FAMILY HEIRLOOMS ARE PERFECT FOR THE HOLIDAYS

 

Good Morning Kindred Spirits...
the holidays are here....Thanksgiving is now upon us
followed by the Merry Christmas season....
Today's post is all about incorporating certain
family heirlooms into your holiday table....
The old days were the best days..
growing up, my sister and I would travel by train
from Mississippi to Ohio with my Grandmother Grace...
we stayed  with her many summers, as well as
special Christmas holidays as both my grandparents
lived in neighboring Ohio towns....
those times were magical as a child....

Their house is still standing today which is amazing,
as it was built in the very early 1900's....
Grandmother always had a fresh fruit basket on her buffet
during Christmas...I so adored her.....
I was fortunate enough to inherit beautiful vintage items
from both grandparents and always try to display
some of these on special times of the year....

I decided to pull out a few vintage sugar, creamers,

as well as these beautiful Depression Glass salt and pepper shakers

and incorporate them onto the Thanksgiving table...

This little creamer belonged to Grandmother Grace

As did this sweet little sugar and creamer

I have three of these beautiful cut glass tumblers
which were from Grandmother Estelle....

As was this beautiful domed butter dish....

I hope this inspired you to look though your cupboards

and enjoy seeing and using a few of your family heirlooms...

Wishing you a beautiful week ahead...

BRIDESMAIDS MIMOSA BAR AND MORNING HAIR AND MAKEUP

GOOD MORNING SWEET FRIENDS....
Many of you have been asking to hear about the family
event of the year, our granddaughters wedding which was
held in October....today, we will take a look
the the Mimosa Bar and the get ready early morning call
for the Bridesmaids....it was all beautiful, wonderful and
everything she had planned and hoped for....

The wedding venue was held on a beautiful ranch
owned by Ms. Elizabeth, our daughter in laws Mom...
the ranch is hundreds of acres and out in the country
of Parker County, 
Our family was staying at a beautiful Air B and B, a good 
40 minutes away.
The Divine Miss M arrived about 8 in the morning to
set up the refreshments .while the bridal party
was arriving for hair and make up....





The Bridal Party was large, a total of 24
beautiful young people.....
We had three Mimosa varieties....
Peach, Cranberry and White Raspberry
Fresh fruits, muffins. cashews, chocolates
and lemon, as well as Vanilla Pound Cakes...
three different charcuteries with crackers,
Italian meats and cheeses...
oh yes, cold Pellegrino waters...

The centerpiece was two bouquets of
fresh autumn florals...

I baked sugar dusted Chocolate Chunk Muffins

I made a keepsake menu for her to keep in her scrapbook....

We added a beautiful candle for a warm and cozy vibe....

I found this darling Rae Dunn ice bucket...

I think it turned out beautifully and I know

they enjoyed the refreshments,,,,I am

so thankful for the help from my husband,

son-in-law and especially The Divine Miss M

with all the transportation and set up of the table....

Now, while we were setting the table,

Hair and Make-up had begun upstairs....

I loved how they all had matching floral silk kimonos....

A gift keepsake and message

from her Maid of Honor...

A tender moment between
Mother of the Bride and her daughter

These girls are beautiful, college educated, successful

and such good and loyal friends....

I know how much they enjoyed this pampering session

prior to a full day of photos, ceremony and then the reception

which lasted until 3 in the morning....

Wouldn't this be an exciting time?

 I love this photo capturing Maggie in the stairway....

A new sister-in-law for our girl....precious and sweet

The Bridal Party.....

The handsome groomsmen.....

It was a perfect and memorable day.....

BUSY HOLIDAY PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY

 

My goodness gracious, y'all...does it seem like the month
is just flying by?
Autumn has seemed to be a short season this year for some reason....
perhaps because our big event was the wedding...

Work schedules for a few children will dictate our holiday celebrations
this year, so we will actually be having two Thanksgivings and
Christmas gatherings....we can easily make it all work...

I can always count on our HEB to have beautiful paper products
for the holidays. and these will be used on the appetizer table
in the kitchen....

Thanksgiving is a few weeks away and I wanted to
set the formal dining room for our Thanksgiving..
I began by selecting Grandmother Grace's lace tablecloth...

Each year, the tablescape looks different and I love

how this year's turned out....

We eat dinner around 5 thirty or 6 o'clock,

so candlelight always creates a warm, cozy atmosphere...

not to mention a touch of elegance....

I must remember to purchase new silver polish to
polish the sterling silver....

My grandchildren always look forward to the hot spiced tea and punch station....
warm hands and tummies throughout the day....

I am making my fall spiced tea this year....

the recipe that used tea, lemonade and Tang.....

laced with cinnamon and Allspice...

Amazon has delivered my Christmas orders

so I plan on wrapping gifts over the next few weeks....

This sweet guy will be hanging on the tree beginning in December

Now, I must narrow down the Christmas Eve menu...

You know, the holidays come around once a year..
put in the effort to make it a lovely memory for those you love...
it truly is the most wonderful time of the year....

;Lucille...you saucy little minx...

PRODUCTIVE FALL DAYS OF BAKING AND PREPARING FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

Good Morning Kindred Spirits....
how are your days this November?
You know, the days of growing older and retirement
are a strange time of life....you look forward to 
getting off the fast paced merry-go-round of life
when you are working and raising children, but
it's in reality, just strange...at least I find it to be.....
it is vital to keep a positive mindset, find peace
in quiet days and stay productive in ways that bring you joy.....
Today's post is simply what life looked like in an ordinary week
at Estelle's.....perhaps this post will provide you an idea
or a bit of inspiration to incorporate into your life this week....

Autumn mornings beg for a hot bowl of oatmeal topped
with cinnamon and drizzled with Italian Cream....

I came across a recipe from my sweet friend Janey,
for her Squash Dressing....it sounded so good....
I put my own little twist on it.....

It begins with a hot Mexican Cornbread

This was delicious....you  may even want
to add this to a THANKSGIVING side...

We certainly enjoyed Sunday morning with
hot popovers with honey and Strawberry Jam

If you are looking to prepare a Thanksgiving pie
a day ahead of your gathering,
the Jello Pudding Pumpkin Pie is one to consider....

It is a cool creamy alternative to the traditional pumpkin pie....

Another consideration for your dessert buffet,
is to bake a delicious carrot pineapple cake
topped with a really good cream cheese frosting.....

So good with all the fall spices added....

I am anxious for the Christmas season....
I have finished my shopping for the most part
and a loving my theme for this season....

I grew up reading Ideals Christmas books,
which were a favorite of my Grandmother Estelle....
so I continue her tradition and purchase one every year....
they are full of nostalgia and the Christian meaning of the season...

Lucille brings us joy and happiness every day.....
love her to bits.....

The new season of A VERY ROYAL SCANDAL
is excellent.....only three episodes
and so, so intriguing...

I have very much enjoyed the fall decor this year...
and will hang on to November as long as I can....
it's been a wonderful time of year...
of course, the best being the wedding....
it was a delightful weekend....

Wonderful memories to look back on....