PAMPERED CHEF BANANA BREAD

 Hello Kindred Spirits...

our days are becoming cooler and it's been

rather enjoyable sitting outdoors in the afternoon....

I love watching the children walk home from school which

is all contained within the neighborhood...

and it's safe.....

I love seeing the school bus drive by and wonder if

everyone had a good day..

I find it rather sad, that these days, there are no books in school...

the teachings are all on line and managed through an APP...

The older I become, the more I think fondly of the times

in which I grew up.....thankful for these memories....

I have a friend who's family tradition is to cook all their favorite holiday foods
as they gather on Christmas Eve.
Each family member prepared their favorite recipe and her father makes
the Banana Bread which was featured by the Pampered Chef!
That is a version I had yet to try, so today was the day....

I decided it was time to add fairy lights to the mantel as the night
comes a bit earlier these days and I absolutely love it....
it's just stunning and feels so festive!

This is fall break over in Atlanta so the family
is off visiting college campuses for potential
higher education....hard to believe it's time for that,
but it's so exciting!

Lucille is such a girly girl.....a little precious.....
she loves finding sun puddles in the afternoon
and takes a nap in the warmth....

This creates a beautiful quick bread,,,,,would make a lovely
gift to share with family and friends during the holidays

PAMPERED CHEF BANANA BREAD

I am planning the fall garden and am planting something new to me....
while down in Austin, I noticed the most beautiful shrubs with yellow
blossoms which were mixed with pink Lantana....
I fell in love.....

Texas Yellow Bell Bush Trumpet Flower

So, we are still decorating, still making each day special,
still tending to the garden, and so grateful for it all!

AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON

There are memories of fall that I hold dear.....
the days were cool enough for wool skirts and cardigans...
the neighbors were out raking leaves and
Mother's vegetable soup was simmering on the stovetop...
the yearly debut of the Wizard of Oz was coming
and all seemed right with the world.....

An ordinary October day has a quiet kind of beauty



The day can move at an unhurried pace....
simple things add charm

My thoughts can turn toward planning our

Thanksgiving gathering....

I can spend time planning on the appetizers

and the tablesetting

Fall baking is pure comfort food...
making pumpkin cinnamon rolls from a loaf

of frozen bread dough....

Tollhouse cookies are freshly baked and placed on a fall platter

 Spice Cake with PUMPKIN and the muffins are drawing you

toward the aroma found in the kitchen...

Jack O' Lanterns are carved and being put
on display, along with mums and scarecrows as
we prepare for Halloween....

Suddenly you see, that the quiet beauty of Autumn is all around you....

GLIMPSES OF SLOW AUTUMN DAYS

The October days....aren't they just marvelous?
The days have been gorgeous and the days
have been perfect weather,,,it's amazing
what peace you can find in spending afternoons
outside and enjoying nature......
Ir's good to be a homebody these days.....

 

This post is not about big news or living large....
it's more about living well....
finding enjoyment in small things....
I added a beautiful autumnal banner to the mantel...

Along with a lovely piece of artwork....

Yes, I am planning the Thanksgiving gathering....
I love finding the perfect paper goods for the appetizers....

The Thanksgiving table centerpiece is still in the early
planning stages...I think it will be a showstopper....

I came across an Instagram post of Crab Rangoon appetizers

so I tried them out to see if they would be added to our gathering

but..honey....we voted them to be tasteless....

this is why I try something new out beforehand....

they did not make the hit parade....

It was an afternoon for baking....
a delicious Pistachio Cake.....

There will always be freshly baked  goods in the kitchen

With our few days of a good rain and cooler weather,
the plants have been revived.....

I  have purchased four pumpkins so far...

All different shapes and sizes....

I always will remember the days of porch sittin' at my grandparents....

It's good to be grateful...

I have had these little pumpkin candles for years,
and they found their spot for this season....

I LOVE HALLOWEEN....    
it's time to find my Wizard of Oz mug and enjoy
some Spiced Tea.....

FALL PORCH DECOR

The fall weather has arrived...I kept the faith
that one morning, we would actually feel the coolness
and those hot summer days were gone until next year...
we even had a few rain sprinkles which made my
plants perk up and take notice......

This was the day, to decorate the back porch for autumn....

It's always official, when the new garden flag goes out on display

I so love the new pillow covers for this year....

I love dreaming about hayrides, the pumpkin patches and apple picking....
I can think about my younger days and growing up in the 60's,
I could look out my bedroom window and watch the wind blow
all the leaves around the yard. and see the halloween decorations
throughout the neighborhood,,,,it was a magical time....

On one particular morning, I enjoyed the first cup of coffee
on the porch just taking in the sights and smells of nature...
it was just blissful....

I feel so grateful for having this beautiful outdoor space to enjoy

It's cool enough now, to buy some actual pumpkins to place
around the garden...

It's such a fun project to tuck in whimsical items for the season

The menu included my homemade potato salad along with
barbecue pork sandwiches...good for watching football......

I have one last area to decorate and then, I can call it done!
October will have arrived and I plan on celebrating each and every day!
How about you?
Are you filling up on Pumpkin Spice and Apple Cider?

 

AUTUMN BOOK CLUB...VINTAGE STORIES FOR THE SEASON

The books chosen for this season's collection
have been carefully selected...
they will calm the mind and are beneficial to the soul..
all stories take place in a gentler time, where the characters
are purposeful, caring and the world was more settled

 Let's get cozy...

a steady pattern of rain against the windows, the low golden slant of afternoon light
and the scent of damp leaves, mixed with  old paper.....

-

It's time to curl up with a good book, a cozy throw
and spend a fall afternoon reading and sipping cranberry tea...
I adore vintage books and thought you might enjoy
seeing what I added to my collection this season...

I find the world a bit unsettling and overwhelming these days,
so I carefully select vintage books that will take you back
to a calming, more gentler time of life....
I recently discovered the series of books entitled
"MISS READ", which is the penn name for
a lifelong country village school teacher named Dora Saint
Her series of over 40 books were published in England.
This book will take you back to the english countryside
and you will become familiar with the residents
in Fairacre...it has charm, drama and humor as the author
takes you through her life of teaching in the crisp
and glistening autumn season..

The second series of MISS REED, aka, Dora Saint, focuses os
Dorothy Watson and Agnes Fogerty, who both leave their village
and purchase a lovely new home at Barton-On-Sea. 
This tells the story of old friends, meeting new friends and
their ability to overcome their fears of aging as retired teachers.
The author first began writing after WWII.
She writes with memories of visits to the Cotswold countryside....
...Her stories in these books bekon the reader to
spend time with warmth and soul-satisfying stories....

I became familiar with the paintings and life of Andrew Wyeth while
living in MAINE...
we visited his museum which is located in Cushing, Maine and it

was indeed delightful...

This is a beautifully illustrated book telling us the
story of how Andrew, known as "Andy" to many,
grew up the youngest of five children in a very
talented family.
He described himself as a loner...
It's interesting to see how life experiences and
surroundings, influenced one of the greatest artists
of the twentieth century...a beautiful addition
to the collection!
Andrew Wyeth's art pieces are nothing short of extraordinary,,,

And, of course you know I had to add a fabulous cookbook to the list
and this vintage book is cozy, chocked full of marvelous recipes
and vignette stories of heartwarming memories.....
When the leaves start to fall and the temperature begins to drop,
 it's time to cozy up with comfort food that
 takes full advantage of the season's flavors.
From squash and root vegetables to cranberries and quince
to hearty, savory dishes, Autumn Gatherings
 will help you make the most of this season's natural bounty.

Warm Applesauce Muffins were enjoyed by all....

Thank you for stopping by today and I do hope
you found something that caught your eye.....
HAPPY AUTUMN

MARRY ME CHICKEN SOUP

It's beginning to get dark outside...
it's a bit chilly as the night turns colder....
let me warm you up with a bowl of hearty chicken soup
and a slice of hot french bread..... 

Think about this....when the leaves begin to drift down and the evening
temperatures drop, it's time to get cozy with comfort food.
We can take advantage of the season's harvest....

There is something wonderfully comforting about enjoying a
warm bowl of soup on a cool fall evening.
As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, soup becomes more than just a meal.
 It is a simple pleasure that brings warmth, nourishment,
and a little extra coziness to the end of the day.
Imagine coming home on a cool autumn evening,
changing into something comfortable, and filling your kitchen
with the delicious aroma of homemade soup.
 The table is set, the candles are glowing, and a warm bowl of goodness awaits.

    It's Slow Cooker Season

Two chicken breasts
1/2 yellow onion
3 stalks of celery
1 red pepper
3 T. butter
salt and pepper to taste
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion powder
1 T. Italian Seasoning
1 t. red pepper flakes
1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1 32 ounce container of chicken broth
1 cup half-N-half
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 cup of Ditalini Pasta

Place chicken in bottom of slow cooker
Melt butter in sauce pan and saute chopped onion, pepper and celery until tender.
Top chicken with these vegetables.
Season well.
Add sun-dried tomatoes
Pour in container of chicken broth.
Cook on low for 6 hours.
Cut chicken into small bite sized pieces.
Add half-N-half and cheese.
then Add the pasta....cook until ready to serve!

There is no need for an elaborate meal or a perfectly arranged table.

 Just something delicious, a comfortable home,
and the pleasure of enjoying the season.