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....

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD TO SERVE FOR GRILLING SEASON

 Good Morning kindred spirits.....
the days are heating up as we feel
April days flying by us .....time is going so quickly it seems....



Spring in Texas can bring rain and thunderstorms 
so it's good to soak in some sunshine on those days
where it's ideal for living outdoors...with sunscreen and a
hat for sure......
Today, I am bringing you a delicious pasta salad
which I found on Instagram!

It is so easy to put together and does not require
a lot of ingredients!
The secret to this salad is a particular dressing.....

Italian Pasta Salad
One package fresh cheese tortellini
fresh cherry tomatoes
ripe olives
shredded parmesan cheese
fresh shrimp, optional
Girard's Olde Venice Italian Salad Dressing

This pasta salad is versatile,,,,you can add whatever you like
as I added shrimp to ours...and the quantity of ingredients to suit your taste.

Everyone said, "this is a winner!"

We followed up with a perfect summer sweet ending....

Peach Pie....good food brings happy faces......

IT'S TIME FOR SUN DRENCHED DAYS AND STARLIGHT NIGHTS

Hello Kindred Spirits.....how is the start to your Summer going?
I plan on spending much of our time poolside before
it becomes unbearably hot....we have no big travel plans
and are so grateful that our outdoor living space has been
transformed into our own private oasis....
I am good with a glass of ice cold lemonade and burgers on the grill....

I am so enjoying this beautiful Dahlia that Miss M gifted to me
for Mother's Day...the first time I will be growing on of these beauties!

Our Lilac Vitex is a proven winner and is absolutely
a showstopper!

These are called Sunset Lilly's

So far, I am thrilled with how Mae's Memorial Garden is growing...
These Canna's will be a bright orange....



It's something to look forward to....

I am in love with Four O' Clocks....
they never disappoint.

They are soft and delicate....such pretty, pretty colors....

Another Dahlia in early bloom....

I adore growing Rosemary....it smells heavenly.....

As I was cleaning and organizing a kitchen cupboard the other day,
I came across this beautiful bowl that I had totally forgotten about...

it's now on display where I can enjoy it everyday.....

I received this cookbook for Mother's Day also, and it's
chocked full of delicious recipes to try....

Such as a Cuppa, Cuppa, Cuppa Peach and Blueberry Cobbler.....

It can be the little things that make you happy to
entertain and celebrate the seasons....
I would love to hear how you are doing the same at your house...
see y'all next time!

OUR FAVORITE BEACH MENU....TUNA MACARONI SALAD AND PEACH PIE

It's no secret that our family loves family beach trips....
we have enjoyed these gatherings for many years...
we play all day....and into the evening...oceanside..... 

I think we never grow tired of enjoying a week at the beach.....

What a fabulous way to have little cousins reconnect...
those lazy summer days of sand and sun....

There is something about the ocean that just seems to melt your troubles away......
So when we come back to the house for the cocktail hour
and dinner.....we love to have a casual meal of 
Tuna Macaroni salad and a sweet ending of summer's best peach pie....

JAY'S TUNA MACARONI SALAD

Large elbow macaroni, 2 cups slightly undercooked
1 can tuna, drained
Whole Sweet Gherkin Pickles, diced
Celery, diced
Three Hard Boiled Eggs
Mayonnaise
Salt and Pepper to taste

Here's the secret...don't use pickle relish and don't skimp on the sweet pickles....
cut the pickles in large chunks

Use as much mayonnaise as you prefer....don't overload it with mayo

I don't measure...it all depends on how many people you are serving.....
few ingredients are best.....it's simple and so, so delicious!

While the pie is still baking, I melt butter on the top.....
it's so darn good, you will want it for breakfast the next day!

It's still summer...it's still HOT...enjoy a slice of peach pie!
It's the end of summer y'all....treat yourself to something good!

CLOSING OUT JULY 2022...SUMMER GARDEN AND RECIPES THAT WERE FAVORITES

Good Morning Loves.....
I don't know about you,
but I am ready to put summer, in the review mirror! 
The heat has been pretty brutal and some of our
plants have just struggled every day despite
watering them twice a day!
But, I wanted to capture those that continue
to thrive and add beauty to our home!!!!!

I have planted Four O' Clocks in most all of our homes.
They are just lovely and delicate in their appearance!

They come in a variety of colors
and bloom in the evening, between 4 and 8 PM.

If you are looking for a lovely ornamental plant,
then try planting Four O' Clocks in your garden!

Now, let's talk Zinnias!!!
This has been the first time I have planted Zinnias
and they have brought us tremendous joy
this summer!
I started these from seeds and they have thrived all season!!

The color variety is just stunning!
These have proven themselves to be a real winner in the garden!

And lo and behold, after six years,
my Trumpet Vine finally decided to bloom!
Never give up  is my motto!

And lastly, we have a pumpkin vine growing ladies and gents!
What a surprise to us.....
obviously this started from a seed left in the ground,,
from a pumpkin we had sitting here last fall.....now that's exciting!!!

FOOD FARE

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

These are delicious!
They are light, fluffy and have just a touch lemon!
These are featured at The Four Seasons and if you would like to try
making them, I have provided you the recipe link below!

LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES

Peach Hand Pies

It's always been my thought, that you must make a peach dessert
during summer.
Normally, it's peach cobbler, but this year, it was the HAND PIES!
Recipe is linked below!
FRIED PEACH PIES

Okay, when was the last time you enjoyed a Hot Fudge Sundae?
You will want to save this recipe....
it's simply delicious!!!!!

I have a fun summer brunch coming up
and then, I am turning my thoughts to the fall season.....
it's time to dream, bake and decorate for the best season of the year!
I hope you're as excited as I am!
My hope is that when you visit Estelle's, you come away
with a recipe you would like to try, some décor that inspires you
and that you have a smile on your face and a pep in your step!!
Sending love to each of you....you're just amazing!