CLOSING OUT FEBRUARY 2024 AND PREPARING FOR THE SPRING SEASON

Good Morning all you lovely friends....
welcome back to Estelle's..I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit....
February was a pretty good month for us.....
It's a sweet time when the family can get together these days.....

 

These two pretty ladies have the best time when they get together....
sister-in-laws that appreciate and love each other and
they are two of the sweetest people on earth....

We had a fabulous night over in Fort Worth...
starting with a cold evening at The Drover
enjoying cocktails and people watching
all the gorgeous guys and dolls in their Stetson's and Boots....

And...it was a busy, busy night...we had the best time....

It has become our tradition to have dinner at Risky's BBQ...
delicious food and great service....
gosh, we have been doing this for the past thirty years....

We had family game night by playing an old favorite...CLUE....

This proved to be a lot of fun for everyone....
we had several rounds of guessing whodunit!!!!

And, now I believe Spring weather has arrived here in Texas....



The children have been clearing land out at
Miss Elizabeth's ranch for months....
last weekend, they worked this area with a Bush Hog....

This is backbreaking work let me tell you.....

This is where our granddaughter wants to have her wedding
in October and I know it's going to be gorgeous....

We were so excited to see these two visitors in the pool one morning....

I am ready to prepare the outdoors for the upcoming seasons....
one of my favorite times of the year.....

Oh y'all...this is just a marvelous iced tea.....
One packet of Crystal Light Peach Mango tea
mixed with cold Ginger Ale.....delightful

A touch of Easter and the home decor is beginning to change a bit...

I so hope things are good at your home.....
enjoy that morning cup of coffee, keep good thoughts and
be grateful for another day...hugs and blessings to you all.....

SPRING SIMPLICITY and LAVENDER LEMONADE

There is an art to planting a garden....
is there really?
Well, I suppose there are often times a plan is sketched out
with a designer's eye....but then there are those
that scatter the seeds in the wind...and see what
transforms into an English style garden...... 

I am feeling the love of lemon yellow.....
A new wreath and garden flag will begin the season.....

Now this will definitely put us in the mood to welcome
warmer days and look forward to afternoons sipping lemonade on the patio....

A new garden flag to place among the Four O' Clocks....

This year I am adding pops of bright yellow to the floral pillows....

I order my outdoor pillow covers from Amazon...
these are so well made and should weather quite nicely over summer.....

What to plant for Spring and Summer.....????
These have been my tried and true favorites for our
Texas gardens........

I think we all have certain favorites of annuals and perennials....
I plan to repeat the Plumbago, Lantana and Morning Glories....

These did beautifully throughout the summer season....

And I LOVE my Buddha figurines.....
they bring a feeling of peace and zen to our outdoor living space....

Mae Mobley's garden space will always be a 
remembrance of her pure love and beauty....

I am planting daylilies in the large patio pots by the pool....

Along with Sun Patients.....

and Purple Iris....

I look forward to visiting the Farmer's Market,
burning a spring candle,,,dying Easter eggs
and creating a patio picnic....
For fragrance I love a light floral with
hints of leather and cedar.....

I have a lovely spring midi dress with
colors of peach and soft yellows.....
how perfect for the cocktail hour sipping on Lavender Lemonade

It's the coziness of spring and summer..
warm, light and airy...welcoming us to come outside....

SUPERBOWL AND ENTERTAINING WITH GOOD FOODS

This year's menu was smaller than normal, but absolutely delicious.....
this was our Superbowl menu on Sunday evening.....
we all anticipate gathering to watch the final and biggest
football game of the year...
congratulations to the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS!
Final score 22-25!!!!

I made the BEST ITALIAN GRINDER sliders ever.....

the shredded iceberg lettuce mixed with mayo and this 
drizzle of submarine dressing put it over the top.....

Layers of smoked ham, salami, pepperoni and provolone cheese....

Hawaiian rolls drizzled with butter, garlic, pepper flakes, onion powder and black pepper...
Baked covered at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, then uncover
and bake for additional 5 minutes....

After half time, a piece of cherry cream cheese pie......

Now we are going to be enjoying a house full of family
in a few days and the menu is going to divine for a big party evening.....

I plan on slow roasting a turkey breast for the star of the show...
just the way Mother did when we were growing up....
be sure to visit Deanna's blog, Creekside Cottage and she
has shared her method of the perfect slow roast method....
it is absolutely divine.....

I am going to pick up a Charcuterie and dessert from HEB....

The Vodka Cranberry punch I served at Christmas was a hit,
so this will be the beverage cocktail for the adults....

My deviled eggs...

And a family favorite for years...
the Southern Jezebel sauce....
with crackers and spooned over cream cheese.....

Family gatherings are very special times....
it's important to make them memorable.....

 

SMALL WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER HYGGE

Hello Kindred Spirits...
I feel this is the last of Winter as the days roll by...
those who live in the northeast must be feeling those
winter blues somewhat with all the snow and ice...
we tend to stay indoors more during the colder months
and our spirits can use a bit of refresh...
it's something we can all benefit from...
Today, I am sharing a few minimal ways I
soothe my mind and body......



I enjoy keeping a bowl of fresh citrus on the dining table....
the colors are so vibrant and fresh and it also serves
as a reminder to have a healthy snack 

I use this time to refresh the kitchen linens....
adding something bright and colorful can bring a true happiness....

Talk about heartwarming....
making a lovely big pot of homemade vegetable beef soup...
the aroma of soup simmering on the stove all day
will make your family full of happy anticipation for dinner.....

I so enjoying trying a new recipe to add to my favorites....
baking can be so therapeutic..
today I decided on a scrumptious Butter Pecan Pound Cake....

Try adding a lovely wax warmer to your entryway....
it certainly can set the mood for a cozy home feel.....

Look for the winter limited edition line of bath products...
more luxurious and moisturizing during winter months....

Try a rich vanilla body cream after a pedicure and then
slip into some cozy socks for around the house.....

For the evening, I like changing out a glass of wine
with a refreshing mocktail.....
this is so crisp and light...
a mix of limeade, coconut spritzer and fresh lime.....

Take note when the fur babies find a sun puddle in the afternoon....
wasn't this a beautiful day?

WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING...DID SHE SAY YES TO THE DRESS?

Oh Y'ALL...
Did we ever have fun shopping for 
the perfect wedding dress for granddaughter Abbie.....
SO much to consider and give thought to.....
the style, the color, the fit, the total look.....
on the most important day of your life..... 

We all met up in Fort Worth for the first appointment of the morning
at this particular bridal shop....
Miss Abbie's consultant was wonderful.....
she was knowledgeable, informative and really made this
a delightful event for the bride to be, along with
those of her family who were invited to attend...

We managed to narrow down the selection to around fifteen dresses.....

The mother of the bride and her maid of honor.....

Abbie's stepmom and the mother of the groom.....
and of course...moi who was snapping a few photos....

It's a marvelous event to sit and watch your granddaughter prepare for her
special day....you want her to feel center stage and enjoy every minute
of all the planning that goes into her wedding day.....

I had no idea that pockets are now in most all of the dresses...
what a marvelous idea for a small linen handkerchief, or a special
keepsake to carry down the isle....

She wanted a vintage look and the lace
can make or break the dress....too much, too little, wrong design or just right.....???

The head of alterations was lovely to explain
the importance of a bustle.....which
serves to protect the train.......

An all important decision....form fitting or a bit more poofy....

I will say, she was a vision of loveliness in most all of the dresses

Isn't this just beautiful?

This dress had such a gorgeous ethereal look to it...

Classic and traditional.....

And, how to decide on the headpiece....
maybe fresh flowers in your hair....
it's a garden theme fall wedding so I know it's going to be 
such a significant event for us all.....
And, the search will continue..
next stop....Dallas!