COFFEE, COBBLER AND COZY BOOKS

 I love small spaces that evoke the season.....
Coffee bars are certainly front and center
in the autumn aren't they?
Some feel the need to spend a fortune creating
a coffee bar with very expensive beverage makers,
canisters, syrups and all kinds of notions....
they are really beautiful and interesting,
but I kept my little corner simple this year..
and I love it......
This is actually a drying mat which
protects my glass stovetop, and also
protects the mugs.....

Autumn is the season for candlelight....
The warm scent is GRANDMA'S KITCHEN

May I suggest making a LEMON COBBLER....
this is divine.....
a can of LEMON PIE FILLING
and your favorite cobbler recipe....
it was a five star sweet ending here at Estelle's...

THE READING CORNER

Rustic Corners is the perfect read for those who love rustic interiors,
cottage inspired living and slow, mindful moments at home.....
it is perfect afternoon reading for all of us who enjoy
quiet corners and gentle living.

 Booked for One is a romantic read that will make you smile...
It's the story of a second chance love,
that results in healing and chemistry, paired

with a small town charm.
This book is a warm cozy read with heartfelt dialogue and
is so uplifting to the mind...

The story is set in the Low Country of South Carolina....
all the Southern Charm you can come across....
This is a story of a family written with tender, touching
moments and yet, revealing the flaws within....



I hope you find comfort and contentment this upcoming
fall season,
The world is quite different from the time I grew up...
I am in the golden years as they say and
it's the most wonderful feeling to 
make your home, your happy place.....

A COZY AUTUMN COFFEE STATION FEATURING THE HARVEST TEA LATTE

This past week I felt like FALL WAS IN THE AIR.....
waking up to cooler temperatures and even rain (at last).

You can notice that the days are a bit shorter which
tells me autumn is just around the corner.....
how exciting to enter yet another beautiful season
which brings forth a special cozy feel to our days...

Using the colors of Autumn will welcome
the crisp cool days that lay ahead.
Let's just have fun creating little vignettes
that serve a purpose....
I decided this was the perfect day to create
a little pop of drama to the kitchen counter
while the Pumpkin Cranberry Scones 
were baking the oven.....

I searched the cupboards and pulled out some old favorites...
creamers, woodland figurines, pretty paper napkins
and thought about creating my own
Starbucks inspired fall Latte.....
It seems the fall season inspires so many of us
to get creative......



My true heart and spirit connects to the autumn season
more than any other...I think it always has....
many of you feel the same....
there are so many wonderful events happening
all around the country and I believe it brings us such joy
so why not decorate to our hearts content...

My gosh, I have had these beautiful leaf plates for years.....
and I so love them....I really marvel at how old
some of my collection has become...

I believe I love the colors of the season most of all....so warm
and vibrant...just like a walk in the woods...

This reminds me to put out my squirrel cookie jar.....
Mae Mobley used to so enjoy watching the squirrels
in Maine enjoy pumpkin season......

I love leaf prints and came across this sweet little napkin set
at Hobby Lobby....

Do y'all have a mug obsession too?

I think everyone is going to enjoy a cup of hot spiced cider
featured at this little station throughout the season....

With the mornings becoming cooler and crisper.
I feel like a Harvest Tea Latte may be in order.....

One ingredient we are going to use is a good quality
vanilla coffee or tea syrup....

Oh my word...how delicious is this going to taste!!!

There is something so heartwarming about sipping a Harvest tea.....

. 

THE LAST OF SUMMER with DELICIOUS EASY RECIPES

I am very anxious to see August leave us....
it is so miserable and oppressive when you walk outside...
and it just zaps my energy and enthusiasm...
it's been triple digits day after day, so we find ways to
be productive indoors...except for a few minutes porch sitting
and watering the plants in the early morning....
just keeping it real.....



This is our house in the summer afternoons....

A delicious way to stay hydrated is with
Blueberry Lemonade!

This cold swiss cheese spread makes a great summer snack;;;
very much like pimento cheese and it's not only
light and refreshing, it's filling!

This has become my favorite lunch for these hot days....
one piece of rye bread, toasted, layered with
crisp lettuce, fresh tomato slices and homemade egg salad!

I came across this easy apple cake on Pinterest and it
is marvelous for a small cake...using only one apple.....

This is great for breakfast or a sweet ending with ice cream....

CINNAMON APPLE CAKE

 

SUMMER COFFEE/TEA CORNER

Good Morning Loves...
I certainly hope you have had a good start to your week
and that all is peaceful in your corner of the world.
Today, I thought about sharing an idea for a small
coffee/tea corner if you are expecting visitors
for a day or two....I try to provide
a special bed and breakfast feel to their visit..... 

Travel these days can be so hectic and tiring....
after a day of flying to your destination. your guests
may often arrive weary and a bit hungry...
in need of small refreshments.....
so this is how I like to prepare for them when
it's mid-morning, afternoon or late night.....
I think this is company worthy and I know
how much it is appreciated by those visiting....
Summer is a laid-back kind of feel....
special touches, but not at all fancy...
I try to choose a beverage that can be served hot or cold
a soothing color palette and a little nosh.....

This beverage corner was in bright summer shades of blue....
all arranged on a pretty lazy susan.....
a lovely cloth napkin with sterling silver stirring spoons...

I love to serve special jams that are gourmet and unusual...
most people are intrigued and look forward to a taste.....

Something homemade and warm from the oven
is showing your guests you cared about their well-being and 
hungry tummies....
today, I chose to bake some delicious banana nut muffins..

If your guests prefer tea, rather than coffee,
then a summer flavored tea can be delightful 
and served cold or hot....
this is Texas honey, we like ice cold sweet tea.....
or a hot cup of coffee.......

I store the tea packets in a pretty ginger jar,
which is lovely to display with your beverage mugs...

So, welcome your guests with a special area where they
can unwind, relax and enjoy their beverage and home baked goodie....
it's a lovely way to make them feel welcomed and cared for....
now the conversations can begin....easy and relaxed.....

GARDEN FAVORITES FOR SUMMER

Good Morning to all the garden lovers out there...
I love to document the progress of our gardens
as the months progress into summer 

This year, I decided to invest in a good organic fertilizer and chose
this brand from well know master gardener, Barbara King,
who is often featured on QVC!

This corner of the garden is dedicated to
Mae Mobley and it's looking so beautiful....
the colors are bright, vivid, cheerful and 
bring me memories of her that warm my heart daily.....
it can sometimes be a safe harbor for bunny rabbits,
birds, geckos and bees....

The delicate four o' clocks that bloom twice daily..
early morning and evening.....

This is my tropical sunset lilly.....

In this whiskey barrel, more of the tropical sunset collection

The zinnias are just now beginning to bloom that
were planted in with the Rose of Sharon....

My beautiful trumpet vine...it took me eight years
to have blooms finally appear and they are indeed
spectacular....a lesson in perseverance and patience...

This is the garden flag for the spring and summer of 2024

And my beautiful Lantana is thriving....

The temps are climbing into the 90's as we are approaching
summer....I just hope I can keep the garden thriving
through the Texas heat....but I am ready to have
summer days to swim and grill burgers...how about y'all?
I think I'll make a ice cold PALOMA and dream a little dream......

2 ounces grapefruit juice
2 ounces tequila, Blanco or Silver
½ ounce lime juice
½ ounce simple syrup ,
2 ounces sparkling water, to top off
lime or grapefruit wedge, 
for garnish
salt, for rimming