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!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

It is the fourth Sunday of Advent and the purple Angel's candle is lit. This week of Advent is the week of Love.

"But the Angel said unto them, do not be afraid. Behold I bring unto you good tidings of great joy!" ~Luke 2:10

Day #15 of my Christmas Season 2011 Bucket List...

Sunday night, Mama and I watched a movie...popcorn and diet caffeine-free coke was a must!
"It's a Wonderful Life" is always one of my favorite movies to watch during the Christmas season!
Day #16 Mama and I started off the day with a light breakfast...This is the table setting for her kitchen table. The dinnerware is 'O'Tannebaum' from Macy's...purchased many years ago.
Red velvet doughnuts from Krispy Kreme and The Fresh Market's 'Christmas Blend' coffee hit the spot before a day of shopping at the local "tacky mall". {If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I always affectionately refer to a mall without a Saks or Neiman's as tacky! In fact, I probably use the word "tacky" a million times everyday!
The Red Velvet doughnuts from Krispy Kreme as sooooo good y'all! However, the "Hot Now" light must be on before I will enter the place!!!
Day #17...I wore a red turtleneck and some tacky jingle bell earrings and my "Get Even, Give Fruitcake" badge!
After lunch, I fixed Mama some of her favorite fruitcake and coffee...This is the tablesetting at her dining table...The china pattern is 'Cranberry Hill', from J C Penney.

Mama LOVES fruitcake, but of course, it has to be Claxton Fruitcake. I'm sorry y'all, this stuff is just gross.

Day #18...Wednesday morning I fixed Mama some biscuits and served them with my Apple Butter and hot tea.

Etiquette tip: Remember to serve jellies and sauces on the side. Tear off the piece of biscuit that will go into your mouth and spoon some of the jelly onto the biscuit.

Mama's breakfast bar...set with dinnerware and teaware in the 'Plaid Tidings' pattern from The Cracker Barrel.
Mama's sweet breakfast china...
Day #19...My little Pepi picked out this outfit for me to wear around town...running errands, shopping, and getting even more into the Christmas spirit. {Even while wearing a tacky Christmas sweater}!
Day #20...Little Pepi and I had some Peppermint Ice Cream...I'm obsessed with peppermint everything right now!
Day #21...I wore my new little gingerbread apron...serving Candy Cane tea and made some gingerbread pancakes! 'Tis the Season to eat, eat, eat!!!
Thank you for visiting with me today! Ho Ho Ho y'all!!!

September Friendship Gifts

Fall is fast approaching and there's nothing I love better than a warm biscuit with some Apple Butter. I decided this would be the perfect treat for my September "Friendship Gifts." I started the butter in the crock pot last night and the house smells wonderful today! It was so easy to make and here are the treats ready to go...
Apple Butter is delicious served over toast, warm biscuits, scones, and especially pancakes!!!
I found these cute labels online and tied raffia around the lids...so easy and it taste fabulous y'all!
Love the labels...with my signature gingham pattern!
Of course, being my matchy-matchy self, I've got a 'Macintosh Apple' Yankee Candle going...I'm ready to get the fall season going!
Trust me y'all, the crock pot method is the easiest way ever to make this Apple Butter.

Miss Janice's Apple Butter:

8 quarts of applesauce
10 chopped apples
2 tblsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
4 cups Splenda

Add 6 quarts of the applesauce, 10 chopped apples, 2 tblsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 tsp allspice, and 2 cups Splenda to the crock pot Stir all the ingredients and cook on high for about an hour, checking to make sure the mixture is not burning.

Reduce the heat to low and cook for another 4 hours. Then add the remaining 2 quarts of applesauce and the 2 cups of Splenda. Stir and cook for another hour or so.

If you are canning the apple butter, following canning rules or just store the butter in the frig.

Thank you for visiting with me today. Now, I'm off to make my picks in the "College U-Pick 'Em" football pool I'm in...wish me luck!