OUR EASTER MENU

How are y'all doing this morning?
I hope you are loving your days in April
and enjoying some sunshine in the afternoons!
I know your Easter plans must be well underway by now
and I was asked to share our menu this year, in case
you needed a bit of inspiration for your gathering!

This year, it will be just the two of us
so I am going a bit non-traditional this time.....
like many of us, we usually have a big country ham
but for our dinner on Sunday, I am preparing
a homestyle roast chicken!

I plan on fresh flowers and setting the table
with my pink toile dinnerware.....
You should always make your dinner special
when you are celebrating a holiday and create those
lovely memories and photos to treasure.....

 These are the darling's favorites and I can't wait to enjoy

Easter dinner with the one I love.....and yes,

we both miss the days when the children were running

around the yard in their Easter finery hunting eggs for the baskets.....

Our little Luke the Duke...
see what I mean....treasure the times that are special
because it goes by in a flash....

To go along with that succulent roast chicken,
we are going to enjoy the best southern cornbread dressing.....

Creamed corn like no other.....

Roasted carrots.....

Mother's deviled eggs....

And Lemon Bars for a sweet ending.....

There is a pretty good chance of rain on Easter Sunday...
but I do hope it is indeed a blessed day for all....

SPRING ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR EASTER TABLE

Hello Loves.....
how in the world are y'all doing today?
I love the month of April, don't you?
My Mother's birthday is in April as is
my parent's anniversary!
And.....our son is also an April baby!
The weather turns into warm afternoons,
we enjoy spring rains and the bulbs burst forth with
vibrant blooms....it's our rebirth from God....
the entire reason we celebrate Easter!

I am preparing for our Easter dinner
and this year, decided to go with shades of blue and white.
Y'all come on in and let's take a sneak peek of how
I am entertaining this year......

We are going to be rather casual this year
and I am setting the farmhouse table buffet style.....
I found these lovely paper plates which will be perfect
for selecting one of the Easter cupcakes and enjoying
it out on the patio with a glass of iced tea!
These little tea towels are too cute aren't they? 

I fell in love with this table runner....and this is rather funny...
I texted a picture of this to the Divine Miss M, and lo and behold.
she has the same one....great minds think alike, as the saying goes.....



I am using a few of my white ceramic bunnies this year.....
these are great for little jelly beans and chocolate eggs.....

Now filled with yummy chocolate eggs and
a few gorgeous tulips......

A few chocolate sheep on parade....

I have always loved this glass bunny candy dish...



I bought this about five years ago at one of our local farmer's markets.

I use these for so many occasions...
the Pioneer Woman goblets which go with everything.....

Now...here we go.....I went crazy happy when I came across
this lovely robin's egg blue egg platter....
this is from the home décor line of Dolly Parton....
it is so beautiful and the exact color I needed....

I am also filing the kitchen with this lovely
scent of Glazed Blueberry Muffin candle from
our favorite Harry Slatkin.....

A little wicker vase with soft blue tulips with accent the table.....

One of my favorites...
I gave this to Mother years ago...
she always had this on her dining room table....
I so wish we could still go home for Easter....
it was our tradition and I miss it....



I am looking forward to Easter Day, how about you?
I hope you surround yourself with beauty and things
that bring you joy...make it special!

PREPARATIONS FOR A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, SPRING BREAK IN THE BLUE RIDGE MTS. AND PATIO TIME

 

Good Morning Loves....
I hope this finds you happy and feeling good this April morning!
The weather has been gorgeous here in Texas, minus
an evening of thunderstorms, which is expected during
our spring months.
It's time to spruce up the yard, flower beds and patio for
the upcoming days.....

Today, as I write this post, our son is celebrating
a birthday....we are celebrating as a family Saturday
and will be meeting him for dinner tonight...
he is in town for work and finding a new home
back here in Texas so it's a very packed schedule in the
few days he is home.
I have a trip to Costco planned for our menu on Saturday...
should be a fun time!
I have bought many a birthday cake from Costco,
just in case you didn't know how wonderful their bakery is!

My hyacinth has bloomed every year since I planted it about
five years ago...and it's thriving through winter.....
I love seeing something I planted grow well.....
I consider it a gift of sorts.....
God shows us his love in many ways you know....

I don't know about you, but I adore hearing
wind chimes softly making their note sounds when the wind blows....
it's so peaceful.......

I sometimes make a good lunch for the darling and me
and today, it was the Mississippi Chicken Soup......

It's a very spicy chicken soup and would be
great if you were feeling a bit under the weather....

I also finally tried the new Chick Fil A' MAC AND CHEESE....
I will say, it's pretty delicious.....

And, how long has it been since you made
a vintage pear salad.....
Mother used to make this often....absolutely delicious!!!!!

Mae Mobely turned twelve on April 1st....
I love her to the moon and back.....

Over in Atlanta, Miss M packed up the family,
including Piper Rose and off they
went to a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains
for Spring Break ......

Oh yes.....cool weather, sunny skies, a cozy fire
and relaxing on the porch.....

I think I could get used to this........

Love this beautiful family......

The cocktail hour.....

Are you planning your Easter dinner?
Isn't Easter a lovely time to celebrate
all the goodness in life....
Loved your visit today......take good care!

POSSUM PIE...FEATURED AT MYRTIE MAE'S IN EUREKA SPRINGS

There is a delightful Ozark Mountain Café
known as Myrtie Mae's in Eureka Springs.
Miss Myrtie began her establishment in
the early 1920's and to this day, her recipes
are keeping the business operating and offering
homestyle delicious meals to residents and visitors!

Back in 1920, Miss Myrtie was a widow raising six children.
She had a modest little house close to a campground
in the Ozark Mountains. In her attempt to earn a living,
she bravely took the plunge to advertise her cooking skills,
stating she would serve "Home Style Chicken Dinners!"
And, that's the beginning of her story....

Taste of Home featured one of her recipes recently,
which is their highly requested Possum Pie.
This recipe was found in an old recipe box
left from a previous owner of the café and it's
been on their menu ever since!

I can see why....

Myrtie Mae's Possum Pie
6 ounces of cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 prepared Graham Cracker Crust
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 3/4 cup cold milk
3/4 t. vanilla
1/4 cup instant vanilla pudding
1/3 cup instant chocolate pudding
1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

In a small bowl, blend cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Spread evenly into graham cracker crust.
Sprinkle with chopped pecans.

In a bowl, whisk 1/4 cup vanilla pudding with 3/4 cup milk.
In a separate bowl, whisk 1/3 cup chocolate pudding with 1 cup milk.
Add 1/4 t. vanilla to vanilla pudding.
Add 1/2 t. vanilla to chocolate pudding.
Let stand for two minutes until set.
Spoon in vanilla pudding over cream cheese.
Spoon chocolate pudding over next layer.
Whip cream until stiff. {I add 3 T. powdered sugar}
Top with whipped cream.
Cover and chill until ready to serve!

The family gave this pie five stars!
In honor of Miss Myrtie....thank you!

SPRINGTIME PARTY IDEA...MAKING MEMORIES ONE MEAL AT A TIME

Let's celebrate the return of warmer weather and enjoy
 a memorable, relaxing lunch....FRENCH COUNTRY STYLE!

When planning for family or a few guests, we need to set the scene....
I choose items that I feel will set a lovely backdrop and influence
a defined style I am going for....items such a linens, textures, playful colors
and a mx of patterns!

I like to mix patterns and colors, but ones
that will compliment each other....and I also
don't want everything to match...don't be afraid to mix it up a bit.....
In honor of this small gathering, we planned a menu
of light, fresh appetizers......

Tropical Pineapple Punch

Goat Cheese hors d' oeuvres...
a beautiful bundle of cream cheese, goat cheese and herbs

Genoa Salami.....
Divina Fig Spread and Sesame Cocktail Crackers

Stonewall Kitchen fruit jam..
a combo of Pear, Cranberry and Raspberry

Fresh Ricotta with Cherry Peppers..
love the color of these....

Port Salut, Cheddar and Goat Cheese with fresh fruits.....

Verona Apricot Raspberry Shortbread Cookies

I hope this provided you with a little inspiration
when you want to plan a small gathering that's budget friendly,
perhaps impromptu and so easy to prepare...
this is all very casual.....I think when your guests feel
cared for and comfortable, you're more likely to linger longer
and just enjoy the day!