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....

HARVEST DINNER PARTY

The first few burnished leaves drift down
which signals that fall has arrived..
a reminder that it is the ideal time
to entertain with an intimate dinner party..
and this occasion has an easy Texas theme...... 

What are you waiting for?
It's time to spend time with good food and family!
Let this weekend entertaining menu help
you create elevated comfort food that's
perfect for a casual, yet delicious dinner!



The Menu.
 THE THREE C'S 
Chili, Cornbread and Cobbler



It's important to plan such a gathering so that your guests
feel excited and they anticipate something wonderful is happening..
the colors, the linens, the aroma of delicious foods in front of them...
Select your prettiest serving pieces....
and always have candlelight...

The theme for this casual fall dinner was
French Country with a touch of boho.....
beautiful linen napkins with
fall embellishments..



A layered look with a flannel scarf and boho table runner

Beautiful glassware in a deep shade of blue

Select a good bottle of wine

And of course, pumpkins galore in wood, copper and velvet

I have come to love items that blend, but are different patterns....

Bring out your fall dinnerware too

I love listening to the humming sounds of good conversations....
while preparing dinner....

Dinner is served...gather around the table.

The appetizer is Roast Beef slices, with Pepper Jack Cheese
in a Crescent Roll, brushed with melted butter and a sprinkle of
Bagel Seasoning, served with a Horseradish Sauce

A Hot and spicy Texas Cowboy Chili Cornbread Casserole



Topped with Sour Cream and Jalapenos..

For a sweet ending....Blackberry Cobbler....

Have fun planning and hosting a fall dinner.....

October is a lovely month for gatherings and celebrating
the autumn season.....

OCTOBER TRADER JOE'S, DINNER AND DESSERT, AND AN APPETIZER

 Good Morning....
Step outside after Sunset and look to the East..
There will be an October Harvest Moon as I write this post..
this moonlight glow will give the evening a perfect autumn vibe....

I was able to successfully dry a few Hydrangea blossoms
 to add to the mantel foliage..makes me so happy

I believe that this piece of artwork has been my favorite
new decor piece this season...I love looking at this...

I love going to Trader Joe's during the holidays....
I made a fabulous appetizer with their Pumpkin Butter
which was a real hit...very good for this time of year...

Melt a wedge of Brie cheese, with a pour of Pumpkin Butter on top..
just until it's melty and gooey....top with toasted pecans.....

Serve with Fig and Olive crackers...divine I tell you....

We treated our son and daughter-in-law to a few ingredients
 to create
a romantic Italian dinner....
and for a sweet ending...Dubai Chocolates

Our sweet daughter-in-law was rewarded with a job promotion
at work, so that was the time to combine a birthday celebration
with a few goodies from Trader Joe's....what a fun occasion this was!

Our gathering was a celebration of our grandson's birthday,
but alas, I only got a picture of his red velvet cake...

Great food from Estelle's kitchen this week.....

Johnny Marzetti Casserole...
perfect and delicious for a fall dinner

Serve with a loaf of hot french bread and a side salad...

JOHNNY MARZETTI CASSEROLE

This cake is THE BOMB!
This recipe was shared by Kelz on Instagram....
y'all will love this cake

1 box Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake Mix

1-3oz pk lime gelatin

1/2 c. key lime juice

4 lg eggs

1/2 c. veg oil

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. water

Frosting

1 pk 8oz cream cheese

1/2 c unsalted butter

1 tsp vanilla

4 c confectioners sugar

oven 350 for 25 minutes

We are still looking for days such as this....
In November, I will remove some of the fall decor
as we move toward Thanksgiving....
the Atlanta family will be visiting and I will
fluff and refresh our home as we enjoy the last of autumn

THE BEST OF FALL COMFORT FOODS

Fall foods are the best....they warm your tummy and warm your soul....
Create the heart of your home in your kitchen...
these are foods I grew up on and that's a good reason
I make these recipes each and every year ...
the creative part is making recipes that others have loved
and shared with others....
there is no better apple cake than Mother's, but this one
proved to be pretty darn delicious...and beautiful too!
And, oh honey....my chicken and dressing 
is homemade goodness...
and of course, please treat yourself to afternoon
tea or coffee, accompanied by a Pumpkin Spice Muffin....
what a beautiful season we have been given....

The fall season is prime time to bake with apples...
I do not peel apples when baking,,
to me, the peel is beautiful and tastes so good....

Can't you just smell the aroma of apples and cinnamon
in this beautiful cake....

PERFECTION

Here is the recipe link.....

FRESH APPLE CAKE

It was a rainy Sunday evening when I served my
homemade chicken and dressing....
Cowboys football, cozy throws and the magnificent aroma
of this comforting aroma coming from the kitchen.....

3 cups crumbled cornbread
2 cups breadcrumbs..use a good french bread
1 tsp each: Creole seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, sage, thyme
1 chicken bouillon packet
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1/3 cup butter
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 onions, chopped
3 eggs
5 cups chicken stock

Mix breads, seasonings, bouillon, and chicken in a large bowl.
Sauté celery and onions in butter until tender; add to bowl.
Stir in eggs and stock until mixture is soupy.
Pour into a greased dish and bake at 375°F for ~50 min, until golden brown.
Homemade Chicken Stock
Ingredients
1 whole chicken
6 cups water
3 celery stalks, 3 carrots, 3 garlic cloves (all chopped)
1 tbsp each: Creole seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, Kinders caramelized onion butter, mixed herbs & spices

I use Martha White Cornmeal Self Rising mix'
recipe on the back of the package

I sometimes enjoy using a baking mix rather
than using all the ingredients needed to bake from scratch...
this muffin mix from Bettergoods is a proven winner....

The spice is just the right amount and you can bet
I will serve these at Thanksgiving.....
they smell divine when  baking too

Fill your home with peace and contentment...
Serve good food to your family
Say your prayers at night....
Be grateful for your days....
Enjoy the beauty of Autumn....

Little Lucy