AUTUMN TOUCHES, WILDFIRES AND DOLLY'S BUTTERSCOTH PIE

Hello Kindred Spirits...
it's been a difficult week for so many of us....
the world lost the sweetest soul, our Dolly Parton..
and parts of our beautiful Texas experienced horrific wildfires.....
I thought I would share a little catch up post as we focus on
autumn....progress has been made  here at Estelle's.... 

The family room is being transformed....

The formal dining room shows off a bird theme which I most always
love to do....early autumn



I love the first edition of Candy Corn.....

And, the bar cart sports a romantic botanical fall theme....

The entryway tables featured soft fall artwork accented with
velvet pumpkins along with acorns and my glittered pheasant....

I love displaying my grandmother's goblet filled with acorns,
alongside a pumpkin and woodland art

I fell in love with the toile pumpkin
which is part of the fall collection
from My Texas House

Lucy and I decorated the little guest bedroom....
new pillow covers, a soft cozy throw and art.....

        OVER IN ATLANTA....

Luke attended a Braves game with his friend, Lucas and his Dad...
always a good time....

He works hard which allows him to buy clothes he really enjoys wearing

We were shocked and simply heartbroken to learn of
the passing of Dolly Parton.....
she has been a part of my life since childhood...
I began watching her when she first started out
on The Porter Wagoner show long before color TV....
Dolly was a special gift from God

So, in her honor, I made one of her recipes....
The Butterscotch Pie...and it is just delicious!

Texas has been battling horrific wildfires this week....
This is smoke billowing in the distance from 
the ranch....

Please remember to pray for all affected by this tragedy...

A FRENCH COUNTRY FALL VIBE

Well, Kindred Spirits....
we are still in the early stages of decorating
for the upcoming fall season....
we have experienced weeks of extremely hot temperatures, which
tends to slow down thoughts of autumn....
so today I thought I would bring
you a bit of delightful collectibles 
that could be considered a part of early fall decor....

 Roosters can be a popular choice for a rustic
French Country Autumn display
and they certainly have the charm of farmhouse!
These pieces I selected today are favorite
collectibles that you may want to pick up for yourself!

The fall season brings about a more scheduled lifestyle..
especially when school starts



The day begins very early morning and continues with
school bus runs, homework, sports practices and 
evening family times around the dinner table!
Moms and Dads are on the go and it's the
best time of life, in my opinion.....
This brings to mind Mother always having
a home baked treat for us when we returned
home from school and supper on the stovetop
or warming in the oven
Her Chicken Noodle Soup somehow brought me comfort
and now, nostalgic thoughts....
so that's what we are serving today at Estelle's..

Let's talk collectibles.....

Goodness Gracious It's Good Cookbook

This is a delightful cookbook full of prize winning recipes
along with stunning illustrations....one of my favorites!

Certified International Gilded Rooster



I am so in love with this pattern and have been
for a long time. 
It's been around for awhile and is hard to find
the collection these days,
so if
you are wanting this pattern, I would recommend
you purchase some pieces soon...
These are lovely to use for the autumn season
for all of your soups and pasta dishes....
A beautiful pattern and autumn colors for your table....

  THE MENU...all homemade

Estelle's Chicken Noodle Soup

Honey Cornbread Muffins

Cherry Cobbler

Enjoy this period of seasonal transition in finding your indoor creativity.......

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!!

COFFEE, COBBLER AND COZY BOOKS

 I love small spaces that evoke the season.....
Coffee bars are certainly front and center
in the autumn aren't they?
Some feel the need to spend a fortune creating
a coffee bar with very expensive beverage makers,
canisters, syrups and all kinds of notions....
they are really beautiful and interesting,
but I kept my little corner simple this year..
and I love it......
This is actually a drying mat which
protects my glass stovetop, and also
protects the mugs.....

Autumn is the season for candlelight....
The warm scent is GRANDMA'S KITCHEN

May I suggest making a LEMON COBBLER....
this is divine.....
a can of LEMON PIE FILLING
and your favorite cobbler recipe....
it was a five star sweet ending here at Estelle's...

THE READING CORNER

Rustic Corners is the perfect read for those who love rustic interiors,
cottage inspired living and slow, mindful moments at home.....
it is perfect afternoon reading for all of us who enjoy
quiet corners and gentle living.

 Booked for One is a romantic read that will make you smile...
It's the story of a second chance love,
that results in healing and chemistry, paired

with a small town charm.
This book is a warm cozy read with heartfelt dialogue and
is so uplifting to the mind...

The story is set in the Low Country of South Carolina....
all the Southern Charm you can come across....
This is a story of a family written with tender, touching
moments and yet, revealing the flaws within....



I hope you find comfort and contentment this upcoming
fall season,
The world is quite different from the time I grew up...
I am in the golden years as they say and
it's the most wonderful feeling to 
make your home, your happy place.....

SENIOR YEAR BEGINS WITH A PANCAKE BREAKFAST

It's hard to imagine that a new school year has begun and this one
marks the final year for high school for our Luke the Duke.....
He is quite the fashionista and we are so proud of this adorable
grandchild....our youngest grandbaby has grown up and will
soon be deciding on his future..off to college or perhaps
choosing a trade school ...
college tours are on the agenda so this will be a very
busy time for our Atlanta family...

 

Love his style.....he also works after school.....

Off to a Senior Breakfast.....

Speaking of breakfast, in honor of his school year,

I made pancakes this norming.....

I will soon be cutting back a few of my struggling plants
but did capture a few new roses in bloom

My favorite hydrangea which will be cherry red in the fall season....

You know,, when you take some time to look through
family photos from the past, you realize how quickly
time passes...it's amazing to think that the grandchildren
are all grown up and living their lives with busy schedules....
even thinking about our children and the ages they currently are....
it makes you appreciate all the memories that you have
created and to continue to make the most of the times you
spend together.....grateful for it all.....

I can now turn  my full attention to decorating for fall.....

Along with fall baking..of course it's time for a
apple cinnamon puff pastry!!!!

Hope everyone is doing well.....

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!