CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP COBBLER and NEW FALL FAVORITES

It's Labor Day weekend...
we are finally ready to
finish out the fall decorating
and plan the fall gardens.....
Let's really celebrate the season......



 Hello Kindred Spirits...
I have a few fall finds that I am loving right now...
both are from Walmart!

They have done it once again....
brought us beautiful fall designs and scents on
their seasonal candles which cost less than $5.00 each..
I purchased the FALL FARMHOUSE scent...
it's heavenly!!!

The second item I picked up was this beautiful, soft and cozy
plaid throw!
In fact, it's a marvelous fall plaid with fleece and soft sherpa..
I purchased two and am thrilled with this throw!
Lucy has claimed one for herself.....

It's time to bring out the crockpots...
I tried a delicious new fall dessert
that is so easy to prepare and the family
loved..perfect for an evening by the firepit....
This begins with a can of CHERRY PIE FILLING...

Next up is a box of yellow or golden butter cake mix



Sprinkle in chocolate chips and one stick of melted butter

The pairing of cherry and chocolate will make your heart sing....

Slow Cooker Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
 1 package (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
 1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup chocolate chips whipped topping or vanilla ice cream, optional

 Spray your slow cooker with nonstick spray. Evenly spread the pie filling in the slow cooker. Mix the cake mix and the butter in a medium bowl. Stir in the pecan pieces and chocolate chips. Spread this mixture evenly over the cherry pie filling in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Serve warm in dishes, topped with whipped topping or ice cream, if desired.

FALL PLANNING

 I am planning for the fall season...
there is comfort found in thinking of
a crisp day watching the leaves fall with
a cup of hot coffee spiced with pumpkin flavor
that can bring feelings of nostalgia....
I am always ready to say goodbye to summer
as there is no denying the homey comfort
that falls brings......

I look forward to hanging a wreath on the front door
to welcome the family for special gatherings...

I will host our annual Harvest Party
with cozy throws. candlelight and quilts
as we play games and plan for the holidays...
as we dine on Chili and Cornbread.....



I am planning a special movie night,
complete with buttered popcorn, and
cold coca-cola's

I will forever remember Mother having a hot meal ready for us each
evening...after school, there was outdoor play, then we were
called inside to set the table and have dinner as we talked about
our day...then it was homework, bath time and talking on
the phone with our best friends.....discussing Halloween costumes
I'm sure....

To get in the mood as we begin sorting through bins
and creating mood boards, I like to whip up
fall favorites from years past..beginning
with those delicious Magic Bars..a recipe
that is tried and true!!!
I find that early planning keeps me organized and is
a mindful way to keep the joy in living during
these hot summer days.....and that's a good thing!!

THE COMFORT EARLY FALL BRINGS

 It's easy for me to say good-bye to summer....
Triple digit days rob me of my energy
and I find little joy in really hot weather....
The part of August that can be a happy time
is looking forward to a new school year,
football practice starts and shopping for new clothes
for the upcoming fall season...
this evokes such wonderful memories of
back-to-school shopping with Mother and 
organizing school supplies along with
the nervous feeling of a new academic schedule....

So, I have decided to look forward rather than

limp along as days float by in August..

I think I shall call this my pre-fall series

as we transition from summer into fall.....

I was undecided about when I would begin fall decorating this year,
but as it so happens, the appearance of pumpkins and mums
grabs my attention, along with my heart....
I shall begin the early fall look in our home....
subtle, but with joyful anticipation.....
I lead a scheduled lifestyle, it seems.......

The new look on the farmhouse table.....
shades of plum and mocha......
then we shall make a comforting and yummy soup,
and follow up with apple cinnamon rolls...

An autumn botanical table runner with vintage plates

The centerpiece is soft and gentle with a nod to autumn.....
a wooden dough bowl, a mocha gingham tea towel and
sprigs of crimson raspberries......

This ITALIAN SAUSAGE soup was meant to have cheese tortellini added,
but my son suggested great northern beans instead...
a brilliant idea....
before serving I add fresh spinach and top
with fresh parmesan cheese.....

This was honestly one of the best soups I have ever made!!!

There is a new seasonal cinnamon roll which
includes apples.....

Divine!!

What a breath of fresh air to relish the idea of autumn days....
I am now inspired to go room by room and transform
our home into a new season.....
My wish is that all the children starting back to school
have a happy and successful year ahead...
thanks for joining me today!

SUMMER ENTERTAINING FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

Good Morning to all....
Yes, I know....summer is in full swing,
and it is just too hot to enjoy the  outdoors!
The big news here at Estelle's is that
we are preparing for company!
It's time to plan a party~~~ 

FAMILY TIME



The Divine Miss M is flying in from ATLANTA
for a short visit and bringing our Luke the Duke with her....

It's hard to believe he is now 18 years old and will
begin his senior year of high school in just a few weeks.
I cannot wait to see them and make our time meaningful and fun!
We treasure the time our entire family is together under one roof!!

We are hosting game night and cocktails for a fun
evening indoors!
The theme has been decided upon and we do love
a good mystery game.....

This promises to be a fun evening....
who will be the best detective?

I am so excited for this menu.....
I love attending a party where the food
is all homemade...with  love.....

The color story will be vibrant

The accessories will add a bit of glamour and whimsy

We will enjoy a cocktail hour, then the party shall begin...
as they say...

'let the good times roll!"

DELICIOUS SUMMER FOODS AND COASTAL COTTAGE STYLE LIVING

SUMMER,....It calls to mind images
of shorts and flip-flops, of rocking chairs on the 
massive front porch as evening falls....
of wildflowers in the gardens and relaxing
by the water.....

Some of us have planned a getaway for spending
quality family time while school is out for the season....

 

The Atlanta family is spending a week down in Apalachicola
in a quaint bayside home,...

Time for the most divine Bloody Mary's

Fishing on the Bay as the sun sets upon the water..

She finally caught one....



A successful day of fishing with Captain Jimmy.....

This property is stunning....

Now, we turn the conversation to food...
I have been productive making long time family
favorite summer recipes which were requested
by the popular vote...

Texas Caviar is a marvelous appetizer for pool days....

And for a lovely snack, those summer cherries are just delightful....

How about Hot Beignets served on Sunday morning....

And, I just crave my Mother's Southern Squash Casserole....

I Love, love, love this..

And, for a cool refreshing treat on a hot afternoon....
the well known Strawberry Pineapple Pretzel Salad...

There is something to say for Comfort Food....
I encourage you to bring your loved ones together
by serving long standing family favorites...

NANTUCKET SUMMER ON THE BAR CART

It was important to make a few changes on the bar cart
for summer.....and I was inspired by our summer's in Maine..
a coastal oceanside look was going to be the theme.....

 

Summer lasted only a few short months, but it was like a picture postcard....



Blue water, sailboats out in Casco Bay 

and hydrangea in full bloom

not to mention dining on the ever popular Lobster rolls...

I pulled out my favorite coastal cocktail glasses

And chose to display the soft greens and blues of the ocean

I found the perfect quilted table runner for this theme...
I  just adore this gorgeous runner from the Valerie Par Hill line...

Soft cocktail napkins feature the hydrangea

Oh yes, is this not the most beautiful summer oil painting.....

I love this and am going to enjoy this seasonal change
until we change it out for Autumn..
tell me what has inspired you for Summer in your home?