May 2011 Friendship Gifts

Well, Easter has come and gone. All the Easter bunnies have been safely tucked away until next year and all the jelly beans have been consumed! Even with my obsession over the Royal Wedding, I found the time to put the decorations away. This is my kitchen hutch now...dressed for Spring.

Earlier this week, I decided to make Strawberry Preserves for my Royal Wedding 'Royal Tea'. While in Walmart to purchase the needed ingredients, I found some cute canning jar tops with cute little strawberry-motif gift labels. It was then I remembered I needed to come up with something fast for my May 'Friendship Gifts'!

As y'all know, I always have 'Friendship Gifts' on hand to give to visitors to my home. They are also great to use when I'm invited to someone else's home...as hostess gifts. And sometimes, I just give them as a 'happy'.

Here I am...modeling the latest edition to my 'Hostess Apron' collection. It's a darling strawberry-motif apron with lime green ric-rac trim. I'm wearing my pearls and sippin' Chardonnay from my wine goblet with a lime-green monogram:) I found this darlin' apron at the Spring Festival in Mt. Dora, Florida last month. The vendor was Pig And Company and you can visit them online at their Etsy store here.

I love the little red gingham tops of the canning jars and the strawberry-motif gift labels, "From the kitchen of...Miss Janice".

Recipe for Miss Janice's Strawberry Preserves:

2 qts. strawberries
5 cups sugar

Place 2 qts strawberries in a pot with 2 cups of sugar. Cook the mix on high heat for 5 minutes. Add 3 cups of sugar and cook on high heat for 10 minutes. Remove the mix and let it stand {covered} for 24 hours. Can and seal!

The strawberry preserves were delicious with my British scones I prepared on Friday morning for the wedding:) I'm visiting my Royal Family in Georgia this week and will be taking some jars of the preserves to them. It's an easy and quick recipe to prepare y'all!

Remember, try to do something special for someone else everyday!

Merlot Hour...Featuring The Pink Monogram!

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I tweet a lot about "Merlot Hour". Well, tonight I'm enjoying a glass of Merlot after a long hard day of doing chores around the house! I'm sippin' Merlot while preparing a late supper for my husband...so I simply must look cute, right?! Of course y'all! "HERE'S WHAT I WORE." Check out this precious preppy monogrammed apron, from The Pink Monogram. It is one of my faves! Solid black, with my monogram in pink. Monica, at The Pink Monogram will customize this apron just for you. It's available in several colors and if you would like, she will even add the darling polka dot ribbon at the bottom to coordinate with the color of your monogram! This is a must-have for any Southern hostess. It would also make a cute addition to your hostess apron collection or would be an appropriate housewarming gift for the Preppy Hostess With the Mostess! I think it looks real cute with my my pink and black ballet flats:) Now, y'all know I'm a bit OCD and everything simply must match. Lately, I guess I've gone a bit overboard, as I've started coordinating my wine goblets with my hostess aprons. Take a look at this doll! Monica sells this ridiculously cute monogrammed preppy wine goblet. It has dots and my monogram to coordinate with my hostess apron. Can you stand this cuteness?! Check out The Pink Monogram! You will surely find the perfect preppy piece that you simply must have. Miss Janice has her brown eyes on these jewels... Monogrammed Loafers--these are available in a wide range of colors and of course, they are monogrammed. On. My. List. These monogrammed Animal Print Shoes are SO me! I simply must have them y'all! What is this, you ask? It's a Monogrammed Shower Curtain! Not just any monogrammed shower curtain either. It is available in white, damask print, polka dots, and a daisy print. The best thing about it is that the monogram is 12 inches by 12 inches! What a statement this curtain would make in my guest bath. Right now I'm using the Ballard Designs white curtain...the one with the lame 'G' initial. Must. Have. This. One. Simply must!!!

You can peek at all the Pink Monogram products online HERE. You can also become a Facebook fan of The Pink Monogram here. Monica is on Twitter and you can follow her to keep posted on the sales she offers. Miss Janice LOVES The Pink Monogram, it's where I got my Pink Monogram clogs.

Thank you for visiting with me today! Hope y'all are having a fabulous Spring...isn't Spring wonderful?

P.S. I'm having major Blogger issues tonight. If a link doesn't work for you, I apologize. And the spacing...this is another issue that began last week. Strange and frustrating! Another P.S. 4.17.11--I tried to edit this post so y'all could get the direct links for the cute loot at The Pink Monogram...still having issues! I am soooo sorry:(

ON THE BUNNY TRAIL TO EASTER

Well, another Masters Golf Tournament has come and gone and my blues began last night! I always get so sad when it's over...been feeling that way since I was 12 years old!!! Not to worry...today I had lunch with a longtime friend from my days working on cruise ships {another story, another time}. She was visiting from California and we headed to the beach and enjoyed ourselves at an outdoor cafe. Blues gone...just like that--poof! :) Thought y'all might like to see some of my decorations for Spring and Easter. I'll start with the dining room...be it evah-so humble--I do like it:) Now, when you look at the photos, you'll probably be thinking...do we have to see this same setting every year? Yes ma'am, y'all do, 'cuz I love it!!! {I did change a few of the elements this year, so take a peek)

Every year I have a hard time putting away this setting...it's one of favorites! The 'Bunny Toile' dinnerware is by J. Wilfred and was purchased in a darling store--First Fruit Collection, in Collierville, Tennessee. The moss chargers also came from the same store. Check out Lisa's blog, Your Home Can Be Happy. It's full of great decorating ideas and gorgeous photos! In face, I think I'll go Tweet about her right now!

I totally LOVE this 'Bunny Toile' pattern!

The centerpiece...Monsieur Rabbit. It's Bunny Time y'all!!!

A little springtime embellishment for the table...

Domed butter dish...{this piece will be featured in my next blog post this week--"Bread and Butter Etiquette".

Sweet little Bunny Toile covered candy dish at each setting...full of jelly beans!

The Secretary is the perfect spot for my "April Friendship Gifts".

The sideboard is set for tea and carrot cake...

I had a custom floral piece hanging above the sideboard, but thought the moss-covered initial 'G' hung with a green toile ribbon looked a little more Springtime-ish.

I found this darling little bunny candy tray at HomeGoods...Thank you to the sweet people at HomeGoods for remembering me!!! I added the pink tulips, which are perfect for Springtime...in a pretty Waterford vase.

The carrot cake {from Honeybaked Ham and it's delish y'all} is the perfect dessert to top off the bunny-motif majolica cake plate...from HomeGoods.

This is another darling bunny tray I found at HomeGoods...

LOVE this bunny-motif teapot, from HomeGoods, and the matching teacups & saucers, which I found on eBay.

I squealed {to myself, of course} when I spotted this green toile apron at HomeGoods...thanks again to the fabulous HomeGoods people! I know y'all must have known Miss Janice would be in to get this apron:) Love y'all!!! Well, that's the dining room y'all! I'll be back in a couple of days to talk about Bread & Butter Etiquette...Yes ma'am, there is proper etiquette to be followed when eating bread!

Who Will Don the Coveted Green Jacket

Today's the final round of the 75th Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. As usual, I'll be camped out in front of the television! Yesterday, I finished my garden chores and fixed myself a traditional Masters lunch...pimiento cheese sandwich, potato chips, and an iced cold Miller Lite! Last night I prepared my traditional Masters Dinner...BBQ chicken, twiced-baked potatoes, The Green Jacket Salad, and french bread. Oh...and an Arnold Palmer! I helped husband with the chicken...wearing my yellow Willliams-Sonoma apron, my Masters visor, AND my weired green Revas!

You can view a blog post I did a couple of years ago, which featured my party, "Tee Time at the Masters" HERE. It's a golf-theme tablescape with recipes, party favors, placecards, Augusta National etiquette, et cetera. I was hoping the defending champion Phil Mickelson was gonna be wearing the coveted Green Jacket again this year, but it doesn't appear that will happen. I was also hoping my fave Freddie Couples {eye candy for the grown-up girls} would make a run for the win...now, I'm just happy that he made the cut! I will close with a very old photo of my friend Teresa Jane and me in front of the Clubhouse at the Augusta National...very early 80's! Happy times...with our Gucci pocketbooks in hand!

Don't forget that tonight at midnight is the deadline to register to win my Francesca Joy Palm Beach giveaway!

Peach Pecan Pepper Preserves

Last night I entertained an out-of-town guest. Well, by 'entertaining' I mean that I cleaned the guest bath & bedroom and served him an appetizer! I had to look cute doing it! I found this cute pink & green hostess apron in a small shop in Mt. Dora, Florida last weekend. It looked darlin' with my pink & green flamingo print capris pants... I served Chardonnay with a dip of Peach Pecan Pepper Preserves over cream cheese, along with some Graham Cracker cookies. The Peach Pecan Pepper Preserves are a product from my Taste of Gourmet line and is the Product of the Month. This jelly taste so much better than your granny's plain ole pepper jelly! What a fabulous flavor...the pecans and peaches add texture to the jelly. It's a little bit sweet and little bit hot. It's also great served over browned pork chops... Remember when you purchase the Peach Pecan Pepper Preserves during the month of April, a $1 donation will be generated to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The Peach Pecan Pepper Preserves have been a long-time customer favorite of the Taste of Gourmet line. I always serve this fab jelly over cream cheese at my etiquette and entertaining seminars! The price is $8.95 for a 10-oz. jar and you can place your order at my Taste of Gourmet site HERE. Of course, my goblets {monogram decals from 2PreppyGirls}, monogrammed coasters & linen towel {monogrammed by a friend}, and appetizer plate {from Hobby Lobby} just had to coordinate with my outfit:)

Later we dined on the patio at The Town Crier Pub in Tradition...fish & chips--splurge! If you follow me on Twitter, you know I had a fun evening watching the Jersey girls from up North dancing and flippin' their hair all night! Fun night, y'all! "HERE'S WHAT I WORE..." My friend Joy gave me the pink & green flamingo print capris pants--LOVE them! I wore a white blouse and my {closed-toe} pink Lilly mules. My ponytail was adorned with a hot pink grosgrain ribbon and I wore a silver monogrammed choker necklace with the matching monogrammed ring, my 'Return to Tiffany' bracelet, and my rollring wedding band by Cartier. My iPhone cover was lime green {duh} and my fragrance of choice for the evening was 'Burberry.'

Thank you for stopping in to visit with me today! Now, my eyes and heart will turn to my hometown--Augusta, Georgia--for the Masters Golf Tournament this week. {Brother has the tickets this year!} Looking forward to seeing who will don that coveted Green Jacket.

MISS JANICE'S PRISSY HOSTESS APRONS

Readers are always asking about my "Apron Collection!" Well, I like to refer to it as "Miss Janice's Prissy Hostess Apron Collection!" I have a lot of 'em...not sure how many and my collection just keeps growing y'all!

I'm a servant-less cook and want to make sure that I prepare and serve meals and beverages to my family and guests with grace and style. They are my new go-to outfits when I entertain. I've got them hanging up all around my kitchen... And lots of them are hanging in my poor guest bedroom closet...{no photos of inside that great big mess}!

Take a look at the ones I have already worn...

I found this cute tartan plaid apron at HomeGoods. I wore this hostess apron while serving my "Naughty Egg Nog" during the Christmas holidays!


I found this cute little pink "Party Girl" apron, with the animal print ruffle at a store in Mount Dora...can't remember the name:( I AM going to visit the same store during the upcoming Mt. Dora Spring Crafts Show!
Here I am serving Southern Praline Pie...a Taste of Gourmet product that I sell. I'm wearing a cute magnolia print hostess apron I found online at The Country Porch.
Here I am wearing my "G.R.I.T.S" {Girls Raised in the South} hostess apron and serving shrimp & grits in margarita glasses on a rattan serving tray...I found this apron at an Amazon store online...it's a must-have for the Southern girl who loves to entertain! Y'all saw this harlequin and fleur de lis apron last week--a cute find at The French Quarter Market. This was the perfect hostess apron to wear when I hosted my "Fat Tuesday Feast." Here I am serving "Bloody Mary Soup" in green Fiestware mugs on a black serving tray.

This is my cute little half-apron with a chic design of shopping girls from Bed Bath & Beyond. I wore this darling little thing when serving ham biscuits and iced tea in mint julep cups...on a silver tray, of course.

This a very cute solid black hostess apron, monogrammed in white. Love this apron, as I can wear it for lots of occasions. I found this apron at http://www.thepalmgifts.com/. The darling gloveables are from Sur La Table.

Lynn at LWhelanDesigns made this cute preppy Lilly-fied half apron, using Lilly fabric. Of course, I LOVE it! Musta' been enjoying "Chardonnay Hour" that night...with my monogrammed wine goblet!

Here I am baking red velvet cookies during the Christmas holidays, wearing my red Paula Deen "Hey Y'all!" hostess apron! Another must-have for any Southern girl! {Ignore the thick white socks I'm wearing...it was cold that day!}

I was looking on Etsy for a cute Christmas apron and found this precious hostess apron in a red toile Christmas pattern. Click. Buy. It was mine. I love it! It looked real cute with all my "Santa in France" loot in the kitchen during Christmas. Here I am serving Chocolate Chaud on a "French Santa...aka Pere Noel" tray. {By the way y'all...I miss Pere. He looked so cute in my kitchen!}

This hostess apron {from Carlton Interiors in Perry, Georgia} is perfect when entertaining during Christmas. It is embellished with Christmas ornaments...I wore it when I hosted a Casual Christmas Supper...from the countertop!

Well, when I saw this AdorAble polka dot apron at The Pink Monogram, I HAD to have it. Monica monogrammed it for me and Lord have mercy...it matches my polka dot Christmas dinnerware and the entire theme I used to decorate for Christmas on the porch! Here I am wearing the apron during "Merlot Hour."

Love this rooster print apron I found at Williams-Sonoma. Here I am, serving my husband dinner...some kinda' casserole! This apron looks good with my kitchen loot also!
I wore this cute hostess apron {from HomeGoods} on Halloween...dispensing treats for the kiddies and "Merlot Hour" for the adults! Of course, Miss Coco wore an outfit that coordinated with her mama's!

Here I am modeling a cute hostess apron I wore during the Thanksgiving holidays...from HomeGoods...OF COURSE!


Oh, I think I bought this absolutely precious candy-corn print apron at that same store in Mt. Dora...can't remember the name. LOVE it...Isn't it the cutest thing? Ready for a Halloween party!
Another precious Halloween apron...from HomeGoods. Loved wearing this "Trick or Treat" apron!


This hostess apron, designed by April Cornell, from HomeGoods, was perfect to wear during the Autumn season...
I looked real cute serving Pumpkin Pancakes to my husband!!!

So these are just the hostess aprons that I have worn. I have received many aprons as gifts and if you don't see one of your aprons here...it's just because I'm waiting for the perfect occasion to wear it!

Thank you for stopping by to visit with me.