Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!

Scenes from last night at The Roost...Peppermint Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Fudge Balls.  'Tis the Season for peppermint y'all!

We are experiencing rainy, dreary weather here in Middle Georgia and hot chocolate with some peppermint goodies is the perfect comfort beverage!


I made fudge balls and added crushed peppermint for nibbling and everyone loves them.  

We are definitely trying to be Merry and Bright in this gloomy climate.

I haven't been very creative this Christmas season, but when I saw these bags of peppermint hot chocolate at TJ Maxx, I grabbed tons of them.  They are my "Friendship Gifts" for December and January.


Thank you for visiting with me today.  Now I'm off to do some last-minute shopping!

Valentine Treats

OOTN...last night.  I'm wore my red gingham Jessie Steele apron in the kitchen...baking red velvet cookies.

The *recipe is very easy...Normally I add a cream cheese frosting, but left it off this time because my packaging would mess up the frosting.  They are still delicious without the frosting!

I placed them inside the heart-motif cups I bought on sale last year after Valentine's Day.

*Recipe for the red velvet cookies:~1 pouch (1-lb. 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
~1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
~1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
~1/4 cup sour cream
~1 tblsp red food coloring
~1 egg

Heat the oven to 375 degrees.  Stir cookie mix, cocoa, butter, sour cream, food coloring, and egg until soft dough forms.  Roll dough into 1-inch balls.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 8-9 minutes or until set.  Cool 2 minutes.  Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack and cool completely, about 15 minutes.  Makes 36

Cream cheese frosting may be added after the cookies are cool, if desired.

Happy New Year

The holiday season is coming to a close and the new year is fast approaching.  I must say that I haven't made many resolutions that are different from those I made in previous years...just to exercise more and hopefully that a special wish of mine will come true in 2014!

I prepared my New Year "Friendship Gifts"...using gold stripe paper pales from the $1 bin at Target, pink shred, and pink champagne mini bottles, with a "Cheers" tag attached.

Tonight I'm wearing my mama's black velvet pants with a ruffled blouse and black sequined cardo.  The glitter bow belt was a find at Target and my shoes are Kate Spade.

Getting ready to party!

Here's a peek at my New Year's Dinner tablescape...

A look back at my holiday outfits and such...

I wore my Old Navy glitter flats to Happy Hour last weekend.

I gave lots of gifts cards to friends and family for Christmas and placed them inside the cute Anthropologie initial mugs.

This was the outfit I wore on Christmas Eve.  The blouse is from J Crew, the cardi is from TJ Maxx, the skirt is from Target, the gold Revas are by Tory Burch, and the gold monogrammed sash is from Laroque.

My accessories for a Christmas party...shoes by Kate Spade, glitter bow belt by Kate Spade and Chanel fragrance, lipstick, and nail polish.

Christmas party outfit...Blouse by Kate Spade, glitter bow belt by Kate Spade, and navy blue taffeta skirt by J. Crew.

Happy Hour with Target tumblers, straws, and cocktail napkins.

Another casual holiday outfit...sweater from Banana Republic, vest from Ralph Lauren, gold glitter loafers from The Gap.

So that's it for 2013.  Happy New Year to y'all and I hope y'all have a healthy and happy 2014!!!

Thanksgiving Friendship Gifts

The taste of the season...Sweet Potato Muffins!

These muffins are topped with a crunchy sugar topping and are scrumptious served at breakfast with coffee and heavenly served for supper with ham and green beans.  Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or raisins if you choose.  They are perfect anytime of the day.

The Sweet Potato Muffins are always a hit whenever I serve them and are the most popular food product that I offer!

I always try to have "Friendship Gifts" on hand to give to those people who visit my home or to take as small hostess gift.  I was trying to come up with something easy since right now I am visiting my Mama in Georgia.  I wanted something that I could take to her neighbors who are all so good to her and to have on hand for friends who might drop by.

A couple of years ago, I baked the muffins in mini-muffin pans and used these cute Thanksgiving-theme treat bags I found at Hobby Lobby.

  I thought I was over the chevron design fad but last week I found these cute bags at Hobby Lobby with the turkey-motif toppers and the presentation was appreciated by recipients!

Each box of Sweet Potato Muffins makes 12 muffins or 48 mini muffins and cost only $7.95/box.  Click here to order.

A wrapped muffin mix makes a great hostess gift...

You can visit my Taste of Gourmet site here to find these and more gourmet food products to stock your entertaining pantry.

Hello Spring!

It's a beautiful day in South Florida!  Our house has been painted a bright yellow and now I'm putting my final touches on the front porch decor and sprucing up the garden.

My "Spring Friendship Gifts" are ready...little polka dot boxes filled with shred and jelly beans.

A sweet little Easter basket is on the way to Mama...full of her favorite candies and gift cards.

My Lilly shifts have been cleaned, pressed, and are ready to go!

Yesterday, I served a lite breakfast to husband and our friend Mark on the front porch...with a little Spring theme.

Last night I walked up to the town square at Tradition and feasted on goodies at the Food Truck Invasion.  If the trucks are ever in your area, you must go...on a cheat day.  Lord have mercy, it was delish!

Today I putting together my "Derby Day" outfit.  Of course it will feature this Lilly print...

Happy Spring y'all!

Sweet Tea and Boiled Peanuts

Tonight I'm relaxing on the porch with husband and mama...sipping some "Southern iced tea" and nibblin' on some boiled peanuts.

If you are from the Deep South, you've no doubt driven by "Boiled Peanut Stands" on the side of the road.  Everybody down South loves 'em--Lord have mercy, I stopped and bought some while driving from Augusta to Warner Robins recently.

If you can't find a roadside stand, you can buy them canned.  They may be eaten straight out of the can or placed on a plate and covered with a paper towel, and heated in the microwave for thirty seconds.

You can also prepare your own in the crockpot...

Recipe for Miss Janice's Boiled Peanuts:
1 1/2 quarts raw uncooked green peanuts
1/2    cup salt
2 1/2 quarts water

Wash the peanuts well.  Place the peanuts into the crockpot, add the salt and water; stir.  Cook covered on high for 5-7 hours.  Add more water if necessary to keep the peanuts covered.

I have even given out cans of Boiled Peanuts as my "Friendship Gifts" in the past...

Tied the cans up with plaid bows...this is very Southern y'all!

April Friendship Gifts

Quick, get the milk...my April "Friendship Gifts" are perfect for dunkin'!
Annie's Whole-Grain Graham Bunny Crackers...These little crackers were a no-brainer for my Springtime "Friendship Gifts!" Made in the shape of bunnies, they are the perfect snack for children and grown-ups. I found them in chocolate, chocolate chip, honey, and cinnamon.
The cute little polka dot cello bags and "Happy Easter" toppers came from Hobby Lobby.
Easy peasy and a healthy treat to enjoy with a glass of milk! Hop Hop! Happy Easter!

February Friendship Gifts

Yesterday I put together my February "Friendship Gifts." I also decorated my little white feather tree for Valentine's.

I found these little cello packages at Hobby Lobby and filled them with sweets and attached the cute little tags.

These were only $2.99 for a pack of 20, so I got two packs...Lord, that's a lot of candy! Easy to assemble and real cute too!

For the tree, I made my own little tree decorations using tags I ordered from Etsy a couple of years ago...added my trademark red gingham to solid red card stock and then embellished it with pearl garland.
The kitchen table has a bit of red as well...

Right after Valentine's Day, I'll do a little Mardi Gras decorating around the house...and then on to Easter bunnies everywhere!

Thank you for stopping by to visit with me.