CHRISTMAS REVIEWS AND FRANNIE'S APPLE CAKE

 Oh Kindred Spirits....it's just hard to believe..
the year is now 2026!
We must try to keep kindness in our hearts
and spread good cheer toward others.....
I think the word PEACE is my word for the year.....

I so hope you all enjoyed your Christmas season and enjoyed
getting together with loved ones, eating delicious foods
and dressing up in your holiday finest!
We had a wonderful time and the grandchildren were busy celebrating
with both sides of their family!

Our game theme was Christmas Eve at the Theater....

Our Atlanta family Christmas 2025

Our granddaughter's husband's Houston family

The season is not over and so I plan on designing a vibrant

tablescape for New Year's and baking a few things
 I did not get to last week. 

The most important is Daddy's Fruit Cake Cookies,



along with my Peanut Butter Clusters.

Christmas dinner was delicious with Fried Turkey.
scalloped potatoes, cheese grits, green bean casserole
and sweet potato casserole!

I wanted to begin setting the farmhouse table
with a fresh citrus centerpiece that would 
welcome in the brand new year...






FRANNIE'S APPLE CAKE
1 cake mix, yellow or spice
1 can apple pie filling
1 can sliced apples
3 eggs

Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer in large mixing bowl.
Pour into a prepared 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes...
Dust top of cooled cake with powdered sugar!

This is a very easy and delicious cake for afternoon
tea or coffee..I dusted the top with nutmeg..
smells heavenly!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

BACK TO SCHOOL , ANOTHER BRIDAL SHOWER and THE WEEKLY MENU

 


Good Morning Kindred Spirits...
I hope this finds you all well and happy..
It seems the summer break gets shorter and shorter
as the years roll by....back to school in early August
seems so unreal, but here it is...
the beginning of Sophomore year in high school...



Our engaged couple enjoyed
another bridal shower hosted by sweet friends.....





I am loving these balloons.....
I think I want to try to make one for the holiday party...
I think they look radiant and so very happy....

Now let's talk food  that was on the menu at Estelle's this week...



I was craving a big pot of vegetable soup served up
with hot cornbread muffins....oh yes, it was just
what the tummy needed...

and summer tomatoes always remind me of mother and daddy
and growing up in Mississippi.....
I love a tomato cracker salad for lunch....

a beautiful BLT makes a divine lunch for everyone....

and yes, fresh sliced tomatoes with deviled eggs.....

for a sweet ending....fresh and hot apple fritters....

And my most requested homemade Coconut Cream Pie....

My thoughts have turned to the fall season
and am looking forward to new recipes to try....
it's so good to have a passion......

I would love to hear what favorites are on your dinner table!!

THE BRIDAL SHOWER, SUMMER CELEBRATIONS WITH FAMILY, and THE NATIONAL TRACK MEET

This entire visit just MADE OUR SUMMER THE BEST!
Family is what makes us dance like no one is watching....
The older we become, the more precious the time is
when we are able to have all of the children together....
As we say good-bye to Summer....
these are a few highlights of July......

We enjoyed a marvelous brunch on this particular day...
a beautiful restaurant at The Star..
great service and absolutely delicious food.....

I think this was a real treat for our Luke the Duke

The best smoked Gouda Grits ever.....

We gathered for dinner in our downtown
historic district  on a beautiful summer evening....

How I love enjoying the cocktail hour with my favorite girl.....

On the day of the bridal shower, we gathered at
our son's home for swimming and were treated
to his fabulous grilled Smash Burgers.....

Our daughter planned this visit specifically for
her nieces bridal shower and it was a beautiful event...

My favorite granddaughter,,,,and only granddaughter....
she is a beautiful and kind person inside and out....

Her precious Mom planned and executed the shower with 
just stunning results...it was gorgeous....
how wonderful to visit and see long time friends and family

Miss Abbie and darling Amelia....
her Maid of Honor....
these two have been life long best friends....

Beautiful and delightful Aunt Laura

The Caterer was delightful and her foods
were incredible....oh this was good......

Then we planned our weekend drive down to College Station
for Luke's participation in the National Track Meet.
We were so fortunate to book a nice hotel room for the weekend.



Since this was "national" there were hundreds of people....
and it was HOT...and ran into the midnight hour....
but he has made wonderful friends and thought the
entire experience was just awesome....

We  were able to tour the Texas A&M campus which
is where his Mom and Uncle attended....there is 
nothing like it.....we love it!!!!

All too soon, they were back at Love Field and flying
back to Atlanta....

Summer vacation ended with a few days in the Georgia
mountains and a beautiful, peaceful time at a pretty
lake house....another great time for the books....
and now...it's back to school already and
beginning his sophomore year of high school.....
I hope it's a fantastic year for him...
So long to Summer and bring on the fall season.....

 

BLUEBERRY HAND PIES...BEST EVER!

 Hello Loves...how in the world are y'all doing today?
I love bringing you the best of the best
tried and true recipes from other bloggers
and today, ladies and gents....WE HAVE A WINNER!

I loving making hand pies for the darling and me
since it's just the two of us most of the time
and these turned out just amazing!
You really don't need any special kitchen gadget to make small
pies....just a 4 or 6 -inch cup or jar will do the trick!

Now, I ask you, aren't these just beautiful!

You can find the recipe here.....

BLUEBERRY HAND PIES

This recipe was featured on a wonderful website

known as Spaceships and Laser Beams,

which was created in 2010 by Stephanie Keeping.

Every day, they post amazing recipes by various home chefs and

those who know the joy of cooking, creating and gathering!

Stephanie is the Chief Navigator who is assisted

by her team of taste testers, food writers and creators along

with food photographers!

I am thrilled to find yet another great resource for 

sharing the joy of cooking!

Y'all take good care........

Piper Rose....April in Atlanta

SPRING OUTDOOR OASIS IN TEXAS AND ATLANTA

April was a beautiful month here in Texas!
April was even prettier over in Atlanta.... 

The Dogwood and Azaleas put forth a stunning display this year.....
Miss M shared a few photos of her yard as she played
frisbee with Piper Rose.....

Piper Rose never fails to take a darling photo.....
sweetest Lab ever.....a true sweetheart!

Now, let's take a look at Estelle's and
see how we are sprucing up the backyard for
Summer months!

Morning coffee while enjoying backyard bliss......

My neighbor has the most beautiful tree
which blooms every spring in these beautiful
pink blossoms...I'm not sure of what
specific tree this is, but I love seeing it out
the office window every day!

Do you like garden flags as much as I do?

I planted Sun Patients in one of the patio pots
and they have just begun to bloom.....
what a lovely color of lavender!

As you know, I love planting seeds and they
are growing so well....Nasturtiums, hollyhocks and marigolds.

Right now, everything is in full swing for Spring.....
I think the daylilies are going to be just stunning!

It's almost pool time...
and I sure need some aqua aerobic therapy!

We had our fence powerwashed and stained and then
had a retaining wall built between the back fence and pool.....
it needed something special to break
up the look of river rock along that area......

So, we are adding two large planters
which will be growing Morning Glories.....

This area receives full sun, so I think it's
going to look lovely once we get the vine growing....
I sent a photo to Miss M showing her the planter
and her advise was to add a few more plants on either end....
So, we made a Sunday morning run to Home Depot.....

In keeping with the floral color scheme,
I chose two perennial plants which I knew would
add beautiful color and texture among Morning Glory's,
Lantana and Plumbago!

Home Depot was hoppin'!
I could spend a full day browsing among the outdoor area.....
it's so much fun to see and hear about garden projects
everyone was working on......

Miss M...thank you!
You were spot on adding a few plants..I think it really gave it some pizazz!

Both of these plants due well during summer heat and full sun!
Now we can't wait to see what transforms...fingers crossed!

Hawaiian Punch Hibiscus

We chose this beautiful yellow Hibiscus for our
third planter.....

and in addition, planted a variety of my favorite herbs....
I am so excited to see how these grow over the summer!

I would love to hear and see how YOU have been 
adding new additions to your lawn and gardens!
We love spending time around the house,
so it's such a pleasure to grow something you have planted yourself!

POSTSCRIPT~

This is a fabulous mix for muffins or a loaf quick bread.....

I hope y'all have a good week ahead!