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.