NEW HOME DECOR ITEMS FOR FALL

There is nothing more stunning than a Texas sunset.....
this photo was taken at Miss Elizabeth's beautiful ranch
where the October wedding will take place....

So the topic for today's post is fall and all the glorious days
we have ahead of us....the thoughts are swirling in my head
as I plan the decor I will be using throughout our home....
Here are a few items which I have added to my collection....
it's always good to refresh....

This beautiful new lighted maple leaf garland.....

A new fall art print for the mantel....

Soft velvet pillow covers.....

A gorgeous new floral pillow from Threshold....

I added this to the guest bathroom...which is all black and white....

New fall candles in these beautiful hobnail jars.....
I think I will place these on the formal dining table.....

AT HOME.....it's good to be here!

 

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S BANANA BREAD and HOT SUMMER DAYS

Good Morning Kindred Spirits...
You may not want to visit the great state of Texas
in the summer.....although we are far better off
than those who live in Arizona, we have rather HOT summers.....
I cannot share any big travel plans or vacations, but
rather what's going on in Estelle's kitchen and
how we are striving to keep the gardens looking lush and healthy!
I have purchased a few new items for fall and also for Christmas.
so that sure has been enjoyable.....
and I tried a new Banana Bread recipe to share....
this is from THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA archives and yes,
you can count on Ina's recipes to be some of the best!

Before we get to the recipe featured today, here are a few home updates...

The beauty of Lucille Louisa Merriweather.....

I updated the foyer rug to a smaller, more neutral washable rug....
I love it....it's cushy soft with a stay in place backing....

For my birthday, the darling
approved of purchasing two new formal dining chairs....
I love the look of the two end chairs being different
than the side chairs...I'm thrilled with the new look....

I am really looking forward to setting the table for Autumn,
using my Friendly Village dinnerware and having these
new chairs incorporated into the look.....

We water early in the morning......then turn
the sprinklers on for the lawn....

I have so loved the Rose of Sharon this year.....

And, I am over the moon with the Four O' Clocks....

This is a lovely quick bread laced with cinnamon and nutmeg!

BAREFOOT CONTESSA BANANA BREAD

 

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

I KNOW.....I KNOW.......
It's always a good time when your thoughts are beginning
to embrace the ideas you are planning for the holidays!



I have loved Christmas in July for years and I hope 
I never lose my enthusiasm for this special event.
Of course, I am referring to the month long
kick off to Christmas on QVC...
however, sadly....the years have changed their products and their prices....
I have a beautiful collection of holiday decor pieces from years past
and the quality is beyond measure.
Nothing is quite the same anymore and the prices are extravagant....
so I have cut way back on adding to the plethora of my collection. 

I have large lanterns I want to decorate this year and chose
these beautiful ribbon spools for bow making.....
I order my ribbon from Craft Outlet or Amazon....
This is going to look so festive and beautiful with a few picks added.....



Last year, I kept it simple for both Fall and Christmas....
this year, I feel like going opulent.....

This is my new art print that will be the inspiration for our
fireplace mantel....I have a great love for sheep and country churches.....
it speaks to the season I think.....how very peaceful and serene....

I absolutely love adding to my collection of Nativity sets
and this is a former Sam's Club Nativity I thrifted last year....
I have added two more new ones for 2024 and am
really looking forward to using them on Mother's sideboard buffet
and our fireplace mantel.....

For the tree, I am going to bring back the feather boas...
it was an elegant look and my favorite of all times.....
When the family arrives for Christmas Eve, I want them
to feel like they just arrived at the North Pole......

I am adding to the ornaments with a set of
these beautiful harvest color ornaments with
a touch of plaid....

I so look forward with anticipation to the holiday season....
only two more months until September arrives and then
the fall decorating can begin...it's going to be wonderful...
I can feel it down to my toes....how about you?
Are your making plans for transforming your home to
the fall and winter season?

CROCKPOT SHRIMP LINGUINE

It's too hot to cook...
I am waiting patiently for summer to pass....
I think it just may make me somewhat unmotivated
to do much...but.....it's a great time to prepare
salads, fruits of the season and use that crockpot for many dinners...
Today, I have a recipe you will just love...
I plan on making this alot......



Our family is a lover of gulf seafood and this crockpot shrimp pasta
is so easy, ready in two hours and smells and tastes amazing... 

Place a layer of fresh lemons in the bottom of your crockpot...
3-5 sliced organic lemons...



Top the lemon slices with frozen raw shrimp....
season with Old Bay, Lemon Pepper,
minced garlic and onion powder.



Then top with sliced butter.....one stick required



Top all of this with one 16 ounce package of Linguine, broken in half..
Pour 32 ounces of chicken broth over all....

Cover and set your crockpot on high for 2 hours or so.....

Oh the aroma...serve with hot french bread....

Top with shaved parmesan and fresh cilantro.....
Y'all enjoy

LET'S CELEBRATE JULY

Good Morning all you Summer lovers...
I do hope you are enjoying your days
and spending thoughtful, quiet times with sunshine on your shoulders.....
I pulled out a few of my favorite things for the month of July
to put on display at my kitchen workstation.....

This is the most decorating I plan to do for summer
and I find it a nod to July 4th and all our family
birthdays we will be celebrating this month....

Sunflowers remind me of days in summer when
we visited my grandmother....we played all day long,
and well into the evening with our cousins....
we ran in cornfields and played with the cows and sheep...
we had dinners of freshly grown vegetables
that the neighbors had shared and left on her back porch...

Each year, there would be a full three months in which
we were out of school and my parents took us on wonderful
fun-filled vacations.....
those childhood days seemed so carefree...

And, now it's just a gift to have slow days
of porch sitting, reading, and watering the gardens...

Our TEXAS heat has arrived as expected
so I am determined to keep things growing....
I cut back the zinnias in order for
the Rose of Sharon to spread out a bit....

My Butterfly Bush finally bloomed....
beautiful among the marigolds..

Zinnias seem to love summer......

And I am loving my Lantana this year....

I plan for grilled hot dogs and burgers for July 4h....
along with my Gone to Glory Potato Salad....

The sides will be Baked Beans and Corn on the Cob.....

To me, this is the All-American celebration.....

It's fun to gather treats of red, white and blue.....

And how about ending the day, with ice cream
and fresh strawberries....
y'all have a fabulous and safe July 4th!

THE WEDDING DRESS CELEBRATION

Today's post is all about THE WEDDING!

Weddings these days have changed dramatically compared
to wedding customs from the 70's...when the darling and I 
exchanged vows.....
There are new custom events, one of which is
The Wedding Dress Reveal!
The purpose of this particular event is
for the bride to invite those closest to her
and model her special gown she has chosen for her upcoming marriage!
It was indeed a celebratory occasion....we discussed all the
ceremony plans as we sipped champagne and fawned over
of gorgeous bride-to-be!

 

Wedding dresses today are so beautiful and are designed with
"pockets" these days which is genius.....

The celebration was held for the Mother and Grandmothers
to join in the bride's happy anticipation of her special day
which will be in the fall of this year....



Her mother was so thoughtful to bring her a little bouquet
of florals so she could get the full effect....

This reminds me so much of the time
Mother and I shopped for my own wedding gown...
I still just love that dress to this very day.....

What a happy celebration this was and we made
special memories together for our precious granddaughter....

Her dress is classic and she looks stunningly beautiful...

The parents have been working SOOOO hard under this
summer Texas sun to prepare the ranch land for the wedding.....

This is the area on the ranch where the ceremony will take place....

It's going to be a very memorable occasion....
There is nothing more beautiful than a Texas sunset....

Next up, is her bridal shower.....
which will be held this month...
I an so excited for this.....

We will have a house full of family so let the festivities begin...
Our one and only granddaughter is quite special to us...
and we all look forward to this incredibly special day...