Autumn Around the House

Today, My Lady Caroline, who is one of my Twitter friends tweeted that she wished I was as chatty as I used to be on my blog.  Oops, I admit that I haven't been blogging a lot lately--no excuses.  I do spend a lot of time on Instagram now...it's so quick and easy.  Just post the photos and go!  So for those who don't follow me on Instagram, here's a peek at what's been going on at The Roost this fall.

We bought a small house to be near my Mama so that I can scoot back and forth whenever I'm needed to help with her caregiving.  I actually love this little house.  As I am aging, I find that it's important to me to be able to take care of what I have.  The smaller the size, the easier it is!

I'm still using the same Halloween wreath from last year.

I don't decorate with a ton of Halloween stuff like I used to...I just added a lot of orange this year.

Sprayed all my pumpkins gold.

Mary Elizabeth also received the gold spray paint treatment and is decked out with an orange bow--and pearls, of course!

I have cut back on the roosters everywhere, but I still keep a few on the front porch to greet our guests at the front door.  Don't know how long the mums will last.  The pumpkin...well it's kind of a posh pumpkin.  I bought it at James Farmer, Inc. in Perry...

Cocktail hour...more orange.

Tea Time...I love Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice Rooibus tea with Pumpkin Spice English Muffins and apple butter.

More orange on the tabletop...

I carried breakfast to a meeting and used the darling Target "Cheeky" plates and to-go cups...

The Halloween tree is up on the porch, decorated witchy-style!

These are my treats this year for the special little trick-or-treaters...

I served Pimiento Cheese Balls at Happy Hour on Gameday last Saturday.  Yes, that's the day the Florida State Seminoles got beat by Georgia Tech.  Of course, I'll never serve these things again!  Bad luck.  I'm VERY superstitious!  But, moving on to the Syracuse game this week.  Go Noles!

Just in case you want to prepare them...I added cream cheese, some chopped cooked bacon, chopped jalapenos, and chopped pecans to Palmetto Cheese and then topped them off with pretzel sticks.

Hope everyone is enjoying Autumn.  Today it was 57 degrees, dark, and misting rain.  I was hoping for crisp, sunny days and cool nights.  I think it's time to get out the boots!  

The Weekend

It was a beautiful autumn weekend here in South Florida.  Bright and early {also known as 4:30 a.m.} on Saturday morning I was up and getting ready to jog in a 5k race...across this bridge and back.  Lord have mercy, even though I didn't beat my personal best, I had a great time and came in first in my age bracket.  No excuses...I will just try harder in the next race!

I wasn't very bright eyed at that crazy time of the morning, but sported some cute Ralph Lauren pink pony gear.

I came home exhausted as usual, but spent the day piddlin' around the house and napping!  I'm enjoying the autumn decor that I've added.  Are y'all like me?  Do you decorate for the seasons and then stand back and enjoy the festive look?  I actually hate putting away seasonal decor...

The breakfast room is set with my autumn theme.

A little touch of autumn on the sideboard...

And on the hutch.

On Friday, I told y'all about The Fall Festival at The Fresh Market Grocers.  Well, I'm now obsessed with their Pumpkin Risotto.  It's a very creamy risotto with a hint of pumpkin flavor--there are actually little bits of pumkin in the mix.  Y'all simply must try it.  For dinner I had my usual cajun-spiced tilapia, lima beans {obsessed with those as well}, and the risotto.  Lord have mercy, it was delish!

The Pumpkin Risotto is $9.99 for two 12-oz packages.  I can't wait to have more tonight.

If you are a risotto lover like myself, you will love this pumpkin-flavored carb treat!

Don't y'all just love the flavors of the autumn season?

FYI:  I'm still waiting on Katie Clooney of The Preppy Empty Nester to contact me to claim her prize from the apron giveaway by Scarlet Thread Aprons.  Katie you have until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning...If I don't hear from you, I will draw another name!

Also, y'all check back tomorrow...I have another Monday Morning Giveaway from Carolina Clover!!!

Getting my Autumn Act Together!

This morning, I've been taking out Autumn and Halloween decos...organizing everything and planning the decos I want to add this year.  Lord have mercy, I now have just as many Autumn/Halloween/Thanksgiving decos as I do for Christmas so I'm only adding a few new pieces this year--all my decos are taking over the garage.

Love this magazine out on the new stands now by Phyllis Hoffman.  Great photos and ideas to get you excited for the season!

My Doctor told me last week that I should gain 5 lbs.  Well my land, I've certainly never been told that!  Since I've been on the "Clean Living" diet during the summer, I lost about 10-12 lbs and for my frame and height, that's probably a bit much.  Okay.  Working on that weight gain today with a scone and some of  my Apple Butter.

LOVE this apple butter for a spread on scones, biscuits, or toast.

Miss Janice's Etiquette Tip:  Remember that jellies or creams should spooned onto the plate not onto the scone.  Then use a spreader and add the jelly to only the portion of scone that you are putting into your mouth.

  You can find the recipe for "Miss Janice's Apple Butter" here.

I'm sippin' some Apple Cinnamon tea from Harney Tea...the perfect flavor to enjoy with my scone and apple butter treat!

Don't y'all just love Autumn?  When I'm done inside the house, I'm gonna plant some Autumn flowers in the garden area.  Y'all have a great day!

THE THANKSGIVING TREE

What a beautiful fall weekend we have had here in South Florida! I've been busy taking down Halloween decos and putting out a few Thanksgiving decos. I'm also bringing out the Christmas decos at the same time. Lord have mercy! I thought y'all might like to see some photos of the porch decorated for Thanksgiving...

I peeked out the window this morning and a daddy was telling his little girl what the sign said..."Happy Turkey Day!"
My UPS boy (better known as this shopping girl's best friend) told me that he took a photo of my sign and sent it to his mama in Georgia...so that she would know there were some real Southern people here in South Florida!

Last week the tree was decorated for Halloween. Poof! Now it's a Turkey Tree!!!

I definitely give thanks everyday for my faith, family, and friends!

Pumpkin fever on the tree...

Turkey ornaments, autumn garland, and autumn-toned ornaments...

Pumpkins hiding in the branches...

The crown...a BIG turkey! Gobble Gobble Gobble y'all...

The tree is gorgeous at night. I overheard one of my neighbors walking by the porch last night...she said to her friend "Oh, now she's got turkeys on it!"

A little treat after dinner with my friend Harvey who drove up from Broward County...Apple Cider Spritzers* and Paula Deen's Apple Butterscotch Mini Bundt Cakes.

Recipe for Miss Janice's Apple Cider Spritzers:

Pour equal amounts of apple cider and seltzer water on ice and enjoy!

You can buy Paula's Apple Butterscotch Mini Bundt Cakes and her other delicious baked goodies from the Bakery Deparment at WALMART! Yes ma'am, y'all know I'm one of the new people of Walmart:)

I'm off to have lunch with friends. Have a wonderful Sunday and thank you so much for visiting with me today! Just in case you missed my post on Friday, I'll leave you with a photo of the wreath I hung on the front door...it coordinates well with the tree!

AUTUMN WREATH

Autumn has finally arrived to South Florida! Tonight we are enjoying the cool weather and having some chili for supper...acting like we live up North or something:) Out-of-town company is coming tomorrow and I'm excited to actually NEED to wear a turtleneck!

This week I've been busy getting a little Thanksgiving decorating done. I took down my 'spooky' wreath and hung something a bit more Autumn-ish. Take a peek...

I love the the pumpkins, pinecones, berries, and feathers and added our wooden monogram initial. I think the monogram gives the wreath a little more personality! The wreath is beautiful on the front door and pairs well with the "Thanksgiving Tree" which is very near to the door.

I'll be back on Sunday with photos of the tree y'all!!! Have a great weekend.

MISS JANICE'S HALLOWEEN TREE...ON THE PORCH

Are y'all ready for Halloween? I am...and so is Miss Coco!!! She's excited about two new outfits she has for the week...one to wear at her mama's "Nibbles and Bits" soiree and one to wear on Halloween night. She is ready for the witchey week! She said for me to tell y'all "Happy Fall Y'all!"
A little fall on the birdbath...

"You say witch like it's a bad thing"...Pumpkin love on the porch...monograms and dots--obsessed! Lord have mercy, I hate cords, but I've got so much stuff plugged in on the porch!

This year my Halloween tree has a 'witchey' theme...

The top is adorned with a witches' hat...the dots again!

Witchey woman...

Pretty witchey lady...

Love this witchey lady...

Every witch has a broom...

'Bad hair day' witch...

Counting down the days...

Witchey boot...

Preppy spiders on black ribbon bows...

Boo ornaments with gingham ribbon bows...

Last night we enjoyed the cool Florida breeze outside on the porch...Sippin' Pumpkin Pie in a Mug* and eating some chocolate chip cookies...

My pumpkin obsession continues with this fabulous drink "Pumpkin Pie in a Mug"*. I found the recipe (below) in the November/December 2009 edition of Southern Lady magazine. It's absolutey wonderful y'all! You must make it!!! Recipe for Pumpkin Pie in a Mug*
(From Southern Lady magazine)

3 cups half and half
3 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
2 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp salt
Garnish: whipped cream, pumpkin pie spice

In a large saucepan, combine half-and-half, milk, and sugar over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Add pumpkin, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt, whisking to combine well. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally; do not boil. Garnish with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

I hope y'all have a very spooky week...I'll be back later in the week with photos from my Halloween Soiree and of Halloween Night at "The Roost." Until then, I'll leave you with this photo of a cute sign I bought at the Mount Dora Fall Festival this past weekend...perfect for my porch!