THE LAZY GARDENER

GARDENER....... person who tends and cultivates a garden

as a pastime....or for a living....

I do neither......

I am still tending to my little Trader Joe's rose bush

I bought a few months ago....

I am down to a single rose....

I did manage to put the cushions outside on the

furniture yesterday and "prepare" to

buy some little garden herbs this weekend....

I think I like accessorizing more than planting....

or just listening to water sounds and birds chirping...

I do not enjoy digging in dirt....
especially when I come across a worm....

Ah Mae Mae....looks like you and I are on the same page.......

THE ULTIMATE BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE

Do you enjoy breakfast smoothies?

I know many who love them as they can

be as nutritious as you can make them,

they keep you satisfied throughout the morning

and are so convenient when you have to rush

out the door to the office!

Even though I no longer have to do that,

I love mixing up my own blends of smoothies

that are simply out of this world delicious!

This is our new favorite here at Estelle's!

THE ULTIMATE BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE

1 cup of crushed ice

1 fresh banana

1/4 cup  Chocolate Ovaltine

3 T. Peanut Butter

1 1/2 cup Almond Vanilla Milk

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for

one minute on high speed..

BUTTERMILK BISCUITS BY MAGNOLIA TABLE

I have pre-ordered Joanna Gaines new

cookbook, so I decided to try her

recipe for the biscuits served at

Magnolia Table.

I saw the Fixer Upper episode as

she prepared these biscuits for Chip

as they prepared for the grand opening of their

new Waco restaurant.

Our thoughts are at the end of this post......

BUTTERMILK BISCUITS BY JOANNA GAINES

3 cups all- purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

3/4 cup butter or 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup shortening

1 1/2 cup buttermilk

Milk for brushing (optional)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. 

In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients.

 Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

How I love using Grandmother Grace's

old pastry blender.....

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. 

Add buttermilk all at once.

 Using a fork, stir just until mixture is moistened.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough by folding and gently pressing it just until dough holds together. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Pat dough into a 3/4 inch thick rectangle. Cut into 12 squares or rectangles with a knife or pizza cutter. Do not separate.

If desired, brush with milk. Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until golden. Serve warm. Makes 12 biscuits.

I always brush hot biscuits with a little melted butter.

The results......

Now for the taste test....

butter, honey or jam......

I would try her recipe and see what you think.....
they have a different texture than my southern biscuits....
They are tender and bake beautifully,
but I am not sure they top my favorite biscuit recipes.

SATURDAY MATINEE AND DINNER DATE

We had a cool spring rain most of the day and evening

on Saturday....so it was a perfect day to plan

to see a movie we have been anxiously awaiting.....

Oh my oh my....this did not disappoint....

First of all, I adore John Krasinski and his

wife, Emily Blunt....this was a fantastic

movie as far as suspense, acting, directing and cinematography!

We all gave this 5 stars!!!!!

As, our son prepared to fly off to San Francisco for his

new job, we were happily spending a Saturday

to enjoy a dinner out at my all time favorite Italian restaurant!

I love, love, love the ambiance......

Whose ordering the appetizers?

Little did we realize it was Prom NIGHT...

so we were treated to a fashion show of gowns and tuxedos!

We are so darn excited for this couple and seeing

what new adventures lie in front of them...

California, here we come.......

There were so many precious teens having dinner

before the dance.....so so pretty too!

Eggplant Parmesan was my selection for the night.

I love people watching at restaurants, don't you?

The stuffed mushrooms were out of this world!

It was a beautiful day to enjoy
before the big move......
Hope y'all had a great weekend as well!

CHARMING HISTORY LESSONS

Britain is world famous for its stately homes. These homes were the taste makers of their day and they relished lavish hospitality.

Who wouldn’t want to go down the back stairs and see what life in a grand country house is really like?

I know you will probably recognize 83 year old Mary Berry from a judge on the PBS series The Great British Baking Show, but she also hosts a charming little You Tube series entitled MARY BERRY’S COUNTRY HOUSE SECRETS.

I have so loved this little series as I savor breakfast and morning coffee.

It is fascinating to learn the way of life these historic homes 

have within them and what the family life was like in the past. 

It is also amazing to see the manner in which these great houses 

have been preserved over the years.

Mary takes us inside the homes as she recreates some of her marvelous recipes such as a lovely layered sponge cake, filled with strawberries and cream that she serves at a cricket match.

She learns the art of sheep shearing, according to the shepherd. Some of the homes she features in her series are Goodwood House in West Sussex, Powderham Castle, in Devon, Scone Palace, Perth and Kinross, and Highclere Castle in Hampshire.

We are given a glimpse into the aristocratic lifestyle of working, 

living and socializing even with a magical woodland dinner party!

I know if you are a fan of PBS and fascinated with history,

you will probably enjoy this series as much as I have.

A BIG CHANGE....SAN FRANCISCO LIVING

If you're going  to San Francisco....be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..........

written by John Phillips and recorded by Scott McKenzie, 1967

Probably safe to say this was my all time favorite song from

my 60's teen years!

We are super excited (and also sad)
to congratulate son #1 on a very big promotion
and new job!!!!
It came about quite suddenly and this huge change
is in full swing right now....
they are relocating to San Francisco.

We are really beyond thrilled for them,
but for reasons as I am sure you can understand...
we will miss them terribly.
I think it's wonderful to live different places
throughout your life's journey....
experience new adventures....

I have never been to California, so this is
going to be a wonderful opportunity to plan
a vacation to tour San Fran and the Napa Valley!

If you have experience in California living,
especially SF....please share your tips with me!

NEW KITCHEN ESSENTIALS WITH A VINTAGE VIBE

Hello Loves....

I found some real treasures for the kitchen this weekend

and they are just spectacular!

Of course, just when I think Miss Ree cannot possibly

design something cuter, here she comes with 

THE BETSY Mason Storage Jars!

You know with my name on the package, I simply could not resist!

I know these are named after Ree's sister, Betsy......

Love, love, love the toppers....

And.....the beautiful design on the jar itself!

These jars have a million and one uses....such as.....

perfect for serving up an afternoon pick me up of

Caramel Macchiato!!!

And, have you seen the beautiful new glass

bakeware from Anchor Hocking?

This is their new design called Rosewater...

reminds me so much of pink depression glass.

I love baking in glass bakeware

and these are substantial and simply beautiful...also

rather inexpensive!

Then, I came across this little baking dish

marking the 60th anniversary of the cornflower blue

corning ware!

I grew up with this and remember these pieces so well

from my mother and grandmother's kitchens!

I simply love this!
It's a wonderful feeling when something reminds you of home, isn't it?

TOASTED COCONUT BANANA MUFFINS

I love to bake!

Today, I am sharing these marvelous muffins

chocked full of pecans, coconut, vanilla and bananas!

Y'all are going to just love this recipe!!!

TOASTED COCONUT MUFFINS

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 large bananas, mashed

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard size 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Coat lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add mashed bananas, butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Fold in toasted coconut and pecans. Spoon batter into muffin tin until 3/4 full. Top with grated coconut.

Bake muffins for 20 to 25 minutes until light golden brown.

Perfect for that afternoon cup of coffee or a holiday brunch!

TARGET BULLSEYE GARDEN ELEMENTS

The weather has been rather typical for spring here in Texas....

we go from warm and sunny, to a hailstorm, to cold winds and back to warm!

But it's still the perfect time to begin to visit the nursery for planting in the gardens!

I can always count on Target to bring beautiful and fun items 

for the season at price points from $1.00 TO $5.00.

I love to share the items I selected in case you would like

to pick up a few of these for your spring garden......

I love this cute little watering can for the containers

on the patio......

This little guy is going to look precious on a side table.....

Perfect for my little herb garden of cilantro, basil, chives and parsley......

I love this little hanging pot .....I think it calls for

something lavender and lacy....

I always need a pair of garden gloves and I love, love, love this pair.....

They have some darling little gnomes too.....

My grandmother always had garden gnomes, so this

will remind me of her all summer long....

The azaleas are gorgeous this time of  year....

And, yes.....leave it to Target

to be able to sell a rock to a girl.....

happy gardening lovies!