THE NOSTALGIA OF AUTUMN

 The Nostalgia and Memory of Autumn

    The Autumn season is deeply intertwined with 
memories I hold dear.



Why do some of us, begin to plan and
gather inspiration for fall when we are
at the moment, still living life in the heat of the summer?



Some may call us dreamers....but we are certainly
not alone in creating our mood boards....

Actually, it makes no difference what season I am in,

I think back on precious memories of my childhood
and younger years of the fall festivities of the past....
After summer vacation, it was time to prepare
for back to school after Labor Day.



We could look forward to a new wardrobe,
football games and school dances...
seeing old friends and making new ones..
cardigan sweaters and riding bikes
throughout the neighborhood....



Fondly remembering all those special moments.....
Mother's Spiced Tea and Apple Nut Cake...
the viewing the Wizard of Oz....



Mother making our Halloween Costumes
and her homemade Popcorn balls.....



A cool October Saturday night
and grilling steaks with Daddy
while he sipped a Scotch cocktail.....
The smell of burning leaves throughout
the neighborhood....

Our wedding and honeymoon....
Our children playing in the yard until
suppertime....in their little corduroy's..

Cheering on the Peanut Festival Parade
and returning home to serve
chili dip and hot cocoa..
Crows flying overhead as we watched
the wind blow leaves of crimson.....



The excitement and anticipation of the holidays..
bringing forth the planning of Halloween and Thanksgiving...

warming up by the fireplace
while the windows were open to the cold night air.....
My grandparents visits....



it's everything precious in life which are
all associated with family, gatherings and traditions.



Yes, it may be summer, and I do live in the moment,
as we are not promised tomorrow,
but my heart belongs to Autumn....how fabulous is that!

EASTER 2025...A VINTAGE MENU

It's the first holiday of the year, that we can celebrate
and decorate for Spring as we honor Easter Sunday
and all the promise that it brings to each of us....

This year, I found my inspiration from others
that post on social media, along with one of my
favorite heirloom recipes from Mother and both
of my Grandmothers.....



We will come together as a family to celebrate the rebirth
and new life that comes each spring....

I came across the Ham Tetrazzini from Jamie Cooks It Up....
I have made many of her recipes which are always delicious!

One Pan Ham Tetrazzini

Next is a squash casserole recipe featured
by Brenda Gantt who resides in Andalusia, Alabama
and has authored three cookbooks.

Ms. Brenda runs her own Bed and Breakfast 
in Andalusia called the Cottle House.
I so enjoy visiting with her on Facebook and You Tube!
Her recipe is called Squash Alabama!

Now, if you are southern, you know that
those marvelous FLUFF jello salads have been
served by the best cooks for the holidays way back
from the early 1950's....
They could be found on every dining table
for special occasions served in pretty cut crystal bowls....
so, this Easter we are going to enjoy
a Mandarin Orange Pineapple salad.....

I am also including the family favorite of
Crescent Roll Loaf...
my mother-in-law served this often
which is where I learned it from!
Requires two rolls of crescent roils, a stick of butter
and a pretty loaf pan....

And, I am featuring a Chocolate Chip Chess Pie
for our sweet ending....another southern favorite
as opposed to my normal Carrot Cake or Coconut Cake...

To compliment this wonderful dinner...
a refreshing ice cold tea with lemon will be served....

We have sweet memories of the past of egg hunts
and Easter baskets full of goodies....
our group will be smaller this year, as
family is scattered...but we all will be 
honoring Easter with loved ones and 
fabulous dinners in the formal dining rooms....

Easter Day,Jackson, Mississippi 1987
in the backyard of my parents home......

EASTER SUNDAY

 

GERMAN APPLE CAKE from ANNIE DEAN'S KITCHEN

 

Hello Kindred Spirits and welcome back to Estelle's!

Today, I am sharing  classic German Apple Cake

which is from the recipe file of Mrs. Annie Dean...

one of my Mother's best friends, and also of mine.

I learned so much from her.....she was a refined southern belle

who loved to cook, decorate her home and entertain!

Annie Dean hosted one of my bridal showers and tolerated

me following her around her kitchen, watching her prepare

delicious foods for her family!

We visited their home often and their daughter

was the best friend of my older sister.

They allowed me to tag along to their tea parties, football games

and their college days.

There was always something in the middle of being reupholstered

or updated...she was a master of homemaking!

This is the exact room which hosted my bridal shower....

I remember this being a lovely, outstanding party....

This was their kitchen nook and I shared many casual lunches here
with my Mother and sister...she could serve peanut butter and mayonnaise
sandwiches and make them taste divine....

I was thrilled when I came across the photos of the kitchen...
exactly as I remember it to be....
I can picture her standing here, stirring a little pot of homemade
chocolate sauce to go over ice cream....

Oh the wonderful memories of this family and her
delightful laugh and entertaining she shared....
You must try her apple cake...it's a gem of a recipe!

GERMAN APPLE CAKE

3 large eggs, room temperature

2 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 cups chopped peeled tart apples

3/4 cup chopped pecans

FROSTING:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

2 teaspoons butter, softened

2 cups confectioners' sugar

 

 In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; add to egg mixture and mix well. Fold in apples and nuts. Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 55-60 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

 In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter.
 Add confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth.
 Spread over cake. Refrigerate leftovers.

FAVORITE SUMMER RECIPES FROM THE PAST

Did you ever lie down in the grass

on a Summer's day as a child,

and make up pictures from the clouds passing

overhead.....isn't that a lovely thought?

Today, it's all about family favorite Summer recipes

that my Mother used to make....the good ole' days

of growing up in Mississippi!

These days, even a few new kitchen accessories

can be exciting....

Have you checked out PIONEER WOMAN'S new website....

She has a wealth of beautiful recipes and photos to look at....

just in case you needed something just for fun......

The Watergate Salad....

both Mother and Grandmother made this fluffy

sweet salad....I could eat the entire bowl...but, I promise...

I will restrain myself.....

New Orleans Seafood Gumbo

This is chocked full of okra, spices, fresh gulf shrimp and crab....

Serve over fluffy white rice and a side of good

french bread....it's the best life can be!

Summer Squash Casserole

Fresh strawberries over homemade vanilla ice cream

A custard pie....topped with sprinkles of nutmeg....

Oh, heavenly days.....

So that's it guys and dolls....

that's a pretty good sampling of our family dinners

from my childhood....simply the best memories ever!

A BIRTHDAY ,....COMFORT FOODS AND PATIO THERAPY

Over in Atlanta....there was a small family celebration going on....
Miss M made a fabulous birthday dinner and baked
my chocolate cake for her sweet husband.....

Even Miss Piper Rose wanted to be part
of the festivities.....until......

Ah....Piper....you are such a love!!!!!

This was a fabulous Slow Cooker recipe you may want to try...
I will definitely make this again and let me tell you...
the aroma in the kitchen was incredible.....yum-O!

SLOW COOKER PORK ROAST

This has been a good time to browse my cookbook collection
and try recipes from old favorites.....
I have always loved this one from Naomi Judd.....

I have been preparing a meatloaf for as long as I can remember...
the great thing about a meatloaf is that you can make it
with so many different ingredients...there is nothing more
comforting than a delcious meatloaf.....

Now, THIS was a great dinner....one of my Daddy's favorites!
I am using whatever is in our pantry to reduce trips to the
grocery store for the darling....I just realized I have not
been to the grocery in a month....and it will probably be a long time
before I feel comfortable doing that!

Another delicious comfort food, is Mother's Slumgullion....
normally made with macaroni, but today it was noodles....
we had this often at Grandmother's during the summer....
made with very few ingredients which makes it perfect
for our current situation!

There was this fabulous dessert served
by The Elite Cafe in Jackson years ago...

The darling and I both worked in downtown Jackson
when we were first married, and we would meet for lunch
on paydays when we could splurge a little and eat
their amazing foods....oh that sweet tea and those dinner rolls....

what fabulous memories....gone but certainly not forgotten.....

FACEBOOK

this is the closest I can come to duplicate their recipe...
a warm golden butter cake topped with homemade Vanilla Sauce.....

Puzzle of the week.....

Staying home on the patio.....a pretty good place to be!

Soothing sounds......

Nature sure can sweep away the blues......

The weather has been incredible...near perfect,
Well...this was actually Watermelon Lemonade.....

so spending time outdoors has been a welcome break......

So, it's another week.....nothing too exciting....

Mae napping with her babies.....

I feel Summer is going to be quite different....
I wonder about football season too.....and then
I worry about the fall and all the upcoming holidays....
I find myself wringing my hands at the evening news....
yet, I am grateful for the health and well being of my family....
Thank you for staying connected....sending love......