Estelle's

January 1, 2026

CHRISTMAS REVIEWS AND FRANNIE'S APPLE CAKE

Oh Kindred Spirits....it's just hard to believe..
the year is now 2026!
We must try to keep kindness in our hearts
and spread good cheer toward others.....
I think the word PEACE is my word for the year.....

I so hope you all enjoyed your Christmas season and enjoyed
getting together with loved ones, eating delicious foods
and dressing up in your holiday finest!
We had a wonderful time and the grandchildren were busy celebrating
with both sides of their family!

Our game theme was Christmas Eve at the Theater....

Our Atlanta family Christmas 2025

Our granddaughter's husband's Houston family

The season is not over and so I plan on designing a vibrant

tablescape for New Year's and baking a few things
I did not get to last week.

The most important is Daddy's Fruit Cake Cookies,

along with my Peanut Butter Clusters.

Christmas dinner was delicious with Fried Turkey.
scalloped potatoes, cheese grits, green bean casserole
and sweet potato casserole!

I wanted to begin setting the farmhouse table
with a fresh citrus centerpiece that would
welcome in the brand new year...

FRANNIE'S APPLE CAKE
1 cake mix, yellow or spice
1 can apple pie filling
1 can sliced apples
3 eggs

Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer in large mixing bowl.
Pour into a prepared 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes...
Dust top of cooled cake with powdered sugar!

This is a very easy and delicious cake for afternoon
tea or coffee..I dusted the top with nutmeg..
smells heavenly!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

December 18, 2025

LAST MINUTE PREPARATIONS FOR OUR CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY

Good Morning Kindred Spirits.....
this is certainly a busy time of year for those
of us who are responsible for making Christmas a magical
time...with the planning, shopping and baking...oh yes.
not to mention turning our homes into
a holiday wonderland by
decorating everything that doesn't move...
but....I do so love it all!
I decided to pop on Estelle's today.
to give just a quick update on how things have progressed....

All the gifts have been wrapped and placed under the tree...
My favorite wrapping paper this year came from
the John Derian line at Target..it's just beautiful!

I am still of the mindset that Santa will surprise us
with a visit on Christmas Eve....

Much thought and love went into each gift this year...

And Santa finally completes the look of this little vignette....
even though the florals are from the fall season, I decided to
leave them and it works for me!

I pulled out the platters and serving pieces I want to use
for our Christmas Eve party...planning is key to being
organized and feeling less stress...

The sugar glazed ham will be placed in my beautiful new
Thyme Greem slow cooker...she's gorgeous isn't she?

Our youngest son requests this trifle every year....

I will say, it is a showstopper....

Our Christmas punch will be a blend
of Cranberry juice, pineapple juice and ginger ale

The wine bar.....

I hope the table is beautiful and the foods are holiday worthy...

Turning a vase into Christmas can be as easy as a
adding a Christmas pick, velvet ribbon and a sweet ornament...

I have a little breathing room, so it's time to settle in
with a cup of hot cocoa, a cozy throw and a good book....

December 13, 2025

THE CHRISTMAS FINALE

Tis the season...for baking and gift wrapping.....
This will be my last post for the season as
my attention is now focused on preparing for
our Christmas Eve gathering....the weather
turned cold today but a warm up is coming
for Christmas day.....

I love the layered look on my grandparent's Windsor chair...

This is my thrifted vintage little choir boy set....
my inspiration for the piano this year...

And the new blue nativity...perfect for the color story....

And leave it to Walmart for bringing us lovely candles this year

This one wins first prize....it's marvelous

Beautiful design and such a lovely scent....

The Twelve Days of Christmas Folk Art wreath....

I love the tree at five o'clock n the morning...

Our Nativity ornament

Martha was first on the tree....

Today, I am decorating the gust bedrooms...and making
my shopping list for the grocery...

I tried a QUESO dip that I saw on Instagram....

It was good but did not make the cut for Christmas Eve....

I also made a new recipe for Buttermilk pie.....

And sugar cookies from the Pillsbury dough

I am serving all new appetizers this year and am really
looking forward to this....now I must prepare
all the serving dishes to go with the recipes....
it's going to be a busy week ahead....

Wishing you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS....

December 8, 2025

CHRISTMAS COOKIE JARS

So far, it's been a rather quiet holiday season....
our focus has been on dressing our home with favorite
Christmas decor items...and I find that I continue to add
special touches everyday....it brings a specific comfort....

Time to select a new calendar....
we have certainly enjoyed this one!

I added one of my favorite Santa's on the hearth....

And another by the little cypress tree.....

Let's talk cookie jars for just a minute....
there was a house we toured at Christmas in Jefferson

that displayed the owners cookie jar collection iu her kitchen
and it literally took my breath away!
She had collected hundreds of beautiful ceramics over the years
and had many of them showcased on custom built shelving....
it was just marvelous and so interesting....
I have my favorites in my collection and they
are the star of the show during the holidays...