tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67125993464347579842024-03-18T14:28:38.379-05:00Estelle'sEstelle's.......There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort~
Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.comBlogger2571125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-50510466650370076232024-03-15T05:25:00.000-05:002024-03-15T05:25:53.797-05:00DESIGNING A TABLESCAPE FOR SPRING and EASTER<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156;">My Spring/Easter tablescape this year</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;">is what I would classify at Vintage Boho.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg997vNJdVQXO_sL10vPeTVbzLjzraI9YWsYMijqzpSanfwmv7KAVvXBvmT8hBrohvdTDXWD2BEww-W7Ws1t_WgnmNyKjzPJqdbEkHRZeXsseK0LrY3WaUZDboauczcU4Nl84JEl3WFcMvkAUsyAoFqS_2P4A9kNWfKT8l8JIaNOOHe6GoUlMpY4UGVa3g/s1911/IMG_2689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1911" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg997vNJdVQXO_sL10vPeTVbzLjzraI9YWsYMijqzpSanfwmv7KAVvXBvmT8hBrohvdTDXWD2BEww-W7Ws1t_WgnmNyKjzPJqdbEkHRZeXsseK0LrY3WaUZDboauczcU4Nl84JEl3WFcMvkAUsyAoFqS_2P4A9kNWfKT8l8JIaNOOHe6GoUlMpY4UGVa3g/w640-h436/IMG_2689.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />selecting an earthy color palette, with a mix of<br />patterns and textures and a few statement accessories.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolZNaNSy_x6fhRv8zysIMSRRP615NFeSM2nofoVuLwd79eR5oFzjaSMH54n98gtFyOByNme71ahxgAP0qs7pU2IHyuvlm5ulIeRuEvN4Tfcjd_MPYSB8fXOSlJhqKrKA2hYyKDHolCyAqH_bqHO-OLnkwfnKSzs2tsDnzjrxGiorvwP35ieabXyWPuQg/s1000/71DIQdA6YPL._AC_SL1000_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolZNaNSy_x6fhRv8zysIMSRRP615NFeSM2nofoVuLwd79eR5oFzjaSMH54n98gtFyOByNme71ahxgAP0qs7pU2IHyuvlm5ulIeRuEvN4Tfcjd_MPYSB8fXOSlJhqKrKA2hYyKDHolCyAqH_bqHO-OLnkwfnKSzs2tsDnzjrxGiorvwP35ieabXyWPuQg/w640-h640/71DIQdA6YPL._AC_SL1000_.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d5156;">My inspiration piece was a pattern of dinnerware</span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;">that I felt I could use throughout the seasons....<br />from Spring, to Summer and all the way into Fall.<br />When someone asks, "what thought springs to mind,<br />when someone says the words "spring season?"<br />I immediately think of FLORALS....<br />Forsythia, Tulips, and Daffodils.....<br />When asked about thoughts for Autumn <br />in regards to FLORALS...<br />I immediately think of Sunflowers and Mums.....<br />This particular pattern was a reflection of it all....<br />with the added bonus of a tiny, yet magical sprig of acorns!<br /><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo69_C2O4aQvm1Ic4TG6aI89aDOMdNyA2RmRbuFEmthvB8VeDzUWfvNv31JwaseRiWc4eJo1Z3eqtL5bkmBz-KNnnsNBv9sIDfmLm7Sn4o76TFqnjG2E7rrkR5iaWEej9SBfcp6dszFVkPs91zlnDpwF5tR_YZZSQDmCJvJmFk2DVMvAsuU2C0anWOCg/s2016/IMG_2661%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo69_C2O4aQvm1Ic4TG6aI89aDOMdNyA2RmRbuFEmthvB8VeDzUWfvNv31JwaseRiWc4eJo1Z3eqtL5bkmBz-KNnnsNBv9sIDfmLm7Sn4o76TFqnjG2E7rrkR5iaWEej9SBfcp6dszFVkPs91zlnDpwF5tR_YZZSQDmCJvJmFk2DVMvAsuU2C0anWOCg/w480-h640/IMG_2661%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can totally feel the warmth mixed with the beautiful wood grains</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I try to select decor items for the formal dining, which will pair well with foods..<br />you know, something that will beckon family to the dinner table!<br />These rose gold highball glasses had me at Hello.......<br />these would be perfect to pair with my pink depression glass which<br />I try to use every Easter.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYmbufbLUDYZdmXu1jpIoPpAKIKhLAQk2BBpBlk_-MZxUhSao2A_4i_QdDnMkMFs_sMiKHikcCm12yJJInxu85r3HOPLmvcCQH3HvYm3sWb_-Rj3LR13ov6Qxq1cw_BkUhYDK5wQmEE4cMiQR7ztUKVBq4lg2SYGgrYM3ADvgiT5e3uhDqqT4G-WmV8s/s2016/IMG_2666%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYmbufbLUDYZdmXu1jpIoPpAKIKhLAQk2BBpBlk_-MZxUhSao2A_4i_QdDnMkMFs_sMiKHikcCm12yJJInxu85r3HOPLmvcCQH3HvYm3sWb_-Rj3LR13ov6Qxq1cw_BkUhYDK5wQmEE4cMiQR7ztUKVBq4lg2SYGgrYM3ADvgiT5e3uhDqqT4G-WmV8s/w480-h640/IMG_2666%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pU8nvQHVBXGdH16sKEB9Cv5wFopEculpgX5Gors0iChEh6HhBvp3jI_KIQ4MccnI8F2wjvr9-8VPuNgDNBkjjTebRHtJxVBsrTkaSArY2d2WqX03TTGVzSmIPICtwVlTyMZLbajmSnqICpphc_OM1E0AkhsfRbnOt403uUM2VkP_yu8w5ZbURBFuQrg/s2016/IMG_2668.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pU8nvQHVBXGdH16sKEB9Cv5wFopEculpgX5Gors0iChEh6HhBvp3jI_KIQ4MccnI8F2wjvr9-8VPuNgDNBkjjTebRHtJxVBsrTkaSArY2d2WqX03TTGVzSmIPICtwVlTyMZLbajmSnqICpphc_OM1E0AkhsfRbnOt403uUM2VkP_yu8w5ZbURBFuQrg/w480-h640/IMG_2668.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I bought this little collection years ago at our<br />well known Trade Days in Canton, Texas,<br />except for the scalloped condiment dish which belonged to Grandmother.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm7_pJCpeivvSF9EktdQzR2TQ2CJg51fu2ZpSC4fRP6kEecVCLMbuacic4b8ciCCxi43WDLj-3rlI4xm-QqdhP4azjiuBjubYmfsXXBlQ64IxWIe91cLdbow-2KFFuS_p9rxPm0UgucTlYyPI4VsqUYSojhUJxOyoXZFP1CKkJfY3lxtH2UN6K9MuHK4/s1611/IMG_2671%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1611" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm7_pJCpeivvSF9EktdQzR2TQ2CJg51fu2ZpSC4fRP6kEecVCLMbuacic4b8ciCCxi43WDLj-3rlI4xm-QqdhP4azjiuBjubYmfsXXBlQ64IxWIe91cLdbow-2KFFuS_p9rxPm0UgucTlYyPI4VsqUYSojhUJxOyoXZFP1CKkJfY3lxtH2UN6K9MuHK4/w640-h480/IMG_2671%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the dinnerware I have chosen.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">florals that can be representative of spring florals,<br />along with a tiny SPRIG of acorns which can transcend into to the fall season...genius!<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIurcgtVtlbXGsmVHQrIVg5upCbnKO6ty3YW8kEvwfXuJa4ViFzrnEg18Xl2X3gAB9MrnmsfFxV1hZpDYL9f-SH_P-Hki4HSBeGcza5CN7gIzm7LIjxXYlHCcz1njuNpqB1q5vZlHZ9Fvi2_m0hbioi8qmI9uRMaczO6DXWyYhxgg8UlaSC5OukEOayFs/s1024/easter%20dining.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1024" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIurcgtVtlbXGsmVHQrIVg5upCbnKO6ty3YW8kEvwfXuJa4ViFzrnEg18Xl2X3gAB9MrnmsfFxV1hZpDYL9f-SH_P-Hki4HSBeGcza5CN7gIzm7LIjxXYlHCcz1njuNpqB1q5vZlHZ9Fvi2_m0hbioi8qmI9uRMaczO6DXWyYhxgg8UlaSC5OukEOayFs/w640-h384/easter%20dining.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, for the accent piece....a cloth napkin...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this is how I design my tablescape....<br />I create mood boards to decide on the color scheme. textures and patterns!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLnRG7jmK9i18ICQfTe5jUxvT6vdI4HnBTe92C3fKZMXQ0bjCmGpo-Blkr2QUwdOGgRXGQp2aRMTMZlVgotXtmLzlaSxf7FwlKzMRrGcbb7q3daXpMiTSAFn-6G41lPNklWEh90sl-jteSnwwn1Zo6bOYVetdJtfgIlQR6OF_Q-XRHTwSEdT-XjXud7E/s1482/IMG_2673%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1482" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLnRG7jmK9i18ICQfTe5jUxvT6vdI4HnBTe92C3fKZMXQ0bjCmGpo-Blkr2QUwdOGgRXGQp2aRMTMZlVgotXtmLzlaSxf7FwlKzMRrGcbb7q3daXpMiTSAFn-6G41lPNklWEh90sl-jteSnwwn1Zo6bOYVetdJtfgIlQR6OF_Q-XRHTwSEdT-XjXud7E/w640-h634/IMG_2673%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLIeESJejS9xZCMpXzvaGWNpQbsLp7qVDV3P6mXJ__jxadJIfMNdblpcxGVIWuuLKBFwFNe-QhZvlH9HAfR0telZ6PM5JSzoQR5rLYzBCpFrouR1gcakMw5l002SzOsHIRqDMbzxK3RG4JN6fr96heeAy-pl29GrHv8xbeR-BQkGXerRTQLSIk_eViIo/s2016/IMG_2687.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLIeESJejS9xZCMpXzvaGWNpQbsLp7qVDV3P6mXJ__jxadJIfMNdblpcxGVIWuuLKBFwFNe-QhZvlH9HAfR0telZ6PM5JSzoQR5rLYzBCpFrouR1gcakMw5l002SzOsHIRqDMbzxK3RG4JN6fr96heeAy-pl29GrHv8xbeR-BQkGXerRTQLSIk_eViIo/w480-h640/IMG_2687.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> And don't forget the centerpiece...perhaps a vintage vessel..</div><div style="text-align: center;">these would have enough character to stand on their own</div><div style="text-align: center;">to create a cozy look..</div><div style="text-align: center;">these are the types of vessels I like using for a centerpiece...</div><div style="text-align: center;">stoneware pitchers</div><div style="text-align: center;">old glass jugs</div><div style="text-align: center;">whimsical pots</div><div style="text-align: center;">wooden dough bowls</div><div style="text-align: center;">and</div><div style="text-align: center;">heirloom glass vases<br /><br /><br /><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">THE BUNNIES<br /></span></b><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbDEzNybxUviGX6z1dNbNlxjwdlmYsdqg0qC4NxUocheDy3wwvI8G6w9XoEIJxjjCAfBG6GaeNNtPHynSQ79RTJrFMXJw8XATelm9PR1ZMyPQx1ujKWQ-3L6Jhdf8uYT_Nl_cpMApVjuoZUlaYhR6n3YZFSXdzlRKvpaY7Rpc__u9iNYYnfkyRFC82ak/s2016/IMG_2691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbDEzNybxUviGX6z1dNbNlxjwdlmYsdqg0qC4NxUocheDy3wwvI8G6w9XoEIJxjjCAfBG6GaeNNtPHynSQ79RTJrFMXJw8XATelm9PR1ZMyPQx1ujKWQ-3L6Jhdf8uYT_Nl_cpMApVjuoZUlaYhR6n3YZFSXdzlRKvpaY7Rpc__u9iNYYnfkyRFC82ak/w480-h640/IMG_2691.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECfomxQM6Ir5XsK_k_uBrairvqEprOJfJQZugSHcJBI23NnYlNU6TRkcnEWoc4tgcWns2MS05Co9blLIe4LBIH_ZzqHjMGVjqScm8YRNm-HYnZIuRw-WgsjhSOclX669CiguVnScnhKhCbDV84cvpKizksYqwZg_jvxuj4omDb4oYLMSRgz4Y8320t3s/s2016/IMG_2690%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECfomxQM6Ir5XsK_k_uBrairvqEprOJfJQZugSHcJBI23NnYlNU6TRkcnEWoc4tgcWns2MS05Co9blLIe4LBIH_ZzqHjMGVjqScm8YRNm-HYnZIuRw-WgsjhSOclX669CiguVnScnhKhCbDV84cvpKizksYqwZg_jvxuj4omDb4oYLMSRgz4Y8320t3s/w480-h640/IMG_2690%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7asJptgodvWJlclkQ2AOkdo-dg1_A697N5o7WU7tYqvqKn9lg0w1ru_a8atCQ96ngcwtgtLnEcOacvr6kWd33mic10QXZOKS98a8tK6_tzn_wXzssVkOD0zWH1mMNse52ebNYH70mEfzXDbDTSIq7gPciaYHJWgcJGKc-irdznEIAMxGQKMnFxexUOGA/s2016/IMG_2685%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7asJptgodvWJlclkQ2AOkdo-dg1_A697N5o7WU7tYqvqKn9lg0w1ru_a8atCQ96ngcwtgtLnEcOacvr6kWd33mic10QXZOKS98a8tK6_tzn_wXzssVkOD0zWH1mMNse52ebNYH70mEfzXDbDTSIq7gPciaYHJWgcJGKc-irdznEIAMxGQKMnFxexUOGA/w480-h640/IMG_2685%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59lOyPOCbpw1SCC2Wz2f9Xn6ddBmLOkUxz6loHEtZR0C7dB_l77jPaqtsKO5hhCovu-0zV8vEcKuT7gQPm9GYfbtreEUzXdC4J4DJPHkORGf11-YaUtSk2yrO2nk4WnQZ334APoWf2UAUWTeAq_Rr9PGlb3uitiTqJ5KOd7vlu2OmyJJMFqiFaJm05xU/s2016/IMG_2682.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59lOyPOCbpw1SCC2Wz2f9Xn6ddBmLOkUxz6loHEtZR0C7dB_l77jPaqtsKO5hhCovu-0zV8vEcKuT7gQPm9GYfbtreEUzXdC4J4DJPHkORGf11-YaUtSk2yrO2nk4WnQZ334APoWf2UAUWTeAq_Rr9PGlb3uitiTqJ5KOd7vlu2OmyJJMFqiFaJm05xU/w640-h480/IMG_2682.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;">I anticipate the Easter dinner celebration..<br />a tradition as far back as I can remember...<br />Honey Apricot Glazed Ham<br />with Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes,<br />Roasted Carrots, Asparagus Casserole<br />and<br />A dreamy Lemon Cake with<br />Limoncello Frosting<br /><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;">I have always loved the season and celebration of Easter...<br />may it be a blessed day for us all.....</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-67724010022242225012024-03-09T05:56:00.000-06:002024-03-09T05:56:47.114-06:00BLUE AND WHITE FAVORITES along with WHITE LILY CRUMB CAKE<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good Morning Kindred Spirits and lovers of the spring season...<br />welcome back into Estelle's kitchen!<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm3fv-kabI3ABtnGZD43EEtprQwhGC0RAHvN5uLFEJFpu8s2I98cjMV_N-AXhS7zWcQG_Qd1d7Xdvg84_HtpgQeo3xxj9I2e1Iaaf9UIgAxHVoXaMmkAGVo7zkLVR3sGLRSc7Kc3YdnoY2FyNUYzyHd2baKXAfIUSMYIniC-C8iQU3mcwixMO5VUfGWg/s2640/IMG_0959.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm3fv-kabI3ABtnGZD43EEtprQwhGC0RAHvN5uLFEJFpu8s2I98cjMV_N-AXhS7zWcQG_Qd1d7Xdvg84_HtpgQeo3xxj9I2e1Iaaf9UIgAxHVoXaMmkAGVo7zkLVR3sGLRSc7Kc3YdnoY2FyNUYzyHd2baKXAfIUSMYIniC-C8iQU3mcwixMO5VUfGWg/w640-h480/IMG_0959.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">EASTER and Spring are the very first occasions to begin<br />decorating for the new year and it feels soooo good, doesn't it?<br />This year, I decided to pull out my limited collection of blue and white<br />French Country pieces to pull together a casual look on the farmhouse table.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMd2wzof1SLXZry41QkROpjKbfpjbcZb1d6SNQaYWyUz9OeRervh6AgFfm5i7YspsBhnD0asZ0v4rgBzRYssgJ0W3bd3_pD82dfhwYkeRHXhaBt5RM9Eu07otQVt1uE4k8aCuhO7NE3a6YtNP8OEjWU6ZkG0T5f_TXLw-26mRrAhujZhnSd8Lt4sakJA/s2640/IMG_0961%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMd2wzof1SLXZry41QkROpjKbfpjbcZb1d6SNQaYWyUz9OeRervh6AgFfm5i7YspsBhnD0asZ0v4rgBzRYssgJ0W3bd3_pD82dfhwYkeRHXhaBt5RM9Eu07otQVt1uE4k8aCuhO7NE3a6YtNP8OEjWU6ZkG0T5f_TXLw-26mRrAhujZhnSd8Lt4sakJA/w640-h480/IMG_0961%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have had these two main pieces, the soup tureen and the coffee carafe<br />for a good many years and absolutely love them.....<br />I remember spying this darling little mug at Hobby Lobby<br />one year and thought it was a perfect addition to this set.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5NT_iHzOb7119szuQRSnFH4pbsXg_Ft_6y1mXSAOrMMpmZ7TQaSXuiVcTDcwvSKLiqBYFqOvR4RH6V37GxX8r5zRtsTLpFquxm5D_kVPsTYCNuQR8d6jLRwKMI1uT1wO60Te-8xuFVQgHFggv4uAS8ZYclfXp44fN6L5RPbGl9odLPUa17Og9SvS7kA/s2376/IMG_0962%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="2376" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5NT_iHzOb7119szuQRSnFH4pbsXg_Ft_6y1mXSAOrMMpmZ7TQaSXuiVcTDcwvSKLiqBYFqOvR4RH6V37GxX8r5zRtsTLpFquxm5D_kVPsTYCNuQR8d6jLRwKMI1uT1wO60Te-8xuFVQgHFggv4uAS8ZYclfXp44fN6L5RPbGl9odLPUa17Og9SvS7kA/w640-h402/IMG_0962%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's all a casual feel for Easter breakfast....<br />I used a bread basket and placed a two bundles of faux tulips in them....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SU9kYpqESV5fwjR73poFgvIFLf0YPHt7iAQHkjBNg6F4Y2m-JmvBfmmTE9r0jcy5fVM-_JB4Snd-o-vykMHv91V_Dwo9X1RbtiNhcAZ7M3nRXPvohsQHk4wzRk8BbL9__LdknXSdGMn0KYTzV3webi0JBDwiyuDoC3LQcphH1BPVDiCFA6itfg8zjco/s2640/IMG_0964.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SU9kYpqESV5fwjR73poFgvIFLf0YPHt7iAQHkjBNg6F4Y2m-JmvBfmmTE9r0jcy5fVM-_JB4Snd-o-vykMHv91V_Dwo9X1RbtiNhcAZ7M3nRXPvohsQHk4wzRk8BbL9__LdknXSdGMn0KYTzV3webi0JBDwiyuDoC3LQcphH1BPVDiCFA6itfg8zjco/w640-h480/IMG_0964.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I splurged on new dinnerware plates for the formal dining room<br />and decided to utilize these beautiful paper plates for the kitchen..<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT66KeD1pb9d57xme-Pkq92pexdGYs2VwWrsRoe-Q1rP1dz5HOeOEEHA1VnUSata1VwXhkiHuFHLYgTMSXbdf8E40MPwBLf6RtGOKTQdhxtZQ9OzZjdr_C3FlXOPzpqjFkVAiIBVOFT9r8un6Q41BbaFyVV49F75EaHCl5S-YQGuckizjT_qZ65u_EaQ/s640/IMG_9776%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="640" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT66KeD1pb9d57xme-Pkq92pexdGYs2VwWrsRoe-Q1rP1dz5HOeOEEHA1VnUSata1VwXhkiHuFHLYgTMSXbdf8E40MPwBLf6RtGOKTQdhxtZQ9OzZjdr_C3FlXOPzpqjFkVAiIBVOFT9r8un6Q41BbaFyVV49F75EaHCl5S-YQGuckizjT_qZ65u_EaQ/w640-h594/IMG_9776%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />This sweet little mug was featured a few years ago.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQ0BgDYYv81U-w1aruHFK_iyny5bmcBssLPBbUpEtEehaJ3Jo6vcM5_qkCjCKKyK96nKZNqRqA6SRHg3pwcBm-8N9B2cCJ-TTnN5xZHODuIvBAo5tDmmQbd9U-CRkzGjMqbHNcGIkaHlZ0-lZeZtDejvShSVtEyp2OnUyOFv1W84-DUbYsFTYM3VtC6I/s640/IMG_4570.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQ0BgDYYv81U-w1aruHFK_iyny5bmcBssLPBbUpEtEehaJ3Jo6vcM5_qkCjCKKyK96nKZNqRqA6SRHg3pwcBm-8N9B2cCJ-TTnN5xZHODuIvBAo5tDmmQbd9U-CRkzGjMqbHNcGIkaHlZ0-lZeZtDejvShSVtEyp2OnUyOFv1W84-DUbYsFTYM3VtC6I/w480-h640/IMG_4570.JPG" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Makes a perfect utensil holder for dining....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-ifWLuMlG_BMiu5QNyJUe66LbVsWglwSXLq69j-R-tBKO5nRZMB4j3SmTXyvlOo0_eYCyOBWaPUX5GnA2yEA5yzaxPiGl-B66UHLhy-Vhv3tgYAyD8vwuiiBxsR84W2rxZe_7DqRcH4Ibu-9-H0jhpHvNKLcB_G9S0KWLjdlH9NyFGCnCGuhVBVG2xU/s2640/IMG_0968%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-ifWLuMlG_BMiu5QNyJUe66LbVsWglwSXLq69j-R-tBKO5nRZMB4j3SmTXyvlOo0_eYCyOBWaPUX5GnA2yEA5yzaxPiGl-B66UHLhy-Vhv3tgYAyD8vwuiiBxsR84W2rxZe_7DqRcH4Ibu-9-H0jhpHvNKLcB_G9S0KWLjdlH9NyFGCnCGuhVBVG2xU/w640-h480/IMG_0968%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you are looking for a lovely crumb cake to serve <br />with your Easter morning breakfast,<br />then you may want to try this mix from White Lily....<br />the family loved this!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-DJLsB16fPOMc1fWexmLG13AN89iO7X7Sm31gaC2NKXO09dhC0V268Qji9QWDOFF5K_Vkwu_SFSIE8_q8q6SI8Bt5WrFgRcOYZ2QPEhCDcSyxxdQoJplXgJMOcOVsa06hsfkb7xj-Ysi5HRIOkUNXWa-E3mAMAnR4NBhpQQmhL1HW3iPxDypzi027u0/s2016/IMG_2695.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-DJLsB16fPOMc1fWexmLG13AN89iO7X7Sm31gaC2NKXO09dhC0V268Qji9QWDOFF5K_Vkwu_SFSIE8_q8q6SI8Bt5WrFgRcOYZ2QPEhCDcSyxxdQoJplXgJMOcOVsa06hsfkb7xj-Ysi5HRIOkUNXWa-E3mAMAnR4NBhpQQmhL1HW3iPxDypzi027u0/w480-h640/IMG_2695.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This would be lovely to serve with fresh fruit<br />and hot buttered grits.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you enjoyed this bit of inspiration for<br />your Easter gathering.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-32543951964516313502024-03-04T06:14:00.000-06:002024-03-04T06:14:32.463-06:00THE PERFECT BUTTERMILK BISCUIT<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXWWwzxt3120l_Fc_HJjMLZw6Xkhgl_LHEnAQlIgbJk0rqBaSmafBdcEJ6ffnwqeffC6XWlPydfvigbMBjcq_UxIdzi0fo9uX5mtVtxxbnBKhNWEJl8KFbxWSkCmoPHp4jjTjeHrt5tOO2l_4d1nmNP0fv1fBnmxEjniPSIRzPm9Lyad8_f7rrRjrTgw/s1571/429663997_411175211484542_3031275713124369954_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="1202" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXWWwzxt3120l_Fc_HJjMLZw6Xkhgl_LHEnAQlIgbJk0rqBaSmafBdcEJ6ffnwqeffC6XWlPydfvigbMBjcq_UxIdzi0fo9uX5mtVtxxbnBKhNWEJl8KFbxWSkCmoPHp4jjTjeHrt5tOO2l_4d1nmNP0fv1fBnmxEjniPSIRzPm9Lyad8_f7rrRjrTgw/w490-h640/429663997_411175211484542_3031275713124369954_n.jpg" width="490" /></a> <br /><br />HAPPY SPRING KINDRED SPIRITS....<br />I hope the sun is shining today and gardens<br />are beginning to bloom where you live...<br />Estelle's is in the kitchen today, baking the best biscuits<br />you ever tasted...perfection I tell you.....<br />and you only need three ingredients....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK0fBUp8VKKjZfNA6MgaAwoXO3vPpWzeVITzaKuCzpqguMM3lWNYU_ILg8ATop-4VMUr6MXemtOQdAuxTayH6SSZAvHh3d7AcDaNLu8ybSy9vJIdlKCOAspLSMA2rtoR1qWXB5MtJ6SgCHsPLx6C7DGgbdBrKr5QLSenTeMcRo1kx4qycoYr80QS5Gak/s2016/IMG_2568.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK0fBUp8VKKjZfNA6MgaAwoXO3vPpWzeVITzaKuCzpqguMM3lWNYU_ILg8ATop-4VMUr6MXemtOQdAuxTayH6SSZAvHh3d7AcDaNLu8ybSy9vJIdlKCOAspLSMA2rtoR1qWXB5MtJ6SgCHsPLx6C7DGgbdBrKr5QLSenTeMcRo1kx4qycoYr80QS5Gak/w480-h640/IMG_2568.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />You know the secret to a delicious light, fluffy, tender biscuit?<br />Cold butter, shaved or grated, buttermilk and tender mixing.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbX7bucc9Dc05gtB9cTJ9ghiNdGi3SR6ZkgNEVI7dZQ1o0KsdpTXLKjSRD5aMcw4UI9yEgh3Yfz09tqqWUQ-_wQBkVVBPUdstkxqy8KL4nKfz4dCngDkNiufEoUz04VGVwTSHbYdxmPb6cf_op5VW1I94jjkzyzYFpFqi-0xB7xxU3NAr2IyI2wDMlXa8/s1512/IMG_2562.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="1512" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbX7bucc9Dc05gtB9cTJ9ghiNdGi3SR6ZkgNEVI7dZQ1o0KsdpTXLKjSRD5aMcw4UI9yEgh3Yfz09tqqWUQ-_wQBkVVBPUdstkxqy8KL4nKfz4dCngDkNiufEoUz04VGVwTSHbYdxmPb6cf_op5VW1I94jjkzyzYFpFqi-0xB7xxU3NAr2IyI2wDMlXa8/w640-h622/IMG_2562.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />2 cups self-rising flour<br />1 stick of cold butter, shaved or grated<br />1 cup cold buttermilk<br /><br />Preheat oven to 450 degrees.<br />Mix cold butter, into the self rising flour...<br />gently combine....<br />make a well in the center of the flour, pour in the buttermilk...<br />mix gently until you have a soft dough...<br />turn out onto a floured surface and gently powder and pat the dough<br />until you are ready to cut with a biscuit cutter....<br />place biscuits into a cast iron skillet, with sides touching...<br />they like to be all cozy and well acquainted in the skillet...<br />Bake for about 15 minutes..brush tops with melted butter when done....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6iUBUlku5A6BaKzzk3d2_-Cm9UGy5higj58Vft1t_Rnrlln0bSU-RVewiwo2ND1EAxqnW74-Cyajb7rkq7SOrkYAF99E5HZ26CSCMB7I8T630vSrZHnRjHXKYSKjOMPx3AyC_MmCKYrIAB9HjMvoZTbz53MfCZ7DTUVwVgm03r9UDor6VLBD51CjDHg/s2016/IMG_2566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6iUBUlku5A6BaKzzk3d2_-Cm9UGy5higj58Vft1t_Rnrlln0bSU-RVewiwo2ND1EAxqnW74-Cyajb7rkq7SOrkYAF99E5HZ26CSCMB7I8T630vSrZHnRjHXKYSKjOMPx3AyC_MmCKYrIAB9HjMvoZTbz53MfCZ7DTUVwVgm03r9UDor6VLBD51CjDHg/w480-h640/IMG_2566.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />This is a no fail recipe...<br />tender and soft on the inside with a slightly crisp bottom.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCYdIW0gfYN-zzjDf4zWWQHF8mhqQl9xZvvXSSMVNryUOkAIcrqRd1ido1ke0iMnEL02u_FKh1WHUlV6nEwD5u-MAj3o8g0otaoGXycnudRuWe4Q8VpTFH9MOogOkdvicgCRTWVm99MWTDi8O5noQVt5833I4Cwfg-3oyM3E9tZZ3yfbe8KcAQNQDzUY/s2016/IMG_2563.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCYdIW0gfYN-zzjDf4zWWQHF8mhqQl9xZvvXSSMVNryUOkAIcrqRd1ido1ke0iMnEL02u_FKh1WHUlV6nEwD5u-MAj3o8g0otaoGXycnudRuWe4Q8VpTFH9MOogOkdvicgCRTWVm99MWTDi8O5noQVt5833I4Cwfg-3oyM3E9tZZ3yfbe8KcAQNQDzUY/w480-h640/IMG_2563.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember, knead gently about five times...<br />just as if you were powdering a baby's tush.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgDzhvxHNLEQii_qKGR9ELqGLauQgYXrasiUu6u8zKLfK_Afd_1pzq3eZKwg3asBfjNzknVOBTMp09MKEIywAwJP7cys9Rqvu4hLUo72UDWSVdNWBuE-9gI1t_duf0sNPtZ_UVYNB8UYW8_8Vm8KNYiZpKQ5iwwTIuRiX8EaaVMEbSRoSir0A5uOh-cA/s1344/IMG_25681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1008" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgDzhvxHNLEQii_qKGR9ELqGLauQgYXrasiUu6u8zKLfK_Afd_1pzq3eZKwg3asBfjNzknVOBTMp09MKEIywAwJP7cys9Rqvu4hLUo72UDWSVdNWBuE-9gI1t_duf0sNPtZ_UVYNB8UYW8_8Vm8KNYiZpKQ5iwwTIuRiX8EaaVMEbSRoSir0A5uOh-cA/w480-h640/IMG_25681.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yep...butter those babies and top with your favorite jam....<br />see y'all next time.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-70518651327157086932024-03-01T05:59:00.000-06:002024-03-01T05:59:25.919-06:00SPRING INSPIRATION ..LET'S TAKE IT OUTSIDE<p style="text-align: center;"> I absolutely love Spring.....<br />I am so fortunate to live in the great state of TEXAS,<br />where we do not trudge through long, cold winters,<br />like we experienced while living in MAINE....<br />We can welcome the sweetness of Spring in late March<br />and April...and our souls feel new again.<br />The line between outside and inside is wonderfully blurred..<br />and we want the "garden feel" throughout our home.<br />I put together a few items on my bucket list for 2024 and maybe<br />this will bring you a few ideas for your home too....</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98cRMt7rrd0ujIbJYC4-4MGhjKKnt5Nc6AERQUMOyo_d1k-6CJzZSJap0Kw_RuHDboxV-q2NWRL1LRUnsLlUeBrA08lNIFrs5mcQ8Kux9cJWMdoz-EfFBU4Xe82scY1BdIn1wd_rbUbX1i1W-kkAe3KrCPGnGqaiuLrz3wMJ5DXBgV8DWZVVbLTbMPpg/s846/3770e3d7d342b49cd17196ef30aceec1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98cRMt7rrd0ujIbJYC4-4MGhjKKnt5Nc6AERQUMOyo_d1k-6CJzZSJap0Kw_RuHDboxV-q2NWRL1LRUnsLlUeBrA08lNIFrs5mcQ8Kux9cJWMdoz-EfFBU4Xe82scY1BdIn1wd_rbUbX1i1W-kkAe3KrCPGnGqaiuLrz3wMJ5DXBgV8DWZVVbLTbMPpg/w426-h640/3770e3d7d342b49cd17196ef30aceec1.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">I am embracing the soft colors of mint and peachy pink in<br />the bedrooms....<br />It's the time to freshen up the whole house with a thorough cleaning,<br />taking one room and space at a time......<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiirlFgVqzo2kpcgXrQg7Bzr87RWmEFnGzvHoGRXV_d4bT8ZW75W4e27Rvo0JsWCwSaSVQoUOwqjc6Tzi5Vf_MUOscxFJ7CKtxBZe5l8tAwCZ5k23YQ7ms9SNNvc8B2fy4lrhEf7xaP4dtePCyGuU346Qw_8tcBv5oiJsDax4ZWwFwjNtH8HsokQr2KXQ/s694/f34d9532adeed4a60ec79f3945f4f51e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiirlFgVqzo2kpcgXrQg7Bzr87RWmEFnGzvHoGRXV_d4bT8ZW75W4e27Rvo0JsWCwSaSVQoUOwqjc6Tzi5Vf_MUOscxFJ7CKtxBZe5l8tAwCZ5k23YQ7ms9SNNvc8B2fy4lrhEf7xaP4dtePCyGuU346Qw_8tcBv5oiJsDax4ZWwFwjNtH8HsokQr2KXQ/w520-h640/f34d9532adeed4a60ec79f3945f4f51e.jpg" width="520" /></a><br /><br />I love to plan the gardens...<br />I have a checklist written for new garden tools and waterproof shoes..<br />don't you always look forward to that first trip to the local nursery?<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp5xwQdNP4J8G_FDNE2lyO7T2Fzh0nGLzfMQSxP6Khp-vncaTPamnOzxitkQkOLEk2M__qsQeSEpT7vyPeuGmS3anzS8hgFCo8gdBt1xQw8gQiwD0u2QBDzYeP_xTddjhbq3urQ-6NSWMjvXcQMftIL3zo_OVZruejZ6zRkN3xs1CVYTij-dHej1PObs/s550/5def15e403d1e531739a6acfcfd5b512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp5xwQdNP4J8G_FDNE2lyO7T2Fzh0nGLzfMQSxP6Khp-vncaTPamnOzxitkQkOLEk2M__qsQeSEpT7vyPeuGmS3anzS8hgFCo8gdBt1xQw8gQiwD0u2QBDzYeP_xTddjhbq3urQ-6NSWMjvXcQMftIL3zo_OVZruejZ6zRkN3xs1CVYTij-dHej1PObs/w466-h640/5def15e403d1e531739a6acfcfd5b512.jpg" width="466" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I plan for a list of hearty annuals and perennials for the patio pots....<br />I do so love Lantana, Marigolds, Zinnia's, Morning Glory's and Four O'Clock's.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkyomGFix-Yetmvx1a1VPhFQYYdOVj1kfrO7eKbL0UoOz8bjHWWsVNS9zYungy46eeVZrWW5v-5vnSHk1JUTNVeE2DNjEKchi9w2jVKgH0Wv07b2sRZ0SUB0_DngakvwglwIP7Ao2KPLWqQWVc4k_IblOmWh02B0cpbokZaCHgTE1YiQ0SQbKWEeBUZQ/s564/dec6bd505946da31543f24b094a59274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkyomGFix-Yetmvx1a1VPhFQYYdOVj1kfrO7eKbL0UoOz8bjHWWsVNS9zYungy46eeVZrWW5v-5vnSHk1JUTNVeE2DNjEKchi9w2jVKgH0Wv07b2sRZ0SUB0_DngakvwglwIP7Ao2KPLWqQWVc4k_IblOmWh02B0cpbokZaCHgTE1YiQ0SQbKWEeBUZQ/w640-h640/dec6bd505946da31543f24b094a59274.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Garden accents make a huge difference for touches of interest.....<br />fountains, hanging baskets and cafe lights are some favorites.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3283TMOnn6dDetO94zet7l4fpPGNJ2164L4TCNBjUGtEsIPASdkvuoSZOCXGsPqDbi9AwaYGNJQ-wRFIKVEVB1tjHgp6-kLEZWlONzDbnXWQRMhN0wtHxeji2ha4DiWcCGDXFJv_eXurRGbuC4aa6l_a9_dyqYH_WeD24VYOXTjBYFMijjNZK4CT_Yo/s752/deba497ef5692a81536df8d4cf065e14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3283TMOnn6dDetO94zet7l4fpPGNJ2164L4TCNBjUGtEsIPASdkvuoSZOCXGsPqDbi9AwaYGNJQ-wRFIKVEVB1tjHgp6-kLEZWlONzDbnXWQRMhN0wtHxeji2ha4DiWcCGDXFJv_eXurRGbuC4aa6l_a9_dyqYH_WeD24VYOXTjBYFMijjNZK4CT_Yo/w480-h640/deba497ef5692a81536df8d4cf065e14.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love hosting a dinner on the patio and will</div><div style="text-align: center;">incorporate fresh linens and beautiful glassware....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAbgZZ1OHLKsz2RJSIAlXP6fo_p3FJzRsOYcWO0SmPWPlrADaSUAQUaetV6wK9OB1dDB_69OkvprRRz52ihEjhiLTeercw1hwNjoj-21s8ug5ppdp6g_VAw7WVH6jRGDv7MbX_Nsw1wnp3fTZvQjZKW8__M9p21sr6UOTJgqZ6c5DBVe-gxSDQUFeXFE/s846/de7dbc30c5b56d645327fb5100891b5f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAbgZZ1OHLKsz2RJSIAlXP6fo_p3FJzRsOYcWO0SmPWPlrADaSUAQUaetV6wK9OB1dDB_69OkvprRRz52ihEjhiLTeercw1hwNjoj-21s8ug5ppdp6g_VAw7WVH6jRGDv7MbX_Nsw1wnp3fTZvQjZKW8__M9p21sr6UOTJgqZ6c5DBVe-gxSDQUFeXFE/w426-h640/de7dbc30c5b56d645327fb5100891b5f.jpg" width="426" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All eyes will be on you as the hostess, so why not<br />invest a beautiful garden dress for entertaining......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaomSQ2K6X8KFBZ3jW9z46wtD5k17vllgBRscfIgyNyzC1o6K8cYCJltZ-XzBSrUz_N4RuPPcUX_t3DQJQNafX3DweIXhWXzhAWesuCFaz7EP-nUG9dNyHSF7k79d0tpRBIza5L4PV-9CgPN_O9pjEPrVTr9Qor31F967g3DUBbhscoWfXGTtB4ZxDz2Y/s627/a7a83981a03276b5bec28a47e4d60b01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="471" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaomSQ2K6X8KFBZ3jW9z46wtD5k17vllgBRscfIgyNyzC1o6K8cYCJltZ-XzBSrUz_N4RuPPcUX_t3DQJQNafX3DweIXhWXzhAWesuCFaz7EP-nUG9dNyHSF7k79d0tpRBIza5L4PV-9CgPN_O9pjEPrVTr9Qor31F967g3DUBbhscoWfXGTtB4ZxDz2Y/w480-h640/a7a83981a03276b5bec28a47e4d60b01.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Perhaps you have a space in the garden to plan</div><div style="text-align: center;">for a stone walkway....how charming this private garden</div><div style="text-align: center;">space feels.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o0Cwcy9shIg1mierLy7BV-opxB4ZyTpSmz0_QY4EveWwWL6e9ErzDWqEXJMEPoFdr-kuFxPttkJBov48M1SXq1zAHAvyJUmpMadOHPtUT_8pHOdOzmkato-us76ZFTvXJdNeou6huVtidZEXhZhPqLRqHufk8jk8GbnZztVZsqNIfVT9KjRMjmnbxFw/s743/40645de73b3412cac2f364a6003fa656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="563" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o0Cwcy9shIg1mierLy7BV-opxB4ZyTpSmz0_QY4EveWwWL6e9ErzDWqEXJMEPoFdr-kuFxPttkJBov48M1SXq1zAHAvyJUmpMadOHPtUT_8pHOdOzmkato-us76ZFTvXJdNeou6huVtidZEXhZhPqLRqHufk8jk8GbnZztVZsqNIfVT9KjRMjmnbxFw/w484-h640/40645de73b3412cac2f364a6003fa656.jpg" width="484" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, this idea is perfection....turning a storage shed into your<br />own private glamping pad....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vtHTs5isYCC2WQYZJJEb-MGC_kxqn2YvBzSAnkajf7u4DpBXgJmYGH5CbW-jZNTfqs-tEDo7YYslg9SfRLxWFRjJeqrzXJbOrlTw1e0f7g7HFE-iGbl2dCXIR3zElM_Xv2h_rY0l8EvcBmL69v5HqqwBor_7OfyhZ7YS6NOjL463ietLy4VGrDRKWZY/s705/89f132ad2cfb35f7bdb3a9f15261004b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vtHTs5isYCC2WQYZJJEb-MGC_kxqn2YvBzSAnkajf7u4DpBXgJmYGH5CbW-jZNTfqs-tEDo7YYslg9SfRLxWFRjJeqrzXJbOrlTw1e0f7g7HFE-iGbl2dCXIR3zElM_Xv2h_rY0l8EvcBmL69v5HqqwBor_7OfyhZ7YS6NOjL463ietLy4VGrDRKWZY/w512-h640/89f132ad2cfb35f7bdb3a9f15261004b.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now who wouldn't enjoy a romantic dinner for two</div><div style="text-align: center;">outdoors....I'll bet the one you love would choose</div><div style="text-align: center;">an evening at home rather than dining out....</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's great to try something new and enjoy the freshness of the season.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-61418897929323472112024-02-28T05:30:00.001-06:002024-02-28T05:32:50.930-06:00CLOSING OUT FEBRUARY 2024 AND PREPARING FOR THE SPRING SEASON<p style="text-align: center;">Good Morning all you lovely friends....<br />welcome back to Estelle's..I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit....<br />February was a pretty good month for us.....<br />It's a sweet time when the family can get together these days.....</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlR8McRVEEDRPMdI70mXP-po2l7Bh4y9oQ9ZCFK56a9pQdJX1ErTt225hQrVl_jawtu90tf18RAodsJYH3zcpIO4f9Qy-2MidO32DYB6kFTDy5YWRIG5NsXYm3DKu-64zC5P2b0sBZuEW6d3Frcz3mMSBabH73vgVboevlHD4Fv5R5mLZhbSSTd6c0yxs/s1544/IMG_4446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1158" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlR8McRVEEDRPMdI70mXP-po2l7Bh4y9oQ9ZCFK56a9pQdJX1ErTt225hQrVl_jawtu90tf18RAodsJYH3zcpIO4f9Qy-2MidO32DYB6kFTDy5YWRIG5NsXYm3DKu-64zC5P2b0sBZuEW6d3Frcz3mMSBabH73vgVboevlHD4Fv5R5mLZhbSSTd6c0yxs/w480-h640/IMG_4446.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />These two pretty ladies have the best time when they get together....<br />sister-in-laws that appreciate and love each other and<br />they are two of the sweetest people on earth....</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0Eje5yf03cCfieO3Qr9HMWJ5E1oVIzTeCNfR_0pAkYkf0THWesfCxMlxGuDpShyphenhyphen223Fjp6cMqGFsPYDVDsEBfE9FInGVi329frBwDUXd71DFbPen6tPP5ghzypBXuBeDnTbuKQ3fOcHHgLU9EJWiKIIQOH0uwYVoqIa9nzX_ckMSri6PmKuefPosLHI/s1917/IMG_4438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1328" data-original-width="1917" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0Eje5yf03cCfieO3Qr9HMWJ5E1oVIzTeCNfR_0pAkYkf0THWesfCxMlxGuDpShyphenhyphen223Fjp6cMqGFsPYDVDsEBfE9FInGVi329frBwDUXd71DFbPen6tPP5ghzypBXuBeDnTbuKQ3fOcHHgLU9EJWiKIIQOH0uwYVoqIa9nzX_ckMSri6PmKuefPosLHI/w640-h444/IMG_4438.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a fabulous night over in Fort Worth...<br />starting with a cold evening at The Drover<br />enjoying cocktails and people watching<br />all the gorgeous guys and dolls in their Stetson's and Boots....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbGDF123IUVPgFv1eHXy0kSrm15cX5fkqOBsIncm-oF9GiqnkcoHpLT5yS0ABOfIIyC31VEeX4WLXyu-52ZxAAtqwpZDtY6RUd2z-LN4xcSpmR67bfRFZFrlY7gATNnNxvpYhABxxQsxwQcfeh0L1tzk9O1JxdgI2hfAYX4fxC_5qfIICMjhVTPi_yNA/s960/279677346_10225703503648777_4646671122814511491_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbGDF123IUVPgFv1eHXy0kSrm15cX5fkqOBsIncm-oF9GiqnkcoHpLT5yS0ABOfIIyC31VEeX4WLXyu-52ZxAAtqwpZDtY6RUd2z-LN4xcSpmR67bfRFZFrlY7gATNnNxvpYhABxxQsxwQcfeh0L1tzk9O1JxdgI2hfAYX4fxC_5qfIICMjhVTPi_yNA/w480-h640/279677346_10225703503648777_4646671122814511491_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />And...it was a busy, busy night...we had the best time....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGZvz9VdLVj1wPtf_J6hvb2KG-7vt7tTGriEXUO3h26Jz6idWamut6xJUmGXraLDixTVYJdlPg_eiaSySVXZ6K-pQO76b895nL_RG6kPvCMpPPQqycwI3IEfHeTCpT_1zXbH0a4YjcCkePiK1Rbv8nxPaBODNqBpiboDjrR_BQHvm5QRx9M7YSupme8M/s1651/279582679_10225706705928832_3444039591339256316_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1651" data-original-width="1459" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGZvz9VdLVj1wPtf_J6hvb2KG-7vt7tTGriEXUO3h26Jz6idWamut6xJUmGXraLDixTVYJdlPg_eiaSySVXZ6K-pQO76b895nL_RG6kPvCMpPPQqycwI3IEfHeTCpT_1zXbH0a4YjcCkePiK1Rbv8nxPaBODNqBpiboDjrR_BQHvm5QRx9M7YSupme8M/w566-h640/279582679_10225706705928832_3444039591339256316_n.jpg" width="566" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has become our tradition to have dinner at Risky's BBQ...<br />delicious food and great service....<br />gosh, we have been doing this for the past thirty years....<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7Vf9wQGClrDlslNDBNIVSkEuSlTVNQmbELuvdO0nbqChkboi-XbmdiRvyC5Et07JGuzpzrhU958crnOimHfcfL-Pl7DZ2O9muXPpYg06eO6fiizEXad6NzuLFANbBR47Xcl8aYM0OwqweS6z6ylKPkP-KAZ7fzq8TYRET6kJE5IWYvnZcAF_UcQr9S4/s2016/IMG_2520%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7Vf9wQGClrDlslNDBNIVSkEuSlTVNQmbELuvdO0nbqChkboi-XbmdiRvyC5Et07JGuzpzrhU958crnOimHfcfL-Pl7DZ2O9muXPpYg06eO6fiizEXad6NzuLFANbBR47Xcl8aYM0OwqweS6z6ylKPkP-KAZ7fzq8TYRET6kJE5IWYvnZcAF_UcQr9S4/w480-h640/IMG_2520%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had family game night by playing an old favorite...CLUE....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsGfHQAQD-CXud2dK_KLNegxoNvjBq_l1IXoSDfpZjtKADThuMB9eoTCG3BUv7ld6gpfLVzahfUARIzaYQCFPxwzJowafVsTq2EjjZxFvxL1-0IAKT2gk11aKe2xW_Fq_pJxIrEWs8tYgTEMsWGVlcAd3JQY2kXYVChdwzm2Bdy_L1VcWPiLFUAnDw_8/s2016/IMG_2519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsGfHQAQD-CXud2dK_KLNegxoNvjBq_l1IXoSDfpZjtKADThuMB9eoTCG3BUv7ld6gpfLVzahfUARIzaYQCFPxwzJowafVsTq2EjjZxFvxL1-0IAKT2gk11aKe2xW_Fq_pJxIrEWs8tYgTEMsWGVlcAd3JQY2kXYVChdwzm2Bdy_L1VcWPiLFUAnDw_8/w640-h480/IMG_2519.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />This proved to be a lot of fun for everyone....<br />we had several rounds of guessing whodunit!!!!<br /><br />And, now I believe Spring weather has arrived here in Texas....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpGiq8VtXmu2u0b_WRvmvSV1r5QF11Jp5QfKPDVSzhcjjyLuJ6T3hV7RIG6idE68SDfkn8X0DJKjRNYIrJvKvbmBLC9plELYjtPAOrS6_9ULTS0n4wgLiv8CDaKiUzzGNPki5i76PmP7nk_BnIfoy9REoKCARt9E0BTj3RQL4GoDC9Z8gPHEw3jQbM0Y/s2016/IMG_5500.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpGiq8VtXmu2u0b_WRvmvSV1r5QF11Jp5QfKPDVSzhcjjyLuJ6T3hV7RIG6idE68SDfkn8X0DJKjRNYIrJvKvbmBLC9plELYjtPAOrS6_9ULTS0n4wgLiv8CDaKiUzzGNPki5i76PmP7nk_BnIfoy9REoKCARt9E0BTj3RQL4GoDC9Z8gPHEw3jQbM0Y/w640-h480/IMG_5500.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The children have been clearing land out at<br />Miss Elizabeth's ranch for months....<br />last weekend, they worked this area with a Bush Hog....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DxL-Scu175KAJ866pcv2N-UcEI-Y0k4UXK5DzwGezHmoe8iZcWpwJ1f_7CqDYV7CiwCLME-9gz97v2GHKPuuHHNbBX4TONdHKpUpZTyin63dLh7OFXZfQptmtm8W6OrB7hGcP0q87uofWPa4eCismoXFnyg9FoQy-m7yi5iNAwqny9TyofKyAlcJNZk/s2016/IMG_5551.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DxL-Scu175KAJ866pcv2N-UcEI-Y0k4UXK5DzwGezHmoe8iZcWpwJ1f_7CqDYV7CiwCLME-9gz97v2GHKPuuHHNbBX4TONdHKpUpZTyin63dLh7OFXZfQptmtm8W6OrB7hGcP0q87uofWPa4eCismoXFnyg9FoQy-m7yi5iNAwqny9TyofKyAlcJNZk/w640-h480/IMG_5551.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is backbreaking work let me tell you.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnpFAh7kBqDsLCEYSfzX_UdF9wmxM2fyDO008Iauhai9gas0EECd8BXr9WeS4aqp_Cml_O7p2J9iQ6JPT-sPDir5P3yhG2ahOtydhbXBVVC6pIx9w4c-662vqwmJ-qApKy4q7OAUkgW4VvZoiUPr8aiNdZUXfPgV3hIr74S2cScqLXKy9cSv_Dqik5T0/s2016/IMG_5550.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnpFAh7kBqDsLCEYSfzX_UdF9wmxM2fyDO008Iauhai9gas0EECd8BXr9WeS4aqp_Cml_O7p2J9iQ6JPT-sPDir5P3yhG2ahOtydhbXBVVC6pIx9w4c-662vqwmJ-qApKy4q7OAUkgW4VvZoiUPr8aiNdZUXfPgV3hIr74S2cScqLXKy9cSv_Dqik5T0/w640-h480/IMG_5550.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is where our granddaughter wants to have her wedding<br />in October and I know it's going to be gorgeous....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMNDra7bbtZ_AidvocT0P2eLUCsQMce8co_5yUU3qzrw1fRojte6VWdpS_TnnFrqNWWTlj14i44vI3OBiwsoLBcPZ0C2M7r0rlkI3fVRTe0njnsAkhVxX4M43qQj1cmTZoyV490KrA3E5Wq_NyRQKUD5subT9FGH9ArBLWaRJKYljfNYu9707vrZAot8/s1030/IMG_2546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="1030" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMNDra7bbtZ_AidvocT0P2eLUCsQMce8co_5yUU3qzrw1fRojte6VWdpS_TnnFrqNWWTlj14i44vI3OBiwsoLBcPZ0C2M7r0rlkI3fVRTe0njnsAkhVxX4M43qQj1cmTZoyV490KrA3E5Wq_NyRQKUD5subT9FGH9ArBLWaRJKYljfNYu9707vrZAot8/w640-h396/IMG_2546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were so excited to see these two visitors in the pool one morning....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpKhbZWgEuC6ZosXBMoasNtpRY8wAxWW0Kqhk_XKIR0mdd8-I5YJZYjdZ9oWfmed04kVYdjpQ_1x3hHLSRN5LGw1e_Gu2EMVkJzxGFxjtiA4BTCXh01WhM6lQ9spqMgxI4jJAhUwGw0XftWmEGStiw08g9aFwDQ42p3YE6EfFde0GTJ_IT8xVF8IZqRc/s2016/IMG_2570.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpKhbZWgEuC6ZosXBMoasNtpRY8wAxWW0Kqhk_XKIR0mdd8-I5YJZYjdZ9oWfmed04kVYdjpQ_1x3hHLSRN5LGw1e_Gu2EMVkJzxGFxjtiA4BTCXh01WhM6lQ9spqMgxI4jJAhUwGw0XftWmEGStiw08g9aFwDQ42p3YE6EfFde0GTJ_IT8xVF8IZqRc/w640-h480/IMG_2570.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am ready to prepare the outdoors for the upcoming seasons....<br />one of my favorite times of the year.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtIOpCHmsbHqIB-5fZk2H8KEiyoxzExczds5rOL4bLOJIiy-rNz-1CPl-eMHifjJ6Ep-fVCiUjrV2vW8LGNV9xsDAQ_2zJoUx7jIkKwlvwhqevtoCqjcDl6l_Z2Bx2-K91x4a55f2XGXHAHiwQ8Zkhs8bxP89AeSUc5UhKVEL97r2GSMoRtiH_sA8oiA/s2016/IMG_2575.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtIOpCHmsbHqIB-5fZk2H8KEiyoxzExczds5rOL4bLOJIiy-rNz-1CPl-eMHifjJ6Ep-fVCiUjrV2vW8LGNV9xsDAQ_2zJoUx7jIkKwlvwhqevtoCqjcDl6l_Z2Bx2-K91x4a55f2XGXHAHiwQ8Zkhs8bxP89AeSUc5UhKVEL97r2GSMoRtiH_sA8oiA/w480-h640/IMG_2575.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh y'all...this is just a marvelous iced tea.....<br />One packet of Crystal Light Peach Mango tea<br />mixed with cold Ginger Ale.....delightful</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCz2jjnhl3AzlJxVUwdyLaDUOeywNVVSVqzX9995Z7s12wpFLPrRv_7Q7T2J8ZfO6Eli01BU_wuBwisXmcHceoUQRhqGDcW3pkN_ZHhpz5lmZmeAc2vyP189vOXEr0zaDIkqRYdiv4zWhSXqtE1dBflHazaer2XdXxjxrahhWZOlgiK0Dp-Gq0cCSmuik/s2016/IMG_2579.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCz2jjnhl3AzlJxVUwdyLaDUOeywNVVSVqzX9995Z7s12wpFLPrRv_7Q7T2J8ZfO6Eli01BU_wuBwisXmcHceoUQRhqGDcW3pkN_ZHhpz5lmZmeAc2vyP189vOXEr0zaDIkqRYdiv4zWhSXqtE1dBflHazaer2XdXxjxrahhWZOlgiK0Dp-Gq0cCSmuik/w480-h640/IMG_2579.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A touch of Easter and the home decor is beginning to change a bit...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTo5fUbafSW5mum3C4B_yWSrTjOXiQbWTllyw_38JWdwsD6lttMsbC5wqVfjVT9IorkN24n-PIxcc5x-h6j8a6X1bMjHP4z3Nz4JbVOb34q37YvFCRuub-S8rp52Oe_fRQwrXPA9otFqHQMr0APz6EjbufbVfgoAOxk5rAF7E8pwn0D3NzPAAOkHd6so/s1280/IMG_2556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1280" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTo5fUbafSW5mum3C4B_yWSrTjOXiQbWTllyw_38JWdwsD6lttMsbC5wqVfjVT9IorkN24n-PIxcc5x-h6j8a6X1bMjHP4z3Nz4JbVOb34q37YvFCRuub-S8rp52Oe_fRQwrXPA9otFqHQMr0APz6EjbufbVfgoAOxk5rAF7E8pwn0D3NzPAAOkHd6so/w640-h468/IMG_2556.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I so hope things are good at your home.....<br />enjoy that morning cup of coffee, keep good thoughts and<br />be grateful for another day...hugs and blessings to you all.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-22254261948357973132024-02-22T05:51:00.001-06:002024-02-22T05:53:09.840-06:00SPRING SIMPLICITY and LAVENDER LEMONADE<p style="text-align: center;">There is an art to planting a garden....<br />is there really?<br />Well, I suppose there are often times a plan is sketched out<br />with a designer's eye....but then there are those<br />that scatter the seeds in the wind...and see what<br />transforms into an English style garden...... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90DA3In21xTrlRM2kBWjmh8oZBTFEb1L5_CEAl4VRlZKRfC6qemXifdKCGuwKdskB1ft6oeWnwE3Cv5736xsCWZCXaVMOCHl96c7dLKiunvaP8F7bW6hNoVmqNbzbdZOmN5VtrMN4lFRFdPiD7Ijg_suNkM6v5wDhQhnBFhSqhBio7xC3E3TPFsaiBhk/s2016/IMG_2481.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90DA3In21xTrlRM2kBWjmh8oZBTFEb1L5_CEAl4VRlZKRfC6qemXifdKCGuwKdskB1ft6oeWnwE3Cv5736xsCWZCXaVMOCHl96c7dLKiunvaP8F7bW6hNoVmqNbzbdZOmN5VtrMN4lFRFdPiD7Ijg_suNkM6v5wDhQhnBFhSqhBio7xC3E3TPFsaiBhk/w640-h480/IMG_2481.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am feeling the love of lemon yellow.....<br />A new wreath and garden flag will begin the season.....</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeW-OQbAgFxRynoAAHug8udT9hwTrLQyTxscwVdvVQCWpGrbnIInqnQRM5n5bTexaXZmRaN_pJVMjKsAiyMxPSF-Lyb9i4e4DWCBACh6TFdsCPI7zlDVFzJ15s2ZgvSUY1_acdtYZypY5aX-8GnCumxgN0nAg4gy4AWCP3o-Zqnnv56g12B69XCv-HdA/s2016/IMG_2482%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeW-OQbAgFxRynoAAHug8udT9hwTrLQyTxscwVdvVQCWpGrbnIInqnQRM5n5bTexaXZmRaN_pJVMjKsAiyMxPSF-Lyb9i4e4DWCBACh6TFdsCPI7zlDVFzJ15s2ZgvSUY1_acdtYZypY5aX-8GnCumxgN0nAg4gy4AWCP3o-Zqnnv56g12B69XCv-HdA/w480-h640/IMG_2482%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now this will definitely put us in the mood to welcome<br />warmer days and look forward to afternoons sipping lemonade on the patio....</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKRLK7XfItejXNmKeu4F9fGVZjC6AuH59N-gw9kUh09OVRkaRh0fRYSBey7GS5T7PDClwu6NUBVTwhiyW98pzdhLD672Fu9tSSKqT4VugcScdBRKP3sxArIt-yS-6Ul69cKBTP0vrMJ8MqSGL4U9EzDjA0cX6QOEKd8kB6Onl3cABOgAOlDO9yjK1TgI/s2016/IMG_2483%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKRLK7XfItejXNmKeu4F9fGVZjC6AuH59N-gw9kUh09OVRkaRh0fRYSBey7GS5T7PDClwu6NUBVTwhiyW98pzdhLD672Fu9tSSKqT4VugcScdBRKP3sxArIt-yS-6Ul69cKBTP0vrMJ8MqSGL4U9EzDjA0cX6QOEKd8kB6Onl3cABOgAOlDO9yjK1TgI/w480-h640/IMG_2483%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A new garden flag to place among the Four O' Clocks....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFsmwgIHdrojtVmL1c7RE4CumrDnWKUXJKJ8fKIkRplbmaZcuGqxdX8UY0a66QNC31ScmOn0h0HQmYu9DSfkDduYzDW82bgdlcScD4Tjy4L03C6xEJHb8gZJlnuOxQcM1updyX5zzlTes_WUTKZZkfOHP6VIZZu1Ntm_VNeob4F1swlr7v9ILAMLWCNA/s640/IMG_0360%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFsmwgIHdrojtVmL1c7RE4CumrDnWKUXJKJ8fKIkRplbmaZcuGqxdX8UY0a66QNC31ScmOn0h0HQmYu9DSfkDduYzDW82bgdlcScD4Tjy4L03C6xEJHb8gZJlnuOxQcM1updyX5zzlTes_WUTKZZkfOHP6VIZZu1Ntm_VNeob4F1swlr7v9ILAMLWCNA/w480-h640/IMG_0360%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This year I am adding pops of bright yellow to the floral pillows....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEFiIsFf1ClRoFBC7xjnS3RTMiGncUI5vi1ELQTIvjCRYuNm2BhyphenhyphenLPYVZPYJVizaDN9N8cfbC0ON0Hb0cNxL7_hFcnWZQdxr95WkHvWoOw3ZLCs_FX4nBvvn7RBKtfXg4fTfKDAuzQdy-zsMc5nD2_QiASyngjNubBBb6pqr1ONd7mxO73GziDYNDn_U/s1500/81SU9xaaEkS._AC_SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEFiIsFf1ClRoFBC7xjnS3RTMiGncUI5vi1ELQTIvjCRYuNm2BhyphenhyphenLPYVZPYJVizaDN9N8cfbC0ON0Hb0cNxL7_hFcnWZQdxr95WkHvWoOw3ZLCs_FX4nBvvn7RBKtfXg4fTfKDAuzQdy-zsMc5nD2_QiASyngjNubBBb6pqr1ONd7mxO73GziDYNDn_U/w640-h640/81SU9xaaEkS._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I order my outdoor pillow covers from Amazon...<br />these are so well made and should weather quite nicely over summer.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI09x9fgZQufYCwFSG2ywtLnf10is0yFInH4O1TmGziM3I-LX-VDOE18SGKOS7NWeW2eUA2WQ_pVyJWyOAPsppq1AuIjuQnI0oc0_b6ZIrPep15f_7RPRF_iW_N5pNbg3aqxhszXfEFhnfZqTK_N3AF4OO9khMy7hfnRXAW15ou48fZL3AbNliHu8-DU4/s639/IMG_0387%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="639" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI09x9fgZQufYCwFSG2ywtLnf10is0yFInH4O1TmGziM3I-LX-VDOE18SGKOS7NWeW2eUA2WQ_pVyJWyOAPsppq1AuIjuQnI0oc0_b6ZIrPep15f_7RPRF_iW_N5pNbg3aqxhszXfEFhnfZqTK_N3AF4OO9khMy7hfnRXAW15ou48fZL3AbNliHu8-DU4/w640-h456/IMG_0387%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />What to plant for Spring and Summer.....????<br />These have been my tried and true favorites for our<br />Texas gardens........</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCLFjHykOvuwuI39Pk1HVTrjzAYDDmPnU6I8sXWsWiUiR_Jjwy9J6h7J7KNny_GtsUgZCT8qHP2bApXaffAdQE56XtXgv5l2GOTGvTu5wxFMb0929Kat77CQu-VcVXU_IOUJ_RWeIkbkw355EJpKuG_22s3_7EGpmWNiAlyjkukHuBrx2cp7mt0so_Iw/s640/IMG_6717%20(1)%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCLFjHykOvuwuI39Pk1HVTrjzAYDDmPnU6I8sXWsWiUiR_Jjwy9J6h7J7KNny_GtsUgZCT8qHP2bApXaffAdQE56XtXgv5l2GOTGvTu5wxFMb0929Kat77CQu-VcVXU_IOUJ_RWeIkbkw355EJpKuG_22s3_7EGpmWNiAlyjkukHuBrx2cp7mt0so_Iw/w480-h640/IMG_6717%20(1)%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think we all have certain favorites of annuals and perennials....<br />I plan to repeat the Plumbago, Lantana and Morning Glories....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwdpso_wnSPrj4jT4ClnyaAg5iWwyysh8b-fXBhbTElAflS62KtIL3S1ysBxV2wDD618Juv_RigXb8ISxd86jhBvU_DbzauMzgT4C81RBRnUCaom8FfciO4071mWAifhES0HLRoA8N3J6JNEQ0GCGQDK5Cbg6erZBPYna4-h_JyXd5d9yf4l0LtCjd6I/s640/IMG_6614%20(1)%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwdpso_wnSPrj4jT4ClnyaAg5iWwyysh8b-fXBhbTElAflS62KtIL3S1ysBxV2wDD618Juv_RigXb8ISxd86jhBvU_DbzauMzgT4C81RBRnUCaom8FfciO4071mWAifhES0HLRoA8N3J6JNEQ0GCGQDK5Cbg6erZBPYna4-h_JyXd5d9yf4l0LtCjd6I/w480-h640/IMG_6614%20(1)%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These did beautifully throughout the summer season....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEW1SlDuOA6WWaCoIgB9r1kMbvfon6ysilOjdpa8dmU3v-TeiMg00Erh3KtZNQ2wKb4ubxvP2-ti8YhWVuLyTcFNZ07cUvz4ZyAJxtIiqAniB0nm751Pv-zUhFTG0JGqjIaBtXjKnkXN79dYpVK0GSNU2Nc_gG92HJKBOw2AzlfNd5wHq7Ao51ZeQhm8/s640/IMG_0342%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEW1SlDuOA6WWaCoIgB9r1kMbvfon6ysilOjdpa8dmU3v-TeiMg00Erh3KtZNQ2wKb4ubxvP2-ti8YhWVuLyTcFNZ07cUvz4ZyAJxtIiqAniB0nm751Pv-zUhFTG0JGqjIaBtXjKnkXN79dYpVK0GSNU2Nc_gG92HJKBOw2AzlfNd5wHq7Ao51ZeQhm8/w480-h640/IMG_0342%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I LOVE my Buddha figurines.....<br />they bring a feeling of peace and zen to our outdoor living space....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDti19ceRhXyNC9xIHL5l1hrhaCouUBIsGiG5XTfvPelJt5rUSOvUKfRID3wkfRpd3FTt0dq_8JI7ePcHFhLBemBlyC2nZXmPdy3RSk6JbDVibUxWdYQjNua1CTs_yNlghiDtHoE0A25thUzBjS_vk1J8tZajyK5fHZm7xysEmHkQHR-kz88oSu8zqBU/s640/IMG_0234%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDti19ceRhXyNC9xIHL5l1hrhaCouUBIsGiG5XTfvPelJt5rUSOvUKfRID3wkfRpd3FTt0dq_8JI7ePcHFhLBemBlyC2nZXmPdy3RSk6JbDVibUxWdYQjNua1CTs_yNlghiDtHoE0A25thUzBjS_vk1J8tZajyK5fHZm7xysEmHkQHR-kz88oSu8zqBU/w480-h640/IMG_0234%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mae Mobley's garden space will always be a <br />remembrance of her pure love and beauty....</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lRrwykRjsZCX3McuTV4s8l0N0OUrywNlF4_XkQGQ6gkOOR5ajh68ozT0LBW0OubkVqdmnrZZdHOni9V2RiCTseYE-XsMURyX0nTlSOTiVZIK0OhZb9bKpfKQLhavX96RxZ-x9e7wfRuHbZl6C3PBcxzcV0jK4ND8xSmYiM6aN7rAV55YZvo_KUs9A10/s752/13216329496ce8297f630c5fb92359f6%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lRrwykRjsZCX3McuTV4s8l0N0OUrywNlF4_XkQGQ6gkOOR5ajh68ozT0LBW0OubkVqdmnrZZdHOni9V2RiCTseYE-XsMURyX0nTlSOTiVZIK0OhZb9bKpfKQLhavX96RxZ-x9e7wfRuHbZl6C3PBcxzcV0jK4ND8xSmYiM6aN7rAV55YZvo_KUs9A10/w480-h640/13216329496ce8297f630c5fb92359f6%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />I am planting daylilies in the large patio pots by the pool....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQmkbQHQzmt10kl-ZizHqYa27Pzd_m1xLK_N96HyPEprCTxl1rYCURm8jAHY8FC5elPGocTU09NqfadcR2qikYd8QX617r2Lk7QEROkCGAOSrCKOo9o8InHBnQGkWrvvMEunq1oxZ1Y66x4D5UDBfGYuPGVci39aiehgyuRwr4VlYaFZy9CqEEWoH3z4/s752/a5c4adb62ab2d7ac9e198d19b2c2ffb4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQmkbQHQzmt10kl-ZizHqYa27Pzd_m1xLK_N96HyPEprCTxl1rYCURm8jAHY8FC5elPGocTU09NqfadcR2qikYd8QX617r2Lk7QEROkCGAOSrCKOo9o8InHBnQGkWrvvMEunq1oxZ1Y66x4D5UDBfGYuPGVci39aiehgyuRwr4VlYaFZy9CqEEWoH3z4/w480-h640/a5c4adb62ab2d7ac9e198d19b2c2ffb4.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Along with Sun Patients.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DORIT3U5QYQyzFjWkTDO8L9WBjVCbEsVxy32SfNNXgg3HlfyIz2jeNY-o_5mtTdb5YEMcBUNDAVFai3LqnKrIy6eSIcvidrKMKW3BMphpyLNNCwj5rzilVbtAok56hjxQ3KRcEvME288J6lFXSrIAcYHEd4pIq6AHdTk_lwVrzgiglTjEtexnZsWCeM/s752/4de453879afe791536c2a043c89bd665.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DORIT3U5QYQyzFjWkTDO8L9WBjVCbEsVxy32SfNNXgg3HlfyIz2jeNY-o_5mtTdb5YEMcBUNDAVFai3LqnKrIy6eSIcvidrKMKW3BMphpyLNNCwj5rzilVbtAok56hjxQ3KRcEvME288J6lFXSrIAcYHEd4pIq6AHdTk_lwVrzgiglTjEtexnZsWCeM/w480-h640/4de453879afe791536c2a043c89bd665.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and Purple Iris....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I look forward to visiting the Farmer's Market,<br />burning a spring candle,,,dying Easter eggs<br />and creating a patio picnic....<br />For fragrance I love a light floral with<br />hints of leather and cedar.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have a lovely spring midi dress with<br />colors of peach and soft yellows.....<br />how perfect for the cocktail hour sipping on Lavender Lemonade</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsuP3-Jx6poaB5GOQU7uMkiT-uBoFT2nWkJ-jS21pN1yw0EPpkRlsS4Rx-msmUjud-ZsfyZFzyVSdgGoU4Ztr0MYFaxcQ8UAhKTx2Yectki3J3__vfoxXLnllqquMbHh9XSMSAyo_7S247CIg8icOQOaX1FLsgggaJofcQrkRKV222ZGA7d7N7WmuMXo/s846/8f6caf8783aade69ea8f2b8abe02cb82.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsuP3-Jx6poaB5GOQU7uMkiT-uBoFT2nWkJ-jS21pN1yw0EPpkRlsS4Rx-msmUjud-ZsfyZFzyVSdgGoU4Ztr0MYFaxcQ8UAhKTx2Yectki3J3__vfoxXLnllqquMbHh9XSMSAyo_7S247CIg8icOQOaX1FLsgggaJofcQrkRKV222ZGA7d7N7WmuMXo/w426-h640/8f6caf8783aade69ea8f2b8abe02cb82.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's the coziness of spring and summer..<br />warm, light and airy...welcoming us to come outside....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-50198747029094384702024-02-13T06:45:00.001-06:002024-02-13T06:47:30.478-06:00SUPERBOWL AND ENTERTAINING WITH GOOD FOODS<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />This year's menu was smaller than normal, but absolutely delicious.....<br />this was our Superbowl menu on Sunday evening.....<br />we all anticipate gathering to watch the final and biggest<br />football game of the year...<br />congratulations to the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS!<br />Final score 22-25!!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpdPCHSAcrzmyVhi2JvJaCC0fxksIs2L05u-yAmYLsqI1lSrAQtJYv7Y19adylNAXEFXRvrAlZ_STBJVfsZIm_Nzr64SX0g0ZFs71mkfc6PO1UuSfNYZe_ooKvaaNNTuWftCt4iWMxEXfwdEA2bnqtJmd6mOc3jprpkwQourEUoBtVrLyEVCc0Me0Yqc/s2016/IMG_2503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpdPCHSAcrzmyVhi2JvJaCC0fxksIs2L05u-yAmYLsqI1lSrAQtJYv7Y19adylNAXEFXRvrAlZ_STBJVfsZIm_Nzr64SX0g0ZFs71mkfc6PO1UuSfNYZe_ooKvaaNNTuWftCt4iWMxEXfwdEA2bnqtJmd6mOc3jprpkwQourEUoBtVrLyEVCc0Me0Yqc/w480-h640/IMG_2503.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made the BEST ITALIAN GRINDER sliders ever.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the shredded iceberg lettuce mixed with mayo and this <br />drizzle of submarine dressing put it over the top.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjObuKnagNnbEiE-THsaR6Bp1DQxw5aIVEuXk6nZK8xOmxt1c30Bwy8orgOmwWrF5g7RPtWb3xV-xTwmz9WFEG2A9TE_dC-c-Pubw-1RpYyIdQS6s6AJlxznqVpacFjMTB2U5ssqGnuwhpdUGRLjk6GUSr2Q-jJFYCHGbWfHoSubpM6CAXbO7w57ga35M/s2016/IMG_2504%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjObuKnagNnbEiE-THsaR6Bp1DQxw5aIVEuXk6nZK8xOmxt1c30Bwy8orgOmwWrF5g7RPtWb3xV-xTwmz9WFEG2A9TE_dC-c-Pubw-1RpYyIdQS6s6AJlxznqVpacFjMTB2U5ssqGnuwhpdUGRLjk6GUSr2Q-jJFYCHGbWfHoSubpM6CAXbO7w57ga35M/w640-h480/IMG_2504%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Layers of smoked ham, salami, pepperoni and provolone cheese....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0qGIA3hdxabzoH9vcWugbcKhw8ne9doht1ShNPa1Lq2ZCOKAdjFvWLtjMLnSmpo_tCmLasr5OxK6s2R1LVbOlI1OCg_K7R-CpY6gTpZXex1N0R_vLVAgZRde269xAso7vLX7ApUCa1r79VcX5bngvJwTAGBBiPVyn3295eHLd949duXIG9hSq9OrgVU/s2016/IMG_2505.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0qGIA3hdxabzoH9vcWugbcKhw8ne9doht1ShNPa1Lq2ZCOKAdjFvWLtjMLnSmpo_tCmLasr5OxK6s2R1LVbOlI1OCg_K7R-CpY6gTpZXex1N0R_vLVAgZRde269xAso7vLX7ApUCa1r79VcX5bngvJwTAGBBiPVyn3295eHLd949duXIG9hSq9OrgVU/w640-h480/IMG_2505.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hawaiian rolls drizzled with butter, garlic, pepper flakes, onion powder and black pepper...<br />Baked covered at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, then uncover<br />and bake for additional 5 minutes....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxk-wNOSuXsUuw__TDLM57TcKdYLYrxRYiLmqo6F0C1X704TMUPZ_BSYYLq6t9SdcmSa6qCBZCwrvG2x7T_6oqQg7aMdsxThdbgCppbDJu0GycIkoaRRDv_IrMXzGlxU_tzZIdjVtkRRzEMXjSt2VaIyOhaGaLdzL2NgPjS-qH5EKPG1oCkIddOvuDqNs/s2016/IMG_2506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxk-wNOSuXsUuw__TDLM57TcKdYLYrxRYiLmqo6F0C1X704TMUPZ_BSYYLq6t9SdcmSa6qCBZCwrvG2x7T_6oqQg7aMdsxThdbgCppbDJu0GycIkoaRRDv_IrMXzGlxU_tzZIdjVtkRRzEMXjSt2VaIyOhaGaLdzL2NgPjS-qH5EKPG1oCkIddOvuDqNs/w480-h640/IMG_2506.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After half time, a piece of cherry cream cheese pie......<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXA-F6WUTJ3ivCEyPDmJLxJyZzQklhCWvpi5VYDMJU_8MuwXTUjt0Gb0iGGnsQYXIaZqL61PnWwlGC8bZp-7m32lBd11YqcqFnmE-mkTAmfMo8LOBWYCBMd0uzxaIxmlqnssZCpS_4ZY93_JIAJH-EsYApDhoV7W-4n_so-yJrplTdcsUbn0ReiZCVZY/s1296/HOME%20-%20mel%20and%20dad%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1296" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXA-F6WUTJ3ivCEyPDmJLxJyZzQklhCWvpi5VYDMJU_8MuwXTUjt0Gb0iGGnsQYXIaZqL61PnWwlGC8bZp-7m32lBd11YqcqFnmE-mkTAmfMo8LOBWYCBMd0uzxaIxmlqnssZCpS_4ZY93_JIAJH-EsYApDhoV7W-4n_so-yJrplTdcsUbn0ReiZCVZY/w640-h478/HOME%20-%20mel%20and%20dad%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now we are going to be enjoying a house full of family<br />in a few days and the menu is going to divine for a big party evening.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEc97I6velChwMd_WeedQsXggjj4XGmCdB2w2ydPA_Oo6SUrEYvWjqCRsOJMWsUNRJxSEgV7PrNaFD7MxCkmTAn9g_kTEvz0ELHGsf2I41R-2YGPR-RELjUD4xsGJ4qY8Pl6gmunoCfhyFbZGPh4adELUskbqwEi-kxCoTU3reqZ2LokvEPdde2wB16g/s1637/3a5bd7fa4b04533b7415024cfdb9aa3d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1637" data-original-width="1553" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEc97I6velChwMd_WeedQsXggjj4XGmCdB2w2ydPA_Oo6SUrEYvWjqCRsOJMWsUNRJxSEgV7PrNaFD7MxCkmTAn9g_kTEvz0ELHGsf2I41R-2YGPR-RELjUD4xsGJ4qY8Pl6gmunoCfhyFbZGPh4adELUskbqwEi-kxCoTU3reqZ2LokvEPdde2wB16g/w608-h640/3a5bd7fa4b04533b7415024cfdb9aa3d.jpg" width="608" /></a><br /><br />I plan on slow roasting a turkey breast for the star of the show...<br />just the way Mother did when we were growing up....<br />be sure to visit Deanna's blog, Creekside Cottage and she<br />has shared her method of the perfect slow roast method....<br />it is absolutely divine.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuTC1RBS6vAZDf3fiRLzxIMsS6HKR2mt_XSFYRTt-f6EHx5_7OSa3q2iyruZx2wgKHmSZPvRnv08wzhL0xuxy8f7kd_u1kpvsUycQEicgymZXJ_1ve081e4n0YrqAdcSgpVbmy550loWv6JMH5IAS8QhApfv1CNVs1VPT8yDvvq9iZZRzTjB63oqAlME/s2016/IMG_2138%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuTC1RBS6vAZDf3fiRLzxIMsS6HKR2mt_XSFYRTt-f6EHx5_7OSa3q2iyruZx2wgKHmSZPvRnv08wzhL0xuxy8f7kd_u1kpvsUycQEicgymZXJ_1ve081e4n0YrqAdcSgpVbmy550loWv6JMH5IAS8QhApfv1CNVs1VPT8yDvvq9iZZRzTjB63oqAlME/w480-h640/IMG_2138%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am going to pick up a Charcuterie and dessert from HEB....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0BZdMjLY5X-UTQ-LxQ6uIDDfetOk61FLXRcCTR9LX6o4IKgZrEeU3tNFy9DUMSK0PrPiaQsSTBMyFr_rN4mMo9D-MHoOnfD2kKAQ6yQSVheKuv8VGygCTIPTRpk4W3rjujGt68QAPq0a-zlTQIsZBf_2zFwF0lh6_jB-tlsFULB8kA6Np5YZz-vpv4k/s1516/bcdd5f35662110066558582de3d30980.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1516" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0BZdMjLY5X-UTQ-LxQ6uIDDfetOk61FLXRcCTR9LX6o4IKgZrEeU3tNFy9DUMSK0PrPiaQsSTBMyFr_rN4mMo9D-MHoOnfD2kKAQ6yQSVheKuv8VGygCTIPTRpk4W3rjujGt68QAPq0a-zlTQIsZBf_2zFwF0lh6_jB-tlsFULB8kA6Np5YZz-vpv4k/w640-h324/bcdd5f35662110066558582de3d30980.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Vodka Cranberry punch I served at Christmas was a hit,<br />so this will be the beverage cocktail for the adults....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUhjst_sSTEL0jw1pB9_6VNj5IpFIKp5Gs1-AFngkXWBdvCpiDJjVXcR7lsZqgd2agw2aLe4ToTLOCF2B6rp1emTniCAtZMzlx4-Uo69HeaU3sNdHmjGjvRsPlqRYI1f0zQFF7oSz5z-5JCPs21rGd-FtfHwOQBzxfK8x0ADxNAN_IRQN5B9RV3j_Vl0/s640/IMG_6412%20(1)%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUhjst_sSTEL0jw1pB9_6VNj5IpFIKp5Gs1-AFngkXWBdvCpiDJjVXcR7lsZqgd2agw2aLe4ToTLOCF2B6rp1emTniCAtZMzlx4-Uo69HeaU3sNdHmjGjvRsPlqRYI1f0zQFF7oSz5z-5JCPs21rGd-FtfHwOQBzxfK8x0ADxNAN_IRQN5B9RV3j_Vl0/w480-h640/IMG_6412%20(1)%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My deviled eggs...<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn46Wgp-hrzpJ9KwO8BH7caRJCiwvBL8wWavobklDkP4yCvZ2-Nc-DU17JXSr23uBoD5t_VefAqRzzcHQzuKFrZ4HOlwopl_rASUbrgZUAoYYH6lGUbIzcGXONlSaA3on1j07IpKN5_YoIG-tllzk_ugL_S_XLc7IZasXTrcYWhyV5Stb-qLOjerNZSCg/s734/3477188868bba46b6894c94fd0ea0537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn46Wgp-hrzpJ9KwO8BH7caRJCiwvBL8wWavobklDkP4yCvZ2-Nc-DU17JXSr23uBoD5t_VefAqRzzcHQzuKFrZ4HOlwopl_rASUbrgZUAoYYH6lGUbIzcGXONlSaA3on1j07IpKN5_YoIG-tllzk_ugL_S_XLc7IZasXTrcYWhyV5Stb-qLOjerNZSCg/w492-h640/3477188868bba46b6894c94fd0ea0537.jpg" width="492" /></a><br /><br />And a family favorite for years...<br />the Southern Jezebel sauce....<br />with crackers and spooned over cream cheese.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpfhtyzPFU9tTGnEXqrCOgL7m4GdXBjdtG38wrPebSKwAakayjLv27QHMUNYhd3vbwgBUaTXqUO0TAKzxjoeLNQRj_UTgV-qQPAHv_6rApE4W-uNwauCnGBZx1LQcVLsxRiKE-FulVRaFnj50iW0aA3_Jj9z0MITEJoylBZt5qH8WleXQmbEfZWhyR3s/s1075/IMG_2470%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1075" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpfhtyzPFU9tTGnEXqrCOgL7m4GdXBjdtG38wrPebSKwAakayjLv27QHMUNYhd3vbwgBUaTXqUO0TAKzxjoeLNQRj_UTgV-qQPAHv_6rApE4W-uNwauCnGBZx1LQcVLsxRiKE-FulVRaFnj50iW0aA3_Jj9z0MITEJoylBZt5qH8WleXQmbEfZWhyR3s/w640-h596/IMG_2470%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Family gatherings are very special times....<br />it's important to make them memorable.....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-40907142359009196402024-02-09T06:28:00.001-06:002024-02-09T06:31:19.559-06:00SMALL WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER HYGGE<p style="text-align: center;">Hello Kindred Spirits...<br />I feel this is the last of Winter as the days roll by...<br />those who live in the northeast must be feeling those<br />winter blues somewhat with all the snow and ice...<br />we tend to stay indoors more during the colder months<br />and our spirits can use a bit of refresh...<br />it's something we can all benefit from...<br />Today, I am sharing a few minimal ways I<br />soothe my mind and body......<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhKB6TIhsgNuAZcDDwn1HmYsI4Zltna_YxZnN16lFwKRuiT-sBmbltlz6YFhvAcbzX-kbPvPdmBIxuVRIzSOThqqhI9Qf8CdcrDYdKTxxDcnepI_wdQc7CMHxrzN0EADJMSpQ4wPTFRf0GWn0usOHxXejOMm1fNSxSijTCiWQjr_CawcT7j9fjf35Pww/s2640/IMG_0957%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhKB6TIhsgNuAZcDDwn1HmYsI4Zltna_YxZnN16lFwKRuiT-sBmbltlz6YFhvAcbzX-kbPvPdmBIxuVRIzSOThqqhI9Qf8CdcrDYdKTxxDcnepI_wdQc7CMHxrzN0EADJMSpQ4wPTFRf0GWn0usOHxXejOMm1fNSxSijTCiWQjr_CawcT7j9fjf35Pww/w640-h480/IMG_0957%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I enjoy keeping a bowl of fresh citrus on the dining table....<br />the colors are so vibrant and fresh and it also serves<br />as a reminder to have a healthy snack </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcghaHkhBvVp3Vjqbrctf5S8sDOTKO9oR5T-ZbYiMtb5dXOcaw-mC2IfNR8Jn5KObDliCgTIZ_7bzOrb_qZqoxHprDukwbmjR4sNkzURB07WDqbMYLBje4J76Z3Ckf-ybvXsJi-AnP_wnM75Kn-4JdrKdw0RhOCmL7ZDhZ2z4Hrg93zY5Tfy1CtDP6dvw/s2016/IMG_2401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcghaHkhBvVp3Vjqbrctf5S8sDOTKO9oR5T-ZbYiMtb5dXOcaw-mC2IfNR8Jn5KObDliCgTIZ_7bzOrb_qZqoxHprDukwbmjR4sNkzURB07WDqbMYLBje4J76Z3Ckf-ybvXsJi-AnP_wnM75Kn-4JdrKdw0RhOCmL7ZDhZ2z4Hrg93zY5Tfy1CtDP6dvw/w640-h480/IMG_2401.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I use this time to refresh the kitchen linens....<br />adding something bright and colorful can bring a true happiness....<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjsX06THk3DReWiSp9S-pPrlXs2ymUvEveE0_N7XEnQDxnG_MuVSi9Q39-v94UV2YvL-I7o8J2uLL2kbA9d0Rp5rtFYYTfcgvW672plzrxCkN2SnK5UBQfDJr19ANkG_SX0n8gUd2QSvNdCir3dYQR6m_lfHIAu3n242YusRkNnCU9NBhM8l1C544BQM/s2016/IMG_2385.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjsX06THk3DReWiSp9S-pPrlXs2ymUvEveE0_N7XEnQDxnG_MuVSi9Q39-v94UV2YvL-I7o8J2uLL2kbA9d0Rp5rtFYYTfcgvW672plzrxCkN2SnK5UBQfDJr19ANkG_SX0n8gUd2QSvNdCir3dYQR6m_lfHIAu3n242YusRkNnCU9NBhM8l1C544BQM/w480-h640/IMG_2385.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Talk about heartwarming....<br />making a lovely big pot of homemade vegetable beef soup...<br />the aroma of soup simmering on the stove all day<br />will make your family full of happy anticipation for dinner.....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhnBw_PkxkQ3KDg0Rkx-O9TNSjv22nNozmh3ut94XsxeCfTzzM0OPkDXrl7CqWizsHss7B9wdzaz34tpgaaxqoweMfUiw8reROarxCORxGcRuOnFQEQbn7mUvcp6hiIfzwbPNWfBsmq7aoAtZQrngVbzqvRVMAFgQETqD7uQ_4rkE7iI_6d6FCAQA9Y4/s2016/IMG_2402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhnBw_PkxkQ3KDg0Rkx-O9TNSjv22nNozmh3ut94XsxeCfTzzM0OPkDXrl7CqWizsHss7B9wdzaz34tpgaaxqoweMfUiw8reROarxCORxGcRuOnFQEQbn7mUvcp6hiIfzwbPNWfBsmq7aoAtZQrngVbzqvRVMAFgQETqD7uQ_4rkE7iI_6d6FCAQA9Y4/w480-h640/IMG_2402.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I so enjoying trying a new recipe to add to my favorites....<br />baking can be so therapeutic..<br />today I decided on a scrumptious Butter Pecan Pound Cake....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6PPZQNNFbpIqu8LlnnXifgIK_68RVzwcUOx2F5XcGXaK3nmucDqFQoBd5pnDijr8eyDC4UCXD4VdrbjTjNwN_AJZTCqKEzA05kpGXY-A4epjJCF9LwmIzNMc55AflCq9KuucU5AifS_YKEn6tZ3CL4UNnPiJYNSPnpAXYG_HBHvAiFA9jr39IFRoBQk/s2016/IMG_2406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6PPZQNNFbpIqu8LlnnXifgIK_68RVzwcUOx2F5XcGXaK3nmucDqFQoBd5pnDijr8eyDC4UCXD4VdrbjTjNwN_AJZTCqKEzA05kpGXY-A4epjJCF9LwmIzNMc55AflCq9KuucU5AifS_YKEn6tZ3CL4UNnPiJYNSPnpAXYG_HBHvAiFA9jr39IFRoBQk/w480-h640/IMG_2406.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Try adding a lovely wax warmer to your entryway....<br />it certainly can set the mood for a cozy home feel.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv7AxGM9XEQqisoZfP_O4Y18ijWbnxcndb0AH4_Sq5Po6ulMJahYQJva7aET0QANmVpb3k7a475iLfIQAJf1e-v4bxZB3VcQ7ZJxhTzWr9pvE-WM-mkiUbPnwUvz0PZNK-3faobB1YtIQHC23l9PnBLtgI4amHRjadVATnGsHOKOCVjKH2YVcxj4xGD4/s2016/IMG_2410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv7AxGM9XEQqisoZfP_O4Y18ijWbnxcndb0AH4_Sq5Po6ulMJahYQJva7aET0QANmVpb3k7a475iLfIQAJf1e-v4bxZB3VcQ7ZJxhTzWr9pvE-WM-mkiUbPnwUvz0PZNK-3faobB1YtIQHC23l9PnBLtgI4amHRjadVATnGsHOKOCVjKH2YVcxj4xGD4/w480-h640/IMG_2410.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />Look for the winter limited edition line of bath products...<br />more luxurious and moisturizing during winter months....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRAOMFnzAXPJd28Pn_rBawc6TAzBO5mDUgh_LzYC584wmNq2_ji6uZZ4K0Q6PTVs-rR2tBo4CHOHJybsCLZEJn9PcQfSIrs7gvTXJl3ni9MoZK0t6OjvxeJxWtH84lqmQvfIbjyK7OgptRVTZn_e8Gh39vWsCpaeyuPvqHCzm7fcwsYvxBqIZ7euAUnU/s2016/IMG_2409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRAOMFnzAXPJd28Pn_rBawc6TAzBO5mDUgh_LzYC584wmNq2_ji6uZZ4K0Q6PTVs-rR2tBo4CHOHJybsCLZEJn9PcQfSIrs7gvTXJl3ni9MoZK0t6OjvxeJxWtH84lqmQvfIbjyK7OgptRVTZn_e8Gh39vWsCpaeyuPvqHCzm7fcwsYvxBqIZ7euAUnU/w480-h640/IMG_2409.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Try a rich vanilla body cream after a pedicure and then<br />slip into some cozy socks for around the house.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtQUQFlaoZWZm7PcdG8nRY6G8mJYMToBXgj6AJfbRDF9S5jzYMn2uYRVdowBCPm1yveAgUM38ueNHQK2o-6n26G0zV1_uInVgB842O0Wb6Njjdb-viKDgLCGKiViLf8qgPzZA6BlzD0R3Q-YK8XSgTkUy8H9xl_KkcMZ9ZF5f6uKeurQPk3LdJIwzNb8/s2016/IMG_2420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtQUQFlaoZWZm7PcdG8nRY6G8mJYMToBXgj6AJfbRDF9S5jzYMn2uYRVdowBCPm1yveAgUM38ueNHQK2o-6n26G0zV1_uInVgB842O0Wb6Njjdb-viKDgLCGKiViLf8qgPzZA6BlzD0R3Q-YK8XSgTkUy8H9xl_KkcMZ9ZF5f6uKeurQPk3LdJIwzNb8/w480-h640/IMG_2420.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the evening, I like changing out a glass of wine<br />with a refreshing mocktail.....<br />this is so crisp and light...<br />a mix of limeade, coconut spritzer and fresh lime.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkcP2sRG5z4JvXxXnCWmDHTx7_y-h5u-9MR6RoyYEpuZz9Ktw3ncHaBsKLccBD0dC3ChVRbwIIdVKq6FvnmetgqT1tlERsH_aJnUT1JAyuMMmwzoywKzzYYoluQ-4lpInPopRxrjhAXCj1BRln6Iu52PdSVewPSkQrQWuTUEb6VcmtfMDodo8saHahHs/s1435/IMG_2404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="1049" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkcP2sRG5z4JvXxXnCWmDHTx7_y-h5u-9MR6RoyYEpuZz9Ktw3ncHaBsKLccBD0dC3ChVRbwIIdVKq6FvnmetgqT1tlERsH_aJnUT1JAyuMMmwzoywKzzYYoluQ-4lpInPopRxrjhAXCj1BRln6Iu52PdSVewPSkQrQWuTUEb6VcmtfMDodo8saHahHs/w468-h640/IMG_2404.jpg" width="468" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Take note when the fur babies find a sun puddle in the afternoon....<br />wasn't this a beautiful day?</div><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-68748852504794211702024-02-05T05:54:00.001-06:002024-02-05T05:55:14.014-06:00WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING...DID SHE SAY YES TO THE DRESS?<p style="text-align: center;">Oh Y'ALL...<br />Did we ever have fun shopping for <br />the perfect wedding dress for granddaughter Abbie.....<br />SO much to consider and give thought to.....<br />the style, the color, the fit, the total look.....<br />on the most important day of your life..... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-PxceKEcWYOI6aMDREot5Qljgtkh1HO7G3hcOwGht9ojdEKqw8qe9bkZSv4I2z_LQeWSFLCjNN-XN91kRPSeNEOS2mh0co-YdxXzVZbuV-nZNmqfyRiiP3etti34tIgEaSUbZQ8H6eOhL5KohmNGKrVnAHB1DQdYdLNBohuvCrXr2hRtwHn7upK3xQc/s2016/IMG_2428%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-PxceKEcWYOI6aMDREot5Qljgtkh1HO7G3hcOwGht9ojdEKqw8qe9bkZSv4I2z_LQeWSFLCjNN-XN91kRPSeNEOS2mh0co-YdxXzVZbuV-nZNmqfyRiiP3etti34tIgEaSUbZQ8H6eOhL5KohmNGKrVnAHB1DQdYdLNBohuvCrXr2hRtwHn7upK3xQc/w480-h640/IMG_2428%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We all met up in Fort Worth for the first appointment of the morning<br />at this particular bridal shop....<br />Miss Abbie's consultant was wonderful.....<br />she was knowledgeable, informative and really made this<br />a delightful event for the bride to be, along with<br />those of her family who were invited to attend...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf5OSAMqqMYKkLkO731INUCZO-9yABmBrzxa_pKWgcYrQc9oZS3mhDAL6Kxw1sLlCnXDnlgvyy_wLDunu8i2XFhocts9TA6MSbj-hAm9qMbkv8aORK7Av61ebbTzCSNV6PVnKccw0c1amhEFO472pznSwCfoq4VYcD1UcigVlvVykJm7wELkriayLKIw/s2016/IMG_2425.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf5OSAMqqMYKkLkO731INUCZO-9yABmBrzxa_pKWgcYrQc9oZS3mhDAL6Kxw1sLlCnXDnlgvyy_wLDunu8i2XFhocts9TA6MSbj-hAm9qMbkv8aORK7Av61ebbTzCSNV6PVnKccw0c1amhEFO472pznSwCfoq4VYcD1UcigVlvVykJm7wELkriayLKIw/w480-h640/IMG_2425.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />We managed to narrow down the selection to around fifteen dresses.....<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_To1EvUmU0g_rPOCVvSY50dQO5wSV-_pjPZE_A9zcT2QN9T8ANLi-4comrEW5EtV_BQBNVbwdw83y5a9fF-rqYTWTj7K3yV-4N2tKoqj0fQa1pdC0VASoBKthsafJDjNArqZ5f8XxBuEVqUcKxM9PbGOGagLMSnrLLl9Q2BTroto1wY8UIQklbc3u_0/s1260/IMG_2433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1160" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_To1EvUmU0g_rPOCVvSY50dQO5wSV-_pjPZE_A9zcT2QN9T8ANLi-4comrEW5EtV_BQBNVbwdw83y5a9fF-rqYTWTj7K3yV-4N2tKoqj0fQa1pdC0VASoBKthsafJDjNArqZ5f8XxBuEVqUcKxM9PbGOGagLMSnrLLl9Q2BTroto1wY8UIQklbc3u_0/w590-h640/IMG_2433.jpg" width="590" /></a><br /><br />The mother of the bride and her maid of honor.....</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ4VsK369JjcC8TeUXrRN3_UuSqIIsfX0tLndxRCYD45p5745glxPA3ngM8ZZY34Oaa5pgQ0tj9vSldRHyYCU8NEd05ZP0sPJnK7eKNEz7SfEkrLXl7hTIZzPXNIUzeqaidZqFs7OlqWMTIva-dQvHflG2ZCi5hDnJ0DltA6mNU0u_C7bGKsr3Q0AP-g/s1406/IMG_2437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1406" data-original-width="1394" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ4VsK369JjcC8TeUXrRN3_UuSqIIsfX0tLndxRCYD45p5745glxPA3ngM8ZZY34Oaa5pgQ0tj9vSldRHyYCU8NEd05ZP0sPJnK7eKNEz7SfEkrLXl7hTIZzPXNIUzeqaidZqFs7OlqWMTIva-dQvHflG2ZCi5hDnJ0DltA6mNU0u_C7bGKsr3Q0AP-g/w634-h640/IMG_2437.jpg" width="634" /></a><br /><br />Abbie's stepmom and the mother of the groom.....<br />and of course...moi who was snapping a few photos....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhPPP7eTH1h2-2Ogx6FfmWgSOOVBnCs85vreRScVIsf_OkVrglpMzVe7jYRpJX9XtMXwqCLepgiH9xtczz5Fyn8ZzWqNx6gEtjs3GV4Mlh9VHVl-UlcPesZ8KkK0ayAejoFkDdlnUv7H1em8tWMSwFemGusBh0kN47aTSgTNNHokDOBBXKyXpmm1DZvU/s1641/IMG_2430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1641" data-original-width="1439" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhPPP7eTH1h2-2Ogx6FfmWgSOOVBnCs85vreRScVIsf_OkVrglpMzVe7jYRpJX9XtMXwqCLepgiH9xtczz5Fyn8ZzWqNx6gEtjs3GV4Mlh9VHVl-UlcPesZ8KkK0ayAejoFkDdlnUv7H1em8tWMSwFemGusBh0kN47aTSgTNNHokDOBBXKyXpmm1DZvU/w562-h640/IMG_2430.jpg" width="562" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a marvelous event to sit and watch your granddaughter prepare for her<br />special day....you want her to feel center stage and enjoy every minute<br />of all the planning that goes into her wedding day.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfft3N3BLzPG8kDu-exQbCS9glk-W9Eq1ZB_2kINg5idCPEzkWj8wtWGQ9Ge8AiSlOBlqdOke9So3Iv52JFm0hLMF1j_ifPVMIx-Dwa5QoWqyk2HRXnsWSETVXsUW68WWY39uIMhaM9ymFK7PJXOQX8mNHfpNcpiy8tukefnFNVZ1yABk6jHWsISZ2R1A/s2016/IMG_2452%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfft3N3BLzPG8kDu-exQbCS9glk-W9Eq1ZB_2kINg5idCPEzkWj8wtWGQ9Ge8AiSlOBlqdOke9So3Iv52JFm0hLMF1j_ifPVMIx-Dwa5QoWqyk2HRXnsWSETVXsUW68WWY39uIMhaM9ymFK7PJXOQX8mNHfpNcpiy8tukefnFNVZ1yABk6jHWsISZ2R1A/w480-h640/IMG_2452%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had no idea that pockets are now in most all of the dresses...<br />what a marvelous idea for a small linen handkerchief, or a special<br />keepsake to carry down the isle....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLxV3Xd0sWYBaJICEJLiAXEA2TGkAE30nD0koNgMUy4ZUXpXn7qYMfq3zvphQ0A4s7kcpzGSXp0MKzxjRr8hHsRZruvvKgTxGWp5_g_IARgIVHoANQpsZGJeApyFir-Pr_T-dU6xW8XKp8nV_FEWRkOiognTWiCKZsWlcs5SoUbEHeGv4Ap2FWpr62Fc/s2016/IMG_2445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLxV3Xd0sWYBaJICEJLiAXEA2TGkAE30nD0koNgMUy4ZUXpXn7qYMfq3zvphQ0A4s7kcpzGSXp0MKzxjRr8hHsRZruvvKgTxGWp5_g_IARgIVHoANQpsZGJeApyFir-Pr_T-dU6xW8XKp8nV_FEWRkOiognTWiCKZsWlcs5SoUbEHeGv4Ap2FWpr62Fc/w480-h640/IMG_2445.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />She wanted a vintage look and the lace<br />can make or break the dress....too much, too little, wrong design or just right.....???<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzlq8VL0LvjuFGcDz6ZH03GlJSOw6fJ_L4YJ0z9a2LYZzDQndj5U6tx3bde2dSZVSSXTE04NrE4TOefNvorAw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The head of alterations was lovely to explain<br />the importance of a bustle.....which<br />serves to protect the train.......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObIfydjdW_rIr_JGF-laUBltZHUaRUimuQDH8WCWL9QjUdl3OF55h_8cpW8IVmfiy6cSDTjqkOUnpI11jCr9JDd6gu_f29Kri0DQd9Ep_eyIRBnIbd2yEsJmFKCZRhO59eX5PswuK_QRPTP7Uq_y2oDSipGzfjdqJpTp1eRL84tAZj0imxR5MSpwKIp8/s2016/IMG_2442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObIfydjdW_rIr_JGF-laUBltZHUaRUimuQDH8WCWL9QjUdl3OF55h_8cpW8IVmfiy6cSDTjqkOUnpI11jCr9JDd6gu_f29Kri0DQd9Ep_eyIRBnIbd2yEsJmFKCZRhO59eX5PswuK_QRPTP7Uq_y2oDSipGzfjdqJpTp1eRL84tAZj0imxR5MSpwKIp8/w480-h640/IMG_2442.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An all important decision....form fitting or a bit more poofy....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_4mQ7R0XKba1TbibKRdT6TieeSCZH3cYzZr9Q9FcahKIxCmzvhe9TTsC-O6G93SbHYWa5UqhGxyfAB65IWYHgHFzihQpe0uLYs7b7LfXDxALpmcYgExs2MURQu1Qp0gN1_ZCgqGUeqABvHSpiFLjEMQOabvYqR5941IaTQbk4TbMW6A6uHexFVITkYM/s2016/IMG_2432%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_4mQ7R0XKba1TbibKRdT6TieeSCZH3cYzZr9Q9FcahKIxCmzvhe9TTsC-O6G93SbHYWa5UqhGxyfAB65IWYHgHFzihQpe0uLYs7b7LfXDxALpmcYgExs2MURQu1Qp0gN1_ZCgqGUeqABvHSpiFLjEMQOabvYqR5941IaTQbk4TbMW6A6uHexFVITkYM/w480-h640/IMG_2432%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will say, she was a vision of loveliness in most all of the dresses</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQZL2P2eoJeLwIkjcUTWgCmcehNs0qT6NM21i9YnTsd_1l_540H2enL3VnHg0utQFdjTN8CLdIqrraYEIP7rE9QJdXiXtR1WNRO9lruFY-8FOKUkmrws7isUkxf_f_MVIxBOrLwIEFP7d1Mn12hSpgc9ks2FARdf8XV22S9_nsQ7oJYyWTzR0Qm-Vhts/s2016/IMG_2441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQZL2P2eoJeLwIkjcUTWgCmcehNs0qT6NM21i9YnTsd_1l_540H2enL3VnHg0utQFdjTN8CLdIqrraYEIP7rE9QJdXiXtR1WNRO9lruFY-8FOKUkmrws7isUkxf_f_MVIxBOrLwIEFP7d1Mn12hSpgc9ks2FARdf8XV22S9_nsQ7oJYyWTzR0Qm-Vhts/w480-h640/IMG_2441.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't this just beautiful?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHoxDjohKLA8QNrv5bNRz87DPqn-JOPnwcalWwMQJG282BNplp0EcHvvUUVdCxqCIRT5v4DMzeRBwiv9oalTNLYuEPwTZLCFJb3P521R8vlXjPk0q_XRR0Jgpqy_aqgZbJjg7RPzVoEuLWEz1kwXgXSLnttGWlG38AowNS5ewqnmUqJpdoktZk8Ak5_U/s2016/IMG_2443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHoxDjohKLA8QNrv5bNRz87DPqn-JOPnwcalWwMQJG282BNplp0EcHvvUUVdCxqCIRT5v4DMzeRBwiv9oalTNLYuEPwTZLCFJb3P521R8vlXjPk0q_XRR0Jgpqy_aqgZbJjg7RPzVoEuLWEz1kwXgXSLnttGWlG38AowNS5ewqnmUqJpdoktZk8Ak5_U/w480-h640/IMG_2443.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This dress had such a gorgeous ethereal look to it...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD1TVF0IZALGIcqjjoSCk8tPJS4DEzT06t4d-WDlLh4tJ2Nk4mhI9a58ctw-UOAbV4pUVEf52wicmLJEwbwWftkpVXWhVvuoXeoTdZaXMQ5RXBOQH_DE9Z-KMZ5nUtCpdqj0_1H1funMpi55WTWGnGNQfKB397qxBzULh195xt8FgEwoxCrHusrJ__MI/s1770/IMG_2453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1770" data-original-width="1374" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD1TVF0IZALGIcqjjoSCk8tPJS4DEzT06t4d-WDlLh4tJ2Nk4mhI9a58ctw-UOAbV4pUVEf52wicmLJEwbwWftkpVXWhVvuoXeoTdZaXMQ5RXBOQH_DE9Z-KMZ5nUtCpdqj0_1H1funMpi55WTWGnGNQfKB397qxBzULh195xt8FgEwoxCrHusrJ__MI/w496-h640/IMG_2453.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Classic and traditional.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8l6Dq3qBiaTlx2gJluD9htrJQd3YKfOsvLTruI281lRFe-8l9olxrCX-JkYj2n8hoeSyR0kf7sgduR7hm9y08dmhtujZvZKwqZZSzm3sxrDXzMtyub-cC8RER2DAxlFRQUIBPqeIRYr4v18M9eC4bOMcppcFHsUsVoxPcyYb0pZE5gTe6iT7OXRC_Ds/s2016/IMG_2457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8l6Dq3qBiaTlx2gJluD9htrJQd3YKfOsvLTruI281lRFe-8l9olxrCX-JkYj2n8hoeSyR0kf7sgduR7hm9y08dmhtujZvZKwqZZSzm3sxrDXzMtyub-cC8RER2DAxlFRQUIBPqeIRYr4v18M9eC4bOMcppcFHsUsVoxPcyYb0pZE5gTe6iT7OXRC_Ds/w480-h640/IMG_2457.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, how to decide on the headpiece....<br />maybe fresh flowers in your hair....<br />it's a garden theme fall wedding so I know it's going to be <br />such a significant event for us all.....<br />And, the search will continue..<br />next stop....Dallas!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-89715977447970645602024-02-01T05:38:00.000-06:002024-02-01T05:38:49.298-06:00THE WINTER BRUNCH<p style="text-align: center;">Company is soon coming to Texas and I intend<br />to serve five star meals while they are here for a short visit!<br />Let's start with a fabulous dining experience with<br />a few yummy brunch recipes!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXABej9GkHirCAz0apfIMPL7lUmsVw2Sciu3DqjzPs8evfMdqqI67QnN7xXjOh-shO0Oa5dPwPVmtnDj1IcwlZts_KBuAv2ALEskX9qks_ZIOACAKt3_6PA07j5hHLLvVY9gs0WcSS7-kly934kiw44CjT8RHn_cb6slZjCY3oREkO-MNe5UIJJXJp_q0/s2016/IMG_2161%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXABej9GkHirCAz0apfIMPL7lUmsVw2Sciu3DqjzPs8evfMdqqI67QnN7xXjOh-shO0Oa5dPwPVmtnDj1IcwlZts_KBuAv2ALEskX9qks_ZIOACAKt3_6PA07j5hHLLvVY9gs0WcSS7-kly934kiw44CjT8RHn_cb6slZjCY3oREkO-MNe5UIJJXJp_q0/w640-h480/IMG_2161%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I want them to have the Bed and Breakfast experience and be able to sleep<br />a bit late in the morning...linger over coffee and serve brunch around 9:30 or 10 AM.... </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sRMupf5DRX7ru7KMVF6zYJuFkUCVreEYDokTK0zpijRNBA8PDHt4Yu3aAVv4laZahjzmgNgtz33hXqnIpgRyLKF5TjSmo15BugI7cauFzj_lzGiIWP9DgmlZqEO6quVxjlolwaGIUE71dpBGlRNXUEBGgombYjnl3yGzuiCbIRWc1mLFLcH6_oVDg00/s2016/IMG_2163%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sRMupf5DRX7ru7KMVF6zYJuFkUCVreEYDokTK0zpijRNBA8PDHt4Yu3aAVv4laZahjzmgNgtz33hXqnIpgRyLKF5TjSmo15BugI7cauFzj_lzGiIWP9DgmlZqEO6quVxjlolwaGIUE71dpBGlRNXUEBGgombYjnl3yGzuiCbIRWc1mLFLcH6_oVDg00/w640-h480/IMG_2163%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />We have freshly squeezed orange juice, Petite Bacon and Swiss Quiches,<br />and a decadent Blueberry Muffin....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIs-d8jqFIbdpodsr_W8JrJ5LWtheJu2NsL8R0so9VvyDNI6o7bAbz-15qWX0jz9Ygs3BKfhDCAyqiR3GB_LCcCS26uJyriRXQaXu12-UJlbwUx-02HmjSyGmYHrILVLXadZrPugU05ug1zG-52o8MpZUno6RLXTBjrJQh4DFjNN-fjwd9-tNljI9zGE/s2016/IMG_2157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIs-d8jqFIbdpodsr_W8JrJ5LWtheJu2NsL8R0so9VvyDNI6o7bAbz-15qWX0jz9Ygs3BKfhDCAyqiR3GB_LCcCS26uJyriRXQaXu12-UJlbwUx-02HmjSyGmYHrILVLXadZrPugU05ug1zG-52o8MpZUno6RLXTBjrJQh4DFjNN-fjwd9-tNljI9zGE/w640-h480/IMG_2157.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I have made these tiny quiches for many, many years and sometimes<br />include them on the Christmas morning buffet.....they are that good!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTwvk_RZUeWoCVEOM35Vnp9QDjZh1fOUCdfLV_PoIdrihDWGzYyV5_KSYwknp52bF-rWR78UfDlndWzs6x1h7D8qvNZkQqhSyhJmhC61qKPPLQT0i5ISQvkTPyuPkqZcGYXv4j6GPLo_Eyl2A5QK9AEubKgvgZ1xwCZhFokDUWWtY8KCESZu8UGBm6Vk/s2016/IMG_2160%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTwvk_RZUeWoCVEOM35Vnp9QDjZh1fOUCdfLV_PoIdrihDWGzYyV5_KSYwknp52bF-rWR78UfDlndWzs6x1h7D8qvNZkQqhSyhJmhC61qKPPLQT0i5ISQvkTPyuPkqZcGYXv4j6GPLo_Eyl2A5QK9AEubKgvgZ1xwCZhFokDUWWtY8KCESZu8UGBm6Vk/w640-h480/IMG_2160%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a><br />click the link for this delicious recipe<br /><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><br /><a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/6865/to-die-for-blueberry-muffins/"><span>TO
DIE FOR BLUEBERRY MUFFINS</span></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJe9s-TfjJcLJbxDBlATYb-aHm2gE5RVPo40iK48tAWyqwfDS6v5AWMOPuYSmdIU2ZoYv1GTCVqSWxNtNizdGedVIqMkecNffTdBFdYf3mTxlL63T0mvkVrOMQh26Qp6SlUsSzG2kyelVC4iGsjyPHgSqLOxSxw43USD8Elw8xrT5LDbjAWJf0hpni-s/s2016/IMG_2167%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJe9s-TfjJcLJbxDBlATYb-aHm2gE5RVPo40iK48tAWyqwfDS6v5AWMOPuYSmdIU2ZoYv1GTCVqSWxNtNizdGedVIqMkecNffTdBFdYf3mTxlL63T0mvkVrOMQh26Qp6SlUsSzG2kyelVC4iGsjyPHgSqLOxSxw43USD8Elw8xrT5LDbjAWJf0hpni-s/w480-h640/IMG_2167%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The blueberry muffin recipe is probably my all time favorite....<br />that buttery cinnamon crumb topping is the piece de resistance......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIbke1NnsEhCmQBD1iULYbT1R9vWwptEAyCd5N7AqIprcqEgTF7ZhMLTT0aZbkr5hAxplYqeN_IXhbRmBKuoHVqq0UVwVfX6b_qyBBnTUm227fKXR8WCpx4sAQnNQXi6nnvm2mx0gLHREH2X9npCcw9k6GwmLIOKedQt1r-NM2D_6kTiSgBUxN9-qhfE/s2016/IMG_2158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIbke1NnsEhCmQBD1iULYbT1R9vWwptEAyCd5N7AqIprcqEgTF7ZhMLTT0aZbkr5hAxplYqeN_IXhbRmBKuoHVqq0UVwVfX6b_qyBBnTUm227fKXR8WCpx4sAQnNQXi6nnvm2mx0gLHREH2X9npCcw9k6GwmLIOKedQt1r-NM2D_6kTiSgBUxN9-qhfE/w640-h480/IMG_2158.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />I promise, you will receive rave reviews and the ones you love,<br />will so appreciate the extra effort you made for them.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEsV3540oZA7TAT76ienyJT44d9v9iq1hEfZAM7V8punJE4kSxRfxq1Mb37ZcSxfP1lCgY5WnzPxNKqPXt6iD4x7hXzg52z2psdz7fvAtP6rNDfe1YPghkG5uCXTPrxvfvIstYLQ-jhTRExXSA-ML_hBOlCZFjJiemVAQmkUK6JxlQqFB0wo3CjBpBqY/s2696/96752e0d9b1dc24335aa14d6a4664899.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="1828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEsV3540oZA7TAT76ienyJT44d9v9iq1hEfZAM7V8punJE4kSxRfxq1Mb37ZcSxfP1lCgY5WnzPxNKqPXt6iD4x7hXzg52z2psdz7fvAtP6rNDfe1YPghkG5uCXTPrxvfvIstYLQ-jhTRExXSA-ML_hBOlCZFjJiemVAQmkUK6JxlQqFB0wo3CjBpBqY/w434-h640/96752e0d9b1dc24335aa14d6a4664899.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTn2-l7Z1w8sumDL90Ocg4WWVrmD1Z-Z1gBaLZkgFSoP2NsuT4Oa-iwPO_ec5qmP_7DoSFm3dg5ICbPRPyte0Ik9w4ySQhkQpcTv0m4ZDaB1BTWVjLzf_pt1u6MYT5devzdMlyQGhF3tTtDmJLnYkHeJOrOWhzd-7HX8q12eqf5OXS4dbbCyFFfXlmrA/s1512/IMG_2153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1307" data-original-width="1512" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTn2-l7Z1w8sumDL90Ocg4WWVrmD1Z-Z1gBaLZkgFSoP2NsuT4Oa-iwPO_ec5qmP_7DoSFm3dg5ICbPRPyte0Ik9w4ySQhkQpcTv0m4ZDaB1BTWVjLzf_pt1u6MYT5devzdMlyQGhF3tTtDmJLnYkHeJOrOWhzd-7HX8q12eqf5OXS4dbbCyFFfXlmrA/w640-h554/IMG_2153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have had the privilege of making this little guy breakfast over the years,<br />and it never fails to bring a smile to my face and to his too!</div><br />Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-78716529878356025052024-01-20T06:34:00.000-06:002024-01-20T06:34:09.735-06:00A FRIGID WINTER WEEK...LET'S TALK RECIPES, BOOTS AND BOOKS<p style="text-align: center;">Well, my kindred spirits....<br />Texas has been REALLY COLD this week...<br />as has much of the country....<br />we were at 11 degrees most days......<br />with a light dusting of snow......<br />this is a peek into our days....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ga5nRmzKLAwowz7f9g3o35fxLLHz9HriSTDoQRo9h2MR8Thtnc0K_rP1pD56wQXFgAHipnAe9MJI2zskdWNOiIJ6FgC40NzAx6Cy37ggk-2mCF_3GESHpE6azy6F7DDXYoOXAKKk-SnV5Y6M7eToAQIQsdpxMxk4yPkkiujgk4Bw_uyYtKyS7YMf4dI/s1887/IMG_2210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1887" data-original-width="1415" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ga5nRmzKLAwowz7f9g3o35fxLLHz9HriSTDoQRo9h2MR8Thtnc0K_rP1pD56wQXFgAHipnAe9MJI2zskdWNOiIJ6FgC40NzAx6Cy37ggk-2mCF_3GESHpE6azy6F7DDXYoOXAKKk-SnV5Y6M7eToAQIQsdpxMxk4yPkkiujgk4Bw_uyYtKyS7YMf4dI/w480-h640/IMG_2210.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">What is the secret to living a cozy life in the winter season?<br />How do you keep balance in your life?<br />Perhaps the secret is to be purposeful..be present in what<br />you are doing..ensure your thoughts are all there.....<br />bring comfort to those you love....</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMieDJ4Yx51Ak-D1IpGsCXrOn8u0AEeBgd_WrAPaN1x367QYmTHRhB9fzudaUyrkFxokFMJzDdsmfWWKLn6ZY6PXb-4JzWqHtmw-aDQmvKVyKzJXqu-Ter9ym5iqNfn3ZHiXqBXVVhXUEa1xYOKjg5tBL38voI9NsaY64s8NCyZvGcwmg-CIQk3lqVs_I/s1490/IMG_2201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1154" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMieDJ4Yx51Ak-D1IpGsCXrOn8u0AEeBgd_WrAPaN1x367QYmTHRhB9fzudaUyrkFxokFMJzDdsmfWWKLn6ZY6PXb-4JzWqHtmw-aDQmvKVyKzJXqu-Ter9ym5iqNfn3ZHiXqBXVVhXUEa1xYOKjg5tBL38voI9NsaY64s8NCyZvGcwmg-CIQk3lqVs_I/w496-h640/IMG_2201.jpg" width="496" /></a><br /><br />We were blessed with a visit from granddaughter, Abbie..<br />she was in town for coaching her select Volleyball team<br />and dropped by to visit before the winter artic blast rolled in..<br />she made it safely home and for that, we are thankful...<br />we were able to talk about wedding plans for a good hour....</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpKGYrHkxxXh208saLHyfnXZF2OI5PmopkjydsuqNxsWQNqcVlks4hzOMTA4IGF75ct1I8ipDYhQkCxD4CwvYZH-44rNb3H62RaJvUPKkdz6Rvej9yuHy75OEhxeK9yqRdNYxThPGkzZ8xyKpPdFdgn89az3KiNB3lj0fmBWxj-NaJqZg6jrmhoXfoas/s2016/IMG_2192%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpKGYrHkxxXh208saLHyfnXZF2OI5PmopkjydsuqNxsWQNqcVlks4hzOMTA4IGF75ct1I8ipDYhQkCxD4CwvYZH-44rNb3H62RaJvUPKkdz6Rvej9yuHy75OEhxeK9yqRdNYxThPGkzZ8xyKpPdFdgn89az3KiNB3lj0fmBWxj-NaJqZg6jrmhoXfoas/w480-h640/IMG_2192%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />I love seasonal dinnerware..and fell in love with this pattern from Bico....<br />What could be more perfect for winter dining than a sweet<br />Nordic village scene....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4utAumgSOfF4lgKERLZjUDNqwtme9kGbfKRpM-87n3HA2Ipa8XUiC5EQaS3LIS6KMOd0wHXOKpxRaM2ZFnpznCz5qrDc5YA5QKh0_vCBhd1nAHqHV2kl_Z_fxXmJM4lVwSuDDMuR1HkDpGAwzNlMG_M26aFVFCr6nqvST_l0_80CNvIKq_YyCiamZ7k/s2016/IMG_2247%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4utAumgSOfF4lgKERLZjUDNqwtme9kGbfKRpM-87n3HA2Ipa8XUiC5EQaS3LIS6KMOd0wHXOKpxRaM2ZFnpznCz5qrDc5YA5QKh0_vCBhd1nAHqHV2kl_Z_fxXmJM4lVwSuDDMuR1HkDpGAwzNlMG_M26aFVFCr6nqvST_l0_80CNvIKq_YyCiamZ7k/w640-h480/IMG_2247%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Create a "serve yourself" cozy spot in the dining room<br />for afternoon tea or hot cocoa<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezRcVa-XE7nmBUs0ABxzmJMiP0Y7-KKjt4u8XnXBTvUwcCUBidqBuRPbDlwhhXPQQYBkr2TMFZBGyK-Y14S4eM7n5ymofsTK2rRMyA7q_1SjOvk_rpscT2Uur5T_NtHkXxmO0iZWUX5H6oTqRuimd2bdvMf4BaGcWMKx9msig94VjDX45JWVxwp8KHWA/s2016/IMG_2248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezRcVa-XE7nmBUs0ABxzmJMiP0Y7-KKjt4u8XnXBTvUwcCUBidqBuRPbDlwhhXPQQYBkr2TMFZBGyK-Y14S4eM7n5ymofsTK2rRMyA7q_1SjOvk_rpscT2Uur5T_NtHkXxmO0iZWUX5H6oTqRuimd2bdvMf4BaGcWMKx9msig94VjDX45JWVxwp8KHWA/w480-h640/IMG_2248.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />Speaking of hot tea.....<br />this holiday blend from Harney and Sons is lovely<br />for sipping during cold winter afternoons.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmZqtqiSXiKjiVTs1HNbfLJILCthfJTQGpEHH2wy-JfgLiW0j13PCMAEu23ngbcwbNQ2l_Df6PTl86Ct9KCWCFcC9VSaWIyqDkOTpRUb5vpmUcPSP8L3rwRl6sVk0BxPfglmGUA4pKoUgJXO7G8UJpgJMvAzWU8PmZBox25_DjD78IEk0EKO_ofjGT0Y/s2016/IMG_2273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmZqtqiSXiKjiVTs1HNbfLJILCthfJTQGpEHH2wy-JfgLiW0j13PCMAEu23ngbcwbNQ2l_Df6PTl86Ct9KCWCFcC9VSaWIyqDkOTpRUb5vpmUcPSP8L3rwRl6sVk0BxPfglmGUA4pKoUgJXO7G8UJpgJMvAzWU8PmZBox25_DjD78IEk0EKO_ofjGT0Y/w480-h640/IMG_2273.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">And, I love candlelight and seasonal scents....<br />this is a Harry Slatkin called WOODLAND CABIN....<br />notes of Nordic Spruce, Cypress and Frosted Mint.....<br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">THE COMFORT FOOD</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7MBikzEW1Z1UPBy0uSD9JmyAv8lzcDWuq6iaMvyYd70cp0a2g5GkBlqzD-I0pb7fCppDKIAEM0QyFCwb48rqScLavKWzYypB_etUGSo2BbYlHj_nBT19wDDIEVRUdSIQASrxgXY-XOlOa_IEmZ3c4NOBFzoSFSdFYc1xk7A4GOxq1my1_Eol4okmQBs/s1512/IMG_2236%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="1512" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7MBikzEW1Z1UPBy0uSD9JmyAv8lzcDWuq6iaMvyYd70cp0a2g5GkBlqzD-I0pb7fCppDKIAEM0QyFCwb48rqScLavKWzYypB_etUGSo2BbYlHj_nBT19wDDIEVRUdSIQASrxgXY-XOlOa_IEmZ3c4NOBFzoSFSdFYc1xk7A4GOxq1my1_Eol4okmQBs/w640-h620/IMG_2236%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />There is nothing more enriching than serving a hot<br />delicious dinner to family.....<br />on this evening, it was just what we needed....<br />butter and brown sugar baby carrots.....</p><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnfowpHU85uZW7N7KL49sq3d7sIV9FHiqafYVfsih1X2JEkJXoOX5jeRPmk6-TXuVGjRj6Ru_vx-Mgx3TLSHqdKng5KFdNpmjRNyIBPZDbzhbWrkgWOOyujVuQOX0AtGB2KJxepkfEOmfY_Zso0n9DMXc3ykKFV4PNwG89N6PAWDjizfMt9flxP2Mkvo/s2016/IMG_2237%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnfowpHU85uZW7N7KL49sq3d7sIV9FHiqafYVfsih1X2JEkJXoOX5jeRPmk6-TXuVGjRj6Ru_vx-Mgx3TLSHqdKng5KFdNpmjRNyIBPZDbzhbWrkgWOOyujVuQOX0AtGB2KJxepkfEOmfY_Zso0n9DMXc3ykKFV4PNwG89N6PAWDjizfMt9flxP2Mkvo/w480-h640/IMG_2237%20(2).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">A wild rice, mushroom and spinach casserole topped<br />with a buttery puff pastry.....<br />recipe link below.....<br /><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">\<a href="https://southerndiscourse.com/wild-rice-sausage-casserole/">WILD RICE
SAUSAGE CASSEROLE</a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKNK9ggRTbihov4MRKWvQaNKKJneNLfi51DH-s8v6T3EFMyJBrlAmEtbsp2AN3DfK6d_ea_cTbErT4CX5STxkMaOUz6f41yGUKr3-uAX-JbibsHll876kZmtKDiugPw2GsFu821aFylyDvRLqLTuFkw8oBMK88vw8g8FgGXrQvLdtLU8MTXeW7NFtvGw/s2016/IMG_2239%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKNK9ggRTbihov4MRKWvQaNKKJneNLfi51DH-s8v6T3EFMyJBrlAmEtbsp2AN3DfK6d_ea_cTbErT4CX5STxkMaOUz6f41yGUKr3-uAX-JbibsHll876kZmtKDiugPw2GsFu821aFylyDvRLqLTuFkw8oBMK88vw8g8FgGXrQvLdtLU8MTXeW7NFtvGw/w480-h640/IMG_2239%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was heavenly to linger over dinner and talk about<br />our day and world events.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugCTWeNOs11XMXQ2K40TF6Hg-suLneQBYPklhKsb_cW5hmjeWiFlvsO-ddk-11jvedp57_km84P2qJ36Cx1nhgU9AI9_kK5xuZLChwvMIxiSBL7_Ni6d4QKbdzkPVzOzJPdL4IQClRvfrJkbrCHlLUTSe2Q_7JjGkkAgwvVhvehdCbbjyNDJE3i4IACg/s1960/IMG_2225%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="1960" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugCTWeNOs11XMXQ2K40TF6Hg-suLneQBYPklhKsb_cW5hmjeWiFlvsO-ddk-11jvedp57_km84P2qJ36Cx1nhgU9AI9_kK5xuZLChwvMIxiSBL7_Ni6d4QKbdzkPVzOzJPdL4IQClRvfrJkbrCHlLUTSe2Q_7JjGkkAgwvVhvehdCbbjyNDJE3i4IACg/w640-h462/IMG_2225%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And, I ask you...what can be more<br />comforting than a homemade banana pudding....<br />there is nothing better than a creamy homemade custard<br />poured over lemon kissed bananas and vanilla wafers...<br />a true southern classic.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5nf69KYSYi1eP9vqR5OS1MQVQoFw32sLJNZybLx7SpHJfNHCExWEVd7FH7QEib6Xv_PR5qRRLJZInNnXHxZq1DvJ81mzlesda-6twpnP963l977UAh1qTybP2Acqd6qkM4f5pgnOXD4q9-s4TIaNrhUvvrYaai4Z_xa2tFnOPeW3eScrx1h0f2A5pdk/s2016/IMG_2226%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5nf69KYSYi1eP9vqR5OS1MQVQoFw32sLJNZybLx7SpHJfNHCExWEVd7FH7QEib6Xv_PR5qRRLJZInNnXHxZq1DvJ81mzlesda-6twpnP963l977UAh1qTybP2Acqd6qkM4f5pgnOXD4q9-s4TIaNrhUvvrYaai4Z_xa2tFnOPeW3eScrx1h0f2A5pdk/w480-h640/IMG_2226%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nothing short of a masterpiece.....<br />served slightly warm.....<br />Recipe link below....<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://rosebakes.com/grandmas-southern-banana-pudding-recipe/">SOUTHERN
BANANA PUDDING</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzbIt46NRAqtwsya3rAQa44zEROikzAtHYWt3VS3B20a4od9JpU33neznIWtk4uv9TcpT-_wsWKyupXvpMekF2c88Pc7hDnOUxKycykjZjFGHcXKix960_Tj1oLxzj-RZOuxsbeBpzyKpOcwA4cPA7Le7ujTJhyphenhyphenTeVuPfufmpi7kGZACbuLY-rlCAqPg/s1793/IMG_2243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1793" data-original-width="1457" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzbIt46NRAqtwsya3rAQa44zEROikzAtHYWt3VS3B20a4od9JpU33neznIWtk4uv9TcpT-_wsWKyupXvpMekF2c88Pc7hDnOUxKycykjZjFGHcXKix960_Tj1oLxzj-RZOuxsbeBpzyKpOcwA4cPA7Le7ujTJhyphenhyphenTeVuPfufmpi7kGZACbuLY-rlCAqPg/w520-h640/IMG_2243.jpg" width="520" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's proved to be a comfortable evening.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kyNqkzsthQYOC34JbJDA9xP4i6kMUkQnpg-tA9ReuQpwh3DCLf4Soc1UpEcgEPjKUQqCZ7A4nexbBceHxvdKdGHxezO_WFyIL1SCctF0A2fqyM4LIDWEhfVQdRtql8cn9Uj2o8kudhTJvjESQmtabr2LExPDdwLKOuIMgCnHCWCIERJ_Zff7Ljfz7jA/s2016/IMG_2223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kyNqkzsthQYOC34JbJDA9xP4i6kMUkQnpg-tA9ReuQpwh3DCLf4Soc1UpEcgEPjKUQqCZ7A4nexbBceHxvdKdGHxezO_WFyIL1SCctF0A2fqyM4LIDWEhfVQdRtql8cn9Uj2o8kudhTJvjESQmtabr2LExPDdwLKOuIMgCnHCWCIERJ_Zff7Ljfz7jA/w480-h640/IMG_2223.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">I am thinking alot about the wedding scheduled for October....<br />and, I purchased my very first pair of western boots....<br />why not? I am into my senior years, but still want to be fashionable......<br />and truth be told, I am kind of excited about the fashion<br />I am planning for the rehearsal dinner.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />On my bucket list for entertainment.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggg0ucuJQQ-EGKyaeUxYLKCOxPgTXUgQyTrob_qJwHFURpcSj2nipkixGNo1DlJ7qvcJSohrLDcOMfSW0lOOLtSs0o9LwyKkNc5PzOB55IjooYyEW2SE4mUR78vmV7l9GjxSWsKFWcato70jlDILVYkOSs3NqGY43OgNIKMgK2woDjrCUrAd1Lm2-v_UY/s1014/FXs-FEUD-Capote-Vs.-The-Swans-key-art-811x1014-1%20(1).webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="811" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggg0ucuJQQ-EGKyaeUxYLKCOxPgTXUgQyTrob_qJwHFURpcSj2nipkixGNo1DlJ7qvcJSohrLDcOMfSW0lOOLtSs0o9LwyKkNc5PzOB55IjooYyEW2SE4mUR78vmV7l9GjxSWsKFWcato70jlDILVYkOSs3NqGY43OgNIKMgK2woDjrCUrAd1Lm2-v_UY/w512-h640/FXs-FEUD-Capote-Vs.-The-Swans-key-art-811x1014-1%20(1).webp" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; text-align: start;">I am so looking forward to this premier....<br />The eight-episode season is based on the bestselling book </span><i style="animation-delay: -0.01ms; animation-duration: 0.01ms; animation-iteration-count: 1; background-color: white; color: #202122; scroll-behavior: auto; text-align: start; transition-duration: 0ms;">Capote's Women:<br /> A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era</i><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; text-align: start;"> by Laurence Leamer.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsep6gyTT2ODNNRN97BHKMCqDsFtmWSRal1kzdLRi1vBw13BDBULwocn7TxwyTO4WoiR-GAEgv9jGdkjZzekzdt9qoA3fg6pkx5EwNuTgyH9oTyjkyPF4Nwk36svOSBTAUI7SSMSSTyhLeQcXzsZqA0sQfyGE38KknBU2bMrmJufRaOAsk3ld-hQzC1v4/s1200/61wwYCevGwL._SL1200_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsep6gyTT2ODNNRN97BHKMCqDsFtmWSRal1kzdLRi1vBw13BDBULwocn7TxwyTO4WoiR-GAEgv9jGdkjZzekzdt9qoA3fg6pkx5EwNuTgyH9oTyjkyPF4Nwk36svOSBTAUI7SSMSSTyhLeQcXzsZqA0sQfyGE38KknBU2bMrmJufRaOAsk3ld-hQzC1v4/w414-h640/61wwYCevGwL._SL1200_.jpg" width="414" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have always been a fan of Truman Capote and remember<br />this time of this life when he befriended some of the<br />most well known New York socialites....<br />this is going to be a delicious read......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Xf3C-qJHwn0kCpV2jqU7mZvtcmkE-MBqdRfITVbwf7Ftyr8h723ftlzNA8LW-ptrioLVcp9nVTLwEc1MmVEXpkHvT5WSRvudE-_sJ1Vr0ye_wSXQ0cC8gDmHMvel_08qlQ4Srtr360vRIyUKhqTfoDCzLws9bkF0EnHS6T2FGeOhVJJEAKTFwIXzDIQ/s2016/IMG_2214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Xf3C-qJHwn0kCpV2jqU7mZvtcmkE-MBqdRfITVbwf7Ftyr8h723ftlzNA8LW-ptrioLVcp9nVTLwEc1MmVEXpkHvT5WSRvudE-_sJ1Vr0ye_wSXQ0cC8gDmHMvel_08qlQ4Srtr360vRIyUKhqTfoDCzLws9bkF0EnHS6T2FGeOhVJJEAKTFwIXzDIQ/w480-h640/IMG_2214.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When your spirits need refreshing....<br />take pictures of your beloved family members....<br />rest your mind in their comfort moments.....</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGVP0DvERa6Tw60Psqg_i6wOHRcdyqhR4uQwK-IrXDQC5pDhd3KwMPehgH4Y8bTIf8nDnTob0SANYzEF8I0K9a-wiGzoetJU-3YT8z-0Y9pkNgBONVN2gHQW9Nrnq1u-ephWB09f0oC-JZT6PVnfcFUQC-wR7snEhw9zImO4zB5mn7O_8SosO-yehBDo/s1542/IMG_2231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="1488" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGVP0DvERa6Tw60Psqg_i6wOHRcdyqhR4uQwK-IrXDQC5pDhd3KwMPehgH4Y8bTIf8nDnTob0SANYzEF8I0K9a-wiGzoetJU-3YT8z-0Y9pkNgBONVN2gHQW9Nrnq1u-ephWB09f0oC-JZT6PVnfcFUQC-wR7snEhw9zImO4zB5mn7O_8SosO-yehBDo/w618-h640/IMG_2231.jpg" width="618" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's such a good thing to hibernate..<br />these are the days to take time to be a little leisurely..<br />there are only 61 days until spring.</div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-61276541121768136932024-01-14T05:26:00.001-06:002024-01-14T05:32:14.222-06:00WINTER'S RENEWAL AND REFRESH FOR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT<p style="text-align: center;">Good Morning Loves.....<br />The cold winds doth blow....<br />I hear the trees sway and bend through the night hours..<br />what leaves are remaining swirl about the lawns<br />and much of the country is laden with snow..<br />beautiful, but oh so cold....<br />currently our favorite dairy farm in Maine<br />looks picture perfect in the photo below..... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbNago763f9K4WqoRhsmZkFTpInotec0rJWk9rMPlysGfrJ4MuJz3ablDo8-l9H-KN5BCDG6iYK6OrjlkhcymHi7s9TmZfwCTUog3XrAe6UCwS6-y71WhalPWq_uN43kuUm0kAxekN0wRWCcJk4Jfxpzmx87NeVpZy8f6CVQYWUGrU_XPnBjRluG95_A/s2048/417853409_793690642797413_1461282107269181818_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbNago763f9K4WqoRhsmZkFTpInotec0rJWk9rMPlysGfrJ4MuJz3ablDo8-l9H-KN5BCDG6iYK6OrjlkhcymHi7s9TmZfwCTUog3XrAe6UCwS6-y71WhalPWq_uN43kuUm0kAxekN0wRWCcJk4Jfxpzmx87NeVpZy8f6CVQYWUGrU_XPnBjRluG95_A/w480-h640/417853409_793690642797413_1461282107269181818_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I remember this so very well....those long winter months.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK24xxa19m0AF6aD99Mi0EYUDK8syEJ9fjgaZByX2fRhvKcI8Ds1TpQa1ajSceJWjIqi0ECT-up_j82RTVJ7i7WGsbNUCNCnlxlSWhanJLxQYMgZwLdCGP6xH6nVpAVdEhF4yITeglTxqX866d0lutydefp6TT8pmqonadXplEty9vK_Tf4oOkvouOs4/s1280/image%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK24xxa19m0AF6aD99Mi0EYUDK8syEJ9fjgaZByX2fRhvKcI8Ds1TpQa1ajSceJWjIqi0ECT-up_j82RTVJ7i7WGsbNUCNCnlxlSWhanJLxQYMgZwLdCGP6xH6nVpAVdEhF4yITeglTxqX866d0lutydefp6TT8pmqonadXplEty9vK_Tf4oOkvouOs4/w640-h480/image%20(1).png" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My friend in North Carolina shared this photo of her home...<br />I do so love the look of winter.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have purchased a few little items to embrace the season<br />and chose tiny changes to brighten our spirits....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6P1FX8Rcz_ZZSLSc7ZlA7NEJchx1w-Tthd1bAGaNt0j_pOG0b4Bpsz0BHeumGbZZRzOY44M1ydT8CDji9_lPmPhyzJLBnZXrfjjdtgBF3dn_SeFg5PTXQzZKItz_EqDVKKLgklHc-scGDrSRri4W6cZI5shWLHHeWfb-WPqJB9yq5H3_f75BUWDc_Co/s2016/IMG_2080.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6P1FX8Rcz_ZZSLSc7ZlA7NEJchx1w-Tthd1bAGaNt0j_pOG0b4Bpsz0BHeumGbZZRzOY44M1ydT8CDji9_lPmPhyzJLBnZXrfjjdtgBF3dn_SeFg5PTXQzZKItz_EqDVKKLgklHc-scGDrSRri4W6cZI5shWLHHeWfb-WPqJB9yq5H3_f75BUWDc_Co/w640-h480/IMG_2080.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A new wax warmer along with a lovely Citrus and Balsam candle...<br />scents of Graciousness.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xZmRzf4guSnI-7Gfba9FGWN236_x0KAMYxElUYKaVEY85F-bCBdg-yk6fzUU-bsMtuQRWb0LugxdVID_CraTxcjVMnVJzBmyFyV1yVy0RBOKJfv2l_fZ3-I9TkWGS-_Ox7SFvXq_7emTJr25h4A92YD4tPeY3vFld8YBFdb47IDuQFyug-4uPDkQyGo/s2016/IMG_2081.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xZmRzf4guSnI-7Gfba9FGWN236_x0KAMYxElUYKaVEY85F-bCBdg-yk6fzUU-bsMtuQRWb0LugxdVID_CraTxcjVMnVJzBmyFyV1yVy0RBOKJfv2l_fZ3-I9TkWGS-_Ox7SFvXq_7emTJr25h4A92YD4tPeY3vFld8YBFdb47IDuQFyug-4uPDkQyGo/w640-h480/IMG_2081.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I added this beautiful sage pillow to brighten up this space...<br />I am really loving the shades of green right now.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIc5PHEjGO22dbk-Cz_bz1R96uE0X5lskti-jyWDpiAFrgJI-W5FtcR8QVIt9Pjh5rQN_Y3yMQZmXDofgXgutv8UmXN0RqkhVQaBZ4t1c8-mqtZWoAjI1V9wp6desof1tm4QFSgIeuPclBt-oztyRj77s-7b8ppMWkiGGixbio1gE7HhDSrJ97Nmd_Ln4/s2016/IMG_2141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIc5PHEjGO22dbk-Cz_bz1R96uE0X5lskti-jyWDpiAFrgJI-W5FtcR8QVIt9Pjh5rQN_Y3yMQZmXDofgXgutv8UmXN0RqkhVQaBZ4t1c8-mqtZWoAjI1V9wp6desof1tm4QFSgIeuPclBt-oztyRj77s-7b8ppMWkiGGixbio1gE7HhDSrJ97Nmd_Ln4/w480-h640/IMG_2141.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's time for pulling out the coziest of throw blankets.....<br />and I am so loving shopping at our HEB...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9s8OAPcCMYpgTfrEq9JAqD4KH6RLeLFTyt1j3RTMC7Ery_zzu5dJEGXGpZ_PxRObRAiuL-xTHaRNn5sczjQy8MuRT1xAEfAK5uRXgEpo5PLUgsAV-XD68TvzrvQMp_NtcFAsDPp9U1vyYX2i0hUNvHfSe3dOMomb8LMI9MwkVhbaoURpJBUlVf1ke1c/s2016/IMG_2188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9s8OAPcCMYpgTfrEq9JAqD4KH6RLeLFTyt1j3RTMC7Ery_zzu5dJEGXGpZ_PxRObRAiuL-xTHaRNn5sczjQy8MuRT1xAEfAK5uRXgEpo5PLUgsAV-XD68TvzrvQMp_NtcFAsDPp9U1vyYX2i0hUNvHfSe3dOMomb8LMI9MwkVhbaoURpJBUlVf1ke1c/w640-h480/IMG_2188.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I picked up these amazing natural bath soaps the other day...<br />I am a soap fanatic and these scents are just so very lovely.....<br />I like to have the bathrooms feel like a visit to a spa......</div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">WINTER'S COMFORT FOOD</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2hEpeNOgmeXVYRid3MxUTpbemzFR9mI55tUxJeuefHqHhf8Zzx96hNFsb96jy4V11HvuvAphkEdgvvL1w9IrPrkGal91Gkth6BYkzmMbEUg0XTgE0Zk6GxdSJDTMINDtmbmepekG41FtEpd8MHdRJmNr7bADSJqSJciPEGw8jYk4woZAmUntUkMzy0g/s2016/IMG_2173%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2hEpeNOgmeXVYRid3MxUTpbemzFR9mI55tUxJeuefHqHhf8Zzx96hNFsb96jy4V11HvuvAphkEdgvvL1w9IrPrkGal91Gkth6BYkzmMbEUg0XTgE0Zk6GxdSJDTMINDtmbmepekG41FtEpd8MHdRJmNr7bADSJqSJciPEGw8jYk4woZAmUntUkMzy0g/w640-h480/IMG_2173%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I feel the need to create a festive escape from the cold air<br />and welcome our loved ones home to a warm gathering....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bOziPgcQfEN4zut8AHHfXH53h6IxF0ZzEO0J3Esn5_J-wjLlgc98a_WnRMkmWU7EuH8KUPnyGPSPjCC3ZkSmpKz92-okGuCYAwvf9L38dKHipk_dlKebs_STgC5t4kfXPUhris_H895pJ1D_cB6efHc1JXWoaa2LZTU9En7UePKKTSebi_Bx3SijilU/s2640/IMG_0948%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bOziPgcQfEN4zut8AHHfXH53h6IxF0ZzEO0J3Esn5_J-wjLlgc98a_WnRMkmWU7EuH8KUPnyGPSPjCC3ZkSmpKz92-okGuCYAwvf9L38dKHipk_dlKebs_STgC5t4kfXPUhris_H895pJ1D_cB6efHc1JXWoaa2LZTU9En7UePKKTSebi_Bx3SijilU/w640-h480/IMG_0948%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />For breakfast, a delicious puff pastry wrapped with<br />a cream cheese filling and fresh blueberries....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBkVYztEwCa23xyLelVf8lP2pDHK_pN1OjVkq5_22Zft-Du2J0ktq07KOHErMc8iQa7k5G5W0PWUUtupdordFObq8pxr5PgGX1HBeR3S9BRM-2__FDIzOs2CM-p1c-3VhKVr_f9J9bsKUKfJGyd2joBrzoCQ2Jb4DvP4YXvzj_blOqHU6lE41IvqKUM0/s2016/IMG_2139%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBkVYztEwCa23xyLelVf8lP2pDHK_pN1OjVkq5_22Zft-Du2J0ktq07KOHErMc8iQa7k5G5W0PWUUtupdordFObq8pxr5PgGX1HBeR3S9BRM-2__FDIzOs2CM-p1c-3VhKVr_f9J9bsKUKfJGyd2joBrzoCQ2Jb4DvP4YXvzj_blOqHU6lE41IvqKUM0/w640-h480/IMG_2139%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We often find reasons to put out a beautiful charcuterie<br />for the cocktail hour....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36SmFIaeRuLSpyZdG42orLtCOevR_xgkYYMxOOR2DdzU_0_hvlz-HvQ-uw9QwNzeIMzY_hqZ6QBm39KDrRGM88cHPv_s6w04IBLKpiOX0FJ_LMuiDkqDJ-td3rVoXR9j0X5f6dP_aPTKDyjKD9Fyiol6g_mOy35t3sFKT6ketSX1XRuIMISDbsDvqCCI/s2016/IMG_2184.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36SmFIaeRuLSpyZdG42orLtCOevR_xgkYYMxOOR2DdzU_0_hvlz-HvQ-uw9QwNzeIMzY_hqZ6QBm39KDrRGM88cHPv_s6w04IBLKpiOX0FJ_LMuiDkqDJ-td3rVoXR9j0X5f6dP_aPTKDyjKD9Fyiol6g_mOy35t3sFKT6ketSX1XRuIMISDbsDvqCCI/w480-h640/IMG_2184.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An evening of a shrimp and smoked sausage linguine<br />brings comfort to the table....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3x05sqtD4XCL9svWSgQzIWp7HVvVsZb-uHc8zAQ3kUxy8wTu87FBSeWrudcF2av-xMa7OSPBPu5bDXshyXywDQBhB05vtuBhYhnWIN3NmpN3S8y1kocvmTKxp_IOgHHEWZ2haNZ2-GrC_IVKtfYKTOJxnFuTxXARfaTdn79WWveu-9uY87syw8fYH2IU/s1640/IMG_8199.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3x05sqtD4XCL9svWSgQzIWp7HVvVsZb-uHc8zAQ3kUxy8wTu87FBSeWrudcF2av-xMa7OSPBPu5bDXshyXywDQBhB05vtuBhYhnWIN3NmpN3S8y1kocvmTKxp_IOgHHEWZ2haNZ2-GrC_IVKtfYKTOJxnFuTxXARfaTdn79WWveu-9uY87syw8fYH2IU/w640-h480/IMG_8199.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And one must remember a favorite Southern vintage<br />No Peek Chicken and Rice.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVxyAmh-koaiAz8rddKB0AdFRqwCHe9RRP9XwkvOXczdZMzQnT0bFTHcZdEaigJB1L6CLMcwleuonmgGUJFzC-fosRSQ-Yohcryk-CfvL0am7v562Fq-VnPTkpDdP18CTcjxI2QPMu8K6ZKpXkGmrX7Hda9JbOU68EMJxNCncwI8THb8LP0bCV5igGIk/s1720/IMG_2151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVxyAmh-koaiAz8rddKB0AdFRqwCHe9RRP9XwkvOXczdZMzQnT0bFTHcZdEaigJB1L6CLMcwleuonmgGUJFzC-fosRSQ-Yohcryk-CfvL0am7v562Fq-VnPTkpDdP18CTcjxI2QPMu8K6ZKpXkGmrX7Hda9JbOU68EMJxNCncwI8THb8LP0bCV5igGIk/w562-h640/IMG_2151.jpg" width="562" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I left the little tree on display in the kitchen window....<br />As the temperature drops and the nights grow longer,<br />how delightful to wrap yourself in the aromas of<br />a winter meal and know the twinkling lights will always guide you toward home......</div><br /><br /><div><br /></div>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-85784517225333163652024-01-08T06:23:00.001-06:002024-01-08T06:28:02.410-06:00ALWAYS REASONS TO CELEBRATE<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDvqFt8RpYahQmgXgNyt8mjyO1m-VSHGxWwRFUkvuRp97TdLPIcai3m_-F5cND1TBH3R1c3tdvXqT8c_9SvAbe10fnMRn00WO6BfI6uj3P0fUi5m8m48zqGEweHU-L0TIdIO-04hXMciIzN7iXyfMiugbvOicIbiiwPV9wqvmLaOz3r5_IA98Q_mUHb8/s640/IMG_5481%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDvqFt8RpYahQmgXgNyt8mjyO1m-VSHGxWwRFUkvuRp97TdLPIcai3m_-F5cND1TBH3R1c3tdvXqT8c_9SvAbe10fnMRn00WO6BfI6uj3P0fUi5m8m48zqGEweHU-L0TIdIO-04hXMciIzN7iXyfMiugbvOicIbiiwPV9wqvmLaOz3r5_IA98Q_mUHb8/w640-h480/IMG_5481%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's fall in love.....</div><div style="text-align: center;">with a brand new year...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I decided that my "word for 2024" is</div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">CELEBRATE.....</span></span></i></b></div></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3RzjmXvEZ4roMU5_TEHNOX1X__R-c1DNvuNloR7omrjY04nxtywrvjpB1krudrlQYk3T0Rb1L2oiGlBu8C8nZf2zlrilL26EdlQn8BsErlaJc0T5nmFi-XNdAt2NzPVUwe9R4rkcNEjp6TwGv6kX7ZgLZ4bE5tZrqz2FkZTrBG6BHyJmARHqjxqTsFo/s640/IMG_5060%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3RzjmXvEZ4roMU5_TEHNOX1X__R-c1DNvuNloR7omrjY04nxtywrvjpB1krudrlQYk3T0Rb1L2oiGlBu8C8nZf2zlrilL26EdlQn8BsErlaJc0T5nmFi-XNdAt2NzPVUwe9R4rkcNEjp6TwGv6kX7ZgLZ4bE5tZrqz2FkZTrBG6BHyJmARHqjxqTsFo/w480-h640/IMG_5060%20(1).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Planning for a celebration means bringing those you love together.....</div><div style="text-align: center;">we have so much to be excited about and look forward to...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQbX3l1lB8TVKiA1MLjNPmTPyv_k4MgcFwkO-LVzORaEqTfTtvyJnYjdGsopS8286mlNRenhGr56YSA67W9KtJlONi_mm7J1qw9oy4GMmrtgM1vCGM7W8ts9uUdLaa60oBmbq2P4dcoytCn5a9I52WMpANEBWIIxEcgWYYTaXuEDrcM4L2P7pv3er9vU/s1001/GRED%20AND%20OTIS%20NYE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="871" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQbX3l1lB8TVKiA1MLjNPmTPyv_k4MgcFwkO-LVzORaEqTfTtvyJnYjdGsopS8286mlNRenhGr56YSA67W9KtJlONi_mm7J1qw9oy4GMmrtgM1vCGM7W8ts9uUdLaa60oBmbq2P4dcoytCn5a9I52WMpANEBWIIxEcgWYYTaXuEDrcM4L2P7pv3er9vU/w556-h640/GRED%20AND%20OTIS%20NYE.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We celebrated the birthday of "gotcha day" with Otis</div><div style="text-align: center;">and Greg..two years to the day of adopting one another<br />in San Jose on New Year's Eve....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsTuSDB9oojgDSUzteUHkI0cAa7blT48Ck79QkjSUA8KHqc1vNeU6MZse9xf9og-uJ8twcHPZUcBRouPlxmhZOG8epwMX0oFwEQP08_C43smW7Mo3Q6yc7QyvOxEOEcMQ7027eXg04S_cjbuUb9kGFUJh9_ewVKdDT2d1YS8YNIGW44rvFcmrhk5Hh4k/s1796/414925802_10160649759714071_6125083407157682255_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1796" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsTuSDB9oojgDSUzteUHkI0cAa7blT48Ck79QkjSUA8KHqc1vNeU6MZse9xf9og-uJ8twcHPZUcBRouPlxmhZOG8epwMX0oFwEQP08_C43smW7Mo3Q6yc7QyvOxEOEcMQ7027eXg04S_cjbuUb9kGFUJh9_ewVKdDT2d1YS8YNIGW44rvFcmrhk5Hh4k/w640-h426/414925802_10160649759714071_6125083407157682255_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a New Year's Eve celebration down in<br />Horseshoe Bay, which has become a tradition for Nick and Catherine....<br /> </div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkvwmSNSWKYtPLg1ApHXxCUfJLj4pHDuzeGZe5qaVELDLpj-6-0hxbMD6EzA9wCpAiH9MeYKvxLcnBlbyXK2hMCR53cmQVJPsjq8p8_66svzzuk_VCtVKj6-wFRklFPX1ClAK7Er9qVmfCtot9FZNUwAX2Z1UWMMOLh62Rz6cpiw0IguFBc3f_LKY5lI/s1440/415926122_18410716522023101_6446004270677040938_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="1440" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkvwmSNSWKYtPLg1ApHXxCUfJLj4pHDuzeGZe5qaVELDLpj-6-0hxbMD6EzA9wCpAiH9MeYKvxLcnBlbyXK2hMCR53cmQVJPsjq8p8_66svzzuk_VCtVKj6-wFRklFPX1ClAK7Er9qVmfCtot9FZNUwAX2Z1UWMMOLh62Rz6cpiw0IguFBc3f_LKY5lI/w640-h580/415926122_18410716522023101_6446004270677040938_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">These beautiful girls celebrated being bridesmaids at their</div><div style="text-align: center;">friends wedding over in Arkansas.....</div><div style="text-align: center;">our sweet granddaughter is on the left....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHgwUq4nWmRkir0wuAQ1_QtJcgI6IGTPlWSsm9w-Pqt2FImk0FRNOaJgb5qwyNDeeuHqQH7zrabASCuubFqJgHDzEDHrLhTZLcejXdNndZpVkeqszjFwz7CJjbmTwjFqhyy9YNk8aiT9E7l4s_Q2-trbhm_ntMJmbSfht50SU2zDdflt5egMgxO6JU6M/s1845/IMG_2075%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1311" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHgwUq4nWmRkir0wuAQ1_QtJcgI6IGTPlWSsm9w-Pqt2FImk0FRNOaJgb5qwyNDeeuHqQH7zrabASCuubFqJgHDzEDHrLhTZLcejXdNndZpVkeqszjFwz7CJjbmTwjFqhyy9YNk8aiT9E7l4s_Q2-trbhm_ntMJmbSfht50SU2zDdflt5egMgxO6JU6M/w454-h640/IMG_2075%20(1).jpg" width="454" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We celebrated our adoption of Little Lucy back in July.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTiAai84BSK6T9WZMS9zQ_O_z6ZOd3bPlmY7iKkdTqjSTKrctNZCv3KaD9hlgqbbel9pPBLaGXWKCQ-5KmKLUCotOzTBskjC_R7PT0z8IXhvuTME19gcQX1ZGjCBZQdo67ruXXWIqVI2HKifIuzY5gEdDxkUF1iOn8JW3nMXIMNN4_rArIqI6Vtez3Jo/s1200/413010416_10228209943387352_5405452245051623553_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTiAai84BSK6T9WZMS9zQ_O_z6ZOd3bPlmY7iKkdTqjSTKrctNZCv3KaD9hlgqbbel9pPBLaGXWKCQ-5KmKLUCotOzTBskjC_R7PT0z8IXhvuTME19gcQX1ZGjCBZQdo67ruXXWIqVI2HKifIuzY5gEdDxkUF1iOn8JW3nMXIMNN4_rArIqI6Vtez3Jo/w640-h640/413010416_10228209943387352_5405452245051623553_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We find ourselves at the beginning of a brand new year...</div><div style="text-align: center;">the chill of winter leaves us longing to curl up by the fire,</div><div style="text-align: center;">while a hearty meal is roasting in the oven.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am thinking of a Chicken and Bacon Corn Chowder or perhaps,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mother's Sunday Roast, followed by Chocolate Cake with</div><div style="text-align: center;">Raspberry Buttercream......</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to celebrate on Sunday mornings and serve hot biscuits with jam...</div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMgW_AC9P_gSTkkQzFuAODZX5CYbY8zR0FIsnwh9EUbPhFjhfKwuYxgsGkTDF7eJLbHslAsm5FUzqinNasyCIZ2GW6dKmP4LyxIQmM37LJRbUuPZBpvIksiHXWM2wJW5-Fj0PuojKbMZ4gKdwfmVbD6X1LQv9qjm9d5uROHdGbDPCmdnxpTfmRzyK6iA/s1244/LUKE%20GREEN%20SHOES.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="898" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMgW_AC9P_gSTkkQzFuAODZX5CYbY8zR0FIsnwh9EUbPhFjhfKwuYxgsGkTDF7eJLbHslAsm5FUzqinNasyCIZ2GW6dKmP4LyxIQmM37LJRbUuPZBpvIksiHXWM2wJW5-Fj0PuojKbMZ4gKdwfmVbD6X1LQv9qjm9d5uROHdGbDPCmdnxpTfmRzyK6iA/w462-h640/LUKE%20GREEN%20SHOES.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Luke the Duke and the Divine Miss M will be visiting in February...<br />I plan on having a family Chilighetti night...<br />sipping a Spicy Margarita and enjoying an evening out<br />in the Stockyards.....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mLqeOpF80EQybs-8GsCsIuSNWemlByyz-ICU1DstWrFbM305wDAy4s14TkmQCKYe2rd8nlfUkF1isGJA6GZO6Hho_bAT622Nqaw4hfeigNB_jiezZEnaO3R2XfshrELNxsPydAqw2djxhhhSSxLrajeTZrnCfpDeZXCX1rQTJAnoL7JFDUoUX9DV0fI/s1440/416566871_18410716519023101_6596593599121184201_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mLqeOpF80EQybs-8GsCsIuSNWemlByyz-ICU1DstWrFbM305wDAy4s14TkmQCKYe2rd8nlfUkF1isGJA6GZO6Hho_bAT622Nqaw4hfeigNB_jiezZEnaO3R2XfshrELNxsPydAqw2djxhhhSSxLrajeTZrnCfpDeZXCX1rQTJAnoL7JFDUoUX9DV0fI/w640-h640/416566871_18410716519023101_6596593599121184201_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In October, our big event will be celebrating the wedding<br />of our only granddaughter to the love of her life, Brennan.....<br /><br />In the months in between, just think of all the possibilities....<br />Easter and the Spring Season...<br />lunches on the patio..<br />followed by Summer and the afternoons<br />of swimming and naps......<br />The summer BBQ for the Fourth of July..<br />I can taste the homemade Cherry Limeades now.....<br />how refreshing to feel joy and anticipation of the newness of it all.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-89988708610176741842024-01-01T06:27:00.000-06:002024-01-01T06:27:34.614-06:00NEW YEARS EVE FESTIVITES ON A WINTER WOODS TABLESCAPE<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello Loves....<br />We made it....<br />welcome 2024...may it be a blessed year for us all....<br />Winter is the ultimate season to make our homes cozy.....<br />some will enjoy the hush of newly fallen snow, while others<br />will simply enjoy the quietness that cold winter days bring to us....<br />I was ahead of the game this year storing away all the <br />Christmas decor and managed to create a winter tablescape<br />in the formal dining room...let's take a peek......<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAoKGbojrPgHn_BBuby0-T1fKV7JPebYNO3MtZ35b9SPiRxWuJnqjth3-ZwtO6_vOh0l6jYZSS6seiSEZb_b5DYQ4MCBP53kEbsuWer1kS9pbu0ZE5ZKyip0pzQ1UKn91K2cJ_Xt3lmBop3XkdLXK1bKIZ66G-y7z2mxAhVDqbIRlfSjt-7RtnHqCMP8/s2016/IMG_2036%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAoKGbojrPgHn_BBuby0-T1fKV7JPebYNO3MtZ35b9SPiRxWuJnqjth3-ZwtO6_vOh0l6jYZSS6seiSEZb_b5DYQ4MCBP53kEbsuWer1kS9pbu0ZE5ZKyip0pzQ1UKn91K2cJ_Xt3lmBop3XkdLXK1bKIZ66G-y7z2mxAhVDqbIRlfSjt-7RtnHqCMP8/w480-h640/IMG_2036%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An all white or creamy ivory look sets the stage for a wintery look....<br />a bit of mercury glass and sparkle, along with a birch bark tree<br />were focal points I wanted to incorporate.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3sOIh8e_zkfEKcxL75OdVPQKabxHA9XR4aTR-ejCi29Ao-IP1eJFCkSFaPgrKxecdTvd0-4E-xPYEhSYzZ5JgG4ekbAUp0N_WJDtw1_wEBcTzrWonYIohoQ8v-3pqFxl69MyWsveFv5fXIi-lCNad8aOVZOru9OM0j4jwQhNhJTGKBLt5fcYbneMc44/s2016/IMG_2037%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3sOIh8e_zkfEKcxL75OdVPQKabxHA9XR4aTR-ejCi29Ao-IP1eJFCkSFaPgrKxecdTvd0-4E-xPYEhSYzZ5JgG4ekbAUp0N_WJDtw1_wEBcTzrWonYIohoQ8v-3pqFxl69MyWsveFv5fXIi-lCNad8aOVZOru9OM0j4jwQhNhJTGKBLt5fcYbneMc44/w480-h640/IMG_2037%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is certainly a chill in the air and frosted pine branches<br />accent the lovely glass candle holders......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BafIts0IsLICo11swa_KttSyhv5Uq2p1FaiNiwFvAYIxn3FZmyWkfDWK8wkrd8MTreD-qAIfO6TiulWwiZPLpp7VvjXSWS_c3s6YN32rPJKTN6X6PRki8y0FMM5ngFfyngH22Gb6e7bNW6cKqXTUiDvUtks0F6ZWnWyuYBVOHpEgeNOhakg1fwcJiS0/s2016/IMG_2038%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BafIts0IsLICo11swa_KttSyhv5Uq2p1FaiNiwFvAYIxn3FZmyWkfDWK8wkrd8MTreD-qAIfO6TiulWwiZPLpp7VvjXSWS_c3s6YN32rPJKTN6X6PRki8y0FMM5ngFfyngH22Gb6e7bNW6cKqXTUiDvUtks0F6ZWnWyuYBVOHpEgeNOhakg1fwcJiS0/w640-h480/IMG_2038%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love using a bit of glam in this look and white candles<br />complete the look....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnLPQGq51wM_XhmiYOFtcaZBpNLMhepD2Z89sJpynwrq_fXJr6TJIqjO5Z0rDCBu8PdiOCyVfVdwPnPUp0LBpIT9vpYJu-_bEhcHpdvPDyMZF8vm669M_XBWU57B9ef4uxG2jhOpbbxVrFnYwyCojxQna8vAae2Z0wT9pCpSSgUTxNohAaDTlKpzMu-Q/s2016/IMG_2039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnLPQGq51wM_XhmiYOFtcaZBpNLMhepD2Z89sJpynwrq_fXJr6TJIqjO5Z0rDCBu8PdiOCyVfVdwPnPUp0LBpIT9vpYJu-_bEhcHpdvPDyMZF8vm669M_XBWU57B9ef4uxG2jhOpbbxVrFnYwyCojxQna8vAae2Z0wT9pCpSSgUTxNohAaDTlKpzMu-Q/w640-h480/IMG_2039.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can find peace and comfort in this little vignette....<br />you can imagine yourself walking in the winter woods,<br />hearing the crunch of snow beneath your boots,<br />yet take in all the quietness of the woodlands....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE8l21OkvA5CwSA7-wSAt_0dugT2_E81mIYBSEQ-yYzTSX9sDfKpYLW0f0tWAMV-AEw7U_X-KU-Boj7ebu0gLT432y1Ic3F-w1lRhpyFc84FKktcOvvlGZfU9SaKITKhpGCYx-B1Og3BbglkEnFTbEazoNYHY4lrs4yLz8WI2S-sREYc5k-jBivVUosM/s2016/IMG_2043%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE8l21OkvA5CwSA7-wSAt_0dugT2_E81mIYBSEQ-yYzTSX9sDfKpYLW0f0tWAMV-AEw7U_X-KU-Boj7ebu0gLT432y1Ic3F-w1lRhpyFc84FKktcOvvlGZfU9SaKITKhpGCYx-B1Og3BbglkEnFTbEazoNYHY4lrs4yLz8WI2S-sREYc5k-jBivVUosM/w480-h640/IMG_2043%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love this set of ivory trees...<br />even though I did not use them during the holidays this year,<br />I thought they would be perfect for the winter season.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrQa0le3lBOfq5DCJRwnsXtK7BseAHHz8ojMAcvJTP-QDSj7kK8mHJT_ev3LV1C7MA_fTpK5O6kN3SxP8tAQz9mtAfWz2LavdEj1m7aB3Gb9clqKtCYN3I-gbPAedCXDG1i0Sv3Kydr7c9fUx1_qDkP3UAPdLfQk9xUl2BX4G3-B_PIcekWwYCagQfa4/s2016/IMG_2044%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrQa0le3lBOfq5DCJRwnsXtK7BseAHHz8ojMAcvJTP-QDSj7kK8mHJT_ev3LV1C7MA_fTpK5O6kN3SxP8tAQz9mtAfWz2LavdEj1m7aB3Gb9clqKtCYN3I-gbPAedCXDG1i0Sv3Kydr7c9fUx1_qDkP3UAPdLfQk9xUl2BX4G3-B_PIcekWwYCagQfa4/w480-h640/IMG_2044%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's very satisfying to use items you have from the past<br />and incorporate them into a brand new look.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_zkDzuzovD8S3Cg9NLVFGFAtenrymD09MVB5ihRb8e5uzT9u0qH4oKzq5__vfU4UEFmbUdahwyZygLSMPZ2WoWyyHIN-UD46ngSVkpudxhtNrlXfrRHPFKs1vK49r-zLSyx9cnTTsD-n5Z5UHewATscc3-hcwlqEg1ZN92rnTGAWBtYKH5A3-GWFuWM/s2016/IMG_2045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_zkDzuzovD8S3Cg9NLVFGFAtenrymD09MVB5ihRb8e5uzT9u0qH4oKzq5__vfU4UEFmbUdahwyZygLSMPZ2WoWyyHIN-UD46ngSVkpudxhtNrlXfrRHPFKs1vK49r-zLSyx9cnTTsD-n5Z5UHewATscc3-hcwlqEg1ZN92rnTGAWBtYKH5A3-GWFuWM/w480-h640/IMG_2045.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I SIMPLY ADORE BIRCH TREES......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyEPseLccbsklc6nPvF22wYZ4WS4Y0ObXTT5u3USUy9ckAfDam6fpOPRCJmNt5BJK1tuKIRX2l8Gqg8zX22sqt_XEWiC19J0jT3Ym6fJ4sD53AfJQYHCmYcKH73mwIVi6gc2hTO8B7F8EK93st2KxvI2NhDP0kzJtm9xfZoe1ZtHYKtydeWF1OGCTu98/s2016/IMG_2037%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyEPseLccbsklc6nPvF22wYZ4WS4Y0ObXTT5u3USUy9ckAfDam6fpOPRCJmNt5BJK1tuKIRX2l8Gqg8zX22sqt_XEWiC19J0jT3Ym6fJ4sD53AfJQYHCmYcKH73mwIVi6gc2hTO8B7F8EK93st2KxvI2NhDP0kzJtm9xfZoe1ZtHYKtydeWF1OGCTu98/w480-h640/IMG_2037%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have you thought about a Winter Bucket List for this year.....???</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh1az-nYsxSuLKBLR1SEn82cvlHIHUch7ScXYnEwcNR6DJjZH8KSY28OinrD4qKWUs-J0Rgla5FXTibv1uea_CDWTfX5DvbuejkQtG0C-yG-Plx2xOx4sdYSqQAElBk2tjb6jTYSZ9cCqvY97RFkU5h_FVZEcm9vo79o79xvmKMW5uxg4ytzjx-MIAdA/s2016/IMG_2036%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh1az-nYsxSuLKBLR1SEn82cvlHIHUch7ScXYnEwcNR6DJjZH8KSY28OinrD4qKWUs-J0Rgla5FXTibv1uea_CDWTfX5DvbuejkQtG0C-yG-Plx2xOx4sdYSqQAElBk2tjb6jTYSZ9cCqvY97RFkU5h_FVZEcm9vo79o79xvmKMW5uxg4ytzjx-MIAdA/w480-h640/IMG_2036%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Perhaps it included baking your favorite cookies....<br />take an evening walk and search for the North Star....<br />curl up on the sofa with a soft throw and read a new favorite book.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiif5PUcF6kc-W3l-TMx0f_hUlpBhTkj9oEDKBLTLYFSM41gdM_2yiyDgx1AzOAkiUvrDza7XasxU9UMzgWTr8EhgD3B2O1zqkdknBty77OnneL2vIL_SVcZTDGDXF8k2T_kItO8TTrdml6VBsZ_IFboXM5PbYyfa_s8Ym3MT_6yCAZqPg0x7-kznVCA0g/s2016/IMG_2035%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiif5PUcF6kc-W3l-TMx0f_hUlpBhTkj9oEDKBLTLYFSM41gdM_2yiyDgx1AzOAkiUvrDza7XasxU9UMzgWTr8EhgD3B2O1zqkdknBty77OnneL2vIL_SVcZTDGDXF8k2T_kItO8TTrdml6VBsZ_IFboXM5PbYyfa_s8Ym3MT_6yCAZqPg0x7-kznVCA0g/w640-h480/IMG_2035%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As winter can be dreary some days,<br />it's a good idea to incorporate twinkle lights in certain<br />areas of our homes....<br /><br />There is no better way than to celebrate the coming<br />of the New Year, by creating something wonderful at home....<br />we all prepared some fabulous appetizers and watched<br />a terrific movie together.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtA5jetjOjYz39EaSI4gNPvQu_wJhCj9BKmsFI8ZnxvILljjpkkYDQaEmHBdXcnL5P3-0akNTv9-W9bsm6SU3osE8UbrAwiEpeYyhf2DRgjnTov4n5Gq8ofXbxHzJp2QKA_wCl8xUAZ1NmMlbrAH7f33GA9ff1WvNpuIpP3Kk1E6d0gYiBsrjov8c9_wI/s2016/IMG_2053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtA5jetjOjYz39EaSI4gNPvQu_wJhCj9BKmsFI8ZnxvILljjpkkYDQaEmHBdXcnL5P3-0akNTv9-W9bsm6SU3osE8UbrAwiEpeYyhf2DRgjnTov4n5Gq8ofXbxHzJp2QKA_wCl8xUAZ1NmMlbrAH7f33GA9ff1WvNpuIpP3Kk1E6d0gYiBsrjov8c9_wI/w480-h640/IMG_2053.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />Greg created this marvelous stuffed shrimp...with<br />crab and artichokes...a masterpiece...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5F6S2g8-6Cyb6kbRqCxNJRV8h38W6fk_mC9WnAU4FU6T-l6g2SWvgJ3lrUF-rOdklqp5UZjrqUvJdUla66bRupykLGSGyg9rdV52a0ySazL3rlW7vSsrxIjRK84mapRIGeMYqYsWUXHevgBrEWftFX3hrfuI_zuIw4ptRMNfdHQdelCttmIq1Ll52T8/s2016/IMG_2063.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5F6S2g8-6Cyb6kbRqCxNJRV8h38W6fk_mC9WnAU4FU6T-l6g2SWvgJ3lrUF-rOdklqp5UZjrqUvJdUla66bRupykLGSGyg9rdV52a0ySazL3rlW7vSsrxIjRK84mapRIGeMYqYsWUXHevgBrEWftFX3hrfuI_zuIw4ptRMNfdHQdelCttmIq1Ll52T8/w480-h640/IMG_2063.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A delicious and creamy crab dip.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTMSjy025SzVDKJQOcD5mvekEmyJ7tWCEXNZP5j6wZsXU0K6c3Laqe3OPzrFn0-lRH0Der03Xdr8fgw0GnJEDpIr41vUjMqDTJyXRfA_67CMehC9V4NtoXGEJJO6iPaA_nxPpa7ry87qYGzCC_mIDkqh_FXlmyxdyhmgFpyPjWzVxovqE8bkE5L5Z590/s2016/IMG_2056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTMSjy025SzVDKJQOcD5mvekEmyJ7tWCEXNZP5j6wZsXU0K6c3Laqe3OPzrFn0-lRH0Der03Xdr8fgw0GnJEDpIr41vUjMqDTJyXRfA_67CMehC9V4NtoXGEJJO6iPaA_nxPpa7ry87qYGzCC_mIDkqh_FXlmyxdyhmgFpyPjWzVxovqE8bkE5L5Z590/w480-h640/IMG_2056.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fresh Mozzarella, to go along with the Italian meats...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6khzze-eYYIEgggnmoHK_M2_jxofEqI9g3Unva1u99C1Z-VrGytK-JBQGTjHuH6zqNGGb8cg7m5z9yunHloRgdTBjtLXG6mxkYV6Ba4dgqBwttoID5Xb9Z-QQ4Mg0xuowoOIemepRBYxbjuwk4sa1ULoZewTz2sru5nz5N78LCNixdA_Cr1YtfwJl9I/s2016/IMG_2054%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6khzze-eYYIEgggnmoHK_M2_jxofEqI9g3Unva1u99C1Z-VrGytK-JBQGTjHuH6zqNGGb8cg7m5z9yunHloRgdTBjtLXG6mxkYV6Ba4dgqBwttoID5Xb9Z-QQ4Mg0xuowoOIemepRBYxbjuwk4sa1ULoZewTz2sru5nz5N78LCNixdA_Cr1YtfwJl9I/w480-h640/IMG_2054%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Green olives with pimento</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6M7Fep0Bn74SHA-zV-VvPAdCGXcSpwFf7MOGfGBjBVHo9eEqYzGswVT54jgpnCwvRUgCWZuPq78_vIriD-RLY0hzO7S_L958loWNvUx61Qd4or6KtCiZISadpxv7YgxlKveu2wTF0eUznaS3W7pGuqaA9svPUPE0yvOBj6T9_Cbow-_ixAkBVnNjkmI/s2016/IMG_2059%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6M7Fep0Bn74SHA-zV-VvPAdCGXcSpwFf7MOGfGBjBVHo9eEqYzGswVT54jgpnCwvRUgCWZuPq78_vIriD-RLY0hzO7S_L958loWNvUx61Qd4or6KtCiZISadpxv7YgxlKveu2wTF0eUznaS3W7pGuqaA9svPUPE0yvOBj6T9_Cbow-_ixAkBVnNjkmI/w480-h640/IMG_2059%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />And my homemade red velvet cake....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyHeU8DCJioUSkW1-wfP5otTtfcYmJPzTEXDGV0yVVZOpwOx5WWs35YRNSL0Y_xzYlOa_LBty8br9nUBOcDm8Rg8R1joy8LN24r4ZybIT8J4zViP8RKxDxlL2N-NVtoC6BL-DeVQ6kGCn2zYRCXmIpd9pauy9s5N17HTGB6N_JtEmS8zZiVg4QbmsVEM/s2016/IMG_2065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyHeU8DCJioUSkW1-wfP5otTtfcYmJPzTEXDGV0yVVZOpwOx5WWs35YRNSL0Y_xzYlOa_LBty8br9nUBOcDm8Rg8R1joy8LN24r4ZybIT8J4zViP8RKxDxlL2N-NVtoC6BL-DeVQ6kGCn2zYRCXmIpd9pauy9s5N17HTGB6N_JtEmS8zZiVg4QbmsVEM/w480-h640/IMG_2065.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">what a delightful ending<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpzEz5uCiZP12RBFDgIOLP3kEOHNimIwDMhNkObI0sikQmR2PtLAkBZV_ss54ymUAMSvL6yBFIqyOyRuEvnQLxpL-6jBmo7qQsxRpWTwxg_PsxgtrETTHiI6w6e8xfPfLGHZc1nNJQGbNZJy8_UvRmB_W90_zoAaEDSBFAR1Nwtym2He65jOTew6O8rg/s326/Holdovers_film_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="220" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpzEz5uCiZP12RBFDgIOLP3kEOHNimIwDMhNkObI0sikQmR2PtLAkBZV_ss54ymUAMSvL6yBFIqyOyRuEvnQLxpL-6jBmo7qQsxRpWTwxg_PsxgtrETTHiI6w6e8xfPfLGHZc1nNJQGbNZJy8_UvRmB_W90_zoAaEDSBFAR1Nwtym2He65jOTew6O8rg/w432-h640/Holdovers_film_poster.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our movie for the night was THE HOLDOVERS....<br />it was five star....so loved this movie.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOzaf_Cj1RB0soHD1EsW0DY0GY4gUrCFiIu2ZJT7xlwStarvHDN7HWB3Sv9tUEGLHdEUT_e5iJoZmHXKEtSpevkmN_g03Z_kRi22c8MPTyxISwICE2WnCVWI4KHBh5I-3Jwn2G8mWo9F5o18MJr23RrX3CR8NONimfyjATc-h7tCzQlmdVK9sxJBhdjU/s2015/IMG_2048%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2015" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOzaf_Cj1RB0soHD1EsW0DY0GY4gUrCFiIu2ZJT7xlwStarvHDN7HWB3Sv9tUEGLHdEUT_e5iJoZmHXKEtSpevkmN_g03Z_kRi22c8MPTyxISwICE2WnCVWI4KHBh5I-3Jwn2G8mWo9F5o18MJr23RrX3CR8NONimfyjATc-h7tCzQlmdVK9sxJBhdjU/w640-h366/IMG_2048%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have plans for this year....goals I want to achieve....<br />I want to embrace each season with happy anticipation...<br />try new recipes......read through cookbooks....<br />read good books...enjoy old movies....<br />take walks....trying to never lose my love for creating......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4FoOzh-5fS51fJMhsnl3zSdoV-4XkszNJkdhI9MaYjmOD6yrEM4umkqJqwHJrBo5UkcQocwkR07INQS6f2klU63C71BgLr7FRV0tzNsHVYp28kojaUAnestIK8xJrkLrPOYrmGbL9O0wpUOV-17eMbaBhrsS5QS6T0uV3gvDgCqHbQONlMXbLqzZJvU/s1326/IMG_2049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1168" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4FoOzh-5fS51fJMhsnl3zSdoV-4XkszNJkdhI9MaYjmOD6yrEM4umkqJqwHJrBo5UkcQocwkR07INQS6f2klU63C71BgLr7FRV0tzNsHVYp28kojaUAnestIK8xJrkLrPOYrmGbL9O0wpUOV-17eMbaBhrsS5QS6T0uV3gvDgCqHbQONlMXbLqzZJvU/w564-h640/IMG_2049.jpg" width="564" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want to have romantic cocktail hours with the love of my life.....<br />I hope to bring quality content to Estelle's<br />and hope you will continue to visit....<br />I hope to make this year....a very good one.....<br />to plan for the Summer and fill the pots with beautiful florals...<br />to plan for the Autumn season and decorate for Halloween...<br />and then to create a beautiful holiday home.....<br />Let's celebrate the time we are given with love in our hearts.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-60548860994506300452023-12-26T07:38:00.002-06:002023-12-26T09:16:01.080-06:00THE 2023 CHRISTMAS GATHERING<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtH2FjqR126vS0CIGiZel6KMP1JCjrTET7O3EvOMt1TDNutagVhhCugY0acDzv11aG5WHWdDPGpv_U0sUiYGp8t5muKYtgS5Rd1bs6FUJmNL3y2C52tYYYkoWyCA5kyMIrEJl5j0NixMbvQxS312AAx61Y56tViw7dQz6c22sVghqjy8Q25sh4r9UCDk/s1220/IMG_1924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1173" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtH2FjqR126vS0CIGiZel6KMP1JCjrTET7O3EvOMt1TDNutagVhhCugY0acDzv11aG5WHWdDPGpv_U0sUiYGp8t5muKYtgS5Rd1bs6FUJmNL3y2C52tYYYkoWyCA5kyMIrEJl5j0NixMbvQxS312AAx61Y56tViw7dQz6c22sVghqjy8Q25sh4r9UCDk/w616-h640/IMG_1924.jpg" width="616" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, my darlings, it was yet another wonderful Christmas season....<br />we relished the moments of being with our children, the families. <br />the well loved pets, the laughter, the food, CHRISTMAS movies<br />and the quiet moments of reflection....<br />deep in thought of the true meaning of Christmas.....<br /><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCZgBjx2FOGbTG9tupLqGzQxKAPJiQTm0VFUSYnxD5R6e1ubMHT5fpQ9zcHpINVDYWDVGUL6D6xoM3ZFKtuuhY9MrCajgV_cTsq8tqttaBF1qkMc0Az4cpMT12OFjqCaGxmqJadRN52THgFvSC91q5obSJobMWHcI3e5nFtAtaC4JfGYOo7p7j1vZwEo/s2016/IMG_1917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCZgBjx2FOGbTG9tupLqGzQxKAPJiQTm0VFUSYnxD5R6e1ubMHT5fpQ9zcHpINVDYWDVGUL6D6xoM3ZFKtuuhY9MrCajgV_cTsq8tqttaBF1qkMc0Az4cpMT12OFjqCaGxmqJadRN52THgFvSC91q5obSJobMWHcI3e5nFtAtaC4JfGYOo7p7j1vZwEo/w640-h480/IMG_1917.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve was festive, fun and full of good foods...<br />all of those who traveled arrived safe and sound and for this...<br />we are most grateful.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAoN7A0gDEyqK30tDfwLaqIDX5VN4M2Czu4_ByW9hKSifA3_0bumW6sE68gz0TyEJHsteNHWlZXas_haynozU48MfitfhUIcUtDe9H6PW-ENxXmnkwqXTYEhHQ1QoEMABq4eVE8j78qwPo9yinTk6aj35fChPIYsgT1-6A_4i6GUqx8xnp2JS5jLsA24/s2016/IMG_1855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAoN7A0gDEyqK30tDfwLaqIDX5VN4M2Czu4_ByW9hKSifA3_0bumW6sE68gz0TyEJHsteNHWlZXas_haynozU48MfitfhUIcUtDe9H6PW-ENxXmnkwqXTYEhHQ1QoEMABq4eVE8j78qwPo9yinTk6aj35fChPIYsgT1-6A_4i6GUqx8xnp2JS5jLsA24/w480-h640/IMG_1855.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">The champagne and Rose were chilled and cocktails were delightful.......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPViuGXdePYbvdT-Nbng18635Qa4P8HRlsypOMqm4R4j5D-tUizs-dvAZzKzfdDbCHrTcLAzIxL-Fj4XxCPyRXtl_7hJoMeP2P6SGJoaCAN6a3W9IU17PGaxKtyfLtyjdmoHp6UcxzF7hD6JyqZY6LhDGzJwWt-atYafuuUqvzj69neSg0xfMzsic9i8/s2016/IMG_1934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPViuGXdePYbvdT-Nbng18635Qa4P8HRlsypOMqm4R4j5D-tUizs-dvAZzKzfdDbCHrTcLAzIxL-Fj4XxCPyRXtl_7hJoMeP2P6SGJoaCAN6a3W9IU17PGaxKtyfLtyjdmoHp6UcxzF7hD6JyqZY6LhDGzJwWt-atYafuuUqvzj69neSg0xfMzsic9i8/w480-h640/IMG_1934.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Crab Gratin.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzokp_mM7GvUxDNRMxa3e7UZkpvIrnapl98AmfSjVQmiSU_cdmGhTup1ayX1Y123xL5wgNh4l1lWJ7Apfm7DPLKY_fnuT0FkcGgHPMDqlUbgiWOM1sDbJVbHxXVpApw-u3jWplIvptk45u-HFS1N2ml0nuQHUngMoAtE-SCw4HD6aRO2u7KpowTKQ7-M/s2016/IMG_1930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzokp_mM7GvUxDNRMxa3e7UZkpvIrnapl98AmfSjVQmiSU_cdmGhTup1ayX1Y123xL5wgNh4l1lWJ7Apfm7DPLKY_fnuT0FkcGgHPMDqlUbgiWOM1sDbJVbHxXVpApw-u3jWplIvptk45u-HFS1N2ml0nuQHUngMoAtE-SCw4HD6aRO2u7KpowTKQ7-M/w480-h640/IMG_1930.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Son #1 brought a lovely tray of HEB cookies....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0zu4rHWJZMRNk9J5F_W5frjhnRcEIjkztoX9Nn7fiNia6cWLj4Dxp6gs1niG1O3gsYdHNDBUgSdSTqhbeje8MfbjF_ZO83l9aH4fXKqjYfCQ7cUbFToDFQR-7xiLZWSVIaZxL1neN8phustGHyw-YysGKsMQeDNXOfAsiQHxoaEKfjXol5hvHujp6Dw/s2016/IMG_1927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0zu4rHWJZMRNk9J5F_W5frjhnRcEIjkztoX9Nn7fiNia6cWLj4Dxp6gs1niG1O3gsYdHNDBUgSdSTqhbeje8MfbjF_ZO83l9aH4fXKqjYfCQ7cUbFToDFQR-7xiLZWSVIaZxL1neN8phustGHyw-YysGKsMQeDNXOfAsiQHxoaEKfjXol5hvHujp6Dw/w640-h480/IMG_1927.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My perfect cheese ball with Peach Clementine Jam....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRpHPOX1fEVaGbjvGuhPtH9u9i3J-GZNrMDlr3ViOSwPeECDs7r75nYDFn-mBSWYFAaFcdivMjpdcj7tAmlQlgXi39aiJPrp1Kx6lPSG6XsS9vnMOeoJDtJUTMrj2i___nXpCw_GZ0182pLQk5H6zuT9wER7TklCPzwxa0hASfoMM3vMdmsbc3i20qiY/s2016/IMG_1929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRpHPOX1fEVaGbjvGuhPtH9u9i3J-GZNrMDlr3ViOSwPeECDs7r75nYDFn-mBSWYFAaFcdivMjpdcj7tAmlQlgXi39aiJPrp1Kx6lPSG6XsS9vnMOeoJDtJUTMrj2i___nXpCw_GZ0182pLQk5H6zuT9wER7TklCPzwxa0hASfoMM3vMdmsbc3i20qiY/w480-h640/IMG_1929.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, I managed to make the Chex Mix...<br />Mother used to make this every year...what warm memories</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyUHNfPY6c0m29zhmgeQ6j6i6bTaKTop4lVLIobRgASnMhDXi9IqAJ5gQFbwZhx6Lz3xyv_adRBBlWTHGJBI2JIdeFfLgUMlz_5IQieRSwYIHlUBTPxkao1jDzhuOUcCcOaRvE4Ly_DhZOSQQnXf-8nrMo-wYWyY02IAUnXa7-2vRTmdoDpy9kkjr80w/s1512/IMG_1932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="1512" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyUHNfPY6c0m29zhmgeQ6j6i6bTaKTop4lVLIobRgASnMhDXi9IqAJ5gQFbwZhx6Lz3xyv_adRBBlWTHGJBI2JIdeFfLgUMlz_5IQieRSwYIHlUBTPxkao1jDzhuOUcCcOaRvE4Ly_DhZOSQQnXf-8nrMo-wYWyY02IAUnXa7-2vRTmdoDpy9kkjr80w/w640-h636/IMG_1932.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loved these...Shrimp Louie in Phyllo Cups....<br />easy peasy and light...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXlQZPehubn4P83K_IyOAYxC_w753V3f-tA-o6jVo3Up5VpNXuGRCc4Fvktn1afx5ENsaYwyyM7ImkkYooG-4A6hZUwGQVKRvf7t_8U7hGT-oedWk2YSJKBnTQSnU4ScRIVXtGbH8hb8mOjRALBdMahSb9KPqwf5RgoJyvCbf061HEXeSdscngFogY6s/s1442/IMG_1923.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1442" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXlQZPehubn4P83K_IyOAYxC_w753V3f-tA-o6jVo3Up5VpNXuGRCc4Fvktn1afx5ENsaYwyyM7ImkkYooG-4A6hZUwGQVKRvf7t_8U7hGT-oedWk2YSJKBnTQSnU4ScRIVXtGbH8hb8mOjRALBdMahSb9KPqwf5RgoJyvCbf061HEXeSdscngFogY6s/w640-h608/IMG_1923.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And....the finale of the Cheesecake Brownie Trifle....</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcGKEmope9EMoDTloqdVUHyzOy8OLVWmxwx4Nxx-d5l-fL50MB65wa5dsNzatrxtcSR104bhRHfW7H0wEYbTBV3mgDP-h0_hJWGYNng7vxczWcYVC1MWvZfpSxPoprd2l5F8kpqfRPiK2q0i9PRwTAMoDHT7sniwfW6DUj6fGhJdGXRowR3HNdo3Xvh0/s2016/IMG_1823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcGKEmope9EMoDTloqdVUHyzOy8OLVWmxwx4Nxx-d5l-fL50MB65wa5dsNzatrxtcSR104bhRHfW7H0wEYbTBV3mgDP-h0_hJWGYNng7vxczWcYVC1MWvZfpSxPoprd2l5F8kpqfRPiK2q0i9PRwTAMoDHT7sniwfW6DUj6fGhJdGXRowR3HNdo3Xvh0/w480-h640/IMG_1823.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our guests were excited to receive their train ticket,<br />along with a glass of Champagne as they boarded the<br />European Belle and began their adventure of mystery...<br />as we transported them back to 1935 ......<br />they were marvelous in their individual characters and <br />were successful in solving the mystery....<br />awards were given for Best Detective, Best Costume and Best Acting....</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4spvyLnKy4b1UwaxdqAQaclppAsV4HnwLvLZcl9cDpbvVVbpGquSoF4A25YcIO80gC3sJbIZhadMwPb2a7AFsNKnWKdQ9xjGWQX0jZiRuRjSs2fDeraGQU8fxgp9LuYaAIBjaxqPFcA77R97UdFzHaB01WHOzRuncG4fRTef2zPcrvYGP-zgbQIIFFgo/s1579/IMG_1943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1579" data-original-width="1485" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4spvyLnKy4b1UwaxdqAQaclppAsV4HnwLvLZcl9cDpbvVVbpGquSoF4A25YcIO80gC3sJbIZhadMwPb2a7AFsNKnWKdQ9xjGWQX0jZiRuRjSs2fDeraGQU8fxgp9LuYaAIBjaxqPFcA77R97UdFzHaB01WHOzRuncG4fRTef2zPcrvYGP-zgbQIIFFgo/w602-h640/IMG_1943.jpg" width="602" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Italian Contessa and her German Baron......<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDObZw9a2KBYBoaJLNa6Hfslq23D9ZFZvlUm6bpItYp9gjKPU4bXHg5ps0Zhwj6NRAMaokBCC1N2caSy4PxolaXL027LTvnWhI8nVV3U4SeKJV1iPwLkOdDdLlqIKH3o-nDGfvN73d1xqWc63G70-Mw5D2svWmfYWJ0sXK0sMwVnLpKXHczQ0A2BQ-eqI/s1338/IMG_1970.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1338" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDObZw9a2KBYBoaJLNa6Hfslq23D9ZFZvlUm6bpItYp9gjKPU4bXHg5ps0Zhwj6NRAMaokBCC1N2caSy4PxolaXL027LTvnWhI8nVV3U4SeKJV1iPwLkOdDdLlqIKH3o-nDGfvN73d1xqWc63G70-Mw5D2svWmfYWJ0sXK0sMwVnLpKXHczQ0A2BQ-eqI/w640-h618/IMG_1970.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Spanish Femme Fatale</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiasTQXg0hj2C6sX7bKHHkcCd6E48nRQhqZev6T9TUd7Kz7f2VNJFSoWyiojAJgTAyAdir-AD_gmNoly1F2TqVISQVtT2jSM3JxKKsot3u6Idx36IWXace5fZa26ZYIQOYf5k_pS_j_L4bgi9V4njMZOuiFuEZ3rpguqfPsIHfU2UYu-N-IVIohj2tFEs/s1972/IMG_1950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="1324" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiasTQXg0hj2C6sX7bKHHkcCd6E48nRQhqZev6T9TUd7Kz7f2VNJFSoWyiojAJgTAyAdir-AD_gmNoly1F2TqVISQVtT2jSM3JxKKsot3u6Idx36IWXace5fZa26ZYIQOYf5k_pS_j_L4bgi9V4njMZOuiFuEZ3rpguqfPsIHfU2UYu-N-IVIohj2tFEs/w430-h640/IMG_1950.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />The most dapper Hugh Dunnit turned out to be the one<br />who committed the murder....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCodvWqBkXuK8Za7nUaVD5nZUkR_fgupDLjceVSZZJT0XdOtIYilLrdEXf8p7bXJ6O0Na4XvyQf1kL0Buie3a5pCc-hH3_wV9PRT5yXMCPg6-uVlP6_FrfGvUKKJ51qYNY_7DrQWgyL8I6NuhiHiFpw8kKlFwINYQUOVc-tYGUnAzvyBeAz9PaxSFEcDE/s1447/IMG_3703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="1005" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCodvWqBkXuK8Za7nUaVD5nZUkR_fgupDLjceVSZZJT0XdOtIYilLrdEXf8p7bXJ6O0Na4XvyQf1kL0Buie3a5pCc-hH3_wV9PRT5yXMCPg6-uVlP6_FrfGvUKKJ51qYNY_7DrQWgyL8I6NuhiHiFpw8kKlFwINYQUOVc-tYGUnAzvyBeAz9PaxSFEcDE/w444-h640/IMG_3703.jpg" width="444" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the beautiful grandmother of a very special friend...<br />I have not met her in person but know her through<br />stories I have enjoyed...she is a delightful, giving spirit..<br />I was sent this lovely photo showing me her gifts<br />that we surprised her with Christmas Eve...<br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDHdFr2UJyGntWljPr5G8PgMYbinUpVTj1GedSwQjmGPhWHFwwF_SYXIjGfI8aEYmzhyphenhyphenmaot66tjIuRlvnJ-6tWz9Liwkm1Oz9dfe_3sOYEaZmg1LRFzkRoWT5bjL6oRK6Vqjopd8ObKEOb7rV46PszUZG7gilWqU1Ro0y68MTzAsVu0z6A1aSzUO2yc/s2016/IMG_2002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDHdFr2UJyGntWljPr5G8PgMYbinUpVTj1GedSwQjmGPhWHFwwF_SYXIjGfI8aEYmzhyphenhyphenmaot66tjIuRlvnJ-6tWz9Liwkm1Oz9dfe_3sOYEaZmg1LRFzkRoWT5bjL6oRK6Vqjopd8ObKEOb7rV46PszUZG7gilWqU1Ro0y68MTzAsVu0z6A1aSzUO2yc/w640-h480/IMG_2002.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />One of the darlings gift....Cannot wait to enjoy these one evening.....<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-Lt2LhAt_TGxB4ZBPVjfffxibvytswItFIuvJOoXgGpYa3KnksexnEQpKadrCEKtnrV_5eVoxsTLLKA7O74Bjgx0uI5_LbfLjFNRyqNI7r3Q-QpXnSwFZbeCfKr3Mq4oekfXWsEXs6UkEmRnVAMspJyfpTqsq96p3lpoV02jEc8QdRvEM_7NSfC9T-Q/s2016/IMG_2006%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-Lt2LhAt_TGxB4ZBPVjfffxibvytswItFIuvJOoXgGpYa3KnksexnEQpKadrCEKtnrV_5eVoxsTLLKA7O74Bjgx0uI5_LbfLjFNRyqNI7r3Q-QpXnSwFZbeCfKr3Mq4oekfXWsEXs6UkEmRnVAMspJyfpTqsq96p3lpoV02jEc8QdRvEM_7NSfC9T-Q/w480-h640/IMG_2006%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />I also give him this puzzle....<br />he has not been active in the hobby as of late and I thought<br />this one may put him back in the game...it <br />was my request that he put this together for me and I plan<br />to frame this one....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVl4sozbYXFJd-DxUIfrtSrLktDr-7VjF4si7t2U23Vl4psRTdyBS2eg84TvLcfITYzNq-fLMtTmPV4gYVMEMB3rKrYLQljNivM0m_Nl6R9BmxwZ_fp9C_78DS08PSsOmqgMCE5picnhLmj2E0WCPpaZyBMYNcOxY6nF0nGOsdD0XyClGAAPrcFSNsZE/s1557/CHRISTMAS%20LUKE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1557" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVl4sozbYXFJd-DxUIfrtSrLktDr-7VjF4si7t2U23Vl4psRTdyBS2eg84TvLcfITYzNq-fLMtTmPV4gYVMEMB3rKrYLQljNivM0m_Nl6R9BmxwZ_fp9C_78DS08PSsOmqgMCE5picnhLmj2E0WCPpaZyBMYNcOxY6nF0nGOsdD0XyClGAAPrcFSNsZE/w640-h564/CHRISTMAS%20LUKE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over in Atlanta, It appears that the Abominable Snowman was<br />creating some snacks for Santa's visit....<br />could that possibly be Luke the Duke?</div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGm7DIh5l7KJ0H9D1PAtm8xQyuWNz6RWCge9NI6uLHFJxCqMa7PZ_ThaRgCqcoYxaXNesbE8vqzJAZFUTrhUsXX5V2EgiSotAVmHFK6hs9shchyphenhypheny0jw_PgUDTOYMYJWFqs3tV1gKfpJPKyli2sVK85qp_nKd11Uje9LoRTyRNS_Tnjpj6tQ2tEdkWRSk/s2016/IMG_1898.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGm7DIh5l7KJ0H9D1PAtm8xQyuWNz6RWCge9NI6uLHFJxCqMa7PZ_ThaRgCqcoYxaXNesbE8vqzJAZFUTrhUsXX5V2EgiSotAVmHFK6hs9shchyphenhypheny0jw_PgUDTOYMYJWFqs3tV1gKfpJPKyli2sVK85qp_nKd11Uje9LoRTyRNS_Tnjpj6tQ2tEdkWRSk/w480-h640/IMG_1898.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />Our little Lucy really enjoyed hiding out under the tree<br />amongst all the packages...<br />she is beyond precious....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiskrODJDuxQ6SEe9cUoo015GY5sIMFVql16zgJhy7E_p_R7T1hAJGBxOBi5Y42MUWZUPo7pkdoI8JbzpOHnB0bhQDR1_KZVFKf5-zQvn8piNcX4R5490QeiKexbC_i_-zz-I9ETg7yo6N11ZUz4R1VMVTeANUNaSZCt1WHuhXI7y3enR18qjdRF-Ho0M/s1683/IMG_1999.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1683" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiskrODJDuxQ6SEe9cUoo015GY5sIMFVql16zgJhy7E_p_R7T1hAJGBxOBi5Y42MUWZUPo7pkdoI8JbzpOHnB0bhQDR1_KZVFKf5-zQvn8piNcX4R5490QeiKexbC_i_-zz-I9ETg7yo6N11ZUz4R1VMVTeANUNaSZCt1WHuhXI7y3enR18qjdRF-Ho0M/w640-h464/IMG_1999.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Christmas Day was hosted by son #2 and family...<br />time spent with the grandchildren and the boys....<br />dinner was beyond delicious and their<br />grand efforts were much appreciated....<br />Catherine set a beautiful table using heirlooms from <br />her grandparents...I simply love that!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhApNEPvgAGJFPrQhyPbBUYyunzzoLA1aDoVyPSiM7p6BLiLxeQTfVQhlGB_qE-reUqXQMRZ3bKfof0HKT2XfBY-ptmwan6ZfPl-v2GpY5rkbGGV8A_NvXXQblFpx6_G3bJsTrC57Oj8LJUHRZ23iXX-aJXg8XoAunVMnLojHpJjH9udF325exccknfe4/s640/IMG_5481%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhApNEPvgAGJFPrQhyPbBUYyunzzoLA1aDoVyPSiM7p6BLiLxeQTfVQhlGB_qE-reUqXQMRZ3bKfof0HKT2XfBY-ptmwan6ZfPl-v2GpY5rkbGGV8A_NvXXQblFpx6_G3bJsTrC57Oj8LJUHRZ23iXX-aJXg8XoAunVMnLojHpJjH9udF325exccknfe4/w640-h480/IMG_5481%20(1).png" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">And, now we bid Auf Wiedersehen to the year 2023..<br />I am looking forward to 2024 and plan to <br />serve a slow roasted turkey for New Year's <br />may the good Lord bless us all and remind<br />us to show grace and kindness to all....<br />HAPPY NEW YEAR loves.....</p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-26431605915747463362023-12-22T06:51:00.002-06:002023-12-22T06:55:07.620-06:00 A LITTLE LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS MERRIMENT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCs-2E7mRI_fuAV5oRaK5wI6TvUoCxHJPK-sPHyJjRR6G6ikOucR9G-kvQdgjre70ebNWnsAXap84U648gzObF26adK6RSmQOJquB6WeirVnAcg6gZ0cDtADmBu17-I9OaSPSCBfhD0W3efM9fX98XF2ZN5zu944SBgWb-iHgLlyZm5xr511smLN272Q/s2016/IMG_1873.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCs-2E7mRI_fuAV5oRaK5wI6TvUoCxHJPK-sPHyJjRR6G6ikOucR9G-kvQdgjre70ebNWnsAXap84U648gzObF26adK6RSmQOJquB6WeirVnAcg6gZ0cDtADmBu17-I9OaSPSCBfhD0W3efM9fX98XF2ZN5zu944SBgWb-iHgLlyZm5xr511smLN272Q/w640-h480/IMG_1873.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Good Morning Loves....<br />Yes dear darlings....the gifts have been wrapped and placed under the tree....<br />except for those that Santa will drop down the chimney on Christmas Eve....<br />his milk and cookies shall be waiting for him.....<br />do you remember hearing the sleigh bells ringing in the sky<br />when you were a mere child? I certainly do.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEcmuf0E7KlrAjO9CLOn3KjU03qkrW0gQ7k1AXcRlJlNfLRYTtzy7U1SM6khoZpNVMk4LmOKPYbj9TOCqEiHGoYy0WhJ8ByTb3Mk5kb6cDccDwMKU86U1Fasslj32d0nXOtysOT_0mJEH9UCL7YXrKLLgMXJYtirdBEKVFwJthJeXn0xpgngM5l7G5Rc/s2016/IMG_1876.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEcmuf0E7KlrAjO9CLOn3KjU03qkrW0gQ7k1AXcRlJlNfLRYTtzy7U1SM6khoZpNVMk4LmOKPYbj9TOCqEiHGoYy0WhJ8ByTb3Mk5kb6cDccDwMKU86U1Fasslj32d0nXOtysOT_0mJEH9UCL7YXrKLLgMXJYtirdBEKVFwJthJeXn0xpgngM5l7G5Rc/w640-h480/IMG_1876.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I so hope you have enjoyed a decadent mug of hot cocoa this season,<br />piled high with real whipping cream and a sprinkling of nutmeg.....</div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SLXw9la0rjA9sjd9rr2FEug5U65tB-RqfP94rXf-MZTD9V416m2jJSXpOKnAvTK8PTNmc14iYui_lRM1uEswHxiYaH3sqotaEXSSt6uZbgWTcugxPUMBOMIyyq674-5y1jR8w5E5-Y35kvsM5ZTMKLte6-8iMIA95MgXDxu0B3czZkbOgESloFnmgmA/s2016/IMG_1881.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SLXw9la0rjA9sjd9rr2FEug5U65tB-RqfP94rXf-MZTD9V416m2jJSXpOKnAvTK8PTNmc14iYui_lRM1uEswHxiYaH3sqotaEXSSt6uZbgWTcugxPUMBOMIyyq674-5y1jR8w5E5-Y35kvsM5ZTMKLte6-8iMIA95MgXDxu0B3czZkbOgESloFnmgmA/w480-h640/IMG_1881.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">A hot mug of Ovaltine mixed with Italian Cream,<br />topped with whipping cream and nutmeg....<br />along with a dark chocolate snowman....oh Santa Baby.....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtED03Zq1qIpju63Kt9M_ozMt4w5GuCuGLOTiYi0vM9nyqJ8jXBL_BdfLc4P2qkwd8qDlplGDxyEmL4zQVGholxYCPOCEWY57927FITk6Yw2AIaguOwuJYDDHH8dpaMtOSB3H8v_JwxixEMeVjae6IfSFv0Npm4mKeGwB8k6Kn_fXbdGuAfiM2m0ijdAs/s2016/IMG_1874.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtED03Zq1qIpju63Kt9M_ozMt4w5GuCuGLOTiYi0vM9nyqJ8jXBL_BdfLc4P2qkwd8qDlplGDxyEmL4zQVGholxYCPOCEWY57927FITk6Yw2AIaguOwuJYDDHH8dpaMtOSB3H8v_JwxixEMeVjae6IfSFv0Npm4mKeGwB8k6Kn_fXbdGuAfiM2m0ijdAs/w480-h640/IMG_1874.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />And who could resist this little chubby snowman....<br />a last minute find at Walmart....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcA7V8UIAjCi021b0aW3S_o_33HDYgbEB6MgO_iQDcdAnIhVms1lfNTtU8cI5E9KJBey_GOZM6iq5ZKR5PnpGstF0Alc3foXL-W3t7a90juRX9_uDOWx34B-_KEncahjkraHz6rQrm25Xi6RCfMCccsmOhwHt1HT-4lTt56_bMlfrrDLUWg6-QXOp8Ro/s2016/IMG_1896%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcA7V8UIAjCi021b0aW3S_o_33HDYgbEB6MgO_iQDcdAnIhVms1lfNTtU8cI5E9KJBey_GOZM6iq5ZKR5PnpGstF0Alc3foXL-W3t7a90juRX9_uDOWx34B-_KEncahjkraHz6rQrm25Xi6RCfMCccsmOhwHt1HT-4lTt56_bMlfrrDLUWg6-QXOp8Ro/w480-h640/IMG_1896%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The darling and I received this beautiful fresh holiday floral<br />arrangement which is just stunning....<br />how lovely this is for our holiday table....<br />we will be visiting with our dear friend Christmas day<br />and I found the perfect gift for her...looking forward to this.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgW8Jx_W1GAbYidq5h_he_fNHeVZZhEbbuH7zrUXbOXOL3V-PtpyP5CGr0nM8ThXvaEoZKZLp9eBU_Oz8y1LrFm5pweeWL_9cE4ZvnfaC8E2vY3TOMR6RV_Icabh_V25st2AAOyz7gzLEqgZ4r5c5iMEVy0QlUV0rv__taF6zgu21_FPdPxPN-3-u0SE/s2016/IMG_1893.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgW8Jx_W1GAbYidq5h_he_fNHeVZZhEbbuH7zrUXbOXOL3V-PtpyP5CGr0nM8ThXvaEoZKZLp9eBU_Oz8y1LrFm5pweeWL_9cE4ZvnfaC8E2vY3TOMR6RV_Icabh_V25st2AAOyz7gzLEqgZ4r5c5iMEVy0QlUV0rv__taF6zgu21_FPdPxPN-3-u0SE/w480-h640/IMG_1893.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wanted to share this unique and beautiful cookie jar<br />I thrifted for my collection of cookie jars.....<br />so special and just gorgeous....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWy7CslocX-xJUlZURMSFSEhBloIb6ydZpyDzgBZzBq1Mk2DeQjIXJQ9O1VB1MNsSCtipshyAW4yBMqugrI7s77fuTCXS65Q8rPi77A4EfxRi4J4JZh0Q9XqJyjx8UYzPtHpuXxhofixpxQvGXg7B_LhTB4jTVYlUYdt7d1pZfMESi2GO_egXYftFLMc/s1280/IMG_1905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWy7CslocX-xJUlZURMSFSEhBloIb6ydZpyDzgBZzBq1Mk2DeQjIXJQ9O1VB1MNsSCtipshyAW4yBMqugrI7s77fuTCXS65Q8rPi77A4EfxRi4J4JZh0Q9XqJyjx8UYzPtHpuXxhofixpxQvGXg7B_LhTB4jTVYlUYdt7d1pZfMESi2GO_egXYftFLMc/w640-h480/IMG_1905.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And...the best new addition for this year,<br />was this beautiful Nativity set I thrifted off EBay..<br />just what was needed to dress the piano....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl98VR9j6UJcfumfB_UhYvN7j8WsnSGaJ5Y9B_nxpkX5acX8KWacAmyCUflw2jikNq9PaFwmkEtpfT40P7rF0I8GWDxrNKz_7h1493pTF7xQHGkzSSOZ7PZPit-Vo80eWo0-SI4LypRryd_Tyz9M2C3246DpluhTTVzhZEN_TEnb-woDxn8vKq2i5upw/s2016/IMG_1904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl98VR9j6UJcfumfB_UhYvN7j8WsnSGaJ5Y9B_nxpkX5acX8KWacAmyCUflw2jikNq9PaFwmkEtpfT40P7rF0I8GWDxrNKz_7h1493pTF7xQHGkzSSOZ7PZPit-Vo80eWo0-SI4LypRryd_Tyz9M2C3246DpluhTTVzhZEN_TEnb-woDxn8vKq2i5upw/w640-h480/IMG_1904.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I really cannot believe how beautiful this set is and I am just over<br />the moon in love with this.....<br />This was originally from Sam's Club years ago....<br />it will be inherited by one of the children in the future...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N-EGrJVaQF8SWnOqm3yhX5kW-8qVlw1xGq85Og72yVFK1jvQJUXduLiPAjvi3o9W1_l6SBCPq-5XwgJDNgNEBethHY3xa8fGHHKrRZNg9uVBjPLyDkgTY11kklxuyFotzl5HMrlj90oQbi4zwPsrCiPgSkhblNdmbJ4eAkhq900Q7T_SgVE_6_P3Hyw/s640/IMG_5289%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N-EGrJVaQF8SWnOqm3yhX5kW-8qVlw1xGq85Og72yVFK1jvQJUXduLiPAjvi3o9W1_l6SBCPq-5XwgJDNgNEBethHY3xa8fGHHKrRZNg9uVBjPLyDkgTY11kklxuyFotzl5HMrlj90oQbi4zwPsrCiPgSkhblNdmbJ4eAkhq900Q7T_SgVE_6_P3Hyw/w480-h640/IMG_5289%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope this tree will be a part of all the good times<br />that will be yours this Christmas season....helping<br />to make this Christmas the merriest of all.<br />And I wish each you a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas Day.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWXHAqGb5h1gRydDAKPaJvZxs5hdMLvYoDj-IsB05cOPouOWuquZQe-m3TwvQ8xFL_tCa7x0QMOKFRU6pfguE63yIf_G9snnjZ1VelGz8Mq9hshzspX6JG0Qi50_RihW2EUvWrl7MyPi2Jje3_hEKKlOX1oCsivo_G6J916InCopUOFa15UKD8Z_Dclk/s1305/IMG_1885.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="1295" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWXHAqGb5h1gRydDAKPaJvZxs5hdMLvYoDj-IsB05cOPouOWuquZQe-m3TwvQ8xFL_tCa7x0QMOKFRU6pfguE63yIf_G9snnjZ1VelGz8Mq9hshzspX6JG0Qi50_RihW2EUvWrl7MyPi2Jje3_hEKKlOX1oCsivo_G6J916InCopUOFa15UKD8Z_Dclk/w636-h640/IMG_1885.jpg" width="636" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The favorite ornaments are those that are homemade<br />for a loved family member......<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5aL7WNwJDVe5fOyYm_r0HKSbd8rBjbDeOQg8wTssYOlAUpS1pNEQ-4YkR50Idr8GSLor10f62dpKYzxm503YZuucL2zOq62nmv-VZebr7Xr-LmexniRXExEd4QTaw-VInQPCFnkQypWkNtar5AECOxNxhey2BZwScT_1RRqdVV-RfhL3Rb4C8hPTO98/s2016/IMG_1884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5aL7WNwJDVe5fOyYm_r0HKSbd8rBjbDeOQg8wTssYOlAUpS1pNEQ-4YkR50Idr8GSLor10f62dpKYzxm503YZuucL2zOq62nmv-VZebr7Xr-LmexniRXExEd4QTaw-VInQPCFnkQypWkNtar5AECOxNxhey2BZwScT_1RRqdVV-RfhL3Rb4C8hPTO98/w480-h640/IMG_1884.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lucille Louisa Merriweather's first Christmas......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPocely8-ZX84yXqcRcUpBcJGchO50s9bm0vQcfTUy8wzr4f57ckhHENYd7oPBpk7wcR3wB4jqH5ePgZFIXQ-avjI1_iL3mjKHAvXrxKxQutu2fHs0oK1OA3MWfx6mo8sFkexYk-fxfTK7Hvxa4FAD4adXVYAR6RwQ30-ik0mXbzjUeRT-ambq1aE894/s1779/412312584_287358377625602_8580580366931511423_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1779" data-original-width="1661" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPocely8-ZX84yXqcRcUpBcJGchO50s9bm0vQcfTUy8wzr4f57ckhHENYd7oPBpk7wcR3wB4jqH5ePgZFIXQ-avjI1_iL3mjKHAvXrxKxQutu2fHs0oK1OA3MWfx6mo8sFkexYk-fxfTK7Hvxa4FAD4adXVYAR6RwQ30-ik0mXbzjUeRT-ambq1aE894/w598-h640/412312584_287358377625602_8580580366931511423_n.jpg" width="598" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #c00000; font-family: "Dreaming Outloud Script Pro"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Sing a Christmas
carol</span><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Dreaming Outloud Script Pro"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br aria-hidden="true" style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="text-align: start;">Sing a Christmas carol</span></span><br aria-hidden="true" style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="text-align: start;">Sing a Christmas carol like the children do</span></span><br aria-hidden="true" style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="text-align: start;">And enjoy the beauty, all the joy and beauty</span></span><br aria-hidden="true" style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="text-align: start;">That a merry Christmas can bring to you</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p></div><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-89270820531999864972023-12-19T07:00:00.005-06:002023-12-19T07:06:27.711-06:00CHRISTMAS IDEALS<p style="text-align: center;"><br />Good Morning Kindred Spirits.....<br />here we are beginning the final week before<br />Christmas Day....it's hard to believe how fast this month has flown by.....</p><p style="text-align: center;">I have really enjoyed each and every decoration I put out on display<br />this year, keeping in mind it's on the minimalist side.....<br /><br />As I grow older, I love to fill my mind with all the<br />Christmas pasts....from childhood, to my own children<br />growing up and relishing in all their excitement of the festivities,<br />to attending the candlelight Christmas Eve services...<br />such warm feelings all that evokes in my heart....</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTzPoS2-4pQE7fqG9Yj-JxP_6IWSn9GM2ym_lW7-mCQLXl5oecpOlnxzXRY693RMGC7GIV4C4TAkenZN41e2uDmqAhphYlPiapsZzXAsC6aowWflY6TwFbXiKxFO-N4qUHvClTBMZe5WETOvioJU0PHILyZ2xn3q2TZqWMZQo0VAnhsicHBdTgGvodUw/s1797/IMG_1839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1797" data-original-width="1378" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTzPoS2-4pQE7fqG9Yj-JxP_6IWSn9GM2ym_lW7-mCQLXl5oecpOlnxzXRY693RMGC7GIV4C4TAkenZN41e2uDmqAhphYlPiapsZzXAsC6aowWflY6TwFbXiKxFO-N4qUHvClTBMZe5WETOvioJU0PHILyZ2xn3q2TZqWMZQo0VAnhsicHBdTgGvodUw/w490-h640/IMG_1839.jpg" width="490" /></a> <br /><br />December's month of holly,<br />pine, and balsam of berries red;<br />of candles' mellow light;<br />of home and fireside, laughter,<br />happy faces of peace that<br />comes upon the holy night.<br />~Author Unknown<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BolRfIhtsThJ_F0qFScraNwmjBl5liB2TnSAbKvtWmSm625Cbp3HfbUInb31MrcPpQpEtYSJb4o-h9vZkRpttIxlhlwR9SF2RGtsKQ7qLf52YqrknXo-ZZG4YzaONhl0FZSqa_blnN-d0zlrXm2r_mDjUA-Byp0l5dBTHY0WLjqz8MAda_Mwvk6yF9w/s2016/IMG_1836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BolRfIhtsThJ_F0qFScraNwmjBl5liB2TnSAbKvtWmSm625Cbp3HfbUInb31MrcPpQpEtYSJb4o-h9vZkRpttIxlhlwR9SF2RGtsKQ7qLf52YqrknXo-ZZG4YzaONhl0FZSqa_blnN-d0zlrXm2r_mDjUA-Byp0l5dBTHY0WLjqz8MAda_Mwvk6yF9w/w480-h640/IMG_1836.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />May your Christmas be blessed<br />with the joys of old,<br />filling the heart with gifts untold.<br />Friends in the doorway<br />bustling with cheer,<br />carolers singing the songs we hold dear<br />~Mildred Jarrell</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglYYRi1PyYkLUT0KlhqeTiJkQNfmoHu78wM_XWBgJi4E1a_f-T5obIlegvAck8RSqyx6rEh1NuxMIvz7BosTShFrYmVVz5bpwHb6GfkTnWnovNq0bnY16j0tpy7Z8DUEopZlca0fn96Ah_WjW2vgJEUcrIcTjJGvOA8jACWeNu2CWxQVo_I1x2822a8w/s2016/IMG_1846.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglYYRi1PyYkLUT0KlhqeTiJkQNfmoHu78wM_XWBgJi4E1a_f-T5obIlegvAck8RSqyx6rEh1NuxMIvz7BosTShFrYmVVz5bpwHb6GfkTnWnovNq0bnY16j0tpy7Z8DUEopZlca0fn96Ah_WjW2vgJEUcrIcTjJGvOA8jACWeNu2CWxQVo_I1x2822a8w/w480-h640/IMG_1846.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />When sleigh bells jingle in the lane,<br />and warm clad carolers make their rounds,<br />open your door to Christmas,<br />welcome it's happy sounds......<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtwJRFz3ZUHXUDgB3YE4dS7gAoDgbnlEWmi9AEu4CsK-tbZzPfB3uirRTRRvuzlDLiT8EaKXps6cq3QVoKY3JYwqQwv1s1qHp3kUdEVrHxJFQtCWT0g5iK1LtgIT39B75lHAH-UIDoClVUQb3wDScMpKsSlDKPNSdyQWILY9TFFrD2l2yMHEcY818Rpw/s2016/IMG_1852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtwJRFz3ZUHXUDgB3YE4dS7gAoDgbnlEWmi9AEu4CsK-tbZzPfB3uirRTRRvuzlDLiT8EaKXps6cq3QVoKY3JYwqQwv1s1qHp3kUdEVrHxJFQtCWT0g5iK1LtgIT39B75lHAH-UIDoClVUQb3wDScMpKsSlDKPNSdyQWILY9TFFrD2l2yMHEcY818Rpw/w480-h640/IMG_1852.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marshmallows float in cups of hot cocoa'<br />pine tree fragrance fills every room'<br />whiffs of cinnamon waft from the kitchen,<br />It smells like Christmas....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoTMg4I2LhbAYVCQ_giEvRlXn7yj2E5ykF_3kXF9w7LAHihsZILdJ84xTJ8kE8PFzKtMskZjpgn3WH-LRGQt1zDgWlfftbmL9dJB7UX9_w7AO_QoTY5PburEod8YaLLuyPmBDk3-ubM7Ujd-d7vz7kFjR2UwGfPkgKYg9dWIwkZDyHEyLOI4I7CwMY4E/s2016/IMG_1859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoTMg4I2LhbAYVCQ_giEvRlXn7yj2E5ykF_3kXF9w7LAHihsZILdJ84xTJ8kE8PFzKtMskZjpgn3WH-LRGQt1zDgWlfftbmL9dJB7UX9_w7AO_QoTY5PburEod8YaLLuyPmBDk3-ubM7Ujd-d7vz7kFjR2UwGfPkgKYg9dWIwkZDyHEyLOI4I7CwMY4E/w640-h480/IMG_1859.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At Christmas, there are luscious things to taste,<br />a fruited cake filled with dates and figs,<br />a mug of cocoa or a glass of punch,<br />a minty candy cane after lunch,<br />a juicy orange or a mellow pear,<br />perhaps plum pudding, elegant and rare.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZ-hEaIoBJJ35uo5BA70D80LDV7ZqcT7tIZ3Xld2ZfTmR_ImidRbuCIBfUU8rb-RbWUDbUlT-6opl3v0XsPZJZK02n1VSIXqdDarw5Ki3bactg4tscJA5y3OiwBbOXWAidpFmHDe5RwYGZQZHwSonrRLcNTDWUxbo93SBv4gp23dvUgkuyTqkBDhFe3M/s2016/IMG_1838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZ-hEaIoBJJ35uo5BA70D80LDV7ZqcT7tIZ3Xld2ZfTmR_ImidRbuCIBfUU8rb-RbWUDbUlT-6opl3v0XsPZJZK02n1VSIXqdDarw5Ki3bactg4tscJA5y3OiwBbOXWAidpFmHDe5RwYGZQZHwSonrRLcNTDWUxbo93SBv4gp23dvUgkuyTqkBDhFe3M/w480-h640/IMG_1838.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Footsteps crunch on snow packed pathways'<br />coins jingle as they drop in red kettles.<br />childish voices sing.."Away in a Manger"....<br />It sounds like Christmas time.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpSsixRJnYNSYW_TuE87a9Do6B5Vg4XfgHcr7jshfPJfF-nCQD9PCunteHW0EDMLFSvsIbvD0FgqMdV65r-OVqkSO-kXMq-P-2MUYgiHuf9UHV9UhRHQsCmcl2XOlkKjPS38lu80zzqXBDHKmgKwVdGRF-6Smj9bBupLgNaXD9EmWOD6_n-px-S_ZxUE/s2016/IMG_5157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpSsixRJnYNSYW_TuE87a9Do6B5Vg4XfgHcr7jshfPJfF-nCQD9PCunteHW0EDMLFSvsIbvD0FgqMdV65r-OVqkSO-kXMq-P-2MUYgiHuf9UHV9UhRHQsCmcl2XOlkKjPS38lu80zzqXBDHKmgKwVdGRF-6Smj9bBupLgNaXD9EmWOD6_n-px-S_ZxUE/w640-h480/IMG_5157.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />At Christmas there are joyful things to hear...<br />the sound of church bells ringing deep and clear.<br />the festive singing voices of a choir,<br />a snap of twigs, the crackling of a fire,<br />the story told at bedtime over and over..<br />of peace on earth, goodwill forevermore.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27X3bGyzthnvah6VsDHLBllD0RWdx9zLhqJaP0dM-bEFYa8O6SlHCbddN9a-fZV-mN_jGBcXAUX3oZv_1Ql58PaweIEK7AgHANMgXHgbVRhk_0uA9IbNwYUD59YbBpNXERTmL-6AR8SrRrhxgCLzMO92NRgVzdaHudlCoruU0pr9GJQEmHJJ2wjMWLmk/s1394/IMG_1569.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="1018" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27X3bGyzthnvah6VsDHLBllD0RWdx9zLhqJaP0dM-bEFYa8O6SlHCbddN9a-fZV-mN_jGBcXAUX3oZv_1Ql58PaweIEK7AgHANMgXHgbVRhk_0uA9IbNwYUD59YbBpNXERTmL-6AR8SrRrhxgCLzMO92NRgVzdaHudlCoruU0pr9GJQEmHJJ2wjMWLmk/w468-h640/IMG_1569.jpg" width="468" /></a><br /><br />Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories <br />and love of kindred, and<br />we are better throughout the year <br />for having, in spirit, become a child again<br />at Christmas time....Laura Ingalls Wilder</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6P6BFAWdHhl8UEJIoI6-ifFtww1LWo7g4-ydzxW-hE4hjS-CzQATqI2MeLkaHCA6xl7K7IP7sVY18DmJYsqTD9Wu2fyo-wQrYNUGrN7_LsYDYF9lU8hRAz0QZwHHDX3lmQ6LapdTQrXJV_6Q9cjyFn0_EpZV42Jqt49ZrQ_pCBKkdgclnea-78kY7UE/s3172/IMG_3904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3172" data-original-width="1844" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6P6BFAWdHhl8UEJIoI6-ifFtww1LWo7g4-ydzxW-hE4hjS-CzQATqI2MeLkaHCA6xl7K7IP7sVY18DmJYsqTD9Wu2fyo-wQrYNUGrN7_LsYDYF9lU8hRAz0QZwHHDX3lmQ6LapdTQrXJV_6Q9cjyFn0_EpZV42Jqt49ZrQ_pCBKkdgclnea-78kY7UE/w372-h640/IMG_3904.jpg" width="372" /></a><br /><br />When we recall Christmas past, we usually find<br />that the simplest of things, not the great occasions,<br />give off the greatest glow of happiness....Bob Hope</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7KlfhmJwXG_ZH5Zg3GqoeZoi-9kOk7PjJoZRdestecSmOnyjKeyOyk5PgCnOasLrb8LimK8ztbLeI_yEXfg-g1BNcpNYX-WgxFxvx2f5Q9zVPw5cbgOYe3uNdC7s_-jzGzxfnslAtPc-7v2-axVLYN_pb09ZDnbDUzOYh_YzJ7ioUcunjHYSPXEh1jM/s2016/IMG_3906.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7KlfhmJwXG_ZH5Zg3GqoeZoi-9kOk7PjJoZRdestecSmOnyjKeyOyk5PgCnOasLrb8LimK8ztbLeI_yEXfg-g1BNcpNYX-WgxFxvx2f5Q9zVPw5cbgOYe3uNdC7s_-jzGzxfnslAtPc-7v2-axVLYN_pb09ZDnbDUzOYh_YzJ7ioUcunjHYSPXEh1jM/w480-h640/IMG_3906.JPG" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At Christmas there are lovely things to see-<br />behold a burst of colors on the tree,<br />and cozy rooms awash with candlelight,<br />and stars that stitch bright patterns in the night....<br />ribbons, wrapping done in reds and greens..<br />and through the window, winter snowfall scenes....<br /><br />Merry Christmas Kindred Spirits.....<br />Be blessed and Be Kind...<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-30360944981891461632023-12-13T06:52:00.001-06:002023-12-13T06:54:00.506-06:00CHRISTMAS EVE PREPARATIONS<p style="text-align: center;"> Oh my goodness....we are on the count down....<br />a mere thirteen days until Christmas.....<br />I think I am doing great this year...well organized<br />and planned out....of course, I have had years of practice <br />so that helps when you realize actually how many<br />years have passed since you first became a homemaker, wife, Mother and Grandmother.....<br />These are a few highlights for our Christmas gathering.....<br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pE2YhCkBENUzSQy67ujaRKSqljFOoABFRQcWJZtqwz2r6XA2j2DIlabMToEK2W-QK6bS6UZJ5mxh4oaid5bB3KPuhCceAWJ6ark22zMjJdIotk-MlGVd5p49SwtPfdQl_hcrjlBd-GkAo0kUQufHEzUWHPVKPVFnCN06n1qXF5H6JmvmOzBqEx5al00/s2016/IMG_1828%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pE2YhCkBENUzSQy67ujaRKSqljFOoABFRQcWJZtqwz2r6XA2j2DIlabMToEK2W-QK6bS6UZJ5mxh4oaid5bB3KPuhCceAWJ6ark22zMjJdIotk-MlGVd5p49SwtPfdQl_hcrjlBd-GkAo0kUQufHEzUWHPVKPVFnCN06n1qXF5H6JmvmOzBqEx5al00/w640-h480/IMG_1828%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />We will be serving Christmas Eve cocktails and appetizers<br />in the formal dining room this year, leaving the farmhouse table<br />clear for this year's chosen game.......<br />and I decided to use paper products to eliminate the stress of <br />after party cleanup.....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPZwkG-T9kJSpXV2pUjoAO7iA7MPFpAweDHm1J5ca0KmLi0LluOwkdWv6ldXsWANH0AXvIGFq1CXvhr1MVFeu9dwNivUppIZqPL5nylix3Hw9BH0P2YZscst9hfy6HsHcxWE36MYKzhOzKXnGGX_jzMKbyNdEM_Q_MSVv62N8qnviDjShtrzUaD1fxpY/s2016/IMG_1829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPZwkG-T9kJSpXV2pUjoAO7iA7MPFpAweDHm1J5ca0KmLi0LluOwkdWv6ldXsWANH0AXvIGFq1CXvhr1MVFeu9dwNivUppIZqPL5nylix3Hw9BH0P2YZscst9hfy6HsHcxWE36MYKzhOzKXnGGX_jzMKbyNdEM_Q_MSVv62N8qnviDjShtrzUaD1fxpY/w480-h640/IMG_1829.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One more tiny nutcracker was purchased to accent the candy corner.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4onHlon2KNKWBCXmMkM6J__xK3Nom_0nNMyInO7FvsVsPGfh0hq9HcHHRFEzQ_ocFE39xourOdexlBkKFmSqsEnYDpEzI-kB7jfRvk5_9xBgt12gUfboxT6JyEGg6lgRn4ymqMuzSy3U2Xm6blWl_EwyEKyMW3sacKIXby3nmEwwzmtUzIbWoeL8mnE/s2016/IMG_1806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4onHlon2KNKWBCXmMkM6J__xK3Nom_0nNMyInO7FvsVsPGfh0hq9HcHHRFEzQ_ocFE39xourOdexlBkKFmSqsEnYDpEzI-kB7jfRvk5_9xBgt12gUfboxT6JyEGg6lgRn4ymqMuzSy3U2Xm6blWl_EwyEKyMW3sacKIXby3nmEwwzmtUzIbWoeL8mnE/w640-h480/IMG_1806.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My mother's favorite Christmas carol was the Little Drummer Boy..<br />So I chose cocktail napkins in her honor.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8U2mcx3vb4DGjzruS0M3OxplbDRWtoqBDHrCoG_AZpK4ZZ8Wpvdk1BusHP1ZyWDPgNb7udInwuh5HBWSuBBCTDWSOd_cCqRuLqJbAPwPaMY2Zv_yydIo15_guIlou-MQcaDAVIOsyl_lZEN-t6-YSi603XxrvNv1L7TKTiTaN8LAUkISZbmhwScyD3fg/s2016/IMG_1827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8U2mcx3vb4DGjzruS0M3OxplbDRWtoqBDHrCoG_AZpK4ZZ8Wpvdk1BusHP1ZyWDPgNb7udInwuh5HBWSuBBCTDWSOd_cCqRuLqJbAPwPaMY2Zv_yydIo15_guIlou-MQcaDAVIOsyl_lZEN-t6-YSi603XxrvNv1L7TKTiTaN8LAUkISZbmhwScyD3fg/w480-h640/IMG_1827.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love, love, love this Texas style Santa......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFNP0vbmXJoNG69R4nAkBb9VlIoqRPrI4gToQHfML02mxjcyC_7phry7tLaWaJL65_lWTsj5fxYNx7UPTj7iDCsjIRJWzBc3HNCHHv9IoMjFeBf_7PNnUoCFb2KzxIIRp6FwFC991C6npU6vfujO3e4GcYlkgTp3ZD1-Q8JMckP5eTh7F3qi3vIiKiTs/s2016/IMG_1826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFNP0vbmXJoNG69R4nAkBb9VlIoqRPrI4gToQHfML02mxjcyC_7phry7tLaWaJL65_lWTsj5fxYNx7UPTj7iDCsjIRJWzBc3HNCHHv9IoMjFeBf_7PNnUoCFb2KzxIIRp6FwFC991C6npU6vfujO3e4GcYlkgTp3ZD1-Q8JMckP5eTh7F3qi3vIiKiTs/w640-h480/IMG_1826.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I always love putting out assorted seasonal Chocolates in a pretty box......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVPmjd3X4Rjs9rghzPTW2ElpZ4AR3j_Ezqw04x-r9ybB8nd060HAzFwqwb1mMkPXj-UtGHvNSPsqe7kR-2hcSsBl_2IIHJ1XkEYAVSBP9pHIduQlW9BZSrWytPxYrW2OoOWURaLrrZyxenXQtXIr-fJ0MMKKpbmsP_JqvJFIIqdBCrSaPe21nDZnu0-w/s2016/IMG_1825%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVPmjd3X4Rjs9rghzPTW2ElpZ4AR3j_Ezqw04x-r9ybB8nd060HAzFwqwb1mMkPXj-UtGHvNSPsqe7kR-2hcSsBl_2IIHJ1XkEYAVSBP9pHIduQlW9BZSrWytPxYrW2OoOWURaLrrZyxenXQtXIr-fJ0MMKKpbmsP_JqvJFIIqdBCrSaPe21nDZnu0-w/w640-h480/IMG_1825%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know the grandchildren love this tradition.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdzlA-t-lPgCF5DkMTX5KfsNJ-grKX5GmuVYWJMBfh1e0FGZLuvdhX3gWYCLwunCnBH6Kpq12mbdsWGGhx011x3k9Myg6OXeWEdPxlZ3fAdKioP8Izw1bgwRw3czIyQtqWY42kmXF_eeori-hF4vl_FexyB0ihi2Q7Y1kA7lGwbZHg7z5Ac84RWFLFes/s2016/IMG_1823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdzlA-t-lPgCF5DkMTX5KfsNJ-grKX5GmuVYWJMBfh1e0FGZLuvdhX3gWYCLwunCnBH6Kpq12mbdsWGGhx011x3k9Myg6OXeWEdPxlZ3fAdKioP8Izw1bgwRw3czIyQtqWY42kmXF_eeori-hF4vl_FexyB0ihi2Q7Y1kA7lGwbZHg7z5Ac84RWFLFes/w480-h640/IMG_1823.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am pretty excited about our entertainment for Christmas Eve....<br />ssshhhh...it's a surprise for all.....<br />This will be the one and only clue I publish.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqQ7TDydxmjjwxhaNdk-Oz1r006I9Oi40S7-8SnaIbWdjYNMHCBrR3kW5R2NYkZuk61bHqDVZ52fcyHm1GzHeqLA1Lb7W0s-7a03RveIOMLTddBsEvBzTO_yAutD4HcZVMhP95Gm9W6aNfRmhBcUGT2Ku7k8FouJ9K1TOv7edOy5D3YrFmKHx6vxbA_8/s2016/IMG_1821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqQ7TDydxmjjwxhaNdk-Oz1r006I9Oi40S7-8SnaIbWdjYNMHCBrR3kW5R2NYkZuk61bHqDVZ52fcyHm1GzHeqLA1Lb7W0s-7a03RveIOMLTddBsEvBzTO_yAutD4HcZVMhP95Gm9W6aNfRmhBcUGT2Ku7k8FouJ9K1TOv7edOy5D3YrFmKHx6vxbA_8/w640-h480/IMG_1821.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This has proven to be our favorite throw for cozy nights on the sofa...<br />the darling and I are currently making our way through seasons of Endeavor....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf_VY3WdN-5huC1I5MI2ri180IR-SGsazZBpgElNqJ43aA8WQg0Giqr76vYITdvNJXVFNioi-NVEgx9TyhTiX4Nau4MGm2Y4Sa7Vi-onb0XBMnoMJzdf4G50tR3YLgb9Hvi85IuIUAj89VCsJJ165s3N_e4vevn-sdyGzRoL_QFMEATP3yA94yIu0dHY/s2016/IMG_1820%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf_VY3WdN-5huC1I5MI2ri180IR-SGsazZBpgElNqJ43aA8WQg0Giqr76vYITdvNJXVFNioi-NVEgx9TyhTiX4Nau4MGm2Y4Sa7Vi-onb0XBMnoMJzdf4G50tR3YLgb9Hvi85IuIUAj89VCsJJ165s3N_e4vevn-sdyGzRoL_QFMEATP3yA94yIu0dHY/w480-h640/IMG_1820%20-%20Copy%20(2).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />I put new batteries in all the lanterns and fashioned<br />ribbons on each...It's magical when the evening rolls around<br />and the house is aglow with candlelights...all on timers....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYaoQLvFKQZ9fqaKN1rrDFFWxr_812oSNQYnYHZjx2iSS083IrcPVDSYBiJE7oGAcLhIjNX5Otyqtbwth-PNiCjHpWKrN3BBSPiffMJTSb1rxBU77Y8pLvhGGFel8dvmNBZOvtwD0q5_POOLhjBK9Edzd85PIeIF6U7mdiHdipCBy5Y7pvFkpP4N6JYc/s2016/IMG_1805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYaoQLvFKQZ9fqaKN1rrDFFWxr_812oSNQYnYHZjx2iSS083IrcPVDSYBiJE7oGAcLhIjNX5Otyqtbwth-PNiCjHpWKrN3BBSPiffMJTSb1rxBU77Y8pLvhGGFel8dvmNBZOvtwD0q5_POOLhjBK9Edzd85PIeIF6U7mdiHdipCBy5Y7pvFkpP4N6JYc/w480-h640/IMG_1805.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The gifts have all be delivered, wrapped and ready for gift giving.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK9tDewZ8RK4zKPYF-SFbdqVwuq6MB5DJV-003fW4GqqWAdlNYsVVFkU_zVtdPmJDVtHOcEvjzPdKfc963Ql1Ui7RhaJKM-alVs_vDTNbMW3foZrQC15vYDSqRD8cKulv_uqBZf6GZa_oNOS8_mBvIb_gBCRSr9WYgRdnKSOrWqqv5e-4nNHHVff1p5o/s2328/e28426d3d61ee961f19512dde5e04a72.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2328" data-original-width="1937" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK9tDewZ8RK4zKPYF-SFbdqVwuq6MB5DJV-003fW4GqqWAdlNYsVVFkU_zVtdPmJDVtHOcEvjzPdKfc963Ql1Ui7RhaJKM-alVs_vDTNbMW3foZrQC15vYDSqRD8cKulv_uqBZf6GZa_oNOS8_mBvIb_gBCRSr9WYgRdnKSOrWqqv5e-4nNHHVff1p5o/w532-h640/e28426d3d61ee961f19512dde5e04a72.jpg" width="532" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am really looking forward to the holiday buffet......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CykDF5fSAhbhzQW51nVKGg0HQhHUNEozMjkw1A54DCBuqGtBI71qqTdW6c0vD2NDhuuMxBjuY3-qNbgaKs4uNmNTWs1Vy8TW36u2HU6utsyZrVFOOTTfP4mnx7K4efWiGzFIPp6p-bk42OGwTwxyTD2gGtvvRnqSlARJceHzXnQM6RLWQLLKUaBvnD0/s1654/12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1654" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CykDF5fSAhbhzQW51nVKGg0HQhHUNEozMjkw1A54DCBuqGtBI71qqTdW6c0vD2NDhuuMxBjuY3-qNbgaKs4uNmNTWs1Vy8TW36u2HU6utsyZrVFOOTTfP4mnx7K4efWiGzFIPp6p-bk42OGwTwxyTD2gGtvvRnqSlARJceHzXnQM6RLWQLLKUaBvnD0/w586-h640/12.jpg" width="586" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas.....</div><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-78990381048805288642023-12-08T07:50:00.000-06:002023-12-08T07:50:14.712-06:00DELIGHTFUL CHRISTMAS FINDS<div class="separator" style="text-align: center;">Good Morning Loves....<br />can you believe how quickly the holiday season is passing?<br />It truly is the most wonderful time of the year and you<br />almost feel everyone's excitement as we prepare our home<br />for holiday magic of upcoming festivities.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;">I thought it would be fun to share a few items I have<br />purchased this season both in store and on line....<br /><span> I hope you enjoy and find inspiration for your home.....<br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs6uHzNbDL2eNArdz9q2iQYoftQaw8Ft9jnvFv0_DHPPIr8OciUE5ofpRCaGqlyK9RCgI5qMsEuICGjAagIyb4bvUCy-XbbMAJDKIALQNE16pmb17XfdwydaFYU1hcIpbqn1TvspF9ebP1ljNWMgC2cBHXX_MlFY0rn5tCcvbAWW7N6No3lf7Dx9N8sQ/s1438/s-l1600%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="1438" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs6uHzNbDL2eNArdz9q2iQYoftQaw8Ft9jnvFv0_DHPPIr8OciUE5ofpRCaGqlyK9RCgI5qMsEuICGjAagIyb4bvUCy-XbbMAJDKIALQNE16pmb17XfdwydaFYU1hcIpbqn1TvspF9ebP1ljNWMgC2cBHXX_MlFY0rn5tCcvbAWW7N6No3lf7Dx9N8sQ/w640-h620/s-l1600%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I purchased these beautiful vintage plates on Ebay....<br />These might be my overall favorites....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SawrziIWEDXNjF1aOnmLA_9EUXSbtqywXtQwV3Sy4tdGMMN-2vIrLOGkjfYvYEzEJ6at_lv6LZjaj2bWx-Lkfmn7aNqu_JQ04uiXoBgLPWdD-7JFqNH-4crW0JtKxhJMf3OhuGDlGCKCaMcF8XU-kWtvSIxfuh2t1JPyR3JjvbLYNpPYn-XxhiGyJFg/s2016/IMG_1567.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SawrziIWEDXNjF1aOnmLA_9EUXSbtqywXtQwV3Sy4tdGMMN-2vIrLOGkjfYvYEzEJ6at_lv6LZjaj2bWx-Lkfmn7aNqu_JQ04uiXoBgLPWdD-7JFqNH-4crW0JtKxhJMf3OhuGDlGCKCaMcF8XU-kWtvSIxfuh2t1JPyR3JjvbLYNpPYn-XxhiGyJFg/w480-h640/IMG_1567.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">During the fall season, I purchased this gorgeous mirror<br />for the entry foyer table...totally in love with this.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtLXVSPg0GvsMQoP2CqFG7zT9fgpO2jQA-B1x2-5nEJNVdUeIaUs5NcSokgMu9uPin18nhUxEmXFkpdUWIDJfTH0Fd9ZEpp1AL3QtcJwBHVvRJpSUweqNCJsLz_2NFlDPPWvQ572k60SY6R_ArRrok34rViCMqM5zF_T9KmRML8yjfNPxJUBL8214bCA/s2016/IMG_1794.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtLXVSPg0GvsMQoP2CqFG7zT9fgpO2jQA-B1x2-5nEJNVdUeIaUs5NcSokgMu9uPin18nhUxEmXFkpdUWIDJfTH0Fd9ZEpp1AL3QtcJwBHVvRJpSUweqNCJsLz_2NFlDPPWvQ572k60SY6R_ArRrok34rViCMqM5zF_T9KmRML8yjfNPxJUBL8214bCA/w640-h480/IMG_1794.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> I picked these paper goods up to use for our Christmas Eve gathering<br />and they are just darling...from the Pioneer Woman line of holiday items..... </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjlPWvD8IKwyBpB6_W_kzdTq1278ggr1mL3nRBdF_-u0JsCyWqxcvI4tuUck94dgL_M19gCdEu2_MW-lNgFCw0XHtWoJEhnXz55TpdDYwlDMrHKfbUpb7bPyf4BrZmZtsILbHLaY0LpBW7-_rGuvVDZmeY8MN4Z4sOioaqaCHF5WBMwHehbftVc3v7ac/s2016/IMG_1790.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjlPWvD8IKwyBpB6_W_kzdTq1278ggr1mL3nRBdF_-u0JsCyWqxcvI4tuUck94dgL_M19gCdEu2_MW-lNgFCw0XHtWoJEhnXz55TpdDYwlDMrHKfbUpb7bPyf4BrZmZtsILbHLaY0LpBW7-_rGuvVDZmeY8MN4Z4sOioaqaCHF5WBMwHehbftVc3v7ac/w640-h480/IMG_1790.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now you know it's just not Christmas without<br />these....a absolute favorite of my Grandmother Grace....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr53sXpJ1VLQI2Qvr6X2C_-HN4oT3ACwdAc7L3oFoGNuSeUXrqZu7SgSQGo1EGw5nxqn-WNH_gz2eE_PQgAGgrmaj5r-kkaY32qBVXTKtSpkXdl3gSY4kOxpcJBh1nqdB8lgdOOTuhrYYdXx6Y97AOBm9drdO1myBFNAtv4NUo3rnlsjGC0pw-mmkKLgY/s2016/IMG_1557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr53sXpJ1VLQI2Qvr6X2C_-HN4oT3ACwdAc7L3oFoGNuSeUXrqZu7SgSQGo1EGw5nxqn-WNH_gz2eE_PQgAGgrmaj5r-kkaY32qBVXTKtSpkXdl3gSY4kOxpcJBh1nqdB8lgdOOTuhrYYdXx6Y97AOBm9drdO1myBFNAtv4NUo3rnlsjGC0pw-mmkKLgY/w640-h480/IMG_1557.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I do hope you are baking some cookies for the babies this year....<br />this was a cute idea I found on Pinterest the other day....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawHie6aUo20YlTExh-T26Ke0P03g0Vr-arV42o2LSl4l76TvZOjwzX_fh1i6zQAXfhDS1ohkK8RuoLK39ApBtlMGToWT-TP8w3GKdigvn2u_qZBD_Etk7r-PxA3KwbaEfNQoG-euK0J3vZVv6OjVHWdu_o21t9gMg0gWK-y8bqymNDB20rLXaZ5Nos6I/s1026/IMG_1560%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="1026" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawHie6aUo20YlTExh-T26Ke0P03g0Vr-arV42o2LSl4l76TvZOjwzX_fh1i6zQAXfhDS1ohkK8RuoLK39ApBtlMGToWT-TP8w3GKdigvn2u_qZBD_Etk7r-PxA3KwbaEfNQoG-euK0J3vZVv6OjVHWdu_o21t9gMg0gWK-y8bqymNDB20rLXaZ5Nos6I/w640-h372/IMG_1560%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yum-O....they were gobbled up in one day......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSZlVvv1P5HmhKEJCBBZamgaRAC-saIaZ78pFWugm9_K_08-fwsVp4hc86A8yBlhrtNPXVK00R4AWdUMat1DmOYuaCKPGGB5uLINS-aUn2muoOw5T-k8ia-grw5HaKF6G9WiOZ-X5u_Hjb3P2ufVxwuLM1tya-oTSwRoLOEEGLbE-j2LiC7JAveLf5Ko/s2016/IMG_1788.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSZlVvv1P5HmhKEJCBBZamgaRAC-saIaZ78pFWugm9_K_08-fwsVp4hc86A8yBlhrtNPXVK00R4AWdUMat1DmOYuaCKPGGB5uLINS-aUn2muoOw5T-k8ia-grw5HaKF6G9WiOZ-X5u_Hjb3P2ufVxwuLM1tya-oTSwRoLOEEGLbE-j2LiC7JAveLf5Ko/w480-h640/IMG_1788.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are going to make very festive Rice Krispie Treats....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsqlxvptNO9ebM_sc61Ygw8ajIzmCuWkCI2EsEB08w60LAi0fnFokbzHyCs8gcKwtYQ8MhRGsZiblNN3wcZ5pyhXSd7Mg-4a_KL4E-GywRP0bjad3jDqEabCidEcCOTXvlE-NmUrzn6h2l03p2qKhQWqQ2OsAPb944JrdckRuYuMWuKpzwQM3eOL04_I/s2016/IMG_1778%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsqlxvptNO9ebM_sc61Ygw8ajIzmCuWkCI2EsEB08w60LAi0fnFokbzHyCs8gcKwtYQ8MhRGsZiblNN3wcZ5pyhXSd7Mg-4a_KL4E-GywRP0bjad3jDqEabCidEcCOTXvlE-NmUrzn6h2l03p2qKhQWqQ2OsAPb944JrdckRuYuMWuKpzwQM3eOL04_I/w640-h480/IMG_1778%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I have purchased quite a few items from Miranda Lamberts line of Home Goods<br />and could not resist these darling wine goblets.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMyf_5R9Wsijq5lY-sRBrQHthXF4DAEEVjsS5g79pH8CW-ku16p86K2GvneETtYKtkbHd8n-WH0vK1mNg1DR6Pgba6dnbOcbzRFchGDqutd_dMC7hf9JmDFhpdrYdb6KViagE4P8sl_rpjSM_yXwNUaxuzIOdBjMcTSOgOqgFI_5RvxqyDNR_NE1PHj8/s2016/IMG_1799.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMyf_5R9Wsijq5lY-sRBrQHthXF4DAEEVjsS5g79pH8CW-ku16p86K2GvneETtYKtkbHd8n-WH0vK1mNg1DR6Pgba6dnbOcbzRFchGDqutd_dMC7hf9JmDFhpdrYdb6KViagE4P8sl_rpjSM_yXwNUaxuzIOdBjMcTSOgOqgFI_5RvxqyDNR_NE1PHj8/w480-h640/IMG_1799.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />Talk about festive.......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3nwvvIPdj9TiR29VVlHuFoR8m_I20Tj45vj2ToEis0Rr4Uo02rRX3qgLCMwE15wZ8Xmb3arF26T9j-NYa40oYNR9Qyb9CA2FOrrfVscZMOd6GN2BSC5diMYSaw7E-2KRbenYLZY8xsdP4Xbhn2_GP3NSbGPcDp3C2o-Is4oFyu9Ii4DrxcimvpHaEo8/s2016/IMG_1776%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3nwvvIPdj9TiR29VVlHuFoR8m_I20Tj45vj2ToEis0Rr4Uo02rRX3qgLCMwE15wZ8Xmb3arF26T9j-NYa40oYNR9Qyb9CA2FOrrfVscZMOd6GN2BSC5diMYSaw7E-2KRbenYLZY8xsdP4Xbhn2_GP3NSbGPcDp3C2o-Is4oFyu9Ii4DrxcimvpHaEo8/w640-h480/IMG_1776%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bravo to Walmart and their Mainstay's line....<br />adorable candles with lovely seasonal scents....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQT1d2tU6OUuWRUyl5L5WYFjbKYi3wk8-uzOpEdGSn9t_pt598w1TQ5YGL0yC3_Ek6kyoZqQGfSHPwBZRsXbwhwuxARIO_EcrbMuk2BvKHuN8taEiRFZ-0YL-nS-i0D2x8V4W21WDERs0utm3iuHTt53WuIgbYzmUBhdAs1m9BwScf4cgTtuNi9iZjvM/s2016/IMG_1777%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQT1d2tU6OUuWRUyl5L5WYFjbKYi3wk8-uzOpEdGSn9t_pt598w1TQ5YGL0yC3_Ek6kyoZqQGfSHPwBZRsXbwhwuxARIO_EcrbMuk2BvKHuN8taEiRFZ-0YL-nS-i0D2x8V4W21WDERs0utm3iuHTt53WuIgbYzmUBhdAs1m9BwScf4cgTtuNi9iZjvM/w640-h480/IMG_1777%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is SO very pretty...smells like freshly fallen snow<br />on a Winter's evening...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhGuYwJRUgjxh3jG2BKdVUNfAdk-0yXbAMm9XBY0Y3eFxGCy91-TfUza3NfJ20yjlthp1G3kNTgBGBPBEi_fOXTQPkzbiW1I7569DTSVb1YpByHxuHevFmmsNL2mTr2VVvWYbBI7leOrHVZwxOE0nCP_hf8OksTLd2EGqMVZzey2Lmq_ML4cUzOUxkYI/s2016/IMG_1762.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhGuYwJRUgjxh3jG2BKdVUNfAdk-0yXbAMm9XBY0Y3eFxGCy91-TfUza3NfJ20yjlthp1G3kNTgBGBPBEi_fOXTQPkzbiW1I7569DTSVb1YpByHxuHevFmmsNL2mTr2VVvWYbBI7leOrHVZwxOE0nCP_hf8OksTLd2EGqMVZzey2Lmq_ML4cUzOUxkYI/w480-h640/IMG_1762.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These were the accent plates I purchased<br />for the farmhouse tablescape and they are sooo very cute.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-M9285F5cLAl0KQlWMAY_EfBEZq0h7LzKts7bVE9DAwy9vd_qLoO7KFfbVx8hoME6UtraK7yOwr4pqRAta4fsDenuyGz-2qSgzuImwAUuo6hQYgu5rZMa_PzjhZ6vyvC6mHBs0fxQg1kIPL6Iq25T3xeGQKxWsRJWyUXQQTA7FCx9Gh-vNkSlB4vpzY/s2016/IMG_1761%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-M9285F5cLAl0KQlWMAY_EfBEZq0h7LzKts7bVE9DAwy9vd_qLoO7KFfbVx8hoME6UtraK7yOwr4pqRAta4fsDenuyGz-2qSgzuImwAUuo6hQYgu5rZMa_PzjhZ6vyvC6mHBs0fxQg1kIPL6Iq25T3xeGQKxWsRJWyUXQQTA7FCx9Gh-vNkSlB4vpzY/w640-h480/IMG_1761%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loved how this turned out....<br />it's going to be a fun Christmas Eve....<br />table runner is from Walmart....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9BaqNjuJ3bl1AA6ZxrcxDz2nOjwFkbTkhyVYC8bF8KtUH6WCSsK9k_UsBQvicpgiohhN6rGJgmwphhLu3Bw0a5zSn16KyyM4u7iOuAZSyRo0DFGHeaq707js0NGiH_NlyRDqFXRHJFCQ8f7FzFPnM2yPCt3v4hDZ-lwo_wBMV5X1HZlnQJkluh23G-w/s2016/IMG_1545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9BaqNjuJ3bl1AA6ZxrcxDz2nOjwFkbTkhyVYC8bF8KtUH6WCSsK9k_UsBQvicpgiohhN6rGJgmwphhLu3Bw0a5zSn16KyyM4u7iOuAZSyRo0DFGHeaq707js0NGiH_NlyRDqFXRHJFCQ8f7FzFPnM2yPCt3v4hDZ-lwo_wBMV5X1HZlnQJkluh23G-w/w480-h640/IMG_1545.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />I dressed the little guest bedroom in Christmas finery....<br />a beautiful quilted throw and velvet shams<br />both purchased from Amazon.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_47fCJy6hw_gOT7rGsBkkFlFb_yp9x5qPRLqwm_zJE6_HUZ5B3zhELpRBw21OovWj8Ea1bXPDzsZOkhFFPmd2seQbQ_tWAXNhJRCD3hPvu9Grd-9jkJ0uQsCT3fSmeld3w-R7A0AP26u0fSUj2L4UjKFIGOP5MWkp4g0HGS7wQVEzHFGRfpmRNM4bZq0/s1745/IMG_1785.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1745" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_47fCJy6hw_gOT7rGsBkkFlFb_yp9x5qPRLqwm_zJE6_HUZ5B3zhELpRBw21OovWj8Ea1bXPDzsZOkhFFPmd2seQbQ_tWAXNhJRCD3hPvu9Grd-9jkJ0uQsCT3fSmeld3w-R7A0AP26u0fSUj2L4UjKFIGOP5MWkp4g0HGS7wQVEzHFGRfpmRNM4bZq0/w640-h488/IMG_1785.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Lucy Lu's first Christmas and I think she is enjoying every minute....<br />Hugs and blessings for a Happy Christmas season.....</div><br /><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-47497943169339287132023-12-06T06:42:00.000-06:002023-12-06T06:42:22.458-06:00STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE DIP...A FAVORITE APPETIZER FOR CHRISTMAS EVE<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEnt1nDWiFmwf9uvs-MlHb2uWXnnWZ8DT2ov3hSfRjPWxju1YwKGxW2nyXSq_9BjBkePQ7BYLGpKFYekeJ2GmlHEYbHRfVhhU_GYkDYWtm-yg5EuMpmA8UsLA5jsYBWcTMpDs_DS_rucBs-JXbr5G1halJsxUBR8uLkQpI-6BfVVeZQ6rhyphenhyphen0o0Vh0y4g/s2016/IMG_1759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEnt1nDWiFmwf9uvs-MlHb2uWXnnWZ8DT2ov3hSfRjPWxju1YwKGxW2nyXSq_9BjBkePQ7BYLGpKFYekeJ2GmlHEYbHRfVhhU_GYkDYWtm-yg5EuMpmA8UsLA5jsYBWcTMpDs_DS_rucBs-JXbr5G1halJsxUBR8uLkQpI-6BfVVeZQ6rhyphenhyphen0o0Vh0y4g/w480-h640/IMG_1759.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good Morning Kindred Spirits...<br />we are enjoying the Christmas season<br />as we wrap our gifts, decorate our homes and plan<br />for the Christmas Eve gathering....<br />it's centered around tradition here at Estelle's.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdithX5Oq-WYvr8cQyU8OLtSjUmMAAdhy9KT0eQAxPTdxgMvpHVBch46JFIbNZV56Lszw62Je3s0v1zE3daEeDJsz5QEwXlPZG27Uut-xqKqkabyuD91IgAdWq7OEjajO1wyuSoa7lPBJ7RVFXPpTQG6RnJ4LEEytwOq2277745Q7ZWtrxqiDw6kS5wX8/s1726/IMG_1757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1726" data-original-width="1274" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdithX5Oq-WYvr8cQyU8OLtSjUmMAAdhy9KT0eQAxPTdxgMvpHVBch46JFIbNZV56Lszw62Je3s0v1zE3daEeDJsz5QEwXlPZG27Uut-xqKqkabyuD91IgAdWq7OEjajO1wyuSoa7lPBJ7RVFXPpTQG6RnJ4LEEytwOq2277745Q7ZWtrxqiDw6kS5wX8/w472-h640/IMG_1757.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Mother always served Gingersnaps with</div><div style="text-align: center;">strawberry cream cheese....we adored that......</div><div style="text-align: center;">This year, I changed her recipe up just a tad......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77dIFhIu1XCoaOOppkQFP1OJBF8bfqcr-M6MLcIp69C7PS6ZnWSHEf6zXw6cLkKNnaIdY-iPirYGzb9SrrRBFWsAV5kfpdypfGYt8-JciK1Yhvl9UW_3Djs1xi5OgephLXDQvozvl1PrncYqkVf_8wXHKJqgRtBHHYcULBi3ENBZBw7f-zwscAHgvraI/s2016/IMG_1755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77dIFhIu1XCoaOOppkQFP1OJBF8bfqcr-M6MLcIp69C7PS6ZnWSHEf6zXw6cLkKNnaIdY-iPirYGzb9SrrRBFWsAV5kfpdypfGYt8-JciK1Yhvl9UW_3Djs1xi5OgephLXDQvozvl1PrncYqkVf_8wXHKJqgRtBHHYcULBi3ENBZBw7f-zwscAHgvraI/w480-h640/IMG_1755.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This dip is creamy and so fresh tasting...light as air too...<br />the secret is Greek Yogurt and fresh strawberry puree.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2rstpFVRGkCHoxsucMRUwYBaRAbmPBVW7JRH-ZfyXjB-GKySA0LiHlJ5gbjEan4f2KcPd5T70nyHacEHqU-kxpaQF8sIbc-Dn03s5yq-n6Lm9nRQM6xqNC_n9Icr7Kyi-D6bqV50L4cAn2MiY5IRXvcKrtX8g1ECPatW7gtzLwZLd8aqU1yFR_mjY6A/s2016/IMG_1754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2rstpFVRGkCHoxsucMRUwYBaRAbmPBVW7JRH-ZfyXjB-GKySA0LiHlJ5gbjEan4f2KcPd5T70nyHacEHqU-kxpaQF8sIbc-Dn03s5yq-n6Lm9nRQM6xqNC_n9Icr7Kyi-D6bqV50L4cAn2MiY5IRXvcKrtX8g1ECPatW7gtzLwZLd8aqU1yFR_mjY6A/w480-h640/IMG_1754.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's fun to think outside the box just a bit when selecting<br />serving pieces...try a festive mug to hold the cookies...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsj7TVvKnUZl1zmZsbQ51smEiic5Vm2dAIDWvjzZ2xYtYWk206Y4spuZWyFlvF2n9CSzYdhFmX5to_5m44DyzINdw6lseZGIsMRVQCrRPYXG7QJvlvRvB63DZrPhABWL4Q6vU-7IDMgZPZIwn82PDp37GqWJhdLrO0HnwMzifp9NjuIrlRyvq0b6-wMo/s2016/IMG_1753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsj7TVvKnUZl1zmZsbQ51smEiic5Vm2dAIDWvjzZ2xYtYWk206Y4spuZWyFlvF2n9CSzYdhFmX5to_5m44DyzINdw6lseZGIsMRVQCrRPYXG7QJvlvRvB63DZrPhABWL4Q6vU-7IDMgZPZIwn82PDp37GqWJhdLrO0HnwMzifp9NjuIrlRyvq0b6-wMo/w480-h640/IMG_1753.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pairing gingersnaps with strawberries is a delight for the tastebuds....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu-VdkvwSYk-sG6G5SQt8xsuXz_d_bF2AGmzTlOfZZWZFYQibIr23dlCUEzpzSuX9ZhK2C3V0Lp2fip2zTJ4zH0ZK_jNYc0blY7EoPgv_aVnf2mqgmD-1JfeieXHKGkNzMSBFyrNF7yVPDwLLNKrN9ZGE2BOLfajIBMjm_2gMGjOVD2M3WQHt6-W6SsE/s2016/IMG_1752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu-VdkvwSYk-sG6G5SQt8xsuXz_d_bF2AGmzTlOfZZWZFYQibIr23dlCUEzpzSuX9ZhK2C3V0Lp2fip2zTJ4zH0ZK_jNYc0blY7EoPgv_aVnf2mqgmD-1JfeieXHKGkNzMSBFyrNF7yVPDwLLNKrN9ZGE2BOLfajIBMjm_2gMGjOVD2M3WQHt6-W6SsE/w640-h480/IMG_1752.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Estelle's STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE DIP</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 cup vanilla Greek Yogurt</div><div style="text-align: center;">4 ounces of softened cream cheese</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 t. vanilla</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 T. sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 cup fresh strawberry puree</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blend ingredients together and serve chilled...</div><div style="text-align: center;">MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-86302084756405762972023-12-03T06:16:00.002-06:002023-12-03T06:16:37.882-06:00WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS, RIGHT THIS VERY MOMENT<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFGZHV2TSDgkNHc6QPUJNsTCHfZc7HvPD-dka7MQ9pSiPmqQwj_oDZKqkUAWvGPHF_T4ONu1SzoB1BtI0igO0UUe9uNFoxyPDS6pmC9icPGB5aXodj5rvZ-75Gf99xKseOaPEXASVrfiIvEw28Y_SskLg6nXGAAmtgVt_S3jE8KYhWXC2aouRhYjZ4uQ/s2016/IMG_1715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFGZHV2TSDgkNHc6QPUJNsTCHfZc7HvPD-dka7MQ9pSiPmqQwj_oDZKqkUAWvGPHF_T4ONu1SzoB1BtI0igO0UUe9uNFoxyPDS6pmC9icPGB5aXodj5rvZ-75Gf99xKseOaPEXASVrfiIvEw28Y_SskLg6nXGAAmtgVt_S3jE8KYhWXC2aouRhYjZ4uQ/w480-h640/IMG_1715.jpg" width="480" /></a> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello and Merry Christmas!<br />I have been packing away fall decorations and taking my time<br />in bringing touches of the Christmas season throughout our home......<br />My thoughts begin to change about decorating....<br />I have watched so many You Tube videos and Instagram pics<br />where many have gone over the top with their decor.....<br />it's no longer touches of holiday favorites....it must be Pinterest worthy....<br />I am following in the footsteps of Mother and have enjoyed every minute....<br />So here we go, with some of my minimalist holiday items.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgE19KPp7N5AHkWZmVt_1ighivVA59Z__7aoHuDEWb96fV-B17gJOlszHsKbxLi6d1hXAoJu64u9G3Uk8r33u0GSNfxTePjCrKYYAv_SoiM7p_sNTF1DQI54a5Kf4BwKZMdKB7kqxAGh2cEJpZRJx3NFO_UDRR3luwyrSoDo_3qSArciN4ojyz8_i2qFU/s1195/IMG_1728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1195" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgE19KPp7N5AHkWZmVt_1ighivVA59Z__7aoHuDEWb96fV-B17gJOlszHsKbxLi6d1hXAoJu64u9G3Uk8r33u0GSNfxTePjCrKYYAv_SoiM7p_sNTF1DQI54a5Kf4BwKZMdKB7kqxAGh2cEJpZRJx3NFO_UDRR3luwyrSoDo_3qSArciN4ojyz8_i2qFU/w640-h532/IMG_1728.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bar cart is decorated in the theme of the Nutcracker....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguc3FXe-TBL2V4Cqq2QQYpX3gn68e3gp_rGsT7ECRJSy8XlDwta6onftcLTLJXKJadjY0yipu9PEgSEw_smqmZU177jBF4I56w5DfZ0fbrFQplIFoehhIz7mux8kAg4kD7vfADQFHSuPhN9scLYgEBzISVvSnSBFGpp8zezXXg1wW-0e8Zj2c8HYiQBag/s2016/IMG_1726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguc3FXe-TBL2V4Cqq2QQYpX3gn68e3gp_rGsT7ECRJSy8XlDwta6onftcLTLJXKJadjY0yipu9PEgSEw_smqmZU177jBF4I56w5DfZ0fbrFQplIFoehhIz7mux8kAg4kD7vfADQFHSuPhN9scLYgEBzISVvSnSBFGpp8zezXXg1wW-0e8Zj2c8HYiQBag/w480-h640/IMG_1726.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love each and every piece of this little corner in the dining room....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3jAsOhomwlG6N_mnzbg9OneUHObfVrLkyRvSEpGnezY4icFyYEldNURcGDDP8kwUcov-IiIPBEgFK-DENZU1e5S_j_8or0HPZbmNdNy2g4wPLerHAlx0i90svmVftIkNGgODJphScP47IuPYLfvcWJS3llHrvOLu9V-IUWRa1O_dhCUqAq2GgqcLXZ0/s2016/IMG_1736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3jAsOhomwlG6N_mnzbg9OneUHObfVrLkyRvSEpGnezY4icFyYEldNURcGDDP8kwUcov-IiIPBEgFK-DENZU1e5S_j_8or0HPZbmNdNy2g4wPLerHAlx0i90svmVftIkNGgODJphScP47IuPYLfvcWJS3llHrvOLu9V-IUWRa1O_dhCUqAq2GgqcLXZ0/w480-h640/IMG_1736.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I custom ordered this gorgeous tea towel from ETSY....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMeXNNlwqPOQMt60r9yAEq52hLL4Q5SWjeZU8VwkqsMJe8bA8fADx4e36lteAmJUK76KYd-t3SkqGnjOGy8hDvDZUWVSYSKE53uk42Hmyll8zFgt2q_WrLHLXoeDL96z5xYZVOg5ubDpXjY017jYwsbLFTyTuVvKJxQRCWU-7jG-oytwYdlqTKfYmPdw/s2016/IMG_1724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="2016" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMeXNNlwqPOQMt60r9yAEq52hLL4Q5SWjeZU8VwkqsMJe8bA8fADx4e36lteAmJUK76KYd-t3SkqGnjOGy8hDvDZUWVSYSKE53uk42Hmyll8zFgt2q_WrLHLXoeDL96z5xYZVOg5ubDpXjY017jYwsbLFTyTuVvKJxQRCWU-7jG-oytwYdlqTKfYmPdw/w640-h410/IMG_1724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thrilled to add this gorgeous platter to Mother's sideboard....<br />a vintage Fitz and Floyd find....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bQumkx9ZzRawUjSbsIeGnp3-atdIubXX2NEavL2o3EO5iOYWrK9C_ejfZZwRA29wwQuF1lo8tIdDTmttqXQtRo1UqstfbPlTdyZxRUGkF6yEjsqzZvi3rcfge6lPnJ-gSpFnojetA_SYLRtk-JFzoJhKLEXfsHDj7YeE0SQoU2rlouKuXxIPtiA0c_Q/s1876/IMG_1725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1876" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bQumkx9ZzRawUjSbsIeGnp3-atdIubXX2NEavL2o3EO5iOYWrK9C_ejfZZwRA29wwQuF1lo8tIdDTmttqXQtRo1UqstfbPlTdyZxRUGkF6yEjsqzZvi3rcfge6lPnJ-gSpFnojetA_SYLRtk-JFzoJhKLEXfsHDj7YeE0SQoU2rlouKuXxIPtiA0c_Q/w640-h434/IMG_1725.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These darlings belonged to my Grandmother Estelle....<br />I treasure these pieces....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvBg9Mfq-9aVci69YypVoBaApzp2s_VOFa5mhqamH2O5ai0hyyHkGXx20mvdG02pu4zZ_9P64vM8c3f7P3XKWlFzlkjglxJx4UIJy5GcF9UmQrF0bztTEQalYQEQn67yybKTC8eX0ZEl0uxxvhuXt3jAwoEuSKSGVtqivmeG5ulCFyRPCWldAOUO5Nrs/s2016/IMG_1699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvBg9Mfq-9aVci69YypVoBaApzp2s_VOFa5mhqamH2O5ai0hyyHkGXx20mvdG02pu4zZ_9P64vM8c3f7P3XKWlFzlkjglxJx4UIJy5GcF9UmQrF0bztTEQalYQEQn67yybKTC8eX0ZEl0uxxvhuXt3jAwoEuSKSGVtqivmeG5ulCFyRPCWldAOUO5Nrs/w480-h640/IMG_1699.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also added this Jim Shore Santa to my collection<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_Gj7mTYxsMYzYa0sgebQd48O4oGDsZDgoESb6uSq2pmgPg3lY9r941sHdMRhjGt1pwv_s5wTxTAiEU4oTpqbWU0t9AX62GNGGxlZ3TvMkF2_ElblO0iUTIFb3u5Nlt241b2d4aa3osS1_mlzjArmcLlltkbvRDaPhjA5b0BGQfES87lJuNEP4cI2ABE/s2016/IMG_1731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_Gj7mTYxsMYzYa0sgebQd48O4oGDsZDgoESb6uSq2pmgPg3lY9r941sHdMRhjGt1pwv_s5wTxTAiEU4oTpqbWU0t9AX62GNGGxlZ3TvMkF2_ElblO0iUTIFb3u5Nlt241b2d4aa3osS1_mlzjArmcLlltkbvRDaPhjA5b0BGQfES87lJuNEP4cI2ABE/w480-h640/IMG_1731.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wanted to keep the dining room table simple this year....<br />I am in love with the new table runner......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9AZ4y_rTNifPp9RGl_CZtMXtQ1meZ7ki3ISTIK6VXBgsbUzecTeXEOnbcP02jIind5IiEvkqQBJ2wlbkOqZTXILBtDBDa9DuL9JRnyKeK_uACl1vsKiNUzLZXnHtZWAXZpBAHk-aowfpGiSU2a2TIdMN2oedcM7O1lCnLnOjF4Nld0f8apQXB4p5X0M/s2016/IMG_1720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9AZ4y_rTNifPp9RGl_CZtMXtQ1meZ7ki3ISTIK6VXBgsbUzecTeXEOnbcP02jIind5IiEvkqQBJ2wlbkOqZTXILBtDBDa9DuL9JRnyKeK_uACl1vsKiNUzLZXnHtZWAXZpBAHk-aowfpGiSU2a2TIdMN2oedcM7O1lCnLnOjF4Nld0f8apQXB4p5X0M/w480-h640/IMG_1720.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Windsor chair is showcasing this beautiful faux fur throw<br />and fleece pillow...throw is from Walmart and the pillow<br />was from Target many years ago....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_nW_kDrwuJG2TlL45HSs55aETCeXEvSIA4lpYOyRPCCXADIMf7Wrfskk6wGhzVP6Z-IHKwQeLziBZ6zUZPXhAUNZ-gNuhI6HVfvoi5CtziWNKvx1U3kPVuAc1Uk8P8QZF7Qv5-PST_2yHL6dNk2LNq8qMnOzA8oIMIh6qYSYqFBW9qfc6Vclp916hpA/s2016/IMG_1719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_nW_kDrwuJG2TlL45HSs55aETCeXEvSIA4lpYOyRPCCXADIMf7Wrfskk6wGhzVP6Z-IHKwQeLziBZ6zUZPXhAUNZ-gNuhI6HVfvoi5CtziWNKvx1U3kPVuAc1Uk8P8QZF7Qv5-PST_2yHL6dNk2LNq8qMnOzA8oIMIh6qYSYqFBW9qfc6Vclp916hpA/w640-h480/IMG_1719.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This precious little sign is a $2.00 find from Walmart!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ruSSGsN9R2T1lKQQuJDmnP5R6BACoFTdT5LNqCY6HXJuzOdrvllz-E1JroIXCuYVGLSm5soKNhf39d5pZXfGbeqvgGezGw3Co6YljUmGtdINWEU-G0wrlo4bRe1Ag7GTVCFVSJjbBLU7dWWI7bQTdVpqz03ZxsT1piy5_0c2le2BfZUpmeO-X2wgGrE/s2016/IMG_1717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ruSSGsN9R2T1lKQQuJDmnP5R6BACoFTdT5LNqCY6HXJuzOdrvllz-E1JroIXCuYVGLSm5soKNhf39d5pZXfGbeqvgGezGw3Co6YljUmGtdINWEU-G0wrlo4bRe1Ag7GTVCFVSJjbBLU7dWWI7bQTdVpqz03ZxsT1piy5_0c2le2BfZUpmeO-X2wgGrE/w480-h640/IMG_1717.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my handsome little beach Santa which has been placed<br />on the piano...he is in honor of our favorite family beach trips....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclkhdUbYznKvm8vzGHvSNEDkUQrpIsDrUtazRTGjrtl9ciWratuSC17wVWFCGwB6T_yGLJR3k4_32DIq3TGvFrdGkUV8vXYX22vxVukV5BbM3z2trfKziw_Smn9v6VSqfvk4Oujn0kZZGASBYyISpFxwaXvW0OOyoffyTXvjLIs_b26zzVdxw4ESpwWg/s2016/IMG_1716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclkhdUbYznKvm8vzGHvSNEDkUQrpIsDrUtazRTGjrtl9ciWratuSC17wVWFCGwB6T_yGLJR3k4_32DIq3TGvFrdGkUV8vXYX22vxVukV5BbM3z2trfKziw_Smn9v6VSqfvk4Oujn0kZZGASBYyISpFxwaXvW0OOyoffyTXvjLIs_b26zzVdxw4ESpwWg/w480-h640/IMG_1716.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />Another inexpensive Walmart find...I love this...<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fLAxKalcRboUWKVJF1kR4oJAryYRdp2mV9wypYFEedd02Z0R4r27IybY9e_OQQkuxvrGZURQxhABrS_5sYbWhyphenhyphenDG2vaJku2Scskx_zCRWdWZb0nSMwYyr1PQ4teKqWHa9qLgyIk4ThTBD0N9I9DCZ2__edTzUFFEu7b0fg54Hb6cvaJ-pWyVXSA8mcY/s2016/IMG_1732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fLAxKalcRboUWKVJF1kR4oJAryYRdp2mV9wypYFEedd02Z0R4r27IybY9e_OQQkuxvrGZURQxhABrS_5sYbWhyphenhyphenDG2vaJku2Scskx_zCRWdWZb0nSMwYyr1PQ4teKqWHa9qLgyIk4ThTBD0N9I9DCZ2__edTzUFFEu7b0fg54Hb6cvaJ-pWyVXSA8mcY/w480-h640/IMG_1732.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been so fun putting out just a few favorites....<br />no more going up and down the stairs for me....<br />I have not worried about the blog or taking the perfect photo...<br />I just want to relax and be present in all the moments...<br />Today, I am decorating the tree...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp0Ie4U-ugUFXBZoLzmf3G_jRz1CY3OblfiqzfQ8q_VzVzKnwlArw7kcFcHqOdP-MQqYby9FuNntnmRhLd2yY0mOJB9exT91y-21NdmZ1BVPqG-sHg9FhWpA2Gz78oK49M3twu44FUE8VhimLFOHqWHUZKfZ1Ib5aU9fkskr9h-hZysxR9y-L96H4Qbo/s2016/IMG_1706%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp0Ie4U-ugUFXBZoLzmf3G_jRz1CY3OblfiqzfQ8q_VzVzKnwlArw7kcFcHqOdP-MQqYby9FuNntnmRhLd2yY0mOJB9exT91y-21NdmZ1BVPqG-sHg9FhWpA2Gz78oK49M3twu44FUE8VhimLFOHqWHUZKfZ1Ib5aU9fkskr9h-hZysxR9y-L96H4Qbo/w640-h480/IMG_1706%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little Lucy has brought us so much joy and laughter....<br />she is tiny with a huge personality....<br />I hope you are enjoying the start of the Christmas season at your home....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-49346206547653077602023-11-21T07:11:00.003-06:002023-11-21T08:07:26.523-06:00OUR THANKSGIVING MENU<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBqV8r65BZ3-F6aE0uKUPvvgRPYL-IIGUlrbWHRIFDdlGy2VXN14d8gP8ZbtrEQcaRkPp3AyU658aOxPRACU5gLsW_iO_UwCDB6IpH87VIb_Qitn1QZGfQ1fPp2Ed92qC5xnunN_99KVgdqM6qQaTpiF5P3dexr3RhiHzUbz4jrkYI3jVkc3c7ahG9DI/s1640/IMG_7516%20(1)%20-%20Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBqV8r65BZ3-F6aE0uKUPvvgRPYL-IIGUlrbWHRIFDdlGy2VXN14d8gP8ZbtrEQcaRkPp3AyU658aOxPRACU5gLsW_iO_UwCDB6IpH87VIb_Qitn1QZGfQ1fPp2Ed92qC5xnunN_99KVgdqM6qQaTpiF5P3dexr3RhiHzUbz4jrkYI3jVkc3c7ahG9DI/w640-h480/IMG_7516%20(1)%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving week of 2023 is underway.....</div><div style="text-align: center;">the shopping, the decorating, the preparations.....</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tjQ6JbWmAsQq9SpsD3A5HPKL8t36S7ZS6AmuoEkt922_Eb8ugCcgvOaOe8E8qzoQNW-sMTBpnI4nYm7OTSBW5x3GspZmIAbmauAhk0e4FS1R4jSwvoUvsf4WtdCghCrB6hCE20ZzyZB8G2PniBZOV-yi2TrBPI8ugvyZy0roxe1upxDmqrPhSidFxSU/s2281/62ad39112df306ec7dec15fb51df4714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2281" data-original-width="1654" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tjQ6JbWmAsQq9SpsD3A5HPKL8t36S7ZS6AmuoEkt922_Eb8ugCcgvOaOe8E8qzoQNW-sMTBpnI4nYm7OTSBW5x3GspZmIAbmauAhk0e4FS1R4jSwvoUvsf4WtdCghCrB6hCE20ZzyZB8G2PniBZOV-yi2TrBPI8ugvyZy0roxe1upxDmqrPhSidFxSU/w464-h640/62ad39112df306ec7dec15fb51df4714.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> I thought I would share our menu planned at Estelle's</div><div style="text-align: center;">for the Thanksgiving feast....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish you a very peaceful, happy and blessed day with your family.....</div><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-10427622075577887792023-11-18T06:25:00.000-06:002023-11-18T06:25:18.303-06:00NUTCRACKER MUST HAVES<p style="text-align: center;">Good Morning Loves....<br />today's post is all about NUTCRACKERS!<br />There are some avid collectors of nutcrackers out there<br /><span> who are totally in love with these noble holiday characters!<br />We have one very majestic fellow that greets you at the front door<br />and I will tell you.....I really, really love him....</span> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQgBA7HUJTUk2o171W-Oe4O8DmVfLiYFg-GMeRUE08SDboyhTzL1oVu08LeAOMTOMAlww_eD6HcUBolvOwW-BobfNgsq4nPUFBdzSdmBO1m30EhY-nv-zFaG6p6q-dQqjQpIy1ciFXUkeKTXA36ByToem_xTMMSxzt_-L5EjqAfslwZnLNmrKZ_pWALc/s640/IMG_8809%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQgBA7HUJTUk2o171W-Oe4O8DmVfLiYFg-GMeRUE08SDboyhTzL1oVu08LeAOMTOMAlww_eD6HcUBolvOwW-BobfNgsq4nPUFBdzSdmBO1m30EhY-nv-zFaG6p6q-dQqjQpIy1ciFXUkeKTXA36ByToem_xTMMSxzt_-L5EjqAfslwZnLNmrKZ_pWALc/w640-h480/IMG_8809%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I do not have many of them, but this year, for whatever reason,</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is going to be my theme for decorating our bar cart!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh yes, this handsome fellow's name is WINSTON!<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUhaFldAg47xbhLhyLgjnh0gefvOxJ8I-K0c73hwX7KHCfWvnMz2rRpD2hF6ay9h9qYvD8E0VSzm_y6yN29udUF_JPCt41k_xlhEJxBA9xN3PJJRe8-ZRkEKzx3slBmr5mLhiPR-AQJUwyQY0xPOd0PX0KgalL1judHxYc3qnchjVZYF2GKXD51c80d8/s2016/IMG_1551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUhaFldAg47xbhLhyLgjnh0gefvOxJ8I-K0c73hwX7KHCfWvnMz2rRpD2hF6ay9h9qYvD8E0VSzm_y6yN29udUF_JPCt41k_xlhEJxBA9xN3PJJRe8-ZRkEKzx3slBmr5mLhiPR-AQJUwyQY0xPOd0PX0KgalL1judHxYc3qnchjVZYF2GKXD51c80d8/w480-h640/IMG_1551.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Now, on a recent trip to the grocery store,<br />my eyes were instantly drawn to this festive fellow...<br />his cape, his plaid jacket and the little Christmas tree really <br />spoke to me...I have no idea why I am obsessed with<br />Nutcrackers this year...in the past, I really did not care for them...<br />it's funny how styles and tastes change over the years....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I came across a few gorgeous home decor items on Pinterest</div><div style="text-align: center;">which can provide inspiration for all of us to incorporate</div><div style="text-align: center;">the Nutcracker in various places in the home....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaCmnTjtHWXFSYP39PDKBmrjLomewe_rW10zla1yG82NWrT86tCKLKUQGP8cnx_NX8TdT9rHOI5DWXVXlEqJTpaABndRnKTxWrnd6bz4NaDirX02uCWhBlXVfarTxifgTvWUtfJsp9RKeK7nGugRaBrCnHcTbCe9Kl1SgfRVlT-0X8IKnVdpsCn1PNXg/s705/49243d2eb5755968a27fb04158f2cb8e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaCmnTjtHWXFSYP39PDKBmrjLomewe_rW10zla1yG82NWrT86tCKLKUQGP8cnx_NX8TdT9rHOI5DWXVXlEqJTpaABndRnKTxWrnd6bz4NaDirX02uCWhBlXVfarTxifgTvWUtfJsp9RKeK7nGugRaBrCnHcTbCe9Kl1SgfRVlT-0X8IKnVdpsCn1PNXg/w512-h640/49243d2eb5755968a27fb04158f2cb8e.jpg" width="512" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't this just beautiful!<br />And, it's pretty pricey but just stunning,,,,</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLE6NtwQdrExO6-nwzvr3S1YEiP3uU4FmTRCJed5s21znC-oqC9e6Xs25v2wIZQnQF9I2EcjxD3q_FCVgIF1QyTFZPZ32R4TpsPrc6iWY_ccy36p7ql30OFWIsKNkbEbuDlLtIKF-VJnJ2ctTmwBYEZx_7rOmPv30h5VXD8tE3_exXTkA1JXaq5kxV7o/s500/5221f7ba3260cfd8dd805f711d060e15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLE6NtwQdrExO6-nwzvr3S1YEiP3uU4FmTRCJed5s21znC-oqC9e6Xs25v2wIZQnQF9I2EcjxD3q_FCVgIF1QyTFZPZ32R4TpsPrc6iWY_ccy36p7ql30OFWIsKNkbEbuDlLtIKF-VJnJ2ctTmwBYEZx_7rOmPv30h5VXD8tE3_exXTkA1JXaq5kxV7o/w512-h640/5221f7ba3260cfd8dd805f711d060e15.jpg" width="512" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love this tablecloth too....so festive for the formal dining room.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtr2pbXa2mGxO3iyVrE3sJTb9XO_DNTHb9EzOEtuST_ZA4jb1uEI4P0LcKrjNRYH9yLC3jos0DUaxSLWfsRAWyT-CuXHyb6HHZUHK1FQ0Owqrak2dSQ2qwMlIaE3ShfH3wAhyphenhyphengcUjqxP770b-u_HjRkjYza7r3iiEeZ6pNvtLVZ8ic28Uq8sQUxr31xE/s325/31e92ca23681a15d9aa3c22ea2312a87.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="260" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtr2pbXa2mGxO3iyVrE3sJTb9XO_DNTHb9EzOEtuST_ZA4jb1uEI4P0LcKrjNRYH9yLC3jos0DUaxSLWfsRAWyT-CuXHyb6HHZUHK1FQ0Owqrak2dSQ2qwMlIaE3ShfH3wAhyphenhyphengcUjqxP770b-u_HjRkjYza7r3iiEeZ6pNvtLVZ8ic28Uq8sQUxr31xE/w512-h640/31e92ca23681a15d9aa3c22ea2312a87.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Who wouldn't love to add these lovely linen napkins</div><div style="text-align: center;">to their holiday table....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HD4hp68bbbpmQrTxiL6UMsBB7hSg_XFULWRAuosEjNlfG0TqqoNudQlAkRf-HB6aIEVWTCIEl_JhVeibQZe7t-jtuhXwqj3zJkKIz4Qdbqp-e5eBB_X9QmWDY70nVs5jAatBwbYBwUOC2m8QTMvh2ceCRAA0WNY88eJNQGBuVc_RBFwQijuzmNafuaU/s1102/17b299ca33700c06dad72f08d89695e4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HD4hp68bbbpmQrTxiL6UMsBB7hSg_XFULWRAuosEjNlfG0TqqoNudQlAkRf-HB6aIEVWTCIEl_JhVeibQZe7t-jtuhXwqj3zJkKIz4Qdbqp-e5eBB_X9QmWDY70nVs5jAatBwbYBwUOC2m8QTMvh2ceCRAA0WNY88eJNQGBuVc_RBFwQijuzmNafuaU/w328-h640/17b299ca33700c06dad72f08d89695e4.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And of course, you can really invest and have them monogrammed....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFEH1HAaPITEAbBrOYpgFvhVzkmZfvxBW65J9Phu1NLU3yCUeZuUL7lhoF-mr_Ai_V-f4T88JvmE1yUh8phD_q49vAp_sEGCUxzcwHIQSHxZyLUVuqBxX7U4EQaRjPWhERLMM_-qSMFZDFNzVOefZc4DrO32mmAtE2pn9UWtfIcWLWcAIzYRrs14SqMY/s844/df06d73a6788a2dcab4e378dde151613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="563" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFEH1HAaPITEAbBrOYpgFvhVzkmZfvxBW65J9Phu1NLU3yCUeZuUL7lhoF-mr_Ai_V-f4T88JvmE1yUh8phD_q49vAp_sEGCUxzcwHIQSHxZyLUVuqBxX7U4EQaRjPWhERLMM_-qSMFZDFNzVOefZc4DrO32mmAtE2pn9UWtfIcWLWcAIzYRrs14SqMY/w426-h640/df06d73a6788a2dcab4e378dde151613.jpg" width="426" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, as always, we can always look to Martha Stewart<br />for a very impressive Christmas Mantle.....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZDhzdjfv0lOSDdoc6kxlwoX9evD5i3w0GCgph7Wh-b-tNZEBqP6ooiMnoh-eigc51eyMLriSF29fQNetLu2maUfjqNjhz5N7DkOYlenD2Sh5NRbTacstsl9WlVXmtkm3UCpa1bibKrgm_se0tM9PW6rRdCskYFs8UNLIab8kYrxA5O-QeVmO9nbMo-0/s640/IMG_9062%20(1)%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="568" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZDhzdjfv0lOSDdoc6kxlwoX9evD5i3w0GCgph7Wh-b-tNZEBqP6ooiMnoh-eigc51eyMLriSF29fQNetLu2maUfjqNjhz5N7DkOYlenD2Sh5NRbTacstsl9WlVXmtkm3UCpa1bibKrgm_se0tM9PW6rRdCskYFs8UNLIab8kYrxA5O-QeVmO9nbMo-0/w568-h640/IMG_9062%20(1)%20(1).jpg" width="568" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The anticipation of Christmas Eve is on my mind....<br />I love for the house to transport the children into a magical<br />Christmas home, filled with music, delicious foods, twinkling lights<br />and holiday heirloom pieces.....<br />we invent a Christmas cocktail and enjoy a game night....<br />with favorite movies on the television...<br />I have a surprise planned for them this year, and it should be<br />different and fun....here's a clue....it involves a train ticket....<br />we want to keep the magic of Christmas in our hearts always....<br />as we always celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus....</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-12541167567000147652023-11-14T06:02:00.000-06:002023-11-14T06:02:21.157-06:00THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY WINTER MANTEL<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love it when a vision comes to life....<br />it's choosing a theme, a color scheme<br />and then finding the perfect inspirational pieces to create the look...<br />This year, I am doing much less decorating than I have in years past....<br />I wanted to choose a soft winter look for the Christmas holidays....<br />and these are the new items I selected for 2023......<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9v6ZGw-NUhi10h1y_7rieKmUY4S_nNXbubBSf4ogmj1GApTRNCtUW7znoWiwHy5nN1FHIebjnxai43mEorkOdQf1bqnd0vVBgU-wNmS3SV6-oXZhTncKVdi18pji6nwfu6RKn35punUq8buzCngS40ys-UpQa4RtPPpHU0zpkbQZZxOyibWZMFXUrKU/s1200/GUEST_a64edc7f-0f03-42d2-b9d3-2b413beca797.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9v6ZGw-NUhi10h1y_7rieKmUY4S_nNXbubBSf4ogmj1GApTRNCtUW7znoWiwHy5nN1FHIebjnxai43mEorkOdQf1bqnd0vVBgU-wNmS3SV6-oXZhTncKVdi18pji6nwfu6RKn35punUq8buzCngS40ys-UpQa4RtPPpHU0zpkbQZZxOyibWZMFXUrKU/w640-h640/GUEST_a64edc7f-0f03-42d2-b9d3-2b413beca797.webp" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A soft snowy winter garland...that will twinkle with soft white lights.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtQBDKHMDN6zmcBPde-khf78i_B3pPdV6aW2QeSTETwSdpX_qoUUSzdAKw1wTU5RqT-KDt3qaCtVL-G6FzamvzHfcqBpcGryuB0LYwiXavW_uKJ2bEuljk83muDcy6plBv4fR9BxqKOiVco3si1HKKYKxLwrLO1Sr-lW4Ow-UCkVci5xiOSWBa3iSsBg/s1200/GUEST_ef42ef1e-1a7a-4416-90a2-3f76c54e60c5.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtQBDKHMDN6zmcBPde-khf78i_B3pPdV6aW2QeSTETwSdpX_qoUUSzdAKw1wTU5RqT-KDt3qaCtVL-G6FzamvzHfcqBpcGryuB0LYwiXavW_uKJ2bEuljk83muDcy6plBv4fR9BxqKOiVco3si1HKKYKxLwrLO1Sr-lW4Ow-UCkVci5xiOSWBa3iSsBg/w640-h640/GUEST_ef42ef1e-1a7a-4416-90a2-3f76c54e60c5.webp" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A beautiful new cable knit stocking to match the others.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVvETCH1Xkt_ydCzX5PvEtHUXZEMZF0EEpvFozKBT1qNnWlgvezRDr0UVZCxk5B-NVSFK6eaR_xcbiMPVbBTvErF5WuPi1Y5_r0rtp-D0kqps9UO_sSoLtjVd38DnehimXRC1mVZqIrQhcegn5M6i6wv-8LkHsNf5-n2uz0z5ImotdAmyHV32SShRGC0/s1140/il_1140xN.4075506432_bmla.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1140" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVvETCH1Xkt_ydCzX5PvEtHUXZEMZF0EEpvFozKBT1qNnWlgvezRDr0UVZCxk5B-NVSFK6eaR_xcbiMPVbBTvErF5WuPi1Y5_r0rtp-D0kqps9UO_sSoLtjVd38DnehimXRC1mVZqIrQhcegn5M6i6wv-8LkHsNf5-n2uz0z5ImotdAmyHV32SShRGC0/w640-h640/il_1140xN.4075506432_bmla.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And fell totally in love with my new oil painting.....<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For whatever reason, I have been drawn to the color green this year....<br />Perhaps it provides a feeling of calm.....<br />I hope you are looking forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays....<br />families gather, laughter can be heard throughout the house,<br />stories will be told of fond memories and homemade recipes<br />that have been family treasures will be shared....<br />How about you?<br />I wish you happy days as you plan for the season.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712599346434757984.post-42845645575818654122023-11-09T05:01:00.001-06:002023-11-11T03:58:39.128-06:00THANKSGIVING PREPARATIONS including MY AUTUMN PUNCH<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3s069JmsAPrFmWOTnKmzyvoSoIfPceDiMXS4fxXtQo_B-OXRXZs7Gsecx6Oy1kkz-6XSFfB6BRRLjYNkuluA7uPe5aJbM9atZY6wwbYgHSMcdhuMuhvCZ_-g4kDnOt5x5TVXxqIjFUPpG5Uu9_fssJF3nBwn6nXez30XixGjeH8qpmP8jUs31GhkCdo/s640/IMG_5028%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3s069JmsAPrFmWOTnKmzyvoSoIfPceDiMXS4fxXtQo_B-OXRXZs7Gsecx6Oy1kkz-6XSFfB6BRRLjYNkuluA7uPe5aJbM9atZY6wwbYgHSMcdhuMuhvCZ_-g4kDnOt5x5TVXxqIjFUPpG5Uu9_fssJF3nBwn6nXez30XixGjeH8qpmP8jUs31GhkCdo/w480-h640/IMG_5028%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />We are a little more than a week away from Thanksgiving....<br />the fall season seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye...<br />it's been a very mild this year....as far as weather goes<br />which makes it feel hardly noticeable, truth be told.<br />However, all the anticipation and preparations that goes along<br />with the Thanksgiving gathering brings joy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7XSKXMM2yn-FjZ0_50TflznusDxL64v0MD1sNXdF1ihLmQtHcqdaakdUYcq5kjJZYlTLcuDH_fBVguFzYPUJsQQBAdCasKHaUMB-KhOCmbtWtEOGEU8ryDyC6upyP3161823ZLdAl6pvXBZEpk-hE3aSDaL1cC8qgIoKqc8z6etMzBAkGEo3pw7qSv4/s640/IMG_E7570.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7XSKXMM2yn-FjZ0_50TflznusDxL64v0MD1sNXdF1ihLmQtHcqdaakdUYcq5kjJZYlTLcuDH_fBVguFzYPUJsQQBAdCasKHaUMB-KhOCmbtWtEOGEU8ryDyC6upyP3161823ZLdAl6pvXBZEpk-hE3aSDaL1cC8qgIoKqc8z6etMzBAkGEo3pw7qSv4/w640-h480/IMG_E7570.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My family loves the traditional menu....<br />the darling looks forward to the cheese ball....every year....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpEyVI-sr8G6F3enfwTXPVMEIg-RS5ePQAWOcWDo0P4vb1T7V8wOgGgnXwi48nifms3587IO0pppTcxQMMEopkK73-8aiqZwsr3CfF8uqkeMz4Cmc5ZgCe0Vsj_UCv8lfa40cuJ42IVkn3YRjIcwPElxRLG4QXjrpWDHE1PtQfW75QeQwPO7KPwL5X2c/s640/IMG_3516%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpEyVI-sr8G6F3enfwTXPVMEIg-RS5ePQAWOcWDo0P4vb1T7V8wOgGgnXwi48nifms3587IO0pppTcxQMMEopkK73-8aiqZwsr3CfF8uqkeMz4Cmc5ZgCe0Vsj_UCv8lfa40cuJ42IVkn3YRjIcwPElxRLG4QXjrpWDHE1PtQfW75QeQwPO7KPwL5X2c/w640-h480/IMG_3516%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Hot apple cider warms the hands while the turkey is frying....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnarlft_PGkaDkAJ2JD0PBs17msxg2AwDGHsDco6FyzxkejAWbLOy7CibsnC7bpll-abGgBxefbAeN1RiNtDY8twaMlzvrZwB2SFrEIUasnfVNlDbH2fqhzaVU0c3rMK8ar2OzI58InrFrsUZLxvilqFPxG-Eu1n2oIc6ghPq1Uv7bJXPlw_e74i1aW04/s640/IMG_E7599_picnik.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnarlft_PGkaDkAJ2JD0PBs17msxg2AwDGHsDco6FyzxkejAWbLOy7CibsnC7bpll-abGgBxefbAeN1RiNtDY8twaMlzvrZwB2SFrEIUasnfVNlDbH2fqhzaVU0c3rMK8ar2OzI58InrFrsUZLxvilqFPxG-Eu1n2oIc6ghPq1Uv7bJXPlw_e74i1aW04/w640-h480/IMG_E7599_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The green bean casserole has always been a favorite of our youngest....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3bs_jA3dNTDhyphenhyphenfaOji7KwT42khoYtX6dCExBLSOgsUmf3nKATEoE2drL99J8OdWAcTbwNmdU6_HeGBJ0frMINhZgQtGBanLqnkk9Vp8AVendnYRlUhG-Nm8Vm-6TUNYLj0Tkxdw-c6T5JI0RmD4tmd2q8FMXa8cYX6b709z6GJZiAghdX9pQucssATs/s640/IMG_8639%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3bs_jA3dNTDhyphenhyphenfaOji7KwT42khoYtX6dCExBLSOgsUmf3nKATEoE2drL99J8OdWAcTbwNmdU6_HeGBJ0frMINhZgQtGBanLqnkk9Vp8AVendnYRlUhG-Nm8Vm-6TUNYLj0Tkxdw-c6T5JI0RmD4tmd2q8FMXa8cYX6b709z6GJZiAghdX9pQucssATs/w530-h640/IMG_8639%20(1).jpg" width="530" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys are in charge of the turkeys this year....while the darling<br />continues to recover from knee replacement surgery..<br />they are smoking two and frying one.....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU3x4CmMY3hfjyw1mRrrRvwQSCtfmJhhB2Yx5E5BJ_IWQFB6tKpOvvpkvfjKq3lnJULyx_f9RsIOT1-44c0kJVoe-O3h7aNGJ-6S7ohU2VKBAqX2EGYUP9KhMRHliJA76QWYT4xf4VcIrBmsUalApg8qZbxDvNYofdWG-rUmZZeDLT_Z6y6B41ZGjvTs/s640/IMG_8607%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU3x4CmMY3hfjyw1mRrrRvwQSCtfmJhhB2Yx5E5BJ_IWQFB6tKpOvvpkvfjKq3lnJULyx_f9RsIOT1-44c0kJVoe-O3h7aNGJ-6S7ohU2VKBAqX2EGYUP9KhMRHliJA76QWYT4xf4VcIrBmsUalApg8qZbxDvNYofdWG-rUmZZeDLT_Z6y6B41ZGjvTs/w640-h480/IMG_8607%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The day before, I will be baking the pumpkin pie....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNGj4H7xZgdqNRuRXoFJ891-MsOk-BGE36qHN_SSLXVDgijc-206Nvcbfc8ATrpJuF4caJhHDzYjjpZC3wbk5g5N2molU1x41dmTzWswjGVoNc7QwRkzt3chlhZ8pFQVpuEIDoKHUeBLu7ZRUprGTs7FfKzhfSyRTBYFn8nwrleT1JoD7CjeaTrgIdSg/s640/IMG_8051%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNGj4H7xZgdqNRuRXoFJ891-MsOk-BGE36qHN_SSLXVDgijc-206Nvcbfc8ATrpJuF4caJhHDzYjjpZC3wbk5g5N2molU1x41dmTzWswjGVoNc7QwRkzt3chlhZ8pFQVpuEIDoKHUeBLu7ZRUprGTs7FfKzhfSyRTBYFn8nwrleT1JoD7CjeaTrgIdSg/w480-h640/IMG_8051%20(2).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And my pecan pie.....<br />I also prepare the homemade cranberry sauce and<br />a lovely Jello salad....<br />The appetizer table will also be arranged....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6sTJeMwkbQV12cgeGaSCSk6sbx2_RyX-TiBX14e7LFmnr2Y5IgVu9zy067SEp-ohCJvvCLgvbDRL_0D-9ZyOwWMRlwYX6j2JwmhgQQcyreyUVFW2KGkux4pR7akNWlvwwoiwAD9aF-Tr5qwCPBm_S-1hAq1wQzPWWi0tI-4X80ZI7r1I91xVrmHoRg4/s640/IMG_4549.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="640" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6sTJeMwkbQV12cgeGaSCSk6sbx2_RyX-TiBX14e7LFmnr2Y5IgVu9zy067SEp-ohCJvvCLgvbDRL_0D-9ZyOwWMRlwYX6j2JwmhgQQcyreyUVFW2KGkux4pR7akNWlvwwoiwAD9aF-Tr5qwCPBm_S-1hAq1wQzPWWi0tI-4X80ZI7r1I91xVrmHoRg4/w640-h542/IMG_4549.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can laugh till you cry when these boys get together....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKkRb_gq8e1Gd4OauRNstWGAaGAIkCDoPlKAAyvVTOpbTKskPh6jNSGts6Zkz80rAvNQ5J_6-mpLNSf0L5OdGMm6LPHOm_0sA9r417KiaTUgZmnsIgbxroMfupz7tn-4moYgl_XysP-I2Z3WY0Vn-lEm4pXcqKe4jbLETRUc0KUaj4fkGDEGkqJaKnw0/s640/IMG_3550.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="640" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKkRb_gq8e1Gd4OauRNstWGAaGAIkCDoPlKAAyvVTOpbTKskPh6jNSGts6Zkz80rAvNQ5J_6-mpLNSf0L5OdGMm6LPHOm_0sA9r417KiaTUgZmnsIgbxroMfupz7tn-4moYgl_XysP-I2Z3WY0Vn-lEm4pXcqKe4jbLETRUc0KUaj4fkGDEGkqJaKnw0/w640-h508/IMG_3550.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am hoping for a lovely cool day for the turkey fry.....<br />oh the aroma that fills the air is heavenly....<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The one new recipe I am featuring this year will be Autumn Punch...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0_6R_hosN-iRf5Xrtn7lb_ZlzPQzySRWfSmaCn1WBzDJjy8C66Ps7T7oOfEQyz-2pLC9tM4eEX0mgemiofgI3QVZ4lNz8JXI57kWJsttrf_ok3w_QnRtExru41Jif54a8IdTdaDPXq1giZuwtvfMnjtpm9b09LZu5BRgHmjfONlWHKs4WWkwmXfgiek/s640/IMG_0452%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0_6R_hosN-iRf5Xrtn7lb_ZlzPQzySRWfSmaCn1WBzDJjy8C66Ps7T7oOfEQyz-2pLC9tM4eEX0mgemiofgI3QVZ4lNz8JXI57kWJsttrf_ok3w_QnRtExru41Jif54a8IdTdaDPXq1giZuwtvfMnjtpm9b09LZu5BRgHmjfONlWHKs4WWkwmXfgiek/w480-h640/IMG_0452%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />2 fresh squeezed limes<br />2 cups Vodka<br />2 cups Blood Orange Liqueur<br />1 container White Cran-Stawberry Juice<br />1 container Cran-Mango Juice<br />Fresh Lime slices</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Warm blessings for a blessed Thanksgiving day to you all......</div><br /><br /><p></p>Estelle'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04565205787406338559noreply@blogger.com2