Super Bowl Foods

I confess that the only reason I'll be watching the Super Bowl this Sunday is because I love football.  I'm just not excited about either team this year.  There's always hope for the Bucs next year!  We're not having a watch party but I will be preparing food for the family.

If you have never tried Savory Saltine Seasoning, you are missing out.  This mix turns an ordinary saltine cracker into a gourmet party cracker.  I first tried the crackers at Save the Date in Macon.  They keep a canister of the crackers for tasting at the checkout desk.  These are so addicting y'all!

These crackers are great by themselves or try some of these recipes.  Serve them at tailgates or watch parties and they will definitely be a crowd pleaser!

The love the Original spice, but it's also available in Texas Chipotle or Garden Dill.



Recipe for Savory Saltines:

1 package Savory Saltine Seasoning
1 2/3 cups Canola Oil
4 sleeves of saltines
2 gallon zip lock bag

Combine Savory Seasoning and Canola Oil in a 2-gallon zip lock bag and mix well.  (The mixture will look similar to bar-b-que sauce).  Add the crackers and seal bag (leaving as much air as possible).  Toss crackers in the bag every 5-10 minutes for one hour to evenly coat crackers, or until Savory Seasoning is absorbed.  Allow crackers to sit in the bag overnight.  The next day, remove the crackers from the bag and they are ready to serve.  You may also transfer them to another airtight container and they should stay fresh for 2 weeks.

To make 1 sleeve of saltines, add 5 teaspoons of seasoning to 1/2 cup Canola Oil and follow the above directions.

Need a quick hostess gift?  Give the Savory Seasoning along with a box of saltines!

Of course, we're not just having saltines on Super Bowl Sunday.  I'm fixing a big pot of White Chili from my Taste of Gourmet pantry and loaf of Roasted Onion Garlic Bread.

The White Chili is fabulous!  I add 4 cans beans, chicken broth, and 2 pounds of shredded chicken breast.  The Roasted Onion Garlic bread mix is easy to prepare with one can of beer/club soda.

Y'all enjoy the game!

New Year's Eve

Today we are traveling to Tampa and tonight we will attend a progressive dinner party to celebrate the New Year. 

Here's What I'm Wearing on the roadtrip:  I borrowed the garnet gingham shirt from my husband's closet and paired it with the Talbot's crewneck and a pair of leggings.  The ballet flats are from The Gap.

HERE'S WHAT I'M WEARING this evening:  The Lilly Pulitzer "Janice" dress is fast becoming my favorite!  I'll also be wearing the Lilly Pulitzer gold murfee wrap with the dress and my gold Revas.

When the night is through, I'll be wearing these cute Nick and Nora champagne-motif  PJ's from Target.

Our host for a couple of days is hosting the final party stop at his house and will serve the desserts and cocktails, and lots of midnight revelry.  I am providing the party favors.  These are my favorites to give on New Year's Eve...Blackeye Peas!

Here's some New Year's Eve Toasting Etiquette tips:

• The host of the party should give the toast.
• Practice what you want to say.
• Begin your toast close to midnight...before the countdown.
• On New Year's Eve the toast is about a celebration, not the beverage.  It's perfectly acceptable to toast with a non-alcoholic beverage, although it's a tradition to drink champagne on New Year's Eve. 
• Be Short, Be Sweet!
• Clinking glasses is an etiquette faux pas.  Lift your glass and point it in the direction of the person delivering the toast.
• Remember to serve the most important guest first, then other guests, and the host fills his glass last.

Here are some of my New Year's superstitions!

• I'll be eating lots of blackeye peas, pork, collard greens, and cornbread.  They all are hopefully going to bring me money and good luck.
• I'll open all the doors to let the old year out and the new year in.
• No chicken for me on New Year's Day or I'll experience financial difficulties.
• I won't be washing any clothes...that's bad luck.
• I won't be taking any garbage out...again, bad luck.
• All my Christmas trees have been taken down...Mama says that leaving them up on New Year's Day is bad luck!

Are you superstitious about what you do on New Year's Day?  

Entertain ~ Decorate ~ Celebrate

I love reading ALL the Hoffman Media publications and Entertain, Decorate, Celebrate is one of my favorites.  The January-February 2014 issue is packed full of party ideas.

Are you looking for last-minute Valentine crafting ideas?  You can purchase the magazine in stores now or visit their website here to see the Valentine "Crafted with Love" party.

You might supply washi tape, twine, and other crafting supplies...everything your guests will need to create gift boxes.

Serve a Signature Beverage* and savories for your guests to enjoy while they are creating sweet boxes...

Love these chocolate and strawberry cake pops and xo cookies!

Set up a station for the treats so your guests can fill their boxes with sweets for their sweetheart.

 You can download all the printables here!

Recipe for Fizzy Pink Lemonade Punch*

Makes about 1 gallon

1 (12-oz) container frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed

4 cups cold cran-grap juice

1 (1-liter) bottles cold ginger ale

Garnish:  maraschino cherries

In a large pitcher, combine concentrate and juice, whisking to combine.  Add ginger ale, and serve immediately.  Garnish with maraschino cherries, if desired.  You may substitute champagne or sparkling wine for the the ginger ale, if desired.

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.

Friendship Gifts...From Pepi and Pedro

My little elves Pepi and Pedro are back!  This morning they were busy preparing their elf food "Friendship Treats."  Even though they are a bit rogue at times, they know that it is better to give than to receive!

We used the same recipe from last year...
Elf Treats:

~Frosted cheerios

~Mini marshmallows

~Yogurt covered raisins

~Yogurt covered pretzels

~White M&M's

Pepi and his cousin Pedro are napping this afternoon, but will be up in time for Merlot Hour!

Oh-So Cute Southern Stuff

I'm always on the hunt for cute Southern stuff.  Thanks to Southern Living magazine I have discovered StephanieCreekmur's products.  Take a peek at some of my faves...

Oh My Darling notecards.  These are just too precious!

Lord knows "Lord Have Mercy" is one of my favorite sayings and the notecard is just too precious...

 "Bless Your Heart" is also a precious Southern saying and one that I wish more people would use in a kind way.  "Bless Your/His/Her Heart" should never be used to make fun of someone...please!

  I love to keep a stash of cute pencils on my desk.  Right now there are so many choices available, but these are a must-have for this Southern lady!  They have "Southern sayings" printed on them.

 All Southerners must have a "Hey Y'all" sign somewhere inside their home...

 Cute "Merry Christmas Y'all" gift wrap...

 These coasters are so cute to place around the house at Christmas time.

Visit Stephanie on Facebook, Twitter, or keep up with her at her blog site here.  Her products are available for purchase on her website and her etsy site.

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!

December Friendship Gifts...Mine & Pepi's

I've been busy putting together my "Friendship Gifts" for the Christmas holiday season...

I found some tres cute Christmas Party Printables on Etsy at Amanda's Parties To Go.  I'll be using a lot of the cute designs throughout the month.  The treat toppers were perfect for my peppermint candy cane sticks and mint M & M's.

Just print them out, fill up a cello bag full of treats and staple.  "Friendship Gifts" made easy!

Y'all the mint M & M's are soooo good!

Since Pedro and Pepi will be visiting others and entertaining during the holidays, they wanted their own little "Elf Friendship Gifts."  I mixed frosted cheerios, mini marshmallows, yogurt covered raisins, yogurt covered pretzels, and white M & M's.

Silver cupcake cups...and voila, "Elf Food!"

Pepi and Pedro relaxing after putting together their little "Elf Food Friendship Gifts."

The elves love to entertain and party.  Pedro is learning a lot about entertaining from Pepi!

Thanksgiving Season Friendship Gifts

Although I'm busy putting out Christmas decorations, I also have decorated for Thanksgiving...the cornucopia is up and the Thanksgiving tree is decorated on the front porch {I'll show y'all photos of the tree this week}.

I've had this cornucopia forever and I just love the colors!

I decided to make the ever-favorite Pinterest "Thanksgiving Blessing Mix" treats to give as my "Friendship Gifts" during November.

I found these cute little cups with the turkey-pilgrim motif at Target.  They were 20 for $1.  Score!

I added all the ingredients {bugles, pretzels, candy corn, nuts, and dried fruit} and wrapped in cello.  Then I attached this cute little tag that shows the meaning of each ingredient!

Tied it up with raffia.

These were very inexpensive to make and a great idea for this season of thankfulness!  I made tons of these...some to sell at my garage sale yesterday, some to sell at the Church Bazaar, and of course, some to give as "Friendship Gifts."

I'm thankful that this toxic week is coming to a close.  Social media has been so full of negative messages about the election.  I'll admit that I'm disappointed with the outcome.  With the exception of one Presidential race and voting for a democrat boss, I've voted Republican since I became a registered voter.  All of us have issues that are important to us...Lord have mercy, even my husband and I don't agree for goodness sake!  However, there is no reason for hate.  

I wish that I could share with y'all some of the tacky and mean messages I have seen...from BOTH party supporters.  I will just say that I'm hoping that we all {moi included} start the new week off in prayer and good thoughts of hope for a better Amercia!