Gingerbread in the Kitchen, Part 2

Back in the kitchen y'all...The other day I fixed Gingerbread Pancakes and served milk and Candy Cane Green tea for breakfast. I used a red wooden tray from my "Serving Tray Collection" and wore a cute little gingerbread apron, the latest addition to "Prissy Apron Collection" designed just for me by Hickory Creek Crafts.

I was happy that Brenda at Hickory Creek could make me a gingerbread apron with red gingham, peppermint, and polka dots to match my kitchen theme...ala Sandra Lee-style!

My assistant Gingerbread Chef assisted me...

The kitchen island is decorated with all kinds of cute gingerbread loot and another tabletop tree...
The cute little tree topper is from The Cracker Barrel...
Red gingham ribbon and cute little gingerbread-motif ornaments and garland adorn this tree...

I've had this sweet little gingerbread girl for years. Mama got her at Dillard's and sent her to me when I lived in Palm Springs...

More gingerbread loot...
Tea towel...
Gingerbread cookies and a stand, which I purchased at The Cracker Barrel years ago...
My breakfast bar is set...
The red and white plates were purchased at The Cracker Barrel several years ago. I found the goblets and placemats at Walmart last month. The tiny gingerbread ornaments are hot-glued onto the white flatware.

I used this delicious Gingerbread Pancake Mix from The Fresh Market.
Easy, delicious, and perfect to enjoy during the Christmas season!
Thanks for stopping by to visit with me today. I'll be back before Christmas tree to show some more of my Christmas decos!

Pumpkin Pudding in Prissy Parfait Cups

Last night I prepared a simple Pumpkin Pudding and served it in some real prissy parfait cups.

Silver parfait cups with etched glass...


This pudding is a real sweet treat for Autumn and very simple to prepare.
The pecan topping adds just a bit more sweetness!
Recipe for Pumpkin Pudding Parfait:
1 cup milk {I used non-fat}
1 15-oz can pumpkin
2 small packages vanilla instant pudding
1 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 cups cool whip

~Topping~
Cinnamon sticks
1 tblsp melted butter
1/2 cup chop pecans
1/3 cup sugar

Pour the milk into a bowl and add the canned pumpkin, instant pudding, and pumpkin spice. Beat the mixture with a whisk until it is blended and thick. Fold in the whip cream. Spoon the mixture into parfait cups. Refrigerate.

Mix the melted butter, chopped pecans, and sugar together and sprinkle on top. Add a cinnamon stick as garnish to each cup.

I found this cute Autumn apron at Hobby Lobby. *Note to self: Stop buying the ruffle skirt aprons...they add 3 inches to each of my hips!

A little Autumn decorations to the kitchen hutch...

And the sideboard...
Thank you for stopping by today to visit with me!

Creamy Delta Bisque for Autumn Days

I'm still celebrating the arrival of Autumn by having some wonderful Creamy Delta Bisque Soup served in a sourdough bread bowl!

I must tell y'all that the other day I was craving Pumpkin Bisque and could not find my tried-and-true recipe. I pulled a recipe from the net and prepared it per the instructions. I knew when it was on the stove simmering that it wasn't "right," but I of course hoped that husband would not notice. I served it in a sourdough bread bowl {just the way he likes it} and Lord have mercy...he took one sip and said "This is horrible" and got up and threw it in the trashcan. Well, I have never! I took a sip of mine, and sure 'nough, it was disgusting...like light brown, creamy water. The worst soup I have ever tasted!

So this time I took no chances! I set husband's tray real pretty...

Then, I pulled out my Creamy Delta Bisque Soup mix from my Taste of Gourmet product line, added 5 cups of milk and 1 stick of butter to the powdered mix and 30 minutes later...a wonderful bisque. Even husband approved it!!!

Etiquette tip: Cream soup is eaten with a medium round spoon. Hold the spoon just like a pencil between your index and middle fingers with the thumb up. Spoon the soup away from you toward the center of the bowl. Don't fill the spoon completely full. Place the soup spoon on the plate in the 10:20 "I am finished" position in between sips and when you have finished. Never leave a soup spoon in a soup bowl.

Do not blow on your soup to cool it down and do not slurp your soup.


This rich, creamy soup is a favorite at The Crown Restaurant in Indianola, Mississippi. I prepared it just with milk and butter, but you can add shrimp, crab meat, ham, chicken, or asparagus.

It's a staple in my "Entertaining Pantry!" You can order a box of the Creamy Delta Bisque {two mixes per box} for $9.95 at my Taste of Gourmet site HERE.


Thank you for visiting with me today and enjoy the Fall y'all!

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!

Quick Fix Southern

Last night I served an easy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole. Of course, I served in style...wearing this cute Autumn apron from my "Prissy Apron Collection", by April Cornell and using my serving tray from Pottery Barn.
This fabulous recipe is from the cookbook "Quick-Fix Southern." This cookbook is packed with over 100 fast and easy recipes for putting great "Homemade Hospitality" on the table in 30 minutes or less!

Rebecca Lang is the author of this cookbook and a food writer as well as a busy Mama. She is a contributing editor for Southern Living magazine and is featured in weekly segments on the nationally syndicated show Daytime. She is also a contributing editor at MyRecipes and writes a monthly column, "Girls Night In," for the site. Her food writing has appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Flavors Magazine, Edible Atlanta, and Legacy Magazine. Having taught hundreds of classes, Lang is an accomplished cooking instructor and travels the country teaching classes in cooking schools.

In addition, Ms. Lang is a food editor for Oxmoor House and has apprenticed for Nathalie Dupree.

An extra helping of Rebecca's Southern hospitality compliments the appetizing recipes that appear in "Quick-Fix Southern." Rebecca groups the 100+ recipes in 10 themes...making it effortless to find the perfect food to fit the mood.

Themes include dishes fit for Tailgating and Gatherings, Busy Weeknight Suppers, and Girls' Night In, as well as delightful drink concoctions ideal for Sipping on the Screened Porch.

Author of Quick-Fix Southern, Rebecca Lang.

The delicious Petite Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole...prissy chicken casserole served in a ramekin!

This old, traditional Southern casserole has been on dining room tables for generations. Rebecca made it much faster to prepare with rotisserie chicken and instant rice. You can make this in a 7 x 11-inch baking dish or used ramekins like I did. I think it's a bit more prissy in the ramekins.

Recipe for Petite Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole:
1 rotisserie chicken
3 cups cooked long-grain & wild rice, cooked according to package directions
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup diced celery
1 (8.5-ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray 8 (8-ounce) ramekins with nonstick cooking spray. Remove the skin from the chicken and pull the meat off the bone. Use your fingers to shred the meat by pulling it apart in strips. Place the meat in a large mixing bowl. Add the rice.

Heat the butter over medium heat in a small frying pan. Add the red onion and celery and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.

Stir the onion and celery, artichoke hearts, sour cream, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and curry powder into the chicken. Spoon into the prepared ramekins. Place all of the ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet.

Bake for 30 minutes.

You can visit Rebecca at her website and order this cookbook here or her blogsite here.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Hey, Hey Tampa Bay, the Bucs know how to shine! Well not yesterday, they didn't!!! But aren't the new Swashbucklers cute? Lord have mercy, cheerleaders today look a LOT different than they did when I was a cheerleader in high school. Even the high school and college cheerleaders are so different. Back when I cheered, we just went out there and pranced around and did some fancy jumps. Now, it's a dangerous sport...well, not for the NFL girls!

It's been football-football in my house all weekend. College Gameday on Saturday, then NFL Sunday! We are huge Tampa Bay Bucs fans, but unfortunately, husband could only get the game via the computer. Ugh! Just as well. It was their season opener and they played some BAD football! Bucs lost to the Detroit Lions 27-10. Regroup Bucs. Get it together.

Well, I served husband's favorite football meal...Chili and Garlic Bread, with beer! Of course I wore my Bucs apron from my "Prissy Apron Collection."

I bought this apron from a street vendor at the Mt. Dora Crafts Festival and I wear it all season during the Bucs games!

I served Taste of Gourmet Black Bean Chili along with the tasty Taste of Gourmet Roasted Onion Garlic Bread...on a black wooden serving tray...from my "Serving Tray Collection."

The Black Bean Chili is the Taste of Gourmet Product of the Month for September. I added ground turkey and canned chopped tomatoes to the mix which is only $9.95 per box. Purchasing the chili mix in September will generate a $1.00 donation to St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.


The Roasted Onion Garlic Bread mix is an easy quick bread with a a fascinating flavor and a real crunch of roasted onion and garlic. For $9.95/box you receive two bread mixes...a great value.

This bread boasts a great soft texture with deep onion and herb flavor--ready in only 30 minutes with versatile uses for all occasions. You can order the bread mix here.
Looking forward to next Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings! LET'S GO BUCS!!!

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!