Super Bowl Foods

I confess that the only reason I'll be watching the Super Bowl this Sunday is because I love football.  I'm just not excited about either team this year.  There's always hope for the Bucs next year!  We're not having a watch party but I will be preparing food for the family.

If you have never tried Savory Saltine Seasoning, you are missing out.  This mix turns an ordinary saltine cracker into a gourmet party cracker.  I first tried the crackers at Save the Date in Macon.  They keep a canister of the crackers for tasting at the checkout desk.  These are so addicting y'all!

These crackers are great by themselves or try some of these recipes.  Serve them at tailgates or watch parties and they will definitely be a crowd pleaser!

The love the Original spice, but it's also available in Texas Chipotle or Garden Dill.



Recipe for Savory Saltines:

1 package Savory Saltine Seasoning
1 2/3 cups Canola Oil
4 sleeves of saltines
2 gallon zip lock bag

Combine Savory Seasoning and Canola Oil in a 2-gallon zip lock bag and mix well.  (The mixture will look similar to bar-b-que sauce).  Add the crackers and seal bag (leaving as much air as possible).  Toss crackers in the bag every 5-10 minutes for one hour to evenly coat crackers, or until Savory Seasoning is absorbed.  Allow crackers to sit in the bag overnight.  The next day, remove the crackers from the bag and they are ready to serve.  You may also transfer them to another airtight container and they should stay fresh for 2 weeks.

To make 1 sleeve of saltines, add 5 teaspoons of seasoning to 1/2 cup Canola Oil and follow the above directions.

Need a quick hostess gift?  Give the Savory Seasoning along with a box of saltines!

Of course, we're not just having saltines on Super Bowl Sunday.  I'm fixing a big pot of White Chili from my Taste of Gourmet pantry and loaf of Roasted Onion Garlic Bread.

The White Chili is fabulous!  I add 4 cans beans, chicken broth, and 2 pounds of shredded chicken breast.  The Roasted Onion Garlic bread mix is easy to prepare with one can of beer/club soda.

Y'all enjoy the game!

Nine Of The Most Popular Lilly Prints Of All Time

For Throwback Thursday, here's a picture of me, back when I photographed my Outfits of the Day in my bathroom.  I'm wearing the "Jumbo Lilly" pajamas.

According to Town and Country magazine, this print is one of the nine most popular Lilly Pulitzer prints of all time!

"Jumbo Lilly"


And then there was the day I coordinated my gift wrap with my outfit...wearing "Taboo," another one of the Lilly most popular prints.

"Taboo"

I love the "See Ya Later" print and have worn the shift in this pattern for years!


"Scuba Monkey" I don't have a thing in this print, but it is darling!


"Orange Blossom" nothing in this print either.


LOVE the "Checking In" print and I have a few of the accessories.


"Stuffed Shells"  The shift in this print is on my long list of Lilly-Wants!


"Cherry Begonia"  Cute, but I have nothing in this print.


"Let's Cha Cha" is a fabulous print and I have the skirt and some of the accessories.



Do you have any or all of these prints.  Do you agree that they should be the most popular prints of all time?

Wish List Wednesday

When the Lilly Pulitzer "Janice" dresses first came out, I just knew I had to have every single one!   This dress is a good fit for me and I like that it can be worn as a casual daytime dress (not for the workplace though) or dressed up for the evening with a shawl.  I have purchased many of these, but here's a few I passed by for some crazy reason.

This one is at the very top of my must-buy list in the "High Beams" pattern.

"She She Shells" is adorable too...so cute to wear at the beach.

I love this "Lioness Patch" pattern...very preppy, very Lilly.

I'm ashamed that I ever let the "Cosmo Pink Mini Party Favors" get away.  This dress is simply adorable!

Monogram Monday--$1 Monogram Decals

This is my view when I'm doing the dishes.  I don't have a kitchen window above my sink with a fabulous view, so I keep my favorite little kitchen things nearby.  Cute napkins, boxwood plants, scented candles, and hand products help to cheer me up while I'm doing the dreaded chore.  I have tried many scents and although I love all the Park Hill candles, Seda France "Japanese Quince" is my absolute favorite.  I have the hand soap, hand lotion, and candles and the fragrance is amazing!  Of course my candle jar is monogrammed.

'Cuz if it's not monogrammed, is it really yours?

Today, I'm pleased to announce a great deal from Miss Sarah, who owns Vinyl Memories and More, a monogram decal shop on Etsy.  Sarah is a stay-at-home mom and creates vinyl decals to help pay for her schooling to become a Crisis Counselor.  I really believe that we were brought together for a reason and I hope that y'all will order as many decals as you can to help her business!

 You may purchase any of her three-inch decals (custom decals included) for only $1 each.  That's a steal y'all! You can also purchase any of her six-inch decals for $3 each!  This size is perfect to use for car monogramming.

This offer is good through January 31, 2015, or while supplies last.  Hurry and stock up on your decals!

Miss Universe 2015

The new Miss Universe will be crowned tonight.  I'll be watching with my popcorn and diet caffeine-free coke and cheering for Nia Sanchez--not only because she our country's reigning Miss USA, but because she gorgeous!  Her red gown was my favorite of the evening at Miss USA last year!

The 5'8" brown-haired, brown-eyed beauty is not just a pretty face with a fabulous figure.  She's a fourth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.  I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I wouldn't want to make her mad.

I LOVE this green gown...pageant perfection!

Of course, she is tall, slim, and toned.  Look at those long legs!  She said that she is counting down the minutes until she finishes the swimsuit competition and she can finally indulge in her favorite treat.  "I have a jar of Nutella I'm going to have backstage."

The pageant will be televised tonight at 8pm EST on NBC.  Here's hoping she brings home another crown tonight!  Good luck Ms. Sanchez!

Social Graces Sunday

Lately I find myself visiting Facebook less and less.  I love the idea of keeping up with family members and friends who live far away.  I confess that I also like to keep up with friends I haven't seen in years...being curious about third grade classmates or high school friends.  I especially like following businesses so I can keep up with sales, etc.

What I do not like is the ever-increasing political/religious arguments.  I'm also not a fan of bashing your boss or workplace, trashing ex partners, or over sharing.

The over sharing is out of hand.  Seriously, when did sharing a photo of your naked, pregnant belly become interesting to anyone?

Horrific photos of your latest medical procedure are also considered over sharing!

And would someone please tell me why parents are sharing photos of their naked children in the bathtub?  Why anyone would post such a thing, especially in today's world?  It's baffling!

On another level of annoying me is the "Poke."   Am I completely out of the loop?  Why would grown people do such a thing?

Those vague status, attention-seeking{vague booking}posts crack me up too.  You know the ones meant to generate comments of interest.  Whatever.

People don't like complainers in real life and certainly not on social media.  Keep your negativity and ailments to a minimum, or better yet, keep them to yourself!

Please, please stop with the game application requests...Lord have mercy, I don't want to be your FarmVille neighbor!

Be considerate when tagging others in photos.  Not everyone wants their photo to appear online.  It is not a breech of Facebook etiquette to untag yourself in a photo.

You don't have to share every little detail of your life on Facebook or any other social media site.  I do have a tendency to over share my whereabouts{per my husband who shares nothing}, so several years ago I decided that I would not advertise where I am in real time.  For instance, I post photos of a restaurant, store, etc. after I have left, not while I'm there.  Of course, I don't do this all the time, but whenever possible.

Last, but not least, don't like your own posts.  That's just plain tacky!

Wish List Wednesday

My wish list is never ending.  I keep this binder with a list of of stuff I want, full of pictures and fabric swatches.  It's my hard copy Pinterest....just in case my husband hits the lottery--or in his case, the World Series of Poker!

I've had this photo forever...I love the window treatments, the chairs, the pillows, and Secretary desk.

In the winter months, I always covet pretty little things for the table...silver and crystal.

I have had this punch bowl set on my list for years.  I really could have used this during the holidays, so I'm going to focus on getting it soon.  Of course I want it engraved with my monogram.

Why I have never purchased a silver tea urn is beyond me.  Again, this has been on my list forever and I'm going to move it up the list as well!

I adore these Waterford liqueur goblets and need a set for shots of Baileys.

No Southern table is complete without silver iced tea goblet coasters.  On my list!

Aidan Cares

Aidan Thomas Hornaday

I would like to introduce to y'all a friend of mine, Aidan Thomas Hornaday.  Aidan was honored this past Saturday evening at the 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Dinner and "Salute to Greatness Awards."

Let me tell you a little bit about this young boy.  He was 8 years old when he picked up his brother's dusty harmonica with no idea of how to play it.  The next day, waiting for his mother at a restaurant, he took off his cap and started playing, and got 80 unexpected dollars in tips "just for taking his hat off."  That night he decided to donate the $80 to fight intestinal parasites for African orphans. Soon after, someone heard about his act of charity and asked Aidan to tell his story at a medical conference, and Aidan Cares was born.  Aidan has played gigs and speaking appearances all over to make his dreams happen, from street corners to nursing homes to schools to convention centers to The Red Bar on 30A to Hard Rock Cafe and oh-so many gigs in between.  

His mission is to encourage parents and adults to model giving to the children in their lives.  "We are raising the most selfish generation in history and it can be so much better.  Parents are into giving their kids amazing experiences but forget to include helping people, the earth, or animals, whatever touches their heart as part of their job.  Chances are when they grow up, they will never make a difference.  They won't know how.  We want to change that by helping them find their passion and serve from their gifts."  This past Saturday evening, Aidan Hornaday was honored with the "Salute to Greatness Award, on the the Martin Luther King Center's highest honors...given to individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding efforts toward building Dr. King's Beloved Community."
In the photo below, young Aidan is receiving his "Salute to Greatness" award from Dr. Bernice King.

Aidan's mother, Ms. Toren Anderson, President Bill Clinton, and Aidan celebrating at the awards dinner!

He is just the brightest and most giving young boy I've ever met.  It doesn't hurt that he is also absolutely adorable and very charismatic for his young age.

THESE ARE AIDAN'S 6 TIPS ON GIVING:

• Find your passion in giving. Share from that place. People, animals or the earth. Give to what matters to you. What makes your heart sing?

• Run TO need not FROM it! Define needs and go meet them. Include others, it's an

opportunity not an inconvenience.

• No matter how small an act of giving. BAM! You become a difference maker!

™

• Hang with givers. You are defined by those you run with and remember selfishness is a drag.

• No excuses. Giving and compassion need to be as much a part of your life as breathing, working, relationships. Living to Give will help you get through all of life, even the hardest times. Never give out, make it a part of you.

• Think of the world as a giant mosaic, it will never be complete without you. YOU matter.

Aidan is a boy on a mision teaching a generation to give.  "Dream big, help others."  Congratulations Aidan, you are truly an inspiration to everyone you meet!

Pantone's Color of the Year - Marsala

Pantone announced its 2015 color of the year as Marsala.  I would call this color a light shade of burgundy.  I love this color because it goes well with golden yellow, taupe, black, gray and is a flattering shade to spice up a look.

I bought these Hunter boots the other day in the Damson color.  Kinda Marsala?

I have this buffalo check scarf from The Gap...kinda Marsala?

The Gap also has cute skinny cords in Raisin.  I have these and I love them too...Marsala-ish?

I love the J Crew cardigans and I have the "Tippi" cardigan in burgundy...dark Marsala.

Do you bangle?  I love all of the bangles by Boweties and Bangles and of course I love them in garnet and gold!  Bows and Arrows carries all the cute ones..again, my version of Marsala!

Of course, I have to have the matching nail polish...Essie's "Tom Boy No More" is the closest shade to coordinate with all my Garnet {Marsala} and Gold.

Y'all have a great day.  It's cold and misty here in Middle Georgia...a great day to wear my new boots!

National Soup Month

Did you know?

I know...it's also National Hot Tea Month, National Oatmeal Month (I won't go there), and National Whatever Else Month!  But yesterday was rainy and cold, not to mention we watched the National College Football Championship Game...Boo Hoo, Florida State wasn't there!  I find myself craving the comfort of piping hot soups during these times, so I made a big pot of the Taste of Gourmet Positively Smashing Potato Soup...

It's a deliciously flavorful and perfectly creamy potato soup that is easy and quick to prepare.  Just add milk and simmer.  Well, I added a little bit of diced onion, carrot, celery, red bell pepper, red potatoes, and whole corn kernels.  Lord have mercy y'all, this is a great soup!  The mix makes 1 1/2 quarts for $9.95.

Remember to practice proper soup etiquette:

Hold the spoon just like a pencil between your index and middle fingers with the thumb up.  Spoon the soup away from you toward the center of the bowl.  Don't fill the soup spoon completely full.  Place the soup spoon on the plate in the 10:20 "I am finished" position in between sips and when you have finished.  Never leave a soup spoon in a soup bowl.  Also, do not blow on your soup to cool it down and do not slurp your soup.

Enjoy the soup season!

Monogram Monday

Today I'm wearing a vest that I bought at TJ Maxx.  It resembles the Excursion Herringbone vest from J Crew...but it was a fraction of the cost.   I decided to monogram it.  I love puffer vests and love them even more monogrammed.

This is the J Crew Excursion Herringbone Vest.  I tried this vest on in the store and I looked like a Lumberjack!  I never buy knockoffs or fake stuff...I don't think my vest is a fake, it's just another version of the J Crew vest...and not as long and Lumberjacky-looking!

 

I always say that I'm matchy-matchy, so the pattern mixing I'm wearing today is way out of my comfort zone!  Cheetah, tartan, and herringbone...with jeans.  Lord have mercy!

Y'all have a great week!

Comfort Food Giveaway

January is a great month to enjoy some comfort food...those foods that make you feel warm and content.  I'm offering a giveaway of some of my favorite comfort foods from Taste of Gourmet.

The winner will receive:

~One box of Mama's Meatloaf Mix.  Each of the two mixes in the box makes a two-pound meat loaf!  There are recipe suggestions on the box and also at Taste of Gourmet.

~One box of White Chili Soup Mix.  This soup is hearty and healthy.  Add canned beans and chunks of chicken to the tasty vegetables and spices already in the mix for a meal ready in minutes.  Two mixes are included.

~One box of Positively Smashing Potato Soup Mix.  Flavorful and perfectly creamy potato soup that is easy and quick to prepare.  Add milk or water to the mix.

Your comfort food will arrive in a gift package...straight from The Roost.

This is a great gift to use to stock your own Entertaining Pantry or to re gift to someone else.  Head over to my Instagram and follow the simple rules to enter this giveaway.  I will announce the winner of this giveaway on Tuesday, January 13, 2015.

Good Luck!

This giveaway is closed.  Congratulations to Instagram.com/becky_joelle , she is the winner!