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.....

LEMON CAKE...IT'S PRIZE WINNING

 

Mom's Very Best Lemon Cake
1 lemon cake mix
1 box instant lemon pudding mix
1 T. fresh lemon zest
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil

Mix all ingredients in large mixing bowl and beath
with hand mixer until well acquainted.
pour into prepared bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees
until dne, about 30 minutes.

Glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2 T. water

This cake made our hit parade....

LEMON CAKE AND WINTER WEATHER

 GOOD MORNING WINTER LOVERS....
Are you snug and warm in your cozy home?
I hope this finds you well, sitting by the fire
in warm socks and soft blankets....we need
comforts during winter as we dream of
warmer weather and picnics in the park....
I have a delightful recipe for your today..
a marvelous lemon cake that tastes sooo good and
smells like a fresh lemon while baking...
You will want to make this for your 
next gathering!

One box lemon cake mix
One small box instant lemon pudding
1 cup milk
1 stick of melted butter
4 eggs
1 t. lemon extract

Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer
Pour into a prepared bundt pan
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

I wish I could have bottled the aroma....

I always serve a lemon dessert at Easter and this is the one
that will be served for 2026

If you are looking for a good cookbook, this darling
book is all about the art of the PICNIC ...
full of recipes, illustrations and lovely stories..

We love salad for a light lunch and this
Lime garden chopped salad was so refreshing....
I love a bag salad, how about you?

A winter storm is headed our way for the weekend....
perhaps a time for a pot of 15 bean soup....

THE LAST OF SUMMER GARDENS AND A LITTLE LEMON CAKE

It's late summer...
this season calls to mind the images of rocking chairs
on the porch as evening falls, and the smell of freshly
mown grass layered with the scent of blooming flowers..
it's the season to live outside, tending to the gardens....
and this has been a rather successful year for growing
new plant species....



It was the time to linger in the garden wearing a floppy hat,
gardening shears in hand and refreshing patio decor....
I wanted to remember the last of the summer blooms....

The beginning of the seasonal change to autumn

The Coleus has been spectacular

The colorful Zinnia's and day lillies

My gorgeous OakLeaf Hydrangea

My all time favorite Four O' Clocks

Foxtail fern, Lantana and Boston Ferns

The stunning orange Cannas in Mae's garden

We say goodbye to the light breezy feeling of summer.....

Here is a quick little light lemon cake which is delightful
with afternoon tea or coffee

Sugar (1 cup) Butter (1/2 cup) Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons) 2 Eggs Lemon juice (2 tablespoons) Plain Flour (1 ⅓ cups) Baking powder 1 teaspoon Milk (1/3 cup & 2 tablespoons) Vanilla extract 1 teaspoon Strawberry Jam/ jelly (1 cup) Plain Flour 2 tablespoons For the Frosting: Cream cheese 8 ounces Butter (⅓ cup) Powdered Sugar (1 cup) (Whisk all together for 3-4 mins) Bake in a preheated Oven at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes

I hope you went barefoot in the grass and were able to catch a few fireflies....

THE PERFECT LITTLE LOAF CAKE

Well good morning loves....I have a gem of a little recipe for you today..
Now, listen....we have finally had RAIN in our glorious little city after
months of drought....it's the most marvelous feeling of all....
and a rainy September day, means another round of fall baking!
So move over Starbucks...this vintage little loaf cake rivals the best of the best
store bought and I'll just bet you have all the ingredients needed in your kitchen right now!!!
 

PERFECT LITTLE LOAF CAKE

1 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. vanilla

GLAZE
1 cup powdered sugar
Juice of one lemon
Blend sugar and butter well with hand mixer.

Add eggs and beat another minute.
.Add flour, baking powder and milk alternately, while beating together,
Add vanilla and blend.
Pour batter into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

Allow cake to cool a bit before inverting onto a serving plate.

Make the glaze by adding a fresh lemon squeezed into the
powdered sugar and mixed until smooth.
Pour over warm cake!
Enjoy!

Yes, it's vintage, it's easy and absolutely delicious!

LEMON ZUCCHINI BREAD

Hey there loves....
Oh, y'all...this quick bread is SOOOOOO GOOD!
This recipe comes from Miss Lori who resides
in Arkansas and she is just an amazing home chef.....
You probably have some zucchini in your kitchen
and need some good ideas on how to use it.....
make this bread and enjoy an afternoon snack.....
warm from the oven with a delightful little lemon glaze!

Lemon Zucchini Bread
2 cups cake flour or all purpose
 2 t. baking powder
 1/2 t. Salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 1/3 sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 T. lemon juice
 zest of 1 lemon
1 cup shredded Zucchini

 Glaze

 1 cup powdered sugar
 2 T. heavy cream
2 T. lemon juice

In a large mixing bowl,
mix together above ingredients.
Pour batter into a greased loaf pan.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45-50 minutes.

Spoon glaze over warm bread. 
Allow to cool for about 15 minutes before slicing.....

Enjoy that lovely lemony aroma.....

Slice into serving sized pieces, pour a glass of cold iced tea....and enjoy!

AROUND THE HOUSE....FALL TOUCHES AND RECIPES YOU'LL WANT TO TRY

Good Morning all my Kindred Spirits...
how is your fall decorating going?
I do believe by the time September rolls around,
we may be closing in on getting the fall bins out of the attic
and gathering inspiration from all the social media sites and magazines!
It's a lovely time for entertaining and hosting family gatherings!
Here are a few snippets from around the house at Estelle's.....



The darling and I enjoyed date night at one of our
all time favorite restaurants here in the Metroplex!

Food was delicious, waiter was great and atmosphere was wonderful!

Have you chosen your favorites from fall line of Bath and Body Works yet?
I did not intend to add to my fall candles this year but,

I did however, stock up on the foaming hand soaps on sale!

Walmart is not over the top this year on their fall decorations,
but I did purchase this darling little pumpkin for the kitchen!
I love the colors, the textures and size, along with the message!

This is a small sample of what the farmhouse table will be dressed
like starting in September,,,,I think I'm going to love this look!

I created a small centerpiece the other day which I will share
in an upcoming post, and these are just a few of the items I used.....

We transferred our Butterfly bushes to the back patio
and transplanted them into bigger pots which they are loving...
and....I purchased faux outdoor florals for our front urns...

no water required and the heat will not be a factor..
I really am loving these!

The Basil is thriving...just beautiful

Here are some of the beautiful colors of the Four O' Clocks...

These add a lovely touch to the garden

Aren't you ready for seasonal recipes to make...

all those yummy soups and stews......
time to bring out your fall cookbooks guys and dolls!

FOOD FARE

GRANDMA METZGER CHICKEN AND RICE
This is very much like a vintage southern recipe
we made for years....mother made this frequently..a true favorite!

LEMON MERINGUE PIE

This pie is simply divine!

Miss Elizabeth created two masterpiece Pizzas the other night..
one being a duplicate of the one they dined on in the Bahama's
a few weeks ago...peaches, goat cheese and basil with a drizzle of honey....

Her pizza dough was also homemade..great job Liz!

Rolo Pretzel Bites
Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
Place a Rolo candy on top of a pretzel bite.
Bake on a cookie sheet for 5 minutes....no more.
Place a tiny chunk of granny smith apple on top of the warm, melted Rolo candy!
Enjoy!