AUTUMN IN THE GARDENS

Good Morning Loves....
We are all focused on the wedding these last few
days of the week....
it's been over a year in the making..
going from a vision, to months of hard work
getting the site ready for a magical evening,
and now we are a mere three days away!
Family is arriving tomorrow and we are off
to an Air B&B in the country......
I thought today, we would take a little walk around
the outdoors of Estelle's to show a few snippets
on a fall tribute before we enjoy time with the family....
I have yet to purchase pumpkins and mums,
but we will get there, not to worry....



Our welcome wreath for autumn.....

This is totally adorable for Halloween.....
I need to purchase batteries so he lights up in the evening.....



Now, this is one happy scarecrow....
I smile just looking at him....



I adore scarecrows so you will find them
in small little places...like on the urns
on either side of the front entry....



I love seasonal door mats......
this one expressed a few of my favorite fall things....



Aren't these the cutest little overalls?



The patio has taken on a fall vibe and we
are loving afternoons of porch sitting....



My Lantana has been so vibrant with our cooler days....

Favorite fall pillows are on display

These pillows are so pretty and decorative...

We LOVE HALLOWEEN....one of our favorite holidays...

Another vintage favorite.....

I am amazed at how many seasons and fall weather
this little guy has endured....
Well, we continue to enjoy each day of my favorite
month of the year.....it comes and goes so quickly,
so let's be grateful and enjoy those magical moments....

Our beautiful little Lucy....

AVOCADO TOAST FOR A FALL BREAKFAST

Good Morning loves...
I think the page may have finally
turned to the fall season...
those hot days are behind us
so let's dive feet first into the goodness
of our days, beginning with a delicious
breakfast of a kicked up version of Avocado Toast....
Yes, honey....we are going to add some special
touches to a piece of sourdough toast.....

Doesn't this look soooo delicious???

This was my favorite little corner house
in our Maine New England Village...
I thought they had THE most spectacular autumn tree
in all the village....it was a perfect
fall day with woodsmoke in the wind.....

Let's begin.....

Toast one piece of sourdough bread
spread toast with butter and then cream cheese.
Top with fresh sliced avocado
Sprinkle with Lemon Pepper.
Top with crispy bacon
Drizzle with Mike's Hot Honey

I believe this is my new obsession....
the crunch, the creaminess of the butter and cream cheese,
the tanginess of the lemon pepper and oh..that hot honey...
perfection I tell you......

COZY AUTUMN BOOK CLUB And A RECIPE FOR THE BEST PISTACHIO CAKE

Don't wait to spend time with good food and best friends!
Today, I am providing a bit of inspiration to host
a seasonal, casual and somewhat whimsical book club gathering!
I have chosen books that will provide an enjoyable escape
from the world troubles and allow us to enjoy reading
on the porch, while the leaves fall from the trees
and you can sip on a glass of wine or a cup of spiced tea,
while you look forward to an Autumn Tea Sandwich
and Nonna's Pistachio cake....
the food that's perfect for a casual evening.....



Find fun ways to enjoy the season..

Favorite Autumn Sandwich
Smoked Turkey
Provolone Cheese
Sourdough Bread, lightly toasted
Thinly sliced red HoneyCrisp apple
Mayonnaise
JellIed Cranberry Sauce
Dijon Mustard
Fresh Spinach

And,,,,for a refreshing seasonal mocktail,
I chose to serve a delicious, crisp, ice cold Pear Juice......

The best Pistachio cake ever!!!!

One White Cake Mix
One package of Pistachio instant pudding mix (3.4 ounces)
1 8 ounce container of Sour Cream
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 t, Almond extract
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts (sprinkle on top of cake before making)

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and blend
with hand mixer for three minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and pour
batter in prepare bundt pan.
Sprinkle top with chopped walnuts
Bake for 45-50 minutes.

THE BOOKS~
One classic and the rest are
whimsical fun autumn reads.....

If you are planning to host a book club gathering 
a sweet little gift for your guests would be
a darling little book plate....
Mother would always gift these to me
when I was a child...I loved them so.....

Lucille Louisa Merriweather

It was a perfect event to celebrate the season of Autumn

 

A GOOD FALL DAY OF HOMEMAKING

There is no denying the homey comfort that fall brings.
Our days become a bit shorter and cooler..
why not embrace every minute and find your joy
in all things...HOME...
This was an ordinary day in September
and small ways I found to bring us comfort
as well as contentment....



Hanging a colorful tea towel on the oven door.....

Cleaning the kitchen countertops and sink with a favorite
cleaner from Caldrea...

Adding my little ghost candle with the kitchen vignette
as we move toward October....

Completing the fireplace mantel by hanging my new
Autumn banner....

Lighting my orange cinnamon clove candle...

I searched my collection and pulled together a
centerpiece for the farmhouse table....
and I absolutely LOVE it....

Oh if you could just smell this deliciousness....
my tried and true Cranberry Bread that I have made for many years...

I take so many pictures of our little Lucy...
the happiness and love she brings to us
cannot be measured...a gift from God....

The darling is under the weather currently
after a trip down to College Station...
The Divine Miss M is also in bed
with a cold virus after traveling to
Pittsburg to attend a family wedding...

In these days, when life is slower,
I value being productive and grateful..
for health and family, and
to remember to appreciate the small things life offers....
I hope you all have a beautiful weekend....

A COZY AUTUMN COFFEE STATION FEATURING THE HARVEST TEA LATTE

This past week I felt like FALL WAS IN THE AIR.....
waking up to cooler temperatures and even rain (at last).

You can notice that the days are a bit shorter which
tells me autumn is just around the corner.....
how exciting to enter yet another beautiful season
which brings forth a special cozy feel to our days...

Using the colors of Autumn will welcome
the crisp cool days that lay ahead.
Let's just have fun creating little vignettes
that serve a purpose....
I decided this was the perfect day to create
a little pop of drama to the kitchen counter
while the Pumpkin Cranberry Scones 
were baking the oven.....

I searched the cupboards and pulled out some old favorites...
creamers, woodland figurines, pretty paper napkins
and thought about creating my own
Starbucks inspired fall Latte.....
It seems the fall season inspires so many of us
to get creative......



My true heart and spirit connects to the autumn season
more than any other...I think it always has....
many of you feel the same....
there are so many wonderful events happening
all around the country and I believe it brings us such joy
so why not decorate to our hearts content...

My gosh, I have had these beautiful leaf plates for years.....
and I so love them....I really marvel at how old
some of my collection has become...

I believe I love the colors of the season most of all....so warm
and vibrant...just like a walk in the woods...

This reminds me to put out my squirrel cookie jar.....
Mae Mobley used to so enjoy watching the squirrels
in Maine enjoy pumpkin season......

I love leaf prints and came across this sweet little napkin set
at Hobby Lobby....

Do y'all have a mug obsession too?

I think everyone is going to enjoy a cup of hot spiced cider
featured at this little station throughout the season....

With the mornings becoming cooler and crisper.
I feel like a Harvest Tea Latte may be in order.....

One ingredient we are going to use is a good quality
vanilla coffee or tea syrup....

Oh my word...how delicious is this going to taste!!!

There is something so heartwarming about sipping a Harvest tea.....

.