A "YOU CAN'T CATCH ME" PRODUCTION STARRING TRENT RICHARDSON AS "THE GINGERBREAD MAN"

Only in the South do you merge Christmas holiday traditions with college football festivities.

When I asked Lucy and Owen to come over to bake off a-just-shy-of-a-dozen-batch of the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line, I must admit there was a good deal of silence on the other end of the phone. Once the cookies were dived and sent home with the mini-me's, there were plenty left for the "D" line too. Lucky duck!

We didn't quite get to the jerseys and numbers yesterday so I finished them off this evening. Perf-- just in time for the Christmas party tomorrow evening.

Oh, and sorry Nick for the bell. It was sort of an after thought and all I had left...just think of Coach Calhoun from Grease. Win that game on January 9 so we can go back to Tuscaloosa and ring that victory bell. Or at least Denny Chimes.

Gingerbread Men Cookies
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/gingerbread-men-cookies-50400000118027/

Roll Tide, Silent Night, and all that jazz.
Recipe courtesy of Southern Living.

I HAVE A BUN IN THE OVEN

Make that 8 to be exact. And no, we're not talking Octomom here. I'm talking fresh from the oven, made-from-scratch hamburger buns. Sturdy and rather stately on the outside, yet soft and cozy on the inside.

Several years ago The New York Times ran an article about the best burger and how to achieve perfection in all of its "parts". The hamburger buns were described as light and brioche-like which is exactly spot on. The recipe is fool proof and the bun is sure to become a staple in your home too.

Light Brioche Buns: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/dining/011brex.html

Adapted from Hidefumi Kubota, Comme Ca, Los Angles
Recipe courtesy The New York Times, published June 30, 2009.

I promise, you'll never buy a sorry package of gummy hamburger buns again.

CHOW.

RUN TRENT RUN!

RTR! We're all behind you today...go, go, go!

BAKE & TAKE: JUST ADD COFFEE TO THIS OVERNIGHT BREAKFAST CAKE

Coffee cake is one of those delightful holiday treats that I look forward to whipping up each year. It's also a cinch to make, and even better, if you can make it ahead, refrigerate overnight, and enjoy fresh from the oven, why wouldn't you go for it?

I prepared the Overnight Coffee Crumble Cake from the December 2011 issue of Southern Living. No surprise here. Mmmm... scrumptious!

I made a couple of substitutions with more than stellar results:

• I substituted all pecans in the Cinnamon-Nut Crumble, simply because I had a stash of them in my freezer.


• If bourbon isn't your thing, you could also substitute vanilla extract in the Sweet Bourbon Glaze with equally good results.


• My super dear friends' sister lost her home to a fire a few days ago (Everyone Is OK!), so I baked the cake in an 8-inch foil pan and a 9-inch brownie pan. Both cakes baked within the range we published in the mag but keep in mind that my 8-inch pan baked on the higher end and the 9-inch pan baked on the lower end. Definitely, now, a shareable treat.

Overnight Coffee Crumble Cake:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/overnight-coffee-crumble-cake-50400000117950/
Recipe and photo just above courtesy of Southern Living.
ENJOY!

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

i HEART november college football.

TIDE FANFARE

Gobble-Gobble them up today, Tide!

PARKING LOT PARTY FARE

Wheel in to your favorite grocery store or catering joint and pick up a few of your signature specialties. Shhh... it'll be our little secret.

The inspiration for this post comes via the biggest socialite in town, as my mother would often bump into her in the Western parking lot before teas and luncheons. With her sterling silver tray resting on the hood of her luxury vehicle, Mrs. R stacked brownies, cookies, tea sandwiches, or a similar nibble appropriate for those types of gatherings in lickity split time. GENIUS!

3 Trunk Top Specialties:

Tray Chic
Log of goat cheese
Pepper jelly
Roasted, salted almonds
Assorted olives (You know, the fancy ones they sell by the pound.)
Crackers (The imported kind. They're a little pricey, but folks will notice and give you a point.)

Finger Lickin' Hood Platter
Deli Fried Chicken Fingers
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Assorted carrot and celery sticks
Nick's-in-the-Sticks House Dressing (You T-Towner's know what I'm talking about... Ranch dressing sprinkled with blue cheese crumbles.)

Greek (Goddess Doesn't Want to Ruin Her Mani) Tray
Sabra Hummus with a squeeze of fresh lemon (Yes, take it out of the tub and no, not the juice from the plastic lemon!)
Marinated feta cubes
Olives
Cucumber rounds
Pita Chips

Sorry, no dessert options (no offense, Mrs. R), that's simply where I draw the line... Party Foul! Sweet treats, must be made from scratch. Oh, and be kind to the germaphobes. Keep a stash of disposable rubber gloves handy.

So don't forget to grab your pretty platters and bowls on your way out the door. And when your friends rave over the dish you bring, truthfully you can say, "Aww, it was nothing..."
Photo courtesy of Southern Living.

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK...

We Salute You, MDB.

GAME OF THE CENTURY: PRE GAME WARM UP

It all started when Cledus scooped up his favorite monkey named Corndog.

Head to Head: Richardson vs Upshaw

No Mercy.

TAILGATE TOTES NOW AVAILABLE!!!

"...'Bama's pluck and grit have writ her name in crimson flame..."

I've turned the volume down on these simple yet team spirited totes made from 10-ounces of light weight, natural cotton complete with a food-safe liner that can be wiped clean.

Perfect for sporting and toting yummies on game day or any day grocery runs. Each tote comes with a 3-inch removable houndstooth pin for just the right amount of fan flair!

Follow the link below to order yours today!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alabama-Crimson-Tide-Tote-Bag-Houndstooth-Pin-/260886421219?pt=US_NCAA_Fan_Shop&hash=item3cbe0adee3

They're going about as fast as Trent Richardson on his way into the end zone!

ROLL TIDE ROLL!

TIDE VS. TIGERS: SNACK DOWN BEFORE THE SMACK DOWN...IN T-TOWN

Only in the South do you place regular season football tickets in your safe deposit box. Just don't forget to retrieve them before Saturday's kick-off!

Literally, get ready to devour LSU with these Louisiana inspired snackies.


Muffuletta Dip:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/muffuletta-dip-50400000109471/

Tailgate Tip: Prepare Friday night. Pack in an icy cooler before hitting the road.







Chicken-and-Sausage Gumbo:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-and-sausage-gumbo-10000000701065/

Tailgate Tip: Plan to plug in on the quad. Your crock pot, that is. Serve in Styrofoam cups with saltine crackers.

Bananas Foster Upside-Down Cake:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/bananas-foster-upside-down-cake-50400000117017/

Tailgate Tip: Cut cake into bite-size cubes and place into Tupperware containers for goodies on the go. Serve with toothpicks for easy eats. The ULTIMATE pick up food!

ENJOY!

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."
Well, you know what I mean. Southern football style. (Deck the tents and string with lights. Fa, rah, rah, rah, rah-- rah, rah, rah, rah!)
Photos and recipes courtesy of Southern Living.

SINK YOUR HOUNDSTOOTH PEARLY'S INTO SPLURGE WORTHY SHEETS

Sheet cakes are the ultimate answer to feeding sugar junkies, like myself with ease. Without a whole lot of effort, you can quickly whip one up and have plenty of square footage to declare your celebration on top.

No piping? No problem. Simply shake some spirit sprinkles on top.

What's the secret ingredient between the sheets? A layer of miniature marshmallows. Forget to pick some up? Not a deal breaker, just simply omit and prepare as directed. It will be equally fabulous.

(Made with my favorite crimson & white beverage!)

Co-Cola Cake:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/coca-cola-cake-10000000332011/
Recipe and photo above courtesy of myrecipes.com.
(Not a bad treat for Sunday lunch. Just add milk.)
ENJOY!

AN ELEPHANT NEVER FORGETS...

The 3rd Saturday in October is always circled with vigor on my calendar having lived and suffered through the "lean years". However, Marrow and I know our loyalty and support has paid off. No Mt. Cody this go round but several outstanding folks available to step up! Rooting extra hard today for the Alabama Crimson Tide! See you there!

P.S. Tidefan Fare totes have arrived! Food safe shoppers perfect for game day tailgating or any day grocery runs. Completely decked with team spirit flare. Available soon! Check back!

RTR!

4 EASY & a-MAZE-ing COOKIES starring PEANUT BUTTER + CHOCOLATE

I couldn't resist. I'm a huge fan of Maze, No. 4.

Fellow fans will flip for these peanut buttery sweet!-treats paired with chocolate (Eat your heart out Reese's). I promise, there won't be a crumb/ morsel/ nugget left on the plate and there will be plenty to go around whether you plan to serve 2 or 20.

Peanut Butter-Chocolate-Oatmeal Cereal Bars (above):
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/peanut-butter-chocolate-bars-50400000111515/

Candy Bar-Peanut Butter Cookies: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/candy-bar-peanut-butter-cookie-50400000108776/

Flourless Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/flourless-chocolate-chip-cookies-50400000108779/

Chocolate-Peanut Bars:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-peanut-bars-10000000477457/

ENJOY!
(oh, and RTR.)
Photos and recipes courtesy of Southern Living.

CLEDUS T: BROUGHT TO YOU BY "A CRYIN' ALL THE TIME" PRODUCTION...

And funded by unsuspecting donors like me and M...

Our flip-flop loving, houndstooth-hound sure is as cute as a button, however the sleepless nights and toddler like similarities have made us question whether getting this mouthy mutt was the right thing to do. Having been fans of labs for years, when we lost our sweet baby angel, Billy, this past summer, I couldn't even imagine getting another lab at the time. The sadness was unbearable, not to mention that Bill was irreplaceable.

Enter, one Cledus Thalmage Gordon. Ahhhh, the name you ask? One part Smoky and The Bandit, one part Nutty Professor ("Come on, Cledus" and yes, I literally say it CONSTANTLY), and one part Decatur, AL. For the latter, Marrow grew up with a lad named Thalmage. He felt the name fitting. How could I disagree?

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to own a bloodhound yourself, go ahead and scrap all the Hollywood malarkey. He's not lazy. He doesn't "hang" under the front porch all day. And, he doesn't sleep all the time. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

INSTEAD:

1. He chirps much like a fire detector in need of new batteries hence the nickname Squeaky Fromm.

2. He Teedle-E-Tees on the floor if you're stern with him. He's very... well, let's just say, sensitive.

3. He generously spreads drool (thick, Ghostbuster's-like slime sans the green-- and there is A TON of it) and bits of half eaten kibble around the entire house... I mean everywhere. "Oh man, how did it get on the guest bedroom comforter..." "Come here Oscar, let me clean up your sad little head." Etc.

4. And literally, he cries ALL-THE-TIME.

Awww, but he sure is cute. ENJOY.

OUR EASIEST FAN FARE: IT'S BITTERSWEET

How do you know when summer ends and football season begins at our house? Easy. The American flag that greets guests at our front door retires for several months and Marrow hangs our Crimson Tide flag. This past Sunday was that very day which made me realize how quickly the season had snuck up on me... and is snuck really a word?

On Tuesday, as with many of you I'm sure, I received the letter from the Mayor of Tuscaloosa, Walt Maddox, and President of the University, Dr. Robert Witt, and couldn't help but become overwhelmed with emotion. I opened the pdf and before I could fully grasp my place to read the letter from top to bottom, I read the words: "EF-4 Tornado". Tears instantly began rolling down my face. As we all trickle into T-Town this weekend, I have no doubt it will be a glorious but somber day. There will be many stories to share as we catch up with our tailgate friends or reminisce old times with new faces in a new landscape. I'm fully prepared for the tears to come and go all day and the puffy eyes to follow on Sunday.

As you begin to make plans for your tailgate spread, I encourage you to give my tailgate menu a try from the September issue of Southern Living. The menu is a snap and loaded with real life tailgate tips whether you're planning to watch the game at home or on campus:

http://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/tailgating-menus-00400000052824/

Let me know what you think and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with you this weekend and may God bless you and your loved ones.

Photo courtesy of Southern Living.

CHOW.

PICK UP MY BOOK APRIL 26: THE HALF-HOUR HOSTESS!!!

REBECCA KRACKE GORDON, here. I hope you'll let me show you how to throw fabulous parties with grace and ease, the Half-Hour Hostess way!

*35 menus each with a make-ahead plan
*Over 150 full-color photos
*Quick and delicious recipes
*Effortless party ideas with tons of style

Let me know what you think!
ENJOY!