I always wear my hair in a ponytail and it's always adorned with a cute grosgrain ribbon or a barrette.  Always.  Well, now I have these precious monogrammed hair ties from Marley Lilly.

Normally, I don't photograph my ponytail, because...well, I don't know how to use the iPhone camera that way, so husband takes credit for this photo!  I'm wearing a Marley Lilly monogrammed hair tie in navy with white monogram.  I love these...another preppy must-have!

The custom elastic bands are 5/8" wide and monogrammed in the center.  They are available in 38 colors and patterns and are a cute adornment for your ponytail and also your wrist!  There is plenty of fabric for you to tie this for any size wrist, but I especially love them because my wrists are so small.  

Aren't they precious?!  Right now they are on sale for $9.99!  These are perfect to buy for stocking stuffers, gifts for teachers, and anyone who rocks a ponytail or likes a wrist party!

Thanks to Marley Lilly for providing yet another must-have for the preppy girl!!!!!!!!

Halloween Supper on the Porch

Over the weekend, I had an impromtu Halloween Supper on the Porch...I used a chevron fabric for the tablecloth with some Halloween dinnerware that I've had for several years.

Only 10 days left until hundreds and hundreds of youngins hit us up for treats!

As this was last-minute, I brought out some of my decos from the inside to use for the centerpiece.  The petite orange tree is decorated with lime green, black, and purple ornaments and with streamers of lime green mesh ribbon.  It's topped off with a little witch's hat from Michael's and flanked with two lime green sequined pumpkins.

The place setting...The lime green chargers are from Michael's and the Halloween dinner plates are from HomeGoods several years ago.  The black iron flatware is from World Market.

Black linen napkins adorned with witch's hat napkin rings...

Menu
Pumpkin Sage Ravioli with
Tomato BasilSauce
Fresh Greens w/ Vidalia Onion Vinaigrette
French Bread
Pumpkin Cider

I prepared this easy Pumpkin Sage Ravioli with Tomato Basil Sauce from The Fresh Market...I'm so pumpkin-obsessed.  It was very good y'all!

My "Signature Beverage" for the night...Pumpkin Cider*.  I used handled mason jars and added little chalkboard signs for my placecards.

"Here's What I Wore"  A simple black tee and black leggings, along with pumpkin-motif earrings.  I chose this witchy apron from my "Prissy Apron Collection".

Dessert is served...chocolate cupcakes with striped cupcake umbrellas!

Closeup of cupcakes...

Witchy dessert napkins...

Cupcake plates...

*Recipe for Pumpkin Cider:
4 cups pumpkin puree
4 cups apple cider
2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp pumpkin spice

Mix over heat and serve.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and y'all have a blessed week!

At Home and Out and About

I hope y'all have had a fabulous weekend.  It's still hot here in South Florida, so I'm really struggling with "What to Wear"!  I can't help myself...to me, October means turtlenecks and vests and loafers and all those cute autumn clothes.  So even though it's still 85 degrees here in South Florida, I'm gonna wear October clothes!

Earlier in the week we had dinner at a marina.  We dined outside and it was nice and breezy near the water...I think I could have worn a turtleneck!

"Here's What I Wore"  The khaki skirt is from Target, the pink gingham blouse is by Izod, the green vest is by Lilly.  I carried my pink monogrammed Land's End tote {like I owned a yacht} and wore my pink Revas.

I really didn't get out much during the week...spent most of the time cleaning out the boxes in my garage.  Our neighborhood is hosting a garage sale soon and I'm getting rid of a lot of stuff.  I MUST downsize the loot out there.  It's a bit messy as I went through every single box!

This is "my side of the garage...I've never parked my car in there!

I have also begun to take over husband's side of the garage.  Poor thing, he can hardly get his little car in his space now days.

I wish I could show y'all the "after" photos, but until the get rid of the stuff, it's still crowded.  Neat.  But crowded.

In the evenings..."Merlot Hour" helped after my hard days of labor.

If y'all remember, last week I prepared the chicken spaghetti casseroles and sent over an extra one to my friend Lane.  Well, she returned my dish...in the Southern style.  In the South, when someone gives a gift of food, it is considered proper Southern etiquette to reciprocate with a treat when you return the empty dish.  Lord have mercy, she returned my dish with Cuban French Toast.  It was about 9 o'clock at night when her husband delivered this delicacy to us.  I just had to taste some of it.  Decadent I tell y'all!  I need to stay in the gym much longer after this.

I love this Cuban sweet, for sure!

It is important that you practice thank-you etiquette.  Last week I was speaking to my friend Miss Kara who lives in Mississippi.  Kara had just had major surgery and she mentioned that the ladies from her church were bringing over supper.  With everything else she had on her mind, she said "I must remember to place a treat in the empty dishes when I return them!"  Bless you Miss Kara...you are so Southern!

Today it was another 85 degree day, so I wore this Austin Reed blazer, blouse, and skirt to church.  Thank goodness they keep the sanctuary real chilly...so I was comfortable.  After a quick lunch at Panera, I'm home preparing a meal and treats for a supper party.

Just so y'all know, my skirt is ivory NOT white!  Y'all know I'd never wear white after Labor Day.  'Course, I do think I'm the only female in Florida who follows this rule.  Lord have mercy.