Super Bowl Party

Today I'm entertaining a group of my husband's friends for Super Bowl XLVIII.  I set up the spread on the gaming table in his man cave...

He has a cottage above the garage with a studio area, full bath, and full kitchen.  It's the perfect spot to entertain a bunch of rowdy men!  So I spent Friday night and Saturday afternoon cleaning the place up...stocked the frig with beverages, dusted off the sports memorabilia, and cleaned the kitchen & bath area.

We are not fans of the Broncos or the Seahawks, BUT I do want to see Peyton Manning and his team win the Super Bowl!  So, today I'm wearing Broncos colors...J Crew Factory colored denim pants and matching cardi, Tory Burch 'Revas' and the 'Robinson' crossbody bag, and the orange gingham blouse is from LL Bean.

Super Bowl Party Menu
Deviled Eggs
Spinach Dip in Bread Bowl
Taco Cheese Ball
Guacamole Dip
Crab Dip
Caesar Pasta Salad
Potato Salad
Baked Beans
Pigs-in-a-Blanket
Gridiron Chili
Chicken Wings
Sliders
Fit Sandwiches
Chocolate Cake

Last night I put the chili in the crock pot and let it simmer overnight.  It's delish!

Little green onion strips football-fied my deviled eggs.

Of course I had to serve the obligatory football-shaped cheese ball.  This taco cheese ball had quite the kick!

Wings, guacamole dip, and pigs-n-a-blanket...I definitely can't eat much tomorrow!

This Caesar Pasta Salad is delicious and was made in the deli at Publix!

I tried my first sliders out in Vegas last summer and they are now my go-to party food...all in moderation right?

I hear about these "Fit Sandwiches" all the time on The Biggest Loser show.  Well, they look good and taste even better!  

My Super Bowl cake looks so litttle...kinda hokey too.  Whatever.  I'll be having some of this chocolate cake later with my coffee!

Even though none of my favorite teams {Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints} made it to the big game, I'm still very excited to watch the game.  LET'S GO BRONCOS!

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Jean Paul has certainly been into Mardi Gras this year and he's ready to "Let the good times roll!"


No party this year *sigh*...But, I've certainly been trying to bring the spirit of Mardi Gras to my table! Over the weekend, I prepared Bayou Sausage Muffins and served Cafe Du Monde lattes.
I added Jimmy Dean "hot" sausage and it was just the right kick to this Bayou bread mix!
For dinner, I added some Jezebel'd Deviled Eggs to my menu...
Three teaspoons of Jezebel Sauce and some Sassy Seasoning Salt added to the egg mixture spiced up this Southern favorite!
Jezebel'd Eggs. Arthur Court deviled egg tray. Oh-so Southern!

Chardonnay Hour...Now y'all know my wine goblet and accessories MUST match the theme of the day...Chardonnay and King Cake!
Happy Fat Tuesday to you. Hope you are enjoying some wondering Cajun food today and maybe some beignets...or at least a slice of King Cake!

Apple Juleps...Southern Style

It's that time of year when I long for the days when Mama and Daddy would take me to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Mama and I would shop like socialites while Daddy sat on the nearest bench...just waiting patiently until we ran out of money.

Pigeon Forge is located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee and is a popular destination for those traveling to see "The leaves changing" during Autumn. The area is also known to shopaholics as as the home of the "Outlet Malls of All Outlet Malls!"But, my most wonderful memory of those trips were our meals at The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. Lord have mercy, it's like the The Cracker Barrel heaven! They have THE BEST country cooking...Apple fritters, fried pork chops, applesauce muffins, apple butter, chicken and dumplings, and the list goes on an on. We were never disappointed!

But what do I remember most about the Applewood Restaurant? The Apple Juleps! This is the beverage that was served complimentary to all guests at the restaurant.

With the arrival of Autumn, last night I served Apple Juleps...in mint julep cups!

Etiquette tip: It is considered proper to drink Apple Juleps with a sterling mint julep straw/spoon. Simply use the spoon to stir the julep and sip your beverage through the tiny hole at the other end. This is one of the very few times a lady should use a straw to drink a beverage. It's also acceptable to use a straw when you are drinking a coke out of a can, a large to-go cup of sweet tea, a cold Starbuck's beverage, or when you have taken ill and are in the the bed.

A sterling mint julep straw/spoon...stir with one end and sip from the other.
Recipe for the Apple Julep:
1 quart unsweetened apple juice, chilled
1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice, chilled

1/4 cup lemon juice, chilled
Garnish with apple slices or mint sprigs

Combine all the ingredients with ice cubes. Enjoy! Happy Autumn y'all!

Serving Trays...A Staple for the Southern Hostess

I've been busy organizing my entertaining arsenal! Polished the silver. Organized all my dinnerware and my glassware. Ironed the aprons I'll be using in Autumn and Winter.

I've also been going through my "Serving Tray Collection." Lord have mercy, my stash is growing!

Serving trays are an indispensable accessory for the Southern hostess. Along with my "Prissy Apron Collection," these serving trays are a must-have for entertaining and help to make serving a pleasure and stylish.
These trays can be used to serve appetizers, beverages, or a meal in the Relaxing Room while watching television. I have used them to offer breakfast in bed and also as vessels to display books, candles, floral arrangements, et cetera.

If you don't want to spend a lot on a tray, just find one of these clear platters at Walmart, Target, or the grocery store.

Then cover it with a pretty cloth...Voila! Perfect for serving beverages to your guests!
Over the years, I have enjoyed using my trays. This brown rattan tray comes in handy when serving my "Signature Beverages."

The painted tole tray hangs on the wall in the Relaxing Room, but is also used to serve Low Tea on a chilly afternoon.


Husband keeps this vintage Gucci tray in his "Romper Room." Jack and Coke served with style.

French toast and esspresso, served in bed...LOVE this brown wooden tray!

This white wooden tray gets so much use! I found it at a thrift store years ago for about $5 and I use it all the time. In this photo, it was used as a vessel for my "Friendship Gifts"--strawberry preserves.

Here's the white tray again...using during "Chardonnay Hour"

I just used the white tray the other day to serve "Dreamsicle Floats!"

This pretty tray gets a lot of use during the Christmas holidays.

This silver tray is very sturdy and great to pass beverages for a large crowd. {Of course, I usually add festive bows to the handles} In this photo, it's holding my fleur de lis cookies.

I found this preppy pink melamine tray at Hobby Lobby. A must-have to serve beverages in my Lilly goblets!

Love my white wicker bed tray...it was last used to serve my "Royal Tea" during the Royal Wedding. Lord that was a fun day!!!

I get a lot of use out of this black wooden tray. In this photo, it's the vessel to hold Bloody Mary soup in Fiestaware mugs during a Mardi Gras party.

The black trays also make great chargers. I found them at Nell Hill's and LOVE them!

Served lemon sorbet recently on these gorgeous charger plates!

I found this red wooden tray at Hobby Lobby and use it a lot during all the seasons. In this photo, it's the vessel for my "Co Cola & Peanuts" Friendship Gifts.

The red tray is perfect at Christmas time...serving beverages on the porch.

I've had this animal print tray for years...ready to serve cocktails.

My sterling silver service tray--great to serve anything...tea, coffee, desserts. Everything looks pretty on a silver tray!

I found this sweet little tray in Mama's closet last Christmas and she let me have it:)

The Santa tray is perfect to serve beverages at Christmas.

This tray from Pottery Barn is one of my favorites. Great to serve casseroles and I also use it as base for a huge rooster on my sideboard.

This cute little "Family and Friends" melamine tray by Paula Deen was used to hold my candied walnuts..."Friendship Gifts."

Wow! This mirrored tray gets used everyday. It's on my vanity to hold all my colognes & body lotions. I also use it from time to time to serve special beverages...prissy iced tea, mint juleps, and this photo "Miss Janice's Naughty Egg Nog."

This pink & green plaid melamine tray was a find at Target. It was perfect to use on the porch to serve peach iced tea.

I love this monogrammed melamine tray from The Pink Monogram...it's sure to be my next addition to my "Serving Tray Collection."

I think I've just about got my entertaining arsenal ready to go. Now, I've gotta go through all my Fall loot and finalize my ideas for decorating, gift giving, and entertaining.

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope y'all are having a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!