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......

A SOUTHERN FAVORITE...PINEAPPLE STRAWBERRY FLUFF SALAD FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

I felt like going vintage in honor of Valentine's Day..
serving the well loved fluff salad which the south
is famous for....from grandmother's to grandbabies...
we LOVE any kind of fluff salad....
my goodness, this salad, or sometimes dessert,
has been served at every holiday, church potluck
and funeral gatherings since I was a child....
and this flavor is the most lovely shade of pink,
it's perfect for your valentine's dinner...

Find your prettiest glass bowl for this salad....
Pour in one large can of undrained crushed pineapple...

Dissolve a small box of strawberry jello with the pineapple

Gently mix until the jello has dissolved...

Blend in one container of cottage cheese

Then fold in one container of Cool Whip..

lastly 1/2 bag  of mini marshmallows..

She is not only delicious and refreshing....she is so pretty

Valentine's for almost 60 years....

TRANSITION TO FALL

 Good MORNING to all my autumn lovers out there....
today I thought I would share little elements of the season
that may provide inspiration for you to use in your own home....
I have been holding off until September 1st to begin the real work,
but going through our bins, and selecting certain decor pieces
has been rather enjoyable and not so rushed or overwhelming.

 adding one of my favorite fall magazines to the ottoman came first,
and then thought my small white lighted pumpkin would be a lovely accent.....

And, new fall scented plug-in's was the absolute perfect way
to begin...that lovely apple scent filled the home in a soft way...
it reminded me so much of apple picking in Maine....
a perfect way to welcome a new season...

It seems green is my chosen color this year and I added a new
lovely sage hand towel to the guest bath, along with this
beautiful leaf plate. which will serve as my soap dish....

I love it ,,,,and... it's Lucy approved!



I recently have been loving little composition books to write down
recipes and notes....such a pretty vintage vibe....

And, then to finish the look I wanted....
I added one of my favorite woolen scarves to complete this 
little vignette on the ottoman....

And, now we turn our attention to the kitchen....

I love making soup on the weekend....
full of flavor and fresh veggies...

I do believe a crockpot is my favorite appliance

Soup and hot cornbread muffins....warms the soul

This sweet lady at the grocery told me about this salad dressing
and urged me to try it...she loves it and thought I would too....
so into my cart it went....
and she was so right,,,it's delicious

A fresh salad makes a wonderful and light lunch

I could no longer resist to add a few fall touches to the piano...
my vintage sheet music of THE AUTUMN LEAVES...
accented by a little wreath and a lovely velvet pumpkin...

My sister found that beautiful photo at an estate sale and 
gifted it to me....beautiful don't you think?

And lastly, a little touch of Halloween on the cake stand.....

I think it's a great beginning to a new season.....
remember to enjoy your days, enjoy your home
and make it your happy place!
Love y'all to bits....

THE DAYS IN OCTOBER...A BIRTHDAY AND FIRST HOMECOMING, FALL FOODS AND DECOR

Hello to all my fall kindred spirits....it's marvelous isn't it?
Simply marvelous...

there is something very special about the month of October...what a gift it is...
the fall weather has arrived and it has definitely renewed our spirits.....
it's actually been SWEATAH WEATHAH...in the great state of Texas! 

Our grandson celebrated his 21st birthday....
he is happy....he's continuing his college education...sharing
an apartment with best friends...and is in love....
remember those fun days?
He is kind, soft spoken, extremely polite and sweet...not to mention HANDSOME!

Luke the Duke looked like a million bucks for his first high school homecoming....
he's loving and enjoying his school days this year...
lots of good friends, sports and social activities and good grades....
makes us all quite happy and grateful

Here are a few fall touches around the house.....

Love, love, love these....Walmart has beautiful and very affordable pillows.....

Mrs. Meyer's autumn scents are soooo good.....

Still working on the Butler's Pantry....

I am going minimal this year....
my front door fall wreath....

Fall florals for the front urns....

This will do for the season....
I decided not to purchase pumpkins or mums this year...a bit pricey....
The darling will be having his second knee replacement surgery
this month, so I am gearing up for at home care....

We spruced up the patio for these marvelous fall days...

I adore seasonal pillows....

This little guy has weathered well for several outdoor seasons...
he's like reconnecting with an old friend....

It was the perfect time to mix up a batch of spiced tea....

Sunday mornings are meant for porch sitting with the
temperature reading 63 degrees...

This is perfect grilling weather....
we smoked some delicious chicken thighs,
and I made a delicious potato salad and asparagus casserole..divine I tell you....

And...absolutely scrumptious homemade apple hand pies...

I am doing a different look for Thanksgiving this year and am
really excited about this....working on the table which I will
show on an upcoming post.......

The family looks forward to the appetizers on Thanksgiving
almost as much as the dinner....
I love finding unique items to add such as this Italian Strawberry Preserves...
beautifully paired with deli cheeses....

It's a blessing to celebrate your days.....
make the most of the season and your family....
Be still, and sit quietly...think of lovely past memories from childhood

We love Lucy....I think she could be Mae Mobley's baby....

LOVE Y'ALL TO BITS....

SUMMER GARDEN CLUB......THE BOOKS, THE GARDENS AND THE MENU

Oh the Garden Clubs....I believe there are some in every state and boy,
there are some very talented gardener's who are members of these clubs.
My mother belonged to the Garden Club in Vicksburg and she absolutely
loved it...the friendships, the meetings, the luncheons and the tour of homes...
today, I want to show you snippets of my city in Texas and how lovely
the gardens are from a few of the beautiful green spaces  members have shared....
these photos are courtesy of their social media pages.....

So just in case you thought Texas was not a pretty state,
you can see what a beautiful state we are.....thanks to
all the talented Master Gardeners...
In case you have an interest in gardening, 
here are some highly recommended books you may
want to purchase for your home.....

 MY FAVORITE GARDEN COFFEE TABLE BOOKS

And, of course, we want to gather some inspiration
for a light luncheon fare that comes with attending
a Garden Club monthly meeting.....

TASTES OF THE SOUTH FOR SUMMER GARDEN CLUB

Peach Iced Tea

Lemon dipped Shortbreads and Strawberry Cookies

Hot and Spicy Pimento Cheese

Egg Salad

Strawberry and Lemon Jell-O Salad

What a pleasant afternoon this would be....
from the gathering itself and talking with such knowledgeable people,
to taking a tour of gorgeous historic homes and then being
treated to a delightful little luncheon....



This is the current look in Mae Mobley's Memorial Garden....
I knew it would be a spot of serenity and beauty.....



My first Rose of Sharon has bloomed....I was over the moon excited.....

If you are looking for a hobby or are in need of social functions,
perhaps you could check out the Garden Clubs in your area....
it all sounds grand to me.....