THIS WEEK AT ESTELLE'S

 I must keep reminding myself...this is SEPTEMBER...
and yes, I keep thinking fall is just around the corner.....
but honestly, it's becoming hard to imagine, as
this hot summer keeps hanging on
and it is putting a damper on the joy of decorating...
but, I keep on TRYING....



I honestly had no idea what I wanted the mantel theme to look like,
so it just transformed itself into am autumnal look of a windblown fall.....

I rather am pleased with pumpkins and foliage....
all the warm and moody colors of season!

These days, I like decorating around the normal decor pieces

which saves me the problem of moving and storing them elsewhere....

It's also a great idea to just add a few seasonal touches to rooms such

as a bathroom, by adding a new hand towel....

This one was perfect to me in the colors of the fall...

from the BEAUTIFUL line at Walmart....

Dove has a line of delightful seasonal scents for the bath...

I am loving the artwork I purchased for this year.....

 it's a romantic fall look and also budget friendly...

just what I wanted for my vintage guest bedroom...

I like rich textures of velvets and and soft linens for the fall

and winter season...ready for family visits....

In the kitchen. we had a few favorites this week...

a light dinner of a Greek Pasta Salad

A delicious lunch of Cheddar Broccoli Soup

And a citrus bright Lemon Bundt Cake

Sweet Otis had a birthday celebration....

The sweetest boy ever.....

he has certainly brought joy to our lives....

and I think we have brought the same to him....

I hope you found some inspiration today...

We will be visiting Austin in a few weeks

to celebrate a milestone birthday for our youngest...

Life is good...

CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP COBBLER and NEW FALL FAVORITES

It's Labor Day weekend...
we are finally ready to
finish out the fall decorating
and plan the fall gardens.....
Let's really celebrate the season......



 Hello Kindred Spirits...
I have a few fall finds that I am loving right now...
both are from Walmart!

They have done it once again....
brought us beautiful fall designs and scents on
their seasonal candles which cost less than $5.00 each..
I purchased the FALL FARMHOUSE scent...
it's heavenly!!!

The second item I picked up was this beautiful, soft and cozy
plaid throw!
In fact, it's a marvelous fall plaid with fleece and soft sherpa..
I purchased two and am thrilled with this throw!
Lucy has claimed one for herself.....

It's time to bring out the crockpots...
I tried a delicious new fall dessert
that is so easy to prepare and the family
loved..perfect for an evening by the firepit....
This begins with a can of CHERRY PIE FILLING...

Next up is a box of yellow or golden butter cake mix



Sprinkle in chocolate chips and one stick of melted butter

The pairing of cherry and chocolate will make your heart sing....

Slow Cooker Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
 1 package (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
 1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup chocolate chips whipped topping or vanilla ice cream, optional

 Spray your slow cooker with nonstick spray. Evenly spread the pie filling in the slow cooker. Mix the cake mix and the butter in a medium bowl. Stir in the pecan pieces and chocolate chips. Spread this mixture evenly over the cherry pie filling in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Serve warm in dishes, topped with whipped topping or ice cream, if desired.

AUTUMN TOUCHES, WILDFIRES AND DOLLY'S BUTTERSCOTH PIE

Hello Kindred Spirits...
it's been a difficult week for so many of us....
the world lost the sweetest soul, our Dolly Parton..
and parts of our beautiful Texas experienced horrific wildfires.....
I thought I would share a little catch up post as we focus on
autumn....progress has been made  here at Estelle's.... 

The family room is being transformed....

The formal dining room shows off a bird theme which I most always
love to do....early autumn



I love the first edition of Candy Corn.....

And, the bar cart sports a romantic botanical fall theme....

The entryway tables featured soft fall artwork accented with
velvet pumpkins along with acorns and my glittered pheasant....

I love displaying my grandmother's goblet filled with acorns,
alongside a pumpkin and woodland art

I fell in love with the toile pumpkin
which is part of the fall collection
from My Texas House

Lucy and I decorated the little guest bedroom....
new pillow covers, a soft cozy throw and art.....

        OVER IN ATLANTA....

Luke attended a Braves game with his friend, Lucas and his Dad...
always a good time....

He works hard which allows him to buy clothes he really enjoys wearing

We were shocked and simply heartbroken to learn of
the passing of Dolly Parton.....
she has been a part of my life since childhood...
I began watching her when she first started out
on The Porter Wagoner show long before color TV....
Dolly was a special gift from God

So, in her honor, I made one of her recipes....
The Butterscotch Pie...and it is just delicious!

Texas has been battling horrific wildfires this week....
This is smoke billowing in the distance from 
the ranch....

Please remember to pray for all affected by this tragedy...

A FRENCH COUNTRY FALL VIBE

Well, Kindred Spirits....
we are still in the early stages of decorating
for the upcoming fall season....
we have experienced weeks of extremely hot temperatures, which
tends to slow down thoughts of autumn....
so today I thought I would bring
you a bit of delightful collectibles 
that could be considered a part of early fall decor....

 Roosters can be a popular choice for a rustic
French Country Autumn display
and they certainly have the charm of farmhouse!
These pieces I selected today are favorite
collectibles that you may want to pick up for yourself!

The fall season brings about a more scheduled lifestyle..
especially when school starts



The day begins very early morning and continues with
school bus runs, homework, sports practices and 
evening family times around the dinner table!
Moms and Dads are on the go and it's the
best time of life, in my opinion.....
This brings to mind Mother always having
a home baked treat for us when we returned
home from school and supper on the stovetop
or warming in the oven
Her Chicken Noodle Soup somehow brought me comfort
and now, nostalgic thoughts....
so that's what we are serving today at Estelle's..

Let's talk collectibles.....

Goodness Gracious It's Good Cookbook

This is a delightful cookbook full of prize winning recipes
along with stunning illustrations....one of my favorites!

Certified International Gilded Rooster



I am so in love with this pattern and have been
for a long time. 
It's been around for awhile and is hard to find
the collection these days,
so if
you are wanting this pattern, I would recommend
you purchase some pieces soon...
These are lovely to use for the autumn season
for all of your soups and pasta dishes....
A beautiful pattern and autumn colors for your table....

  THE MENU...all homemade

Estelle's Chicken Noodle Soup

Honey Cornbread Muffins

Cherry Cobbler

Enjoy this period of seasonal transition in finding your indoor creativity.......

THE COMFORT EARLY FALL BRINGS

 It's easy for me to say good-bye to summer....
Triple digit days rob me of my energy
and I find little joy in really hot weather....
The part of August that can be a happy time
is looking forward to a new school year,
football practice starts and shopping for new clothes
for the upcoming fall season...
this evokes such wonderful memories of
back-to-school shopping with Mother and 
organizing school supplies along with
the nervous feeling of a new academic schedule....

So, I have decided to look forward rather than

limp along as days float by in August..

I think I shall call this my pre-fall series

as we transition from summer into fall.....

I was undecided about when I would begin fall decorating this year,
but as it so happens, the appearance of pumpkins and mums
grabs my attention, along with my heart....
I shall begin the early fall look in our home....
subtle, but with joyful anticipation.....
I lead a scheduled lifestyle, it seems.......

The new look on the farmhouse table.....
shades of plum and mocha......
then we shall make a comforting and yummy soup,
and follow up with apple cinnamon rolls...

An autumn botanical table runner with vintage plates

The centerpiece is soft and gentle with a nod to autumn.....
a wooden dough bowl, a mocha gingham tea towel and
sprigs of crimson raspberries......

This ITALIAN SAUSAGE soup was meant to have cheese tortellini added,
but my son suggested great northern beans instead...
a brilliant idea....
before serving I add fresh spinach and top
with fresh parmesan cheese.....

This was honestly one of the best soups I have ever made!!!

There is a new seasonal cinnamon roll which
includes apples.....

Divine!!

What a breath of fresh air to relish the idea of autumn days....
I am now inspired to go room by room and transform
our home into a new season.....
My wish is that all the children starting back to school
have a happy and successful year ahead...
thanks for joining me today!