Showing posts with label Bo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bo. Show all posts

September 1, 2020

VIRTUAL SCHOOL DAYS, THE CALI KIDS, A PINK PIRATE COCKTAIL and OUR FESTIVE FALL HOME


Hello there September....
We're ready..........we're transitioning.......


WELCOME TO MIDDLE SCHOOL 


Luke the Duke and Piper Rose


Ah, I think we can all remember the beginning of MIDDLE SCHOOL....
however, back in my day, it was called Junior High School...
which were grades 7th, 8th and 9th.
When our kiddos, were school age, 6th grade was it's own individual school....
these days, 6th grade begins MIDDLE SCHOOL.


There is not the experience of attending a brand new school. where
 you change classes six times a day, you have a HOMEROOM teacher,
band and new school mates....that makes me sad to think
our Luke the Duke is missing all those experiences.
This year just stinks...it really stinks....
Virtual learning has presented its challenges for teachers, parents and students...


there have been technical problems, weariness, tired eyes, frustration
and a few teary breakdowns.....


But, the bright side is Piper is there for moral support,
the family can enjoy nutritious lunches together and parents
are close at hand....


PE breaks are pretty fun too!


This was a very special birthday for our sweet daughter-in-law
and Rob was invited to fly out to California and spend some time
ocean side for a small family celebration.
As nervous as we were for the flight.....I think this
visit and change of scenery did them all a world of good....
it's been soooooo long.....with no family and no visits....
love seeing them all together...oh just look at that sunset over the beach....

I hope you find some enjoyment and inspiration
as I share a few snippets of our Fall home decor....
thank you for stopping by today......


The last of Summer's gathering....
a lovely day spent with Nick, Cat and the grandpups...
Franz enjoying the pool on such a hot August day....
Mr. Wonderful treated us to grilled steaks, Hashbrown casserole
and wedge salads....


For our sweet ending...Nick's favorite...
French Vanilla Banana Pudding......


I must say, I have enjoyed taking my time
transitioning our home into the Fall season....


I am in love with my new Fall cozy throw...
perfect for reading a new novel....


no rush, no hurry....just enjoying changing the decor in each room.


There is a welcome wreath at our front door....
Even though we are not having anyone but
a few close family members as guests these days,
it it still important to create an atmosphere of comfort.....


I came across this beautiful little owl
at the grocery the other day and of course....
he somehow flew into my basket.......


I added this Fall chalkboard sign in the kitchen....



And this little fellow is the new addition to the coffee station...
so sweet and cute with his little knitted scarf and pumpkin on his head...



These Fall napkins from last year just may be my all time favorites!!!


Now, I as we turn the calendar to September 1st,
I can at last sip morning coffee from my cute little Autumn mug
from HOBBY LOBBY!


I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, decorating our piano for the season.....


My parents used to adore listening to the song of
Autumn Leaves....I was lucky enough to inherit
this vintage sheet music.....


I always get more enjoyment and satisfaction from
arrangements I created myself....rather than something I purchased
already made....do you feel the same?


I added this new accent rug in our foyer....
I am in love with these rich colors which are lovely
for this season.....



And....just couldn't resist the little red truck......


This is going to look so warm and lovely in the evenings
when the candles are lit....which reminds me to add
a slew of batteries to my list......


I adore scarecrows and found this little cute guy
while doing a little retail therapy one weekend.....

Now, after all this decorating.....
I think it's time for a cocktail!!!!


We decided to do something fun on a Saturday night...
and I made my first ever cocktail called a
Pink Pirate!


Oh this was fun and sooooo delicious...
Rum, Coconut Rum, Banana Liqueur, Cranberry Juice,
and Pineapple Juice


This has now been declared our official beach cocktail......


The darling's office has been warmed up
by my birch branch lighted tree....
it's so very pretty by adding some fall stems
throughout it's branches....


I suppose the old saying holds true...
There is nothing like staying home,
for real comfort.......


May 28, 2020

MEMORIAL DAY HIGHLIGHTS.....FOOD APPRECIATION

MAY 2020....
We bid you ......adieu”


Fifth graders ended the year with a drive-by parade
at school...it's official....good-bye elementary school
and on to middle school, which begins at sixth grade!
Luke seemed rather unphased by the significance of this....
we all do when we are young don't we......


Both the Cali kids have been practicing staying at home
for the most part...took a ride into San Francisco one afternoon...
the weather has been mild and sunny....
Bo found a sun puddle to warm up in....


We joined in a group family text when Jenn
sent us this photo of making the darling's infamous
Lemon Pepper grilled hot dogs.....YUM-O


I had texted Miss M and Jenn about this newly discovered
Gin, called Empress 1908....
she finally found a bottle and is discovering new cocktails....
I am still on the hunt for this...
isn't this beautiful?


This one is called ORANGE YOU GLAD...
orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, tonic and gin...
yes, indeed....beautiful........


I  love the look of our neighborhood on holidays when
the flags are flying at most every home...
how lucky we are to have our freedoms
and take this day to remember those who gave their life
for our country...the home of the brave....


We also had a visitor for two days...
our youngest son drove up from Austin....reluctantly...
we needed to see his face......
and....it was hard not to hug him or give him a kiss on the cheek...
we tried to be safe.....he worried about visiting and keeping us safe...

I love giving him some home cooking....
beginning with breakfast.....


He and I both wore our masks...front seat and back seat....
we were on our way to pick up lunch at a nearby
Farmer's Market where we were following
our favorite food truck......


We treated him to a Lobster Roll from Cousin's....
just so darn good!


The weather was wonderful...warm and breezy so we
were able to enjoy most of the afternoon on our patio.....


Just for kicks, I ordered a beautiful set
of Fairy Tarot cards to play around with
for a bit of entertainment....
These cards are beautifully illustrated and
it was really fun to learn the meaning of
the cards and how they relate to your life....


We did our traditional Saturday night grilled steaks...
with baked potatoes, salad and rosemary bread
followed by apple pie a'la mode for dessert....

It was all too soon, the visit was over
and Sunday was the drive back to Austin.....
the visit did us both a lot of good!!

Memorial Day was rain and more rain....
a good day for napping.....


I baked a cake for our holiday dinner and
can highly recommend this cake.....


The Betty Crocker Confetti Angel Food.....


with this beautiful white frosting....
it's very much like a marshmallow or seven-minute frosting....


What a pretty cake for summer.....


The latest puzzle.......


A perfectly delicious MEMORIAL DAY dinner
Spicy Maple Pork burgers with baked beans....

I hope your holiday was just as lovely and peaceful...
and now we welcome Summer......
time for lilacs, lavender and garden hats....

.


April 29, 2020

A CANOE/CAMPING TRIP DOWN THE BRAZOS, HIKING IN GEORGIA, QUARANTINE COOKING IN TEXAS...AND HELLO FROM CALIFORNIA


Hello all you Love Bugs out there....
I so hope this finds you well and happy at home....
I hope you have a garden of flowers, some books for the hours,
good health and lots of glorious love in your hearts....

Here is a look around the family this past week.....


One of our sons packed up his family and the dogs and
went on a canoe and camping trip down the Brazos river...
These kiddos know how to camp and be prepared for most anything......
that's Franz under the umbrella so as to protect him from the sun....


It's amazing how well they packed
to take food and camping supplies in three canoes.....


I think the dogs were enjoying this more than their people.....




A good weekend getaway idea where you are not around anyone
outside of your family......helps to break up the stay-at-home blues....

GEORGIA


Over in Atlanta, Miss M packed a picnic
and off they went for a beautiful hike in the woods...


This was a long hike and they enjoyed an entire afternoon
in sunshine and letting Piper run off some energy.....


Remember skipping rocks when you were a kid?

CALIFORNIA


The gorgeous California Lanai....


We were delighted with a Zoom call from the Cali kids...
we discussed the current situation..layoff's, the dilemma
of the country's shutdown and then played a fun
little brain teaser game....sure do miss these two...and Bo!

Here at Estelle's....it's the new normal continuation...
working from home....cooking and baking....
and doing a lot of porch sitting.....


I am rather enjoying comfort food basics....
here's what was on the menu this past week.......


Sunday morning Buttermilk Biscuits


Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup





Beer Bread


This may have been the BEST lunch I have served during the past
few months....


Chocolate Pudding

I sincerely hope you all are well and happy...
it's a long process.....it helps to stay connected to family and friends
through social media and frequent phone calls....
Can you believe we are heading into May?