FALL FLORALS IN A PRETTY AUTUMN MUG

Happy October to each of you!
The weather is on schedule to finally turn into cooler fall days
this coming week which should help bring on the joy of the season.....
I decided to do a bit of a DIY this afternoon,
after a trip to the grocery, and finding a beautiful fall mug
and a lovely bouquet of fresh florals.....
I call this BLOOMING IDEAS

Isn't this mug just beautiful?
It's large enough to create a lovely little arrangement...
let's get started.....

Beautiful fresh florals.....a mere $12.00!

Miss Lucy was right there in the middle ..
just like Mae Mobley used to be.....

Whether you prefer neutrals, earth tones or the deep hues of Autumn,
find your inspiration for your next centerpiece....

I love the size of this centerpiece....this can serve as
the star of the vignette...or....

    

Perhaps an addition to the mantel...either way,
I feel that fresh florals can lift the spirit and reflect the warmth of the fall season.

MY FALL BUCKET LIST..BACK BY POPULAR REQUEST

Good Morning to all of you who are LOVERS OF THE AUTUMN SEASON...
It's time to turn our thoughts to fall and cooler, crisp days
when the leaves are beginning to fall and we bring our cardigans out
for the season....
There are particular things I love creating in this most glorious time of the year
and today, I am sharing memories from the past, that are once
again on my bucket list beginning September 1st......

Creating a fall welcome wreath for both the front and back doors....
making it your own is very satisfying....

I believe we all enjoy a beautiful tablescape in both
the kitchen and the dining room....
I have a few ideas for this year.....how about you?

I have some favorite accent plates to use for little fall treats..
it's just an enjoyable time to add pretty paper napkins too....

The fall season is football season at our house.....
A Sunday afternoon is THE perfect time for making a big batch of chili....

I will be making favorites from the past once again, 

such as this scrumptious caramel apple dip....

And, Apple Fried Pies

Spiced Muffins in cute little paper wrappers

There is nothing more satisfying for the senses than 
baking your first loaf of pumpkin bread.....

And, a must have is a homemade chicken and dumplings night......

I count the days to plan a trip to the local nursery for
purchasing mums and pumpkins.....

I also enjoy hosting a special gathering on the patio
which is a time of enjoy a lovely fall day.....

It is a time to create bright and colorful spaces

for cozying up by the firepit....

And, one of my all time favorite things to do, is place
tiny pumpkins in the flowerbeds........

I bring out my favorite books for both young and old....

We don't let the season go by without carving a Jack O' Lantern....

Lastly, we look forward to Halloween night as we celebrate the children....

and then it's on to the Thanksgiving gathering....

It truly is THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR....

APRICOT FRIED PIES AND A FEW FALL TOUCHES IN THE KITCHEN

Good Morning loves....
I know you are all watching closely as summer turns into the autumn season....
we have had some cooler rainy days and the leaves are beginning to fall....
September has seemed to pass so quickly...I am enjoying each and every minute.....
Today, we are in the kitchen doing some fall baking and changing up decor
to complete the fall decorating....

I did not fuss over the space by the kitchen window....
just put together a few pieces I love looking at.....

I love my Mother's vintage bean pot so very much....
I can remember this from being a very young child...isn't it marvelous
to own pieces from family.....

I love old things....they have a story and history to share.....

I have enjoyed this little pitcher for many years..
glad I snapped a picture before darling little Lucy knocked it over and broke it.....Now..
let's talk about some delicious fried pies.....shall we?

APRICOT FRIED PIES
1 package of dried apricots
2 cups water
1 T. Lemon Juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 t. cinnamon
2 T. butter
1 T. peach jam
1 tube of buttermilk grand biscuits

Place dried apricots in small saucepan. Add 2 cups water and gently boil
until the apricots are very tender and a consistency of jam.
Add the lemon juice and sugar , and cinnamon......and continue to simmer.
Then mash the apricots to your desired consistency.
Add the butter and the jam and combine gently.

Roll each biscuit into a 5 or 6 inch round.
Place 2 T. of apricot mixture in the center of each biscuit.
Fold over and crimp the edges tightly.
Place in freezer for 15 minutes.
Then fry the biscuits in vegetable oil until lightly golden brown.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy!

Truth be told...these were scrumptious!
I was never sold on using canned biscuits for making fried pies,
as I preferred my homemade pie crust dough....
however....it works beautifully and tastes delicious!
Fried Pies and Fall go together like peas and carrots!
Thank y'all for visiting today!

 

THE PERFECT LITTLE LOAF CAKE

Well good morning loves....I have a gem of a little recipe for you today..
Now, listen....we have finally had RAIN in our glorious little city after
months of drought....it's the most marvelous feeling of all....
and a rainy September day, means another round of fall baking!
So move over Starbucks...this vintage little loaf cake rivals the best of the best
store bought and I'll just bet you have all the ingredients needed in your kitchen right now!!!
 

PERFECT LITTLE LOAF CAKE

1 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. vanilla

GLAZE
1 cup powdered sugar
Juice of one lemon
Blend sugar and butter well with hand mixer.

Add eggs and beat another minute.
.Add flour, baking powder and milk alternately, while beating together,
Add vanilla and blend.
Pour batter into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

Allow cake to cool a bit before inverting onto a serving plate.

Make the glaze by adding a fresh lemon squeezed into the
powdered sugar and mixed until smooth.
Pour over warm cake!
Enjoy!

Yes, it's vintage, it's easy and absolutely delicious!

AUTUMN FOYER TABLESCAPE

 Good Morning to all the lovers of the Fall season...
I am spending these hot triple digit days indoors
and making my way throughout our home
decorating for the harvest.....and it's been So ENJOYABLE....

It's always a surprise to me on how a vignette will look when finished
since I just begin to add pieces here and there...
I am loving how the entryway table came together....
This year, I decided to pull out certain décor pieces I just love using
and putting them in places I can see everyday and appreciate....
I love also am loving this color scheme.

I adore seasonal books to display in various nooks and crannys

Don't you just love the colors and design of this leaf plate?

I have had this little amber glass turkey dish for years and every year,
he appears in a tablescape...

I pulled florals from one vase and designed a new look
for this vase, which was just perfect for this vignette..

A touch of whimsy...ever so sweet 

I plan on trying to read The Wind and the Willows if I can
see the small print...it's been a favorite of my children's from years ago....

The fun of those of us who love to decorate our home is the sheer
beauty and enjoyment it gives back to us and to those we love....
this gives me a sense of joy and peace when I look at each piece...
it's also evokes memories of days gone by of my wonderful childhood
and how very special those autumn days were...
Happy Fall Y'all!

THE WORLD'S BEST BROWNIE?....YES INDEED THEY WERE!

Yes Ma'am....we are into the Fall Baking series here at Estelle's!



I have always promised to bring you the best of the best recipes
I can find and today, oh honey, we indeed have a blue ribbon winner!
This brownie recipe is an all-time favorite recipe from the family of
Melissa and Tom over in the beautiful state of Kentucky!
Tom demonstrated how to make this out of this world brownie
on their You Tube Channel...COME SIT AT MY TABLE!
Tom said they have made them several times over the years
and everyone wants the recipe......
It certainly lives up to the name and you will
definitely want to make these for your family!

WORLD’S BEST BROWNIES

2 1/2 sticks butter, room temperature
8 oz. semi sweet baking chocolate bar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tablespoon espresso powder
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons salt
6 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour

 Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a baking dish of 9" x 13” pan with nonstick spray. Combine the chopped chocolate bar, 1/4 cup of the cocoa powder, and the espresso powder. Set it aside. Melt the butter, approximately 30 seconds, in the microwave.

Immediately pour the hot melted butter over the chocolate bars, cocoa powder, and espresso powder. Cover this so the hot butter will melt the chocolate. Wait about two minutes, then stir until the chocolate bar is completely melted and smooth. In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, and eggs. Beat on medium to high for 10 minutes. While the mixer continues to run, slowly pour in the slightly cooled butter/chocolate bar/espresso mixture. Beat until just incorporated and smooth. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and the remaining 1/2 cup of cocoa powder. Add to the mixing bowl and beat on low until the flour/cocoa is incorporated. Do not over mix!

Pour the batter into the prepared 9 x 13” dish.
Smooth top. Bake for 20 minutes.

 After 20 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and
drop it on your countertop three times.
Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes
 until the center is almost set.
 The center may seem to be a little under baked,
but it will set up as the brownies cool. 
Place the brownies on a cooling rack to cool completely.

PERFECT BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
2 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
 1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon espresso powder

Place the chopped chocolate bar and 2 tablespoons whipping cream in a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir until melted. Set aside.

 In a mixing bowl, beat the butter for five minutes. Then slowly drizzle in the 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream and whip until just combined.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl, if needed.

Sift together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and espresso powder. Slowly beat this into the butter/whipping cream mixture. Add the melted semi-sweet chocolate bar mixture, and whip until light and fluffy.
If needed, drizzle in another tablespoon or two of whipping cream to make it a better spreading consistency,
but do not add too much extra cream, or it will be too thin!
Frost the cooled brownies.

Oh Baby.........
A big thank you to COME SIT AT MY TABLE
for sharing this amazing Brownie recipe!

A WELCOME HOME PARTY TO KICK OFF THE FALL SEASON

Hello Loves....I so hope you enjoyed your Labor Day weekend....
Now, if you were paying close attention.....it was pleasant weather here in Texas
in the early evening hours....we were able to sit on the patio and pay homage to
the great JIMMY BUFFET by listening to his music while enjoying a cold glass of wine....
On Sunday morning, it was overcast with a tiny sprinkle of raindrops...
like I said, you had to pay close attention. But, you see, these are early signs
of the fall season.......the holiday season will be Lucy's firsts....how exciting!

I pulled out an old fall pillow from POTTERY BARN...one I have not used
for some time....it's just what was needed....I am in love all over again....

Our youngest was visiting over the weekend from Austin, AND I wanted
to make his homecoming a bit special as we enter into the new season...
Not over the top Autumn, but just a nod to fall.....

I pulled together a centerpiece in my dough bowl
using a mix of pumpkins, acorns and florals left over
from past years....I rather love how this turned out....

I had told him to arrive hungry...serving up a few easy appetizers for a light lunch....
We toasted in fall by sipping on Pear Nectar and a sparkling Prosecco....

Bubbles up......

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Mini Corn Dog Muffins

BUFFALO RANCH SLOW COOKER MEATBALS

SPINACH ARTICHOKE FRENCH BREAD

These were three easy peasy appetizers that boys seem to enjoy...
It's always fun to see what others serve when throwing a small family gathering....
I feel I am almost through decorating the downstairs and am really
excited to cozy up the bedrooms for cooler weather....
what are your plans for the season? I would love to hear about them.....