Summer Porches

 I snapped a photo of my front porch this morning. My porches keep getting smaller with every move.

I have a large lanai in the back which overlooks the fairway at our golf club. I decorated it with Lilly Pulitzer loot and now I’m tired of that. I still wear my Lilly, just don’t want my house to be Lilly-field anymore. I will change it up, just trying to decide how I want it to look. 

It’s so hot and humid in Florida right now that I’m not using either porches. Summer has always been my least favorite time of the year. There isn’t much going on in July and August. I’m looking forward to Labor Day…football season and pumpkin-everything! 

Monogram Monday

Up today for Monogram Monday is my boxwood wreath with a monogram...from Simply Stunning Home on Etsy.  It's the perfect size and since my porch is covered, I think it'll be okay outside.  I searched awhile on Etsy for this style and found several stores with not-so-good ratings, but this shop owner was very professional...good communication and fast delivery of a product that was just as described on her site!

It's that time of year when I change the door arrangement every week...so stay tuned y'all!

At Home in Georgia

Some of you have asked for photos of the new home in Georgia.  Well, it's my same old stuff in another place.  I did leave the flamingos behind in Florida and now we're back to black on the porch...at The Roost!

Since yesterday was the start of hunting season, I set a hunt-theme tablescape for supper.  It's the same dining room set, with a Ballard's chandelier and shades.

The hunt theme plates are by C. E. Corey and I found them at Kevin's.

I decided against using my deer head as a centerpiece and went with antlers.  

Of course, I wore my monogrammed camo pony cap and carried my monogrammed antler tumbler to the gym earlier in the day.

I hope y'all have a wonderful Sunday.  I'm fixing dinner for the family and then hitting the sofa to watch the Miss America pre show and finals!

Going Yellow and Turquoise on the Exterior

We'll be sprucing up the outside of our cottage in 2013.  Here is a painting that Fifi Flowers did of our home a couple of years ago.

This is the true bland color...it's a yucky pale green.

We still own this house up in Mississippi, but it doesn't look like we'll be going back there for now.  When we lived in this house, I decorated it with a lot of dark woods and now that we are gonna stay in Florida for a bit longer, I really want to lighten things up.

Although I love our black door and shutters, I now want to go with more of a coastal look.

No more black porch furniture...

Just getting tired of this look.

These are the colors I'm going with.  The house will be painted yellow, with white shutters and white doors.  The front and pack porches will be decked out with lots of turquoise, white, and hot pink {yes, that's a cute hot pink} furniture, with some lime green thrown in.

A turquoise porch swing is on the top of my to-buy list!

{Kammy's Korner Photo}

I'll add some cute coastal-themed pillows...

Not getting rid of this sign...it'll probably go somewhere in my kitchen.

We are still "The Roost" and of course, they'll also be painted turquoise!

I'm gonna add a scalloped fence gate for the entry onto the porch...

With a house sign, Jane Coslick-style.

Gotta get back to today's task...taking down Christmas decorations and getting rid of a couple of themes.  I want my garage to stay neat and organized and stuff must go.  Thanks for visiting with me today.

Sweet Tea and Red Velvet Cookies

National Iced Tea Month is coming to a close...but we'll still be drinking iced sweet tea here at "The Roost."  Last night I served a little treat...red velvet cookies with the iced tea.

When I was up in Georgia recently, I had an awful experience.  I was sippin' my merlot and just happened to look into the goblet and saw about 4-5 gnats floating in my wine.  Lord have mercy, I had a hissy fit!  Seriously y'all, it was disgusting!  Well, I should have carried my "beverage bonnets" on the road trip.  I've had these little cuties for several years and they are great to keep out unwanted critters who want to swim in your beverage!  Perfect for the Southern belle sippin' iced tea {or merlot} on the front porch!

Sweet Southern Red Velvet Cake Cookies...these are a special Southern treat.  They are dusted in cream cheese flavored sugar...Savannah bred and Scarlet-centered!  Byrd Cookie Company has the best cookies...delivered right to your front door!  Located in Savannah, Georgia, the company is known for its tiny crunch cookies and Southern specialties like bite-size Peach Cookies, Scotch Oatmeal Cookies, Key Lime Coolers, Raspberry Tarts, Cheddar Pecan Biscuits, Apple Pie Cookies, Chocolate Mint Cookies, Benne Wafers, and much more.

Y'all know I have to add a bit of humor!  It's just that down South...all we hear is how y'all do it up North!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!

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!

Country French Dinner at The Roost

I'm in the middle of decorating for Christmas, but still have my Thanksgiving decor out...it's getting a little tricky now--mixing the two holiday decos:) Stepping away from Thanksgiving and Christmas, last night I prepared a French Country Dinner at the "The Roost" for husband. It's our wedding anniversary week...we're celebrating all week y'all! Anywho, I served an informal dinner at the breakfast table...plated style. Of course my apron coordinated with the meal...French Country Roosters, from Williams-Sonoma.

Here's a full view of the apron...love the roosters y'all!

I set the table using a very casual theme, with Jean Paul and his barnyard friends! The menu was: Country French Cassoulet, Miss Janice's Salad c/ Vidalia Onion Vinaigrette, Tomato Basil Beer Bread, Iced Tea, and Merlot

Kept the Cassoulet on the sideboard, within easy reach...

My little helper, Jean Paul...

The Country French Cassoulet, one of my Taste of Gourmet products...baked in a Paula Deen casserole dish and served on a wire tray from Pottery Barn. I found that cute little rooster on my recent shopping spree to Mt. Dora, Florida.

Tomato Basil Beer Bread, another Taste of Gourmet product. It's easy to prepare and delish! I purchased the pie/bread plate and holder from HomeGoods.

Love these rooster dinner plates, from TJ Maxx...gingham and roosters--right up my dishaholic alley!!!

I found these red rooster napkins at Williams-Sonoma. I cannot remember where I bought the silver rooster napkin rings, but aren't they cute?!

Continuing on with the rooster obsession, the rooster tumblers came from Williams-Sonoma.

The iced tea pitcher is the 'Barnyard Toile' pattern, by J. Willfred.

Cute little salt & pepper shakers...by Arthur Court.

I cannot remember where I found these precious olive oil dipping plates, but I love them! I eat olive oil with my bread everyday!!!

The LeCreuset olive oil jar...with another one of barnyard friends!

This is a rooster I purchased recently at Pottery Barn...

Rooster pillow...from a store in Mississippi--can't remember where!

The dinner...Country French Cassoulet, Miss Janice's Salad c/ Vidalia Onion Vinaigrette, and Tomato Basil Beer Bread. These are all products from Taste of Gourmet. Check out the site y'all!

This is how I prepared the meal...
The French Country Cassoulet is a mix from Taste of Gourmet. I added pork stew pieces and prepared it on the stove in a big pot. Then I transferred it all to a casserole dish and layered parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Voila, a great French Country casserole!

Miss Janice's Salad was also very quick and easy to prepare. I used a bagged fresh salad mix, added cherry tomatoes, candied walnuts, Crispy Crumbles (from Taste of Gourmet), and Vidalia Onion Vinaigrette (also from Taste of Gourmet).

The Tomato Basil Beer Bread is also a mix from Taste of Gourmet. I combined one 12-oz beer with the mix and baked it for 30 minutes. I served it with the olive oil and it was the perfect bread for this dinner!

You can visit my Taste of Gourmet site here and see these and other products I offer...perfect for your entertaining pantry!

Today I'm joining Marty over at AStrollThruLife for Tabletop Tuesday. Y'all go over and check out all the beautiful blog links today.

I'm also joining Daphne at FlipFlopsAndPearls. Daphne and Shannon at Webbisodes are hosting Home Tour Tuesday. Check out their blog links for a great kitchen photos and recipes!

Well, I must rush! Lots to do. Y'all have a fabulous day!