August 30, 2014

MY MISSISSIPPI HOME....GULF COAST BEAUTY

One of the highlights of our vacation this summer, was our visit back to our first home away from home. During our second year of marriage, the darling and I relocated to Biloxi, Mississippi where he was serving in the Air Force at Keesler AFB. The Divine Miss M was born here! The beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast has been part of our past since early childhood. Many, many, many memories involve our beloved coast! If you have never had the opportunity to visit the beautiful state of Mississippi, especially the gulf coast, then I hope you will enjoy the old majestic southern homes that still exist, It is certainly a "Gone With the Wind feeling!"
 
 
 
On August 28th, 2005. Hurricane Katrina made landfall on our beloved Mississippi Gulf Coast. We were fortunate enough to take a visit back to the coast and capture what remains of her beauty. It was heartbreaking to see what was forever lost. These are some of the remaining Grande Dames of Biloxi, Gulfport, Pass Christian, Bay St. Louis and Long Beach.
Many historic buildings were destroyed in Mississippi, including the cottages and second-story porches around the Beauvoir mansion, home of Jefferson Davis. Hundreds of irreplaceable Civil War-era artifacts from the Jefferson Davis home and museum were either lost or destroyed.
 
 
 
























We hear much about the devastation of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. Mississippi lost entire towns along the gulf. Waveland is no more. 238 people lost their lives. It was heartbreaking to see stone slabs left from once beautiful historic homes. Stone steps remain that lead to no where. We loved seeing these ancient magnificent trees that survived hurricane force winds, along with the old shrimp boats. My heart will always hold dear the state of Mississippi!

August 29, 2014

BEACH THEMED BALL JARS AND PEACH CROSTINIS

 
This was a fun little project to utilize left over canning ball jars in honor of our beach trip!
 
 
Candlelight for romance!
 


 
They were the perfect homemade accessory in our condo!
 

Time to entertain Miss Judy!


PEACH CROSTINI'S
1 French baguette, sliced diagonally
2 ounces of goat cheese
2 ounces softened cream cheese
2 T. honey
Fresh basil
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Fresh Peaches, peeled and sliced
Prosciutto, optional



Lightly coat baguette slices with olive oil infused butter. Toast lightly in a 375 degree F. oven. Combine goat cheese, cream cheese, honey and salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Spread this mixture evenly among the bread slices. Place a basil leaf on each slice, top with a fresh peach slice and drizzle with honey. If you are using the prosciutto, wrap each peach slice and then drizzle the honey lastly. These are just delightful!

August 28, 2014

BAKED SPAGHETTI


What’s for Dinner?

 
Having just returned from vacation, the Cinderella chores face you head on!
Unpacking, laundry, cleaning....and making dinner with what's on hand
prior to the weekend grocery trip!
No problem darling......the bases are covered!
 

 
 BAKED SPAGHETTI
1 lb. of Ground Beef
2 jars of Spaghetti Sauce
8 oz of Cream Cheese
1/4 cup of Sour Cream
1/2 lb. of Ricotta Cheese
Whole Stick of Butter
Spaghetti Pasta........about 16 ounces
Bag of Sharp Cheddar Cheese


Preheat oven to 350ยบ. Boil the noodles and while they are boiling, mix up the cream cheese, sour cream and ricotta cheese!! Make sure that it is mixed up VERY well! Then brown the meat. Drain any excess fat!

Pour your spaghetti sauce over the ground beef! Take a few slices of your butter and put them in the bottom of your casserole dish, then layer HALF of the pasta in the bottom of the dish! Pour that nicely mixed up creamy mixture on top of the noodles. and SPREAD it all over! Then add the rest of your pasta and put a few slices of butter on top of those noodles. Now pour the red sauce and meat on top! Once again SPREAD. Now place that awesome casserole in your oven for 30 minutes! After those 30 minutes take the dish out and pour some cheddar cheese on the top and put it back in the oven for 15 minutes! YUM-OH!!!!

 

August 27, 2014

THE BEACH.....OUR PAUSE THAT REFRESHES

 

Creating Your Dream



It was a bit of a last minute surprise that we were able to travel down to our favorite beach spot this year. We arrived early Wednesday evening, unpacked, poured a cocktail and found ourselves standing on that beautiful soft white sand, feeling the cool ocean breeze in our hair! It was enough to bring me to tears.....seriously!  


This was our first experience in a condo for the week. Although the condo was just beautifully decorated, it was not as private as we have been used to, when renting a beach house. The view to the gulf was breathtaking and there was very easy access to the beach. This was a view to the right directly off our balcony!


It was also rather nice to have  cabana boys prepare your
umbrella and beach chairs every morning!


Ah, the memories! Just the darling and me!


How can anyone tire of waking up to this every morning?
I must have taken a million pictures of this very view!


Isn't he beautiful!



We traveled all over.
 This was the darling in Destin....checking out the boats at the marina!


 
Days of fun in the sun!

 
Days of beautiful sunsets!
 

Our favorite time of the day....



 


Thank you darling......it was wonderful......just like a honeymoon!
Same time, same place.....next year!

August 19, 2014

FAVORITE MARINATED FLANK STEAK


This was an Estate Sale to end all sales! There were six rooms filled to the brim with the household treasures of a couple who owned a lake house believe it or not! They must have had one beautiful life as there were antiques and heirlooms from all of their lifelong travels. I cannot even imagine how you can possibly collect this much furniture, china, paintings, etc., but they obviously did and here it all was for sale. Number 2 son and his lovely bride, purchased this gorgeous dining table with twelve chairs for their new dining room. Oh my, what a find this was!

Even though it's a tad hot here in Texas, we are still enjoying evenings by the pool, cooking out and having wine under the moon! It's so wonderful to just bake some Yukon Gold's in the oven, prepare a healthy tossed salad with those luscious heirloom tomatoes and serve up this delectable grilled flank steak! It's one of the darling's favorite meals!


 
 
 
 
 
FAVORITE MARINATED FLANK STEAK
 
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds flank steak
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

In a medium bowl, mix the oil, soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic, and ground black pepper. Place meat in a shallow glass dish. Pour marinade over the steak, turning meat to coat thoroughly. Cover, and refrigerate for 6 hours.
 
Preheat grill for medium-high heat.
 
Oil the grill grate. Place steaks on the grill, and discard the marinade. Grill meat for 5 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.