PLANNING FOR A NEW FALL SEASON

 

Good morning loves...
we have just 25 days until September 1st!
TODAY we are are making a list of helpful reminders
on what is needed to create a cozy,
beautiful home for the fall season......
If you are like me, I have been gathering inspiration
from old magazines, past photos and all venues
of social media to gather up items I plan on using this year.....
I so hope you will be able to create a checklist from today's
post for your own ideas in order to honor the harvest season....

Now is the time to select your recipes to serve warm drinks

Go through your cookbook collection to select new recipes you want to make....

Remember you always enjoy baking in the fall season...

perhaps try a new version of a traditional pumpkin pie

Select a few favorite table runners you want to use this year

Now is the time to pull out your cosy textiles of
throw pillows and throws you are drawn to for the family room

Make a list of paper goods needed and seasonal dinnerware you plan on using...

Give some thought to creating a reading nook for those cool rainy days...

This is a perfect time to change out your bedding
and refresh your guest rooms in preparation for family
and guests that are planning to visit...

Decide what personal touches you want to include on your mantle....

And by all means. include new candles with seasonal scents
that are a must when decorating for the season....

Sunny conditions continue today...and yes, it's hot hot hot,
but it is good for the spirit to have thoughts of the harvest season....
just 25 days away....

EASY AND DELICIOUS BREAKFAST IDEAS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL

And so it begins....
before you know it, summer vacation
is over and it's time for back to school...
in a blink of an eye....
they are little ones....



I vividly remember the days of the school bus
driving through the neighborhood picking up
and dropping off....

 

And before you know it, your baby has earned his
letter jacket, getting his drivers license and is
beginning the world of dating.....
So with that said, here are some favorite
breakfast ideas that the children always have enjoyed...

COUNTRY GRAVY WITH HOT SAUSAGE OVER BISCUITS

CRESCENT ROLL SUGAR CINNAMON PIZZA

Rye bread toast topped with soft boiled egg, fresh avocado, crispy bacon
and drizzled with Mike's Hot Honey

Eggs over easy with onion, and peppers

Make the morning juice ice cold and served up in a 
pretty carafe.....

And of course, toast with butter and strawberry jam
along with a side of cheese grits...
it's the breakfast of the south.....
remember to give a bear hug to the children
and send them off to school with full tummies and a smile....

STRAWBERRY CAKE, FRESH VEGETABLE DINNER AND POOLSIDE AFTERNOONS

 

July has come to an end which means
we must begin to set the tone for the entire holiday
season for 2025.
Yes, school begins on August 4th in Atlanta
and August 10th here at home.
I so wish there were three full months
of summer for children like we had growing up,
Young people need this time to just be kids, have fun
and play...
We live simple days at home in our senior years
and have no travels to report on....

I do want to share a Southern Classic recipe with you
which is a delightful homemade Strawberry Cake.....

I have been making this strawberry cake since the early 1970's
and it a long time family favorite, especially for birthdays!
Talk about a taste of summer,. it is light' yet bright with a
burst of strawberry flavor in every bite!

One box strawberry cake mix
one 3 ounce box strawberry jello, using 1/2 the package
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs
1/2 pint fresh strawberries, nashed

THE FROSTING
1 8 ounce block cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 stick butter, room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
1-2 T. milk
1/2 pint strawberries, mashed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix cake mix and all ingredients in mixing bowl
and beat with a hand mixer until blended.
Pour evenly into two prepared round cake pans
Bake for 28 minutes.
Allow to cool before frosting.

I have always used a Strawberry cake mix for my recipe which boosts
the flavor of the berries much more than white cake mix!

One of my all tine favorite summer lunches is
chicken salad on a toasted croissant with butter lettuce
and a side salad of crisp lettuce with peaches and cherry tomatoes
sprinkled with a lemon herb vinaigrette!

I love, love, love having a pot of fresh green beans
and sliced golden potatoes on the stove in the afternoon.
This reminds me so much of my childhood from both
my Mother's kitchen as well as my grandmothers!

A delightful summer dinner with squash casserole,
beef rice and mushroom casserole, green beans
and Texas Toast!

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

Otis loves an afternoon of pool play...
his favorite thing recently is to JUMP~~~

What a baby....

We have celebrated family birthdays this summer,
beginning with Luke turning 17!



The Atlanta family headed to South Carolina for four
days of the National Track Meet....
I simply cannot believe he only has two more years of high school...

A fun July birthday party with our son at his home, grilling burgers
and spending time with our grandchildren!

The darling and I celebrated our birthdays together
as they are one week apart...
we no longer have candles that tell our age.....



The weather tells us today will feel like 107 degrees....
I plan on making a good Gumbo this weekend...
I am also spending time purging some of my
collections, like cookbooks, linens and seasonal decor..
Hope y'all have a good week!

A SUMMER WEEKEND OF ENTERTAINING

 
Hello Kindred Spirits...
SUMMER LINGERS.....



We all think of ways to stay cool
during the hottest part of the season
and what better way than to entertain poolside
or better yet, a weekend at the lakehouse!

If you need a bit of inspiration for delicious
meals to feed your family and guests during
these fun getaway times, here is what is on the 
menu at Estelles.......

A favorite breakfast of Aretha Frankenstein's' pancakes
with a side of applewood smoked bacon,,,

Aretha Frankenstein is a well known restaurant in Chattanooga
and they are known for the delicious pancakes...

You can find their pancake mix on Amazon!

My Daddy's cousin owned a lakehouse in Ohio
and we would often visit Cousin Louise and her family
for the most fabulous weekends boating on the lake...
Luke has good friends whose grandparents live on the lake
in Georgia and often spend entire summers with them...

There is something so peaceful about lakeside living....

This is the perfect summer dinner for this type of lifestyle....
roasted corn, tomatoes and purple onion

Roasted potato and onions....nothing smells better than this....



And....a big juicy grilled cheeseburger

Today, life is good...let's make the most of it!