PAMPERED CHEF BANANA BREAD

 Hello Kindred Spirits...

our days are becoming cooler and it's been

rather enjoyable sitting outdoors in the afternoon....

I love watching the children walk home from school which

is all contained within the neighborhood...

and it's safe.....

I love seeing the school bus drive by and wonder if

everyone had a good day..

I find it rather sad, that these days, there are no books in school...

the teachings are all on line and managed through an APP...

The older I become, the more I think fondly of the times

in which I grew up.....thankful for these memories....

I have a friend who's family tradition is to cook all their favorite holiday foods
as they gather on Christmas Eve.
Each family member prepared their favorite recipe and her father makes
the Banana Bread which was featured by the Pampered Chef!
That is a version I had yet to try, so today was the day....

I decided it was time to add fairy lights to the mantel as the night
comes a bit earlier these days and I absolutely love it....
it's just stunning and feels so festive!

This is fall break over in Atlanta so the family
is off visiting college campuses for potential
higher education....hard to believe it's time for that,
but it's so exciting!

Lucille is such a girly girl.....a little precious.....
she loves finding sun puddles in the afternoon
and takes a nap in the warmth....

This creates a beautiful quick bread,,,,,would make a lovely
gift to share with family and friends during the holidays

PAMPERED CHEF BANANA BREAD

I am planning the fall garden and am planting something new to me....
while down in Austin, I noticed the most beautiful shrubs with yellow
blossoms which were mixed with pink Lantana....
I fell in love.....

Texas Yellow Bell Bush Trumpet Flower

So, we are still decorating, still making each day special,
still tending to the garden, and so grateful for it all!

FALL PORCH DECOR

The fall weather has arrived...I kept the faith
that one morning, we would actually feel the coolness
and those hot summer days were gone until next year...
we even had a few rain sprinkles which made my
plants perk up and take notice......

This was the day, to decorate the back porch for autumn....

It's always official, when the new garden flag goes out on display

I so love the new pillow covers for this year....

I love dreaming about hayrides, the pumpkin patches and apple picking....
I can think about my younger days and growing up in the 60's,
I could look out my bedroom window and watch the wind blow
all the leaves around the yard. and see the halloween decorations
throughout the neighborhood,,,,it was a magical time....

On one particular morning, I enjoyed the first cup of coffee
on the porch just taking in the sights and smells of nature...
it was just blissful....

I feel so grateful for having this beautiful outdoor space to enjoy

It's cool enough now, to buy some actual pumpkins to place
around the garden...

It's such a fun project to tuck in whimsical items for the season

The menu included my homemade potato salad along with
barbecue pork sandwiches...good for watching football......

I have one last area to decorate and then, I can call it done!
October will have arrived and I plan on celebrating each and every day!
How about you?
Are you filling up on Pumpkin Spice and Apple Cider?

 

SENIOR YEAR BEGINS WITH A PANCAKE BREAKFAST

It's hard to imagine that a new school year has begun and this one
marks the final year for high school for our Luke the Duke.....
He is quite the fashionista and we are so proud of this adorable
grandchild....our youngest grandbaby has grown up and will
soon be deciding on his future..off to college or perhaps
choosing a trade school ...
college tours are on the agenda so this will be a very
busy time for our Atlanta family...

 

Love his style.....he also works after school.....

Off to a Senior Breakfast.....

Speaking of breakfast, in honor of his school year,

I made pancakes this norming.....

I will soon be cutting back a few of my struggling plants
but did capture a few new roses in bloom

My favorite hydrangea which will be cherry red in the fall season....

You know,, when you take some time to look through
family photos from the past, you realize how quickly
time passes...it's amazing to think that the grandchildren
are all grown up and living their lives with busy schedules....
even thinking about our children and the ages they currently are....
it makes you appreciate all the memories that you have
created and to continue to make the most of the times you
spend together.....grateful for it all.....

I can now turn  my full attention to decorating for fall.....

Along with fall baking..of course it's time for a
apple cinnamon puff pastry!!!!

Hope everyone is doing well.....

SUMMER GARDEN, GOLF AND WHAT'S COOKIN'?

 Oh Kindred Spirits...
how in the world are you all doing?
We are in the dog days of Summer..
those hot triple digits heat!!!!
This is the time of year, I struggle to keep
the plants alive and water daily....
seems like we didn't have this extreme heat
when I grew up......

July birthdays have come and gone..
three of us are another year older.....
when I say it outloud, it seems unreal to me....
you know the saying, when you have your health,
you have everything and for this, I am so thankful....

We are in the throws of preparing for the
ATLANTA family visit..cleaning and sprucing up
around here at Estelle's.....
I thought I would share a bit of food inspiration with you
of recipes that were really good this week...

You know, it's tradition to visit a local Farmer's Market during Summer..
all that Luscious fresh fruit and vegetables is a delight to the senses
so of course, we picked up some delicious peaches for a cobbler...

I tried Caleb's recipe for a cobbler which was quick and easy
and indeed, it was delicious...not like my Mother's but delicious!
The link to this tecipe is provided below.

PEACH COBBLER

Saturday night is sometimes Pizza night..
my son is the the best at preparing a homemade Pizza...

All fresh ingredients and hot from the oven..
such a treat for us....

He tried a recipe for Blueberry Grilled Cheese..
this was delicious...
it included fresh Basil, honey and fresh berries

AND now a little garden update...

I planted Sunflower seeds this year and grew
my first sunflower ever....how exciting!!!

My beautiful Trumpet Vine

And the beautiful pink Zinna's

Saturday evening, the entire family will
be here for the party of cocktails, appetizers and games...
preparations are underway.....



I planned for the colors to be vibrant and beautiful to the eye....

And, I am including my favorite Milo's to the beverage bar..
SWEET TEA AND LEMONADE...
if you haven't tried Milo's, you should....highly recommend....

This is where you can find Lucy and I on Summer afternoons.....
you know the lazy, crazy days of Summer.......
see ya' next time....

EVERYDAY LIVING ...BIRTHDAYS, RECIPES, GARDENING and PUMPKIN CAKE

Good Morning Kindred Spirits...
we find ourselves coming to the end of July!
This month has flown by at warp speed...
It's impossible to believe that in a few weeks,
school buses will be appearing in the early mornings
and late afternoons....such a short summer vacation
for children these days, which is a shame..

July is family birthday month for us....
we celebrate three family members
and enjoy the time we can gather in one place
for a bit.... 



Brunch was just scrumptious as we met over near Keller....

Enjoying Mimosa's and Blood Mary's is not a bad way to begin the day

The darling and I had a lovely evening celebration
for our birthdays in our downtown historic district.
Everything was top notch...the ambiance, the cocktails and 
the service...we loved every minute!

One of my sweetest gifts was this darling garden bunny
which I am choosing to keep inside....

It is the best time to take advantage of those summer fresh berries...
I whipped up a beautiful berry trifle...with custard and whipped cream...

I tried out the Viral Chicken Cobbler for dinner one evening....

We are replacing some dead shrubs in the garden
and chose Texas Sage as a new addition...

I actually love this so much more.....

It is time to think of fall and all the goodness that it
will bring our way.....

I have always been a fall color girl,
and purchased this beautiful new quilt which will go
on the farmhouse table, along with a beautiful leaf and candle....

And, it's time to test out a few new recipes....
this cake is divine and will definitely be offered at Thanksgiving

PUMPKIN CAKE
submitted by Southern Sideboards, Mrs. Donald Seago 1978

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil
2 cups self-rising flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
1 cup canned pumpkin

Mix well the eggs, sugar and oil. 
Sift dry ingredients together and add.
Beat 3 minutes on medium speed of electric mixer, add pumpkin.
Bake in prepared bundt pan at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.

'One remembers all those tables, some grand and richly laden,
some humble and bearing simple fare, 
over which flowed the talk, the tales, the exchanges that

have made up the histories of our lives, the tables which
loving eyes have looked in loving eyes, spirit to spirit...I think 
of vanished loved ones, and simpler times, of youth and wonder..
the seasons in which we were blessed with Heaven's gifts...."
~Wyatt Cooper

SUMMER IN THE GARDEN

 
Welcome back to Estelle's..
we love to have you stop by
and enjoy an afternoon of
sun and relaxation.....



Before the long hot days roll in,
it is so lovely to have a backyard oasis by the pool
to become one with nature and enjoy those zen moments....

I so enjoy creating a vibrant entertaining space
that helps to create the feeling that summer brings....

Ice cold sparkling lemonade is being served....

Snickerdoodles are baking in the oven....
let's take a little garden tour of what's in bloom....

The garden flag for the season

TRUMPET VINES

CANNAS IN MAE'S MEMORY GARDEN

DAYLILIES

FOUR O' CLOCKS

ZINNAS

GARDEN WHIMSY

SUN PATIENTS

FRAGRANT LANTANA

PLUMBAGO

HYDRANGEA

What's on your schedule for this season?