THE START TO SUMMER

 Good Morning Loves....
we are beginning another new season 
and I am sorry to say, it's my least favorite one
but, we must find ways to make it a good one!
And I decided to design a theme for the
farmhouse table so it would last the next three months....

I wanted to create an Americana theme and pulled together
a few pieces of the good ole red, white and blue decor....

And, it's a perfect time to bring out some of my favorite transferware....

I have wanted a set of blue transferware for some time now.
and thrifted these beautiful plates from Etsy.
My collection is now complete, I believe...

 How delightful is the new collection from Pepperidge Farm.....

My first summer bloom has appeared on my new Hydrangea Bush....
in the fall this will turn a dark cherry red..now that's something
to look forward to.....

I am trying out new recipes for the fall season as we speak....

The times are changing right before our eyes....
and not in a good way....
I hope you enjoy your summer season
and pray for our country......

MEMORIAL DAY APPLE COBBLER

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for all those
who honored our country and fought and died defending our freedom...
It's important to be mindful and give thanks....

Many celebrate this day by gathering the family
and host a barbecue in the backyards.....
We enjoy the days of tending to the garden and 
splashing in the pool, well into the evening..
we think of summers spent at Grandmother's
and how carefree our days were...
Last year's barbecue was delightful.....

Smoked BBQ ribs and sausage

Mom's Baked Beans

Catherine's Pasta Salad

Come hungry and leave happy..

 HELEN'S CARAMEL APPLE COBBLER

1 cup self-rising flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

1 can Caramel Apple Pie Filling

Nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and melt one stick of butter in baking dish.

Mix first three ingredients in mixing bowl/
Pour batter over melted butter.
Spoon pie filling over batter and do not mix.
Sprinkle with nutmeg
Bake for 35-40 minutes.

APPLE BREAD PUDDING WITH BRANDY SAUCE, A WEDDING AND GRADUATION

GOOD MORNING LOVES....

Today, I am bringing you Number two recipe for Norma's bread pudding!
This special request dessert from her cafe, is all about apples and brandy.....
but before, we talk about dessert, I thought I would share a few
scenes from the wedding and the college graduation celebration.....

The Friday before the wedding, it was a dark and stormy day down
in New Braunfels.....but God had the sun shining and the clouds floating
overhead as this beautiful couple said their vows....

Everything and everyone looked beautiful..especially the wedding party
and the bride and groom were glowing with happiness...

We enjoyed visiting with friends and family and dined
on a delicious Texas style barbecue.....

Our granddaughter was the Matron of Honor

I can tell you, the darling and I were so honored to be guests
of our beautiful Amelia and her handsome groom, Colin...

We hosted a celebratory college graduation dinner
for our grandson...
what a fantastic achievement in his young life....

I was thrilled we accomplished this gathering as they
all have such busy lives these days....

Congratulations to our Noah for continuing your higher education....
well done!

The garden is in bloom and looking so beautiful...
my Rose of Sharon is blooming in beautiful shades of pink

And how gorgeous our Texas Vitex is looking right now....

Now, let's turn our attention to dessert....
when fall rolls around, I love to think about apples....
you may want to save this special treat for your holiday gatherings.....

APPLE BREAD PUDDING
3 1/2 cups sugar
1 quart milk
1 quart water
12 eggs, beaten
1 t. salt
1 T. vanilla
1 T. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
1 stick butter, melted
6-8 cups french bread, cubed
3 cups chopped apples
1 cup pecans, chopped

Combine the sugar, milk and water in a bowl, mix well.
Add the eggs, salt, vanilla, cinnamon and butter, Mix well.

Stir in bread cubes, apples and pecans,
Let stand until liquid is absorbed.
Spoon into a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes,
Serve with Brandy Sauce

BRANDY SAUCE
4 EGGS
1/4 CUP APPLE BRANDY
2 CUPS DARK BROWN SUGAR
1 CUP BUTTER, MELTED

Combine the eggs and flavoring in a food processor.
Process until smooth and well blended.
Add brown sugar and butter.
process until smooth.

COMING TO ESTELLE'S FOR SUMMER

 

The sunny skies and lush landscapes of summer call for bright,
airy spaces and lively decor bursting with fresh blooms...
Here are a few highlights as to what Estelle's will be sharing
with all you summer lovers in upcoming posts....

Style inspiration for a Summer Americana tablescape

A sweet cottage core centerpiece inspired by the
white Magnolia's of Mississippi..
using things you have on hand and will create
a focal point on your table with a bit of a farmhouse vibe....

We will be hosting an impromptu garden party
that will showcase summertime foods in
a relaxed and casual setting..
you will want to linger and sip on your lemonade for this one....

Warm balmy evenings and sunny days call for food, fun
and cocktails....have I got a delicious summertime mocktail
prepared for you...it's light, low on sugar and so beautiful
and delicious....
I call it my Raspberry Coconut Smash...

So grab your sun hat, put on that pretty garden dress
and let's make it a great summer.....

NORMA'S FAMOUS BREAD PUDDING

Welcome back to Estelle's Kindred Spirits....
as promised, I am sharing my treasured Bread Pudding
recipes that were the speciality of Norma's!
It was tradition to reserve large pans of her
scrumptious puddings and sauces
on our family beach trips....the grandchildren
still talk about how wonderful those days were and
remember those fabulous ocean side dinners.....

Norma was a very special person who was gracious enough
to share her talents in the kitchen and hospitality industry so
that we all could achieve greatness in our own kitchens....
I  will bring you other recipes that you will want to try
and will promise to bring your family to gather around the dinner table....

This sauce should be made in a blender
in order to achieve a smooth consistency....

This will be first in the Bread Pudding series so
stay tuned for a few more of her most requested speciality desserts!

DESSERTS ALWAYS ARE IN DEMAND

 Good Morning Loves.....
I was doing a bit of reminiscing the other day..
I think when you reach a certain age,
 that happens  often....

I was remembering Norma who owned her own cafe

It was a hot spot for business lunches, a morning stop for coffee
and a slice of her poppy seed bread, which was
a popular request among her customers.
The poppy seed bread is still in demand.....
Her food was in such demand, she opened two
more locations successfully!

Now my personal favorite was her chicken salad followed
with a serving of her bread pudding!!
If you are a bread pudding connoisseur 
then I will tell you that Norma's was
the best ever....not to mention her custard sauce....

The holidays featured her
Apple Bread Pudding with Brown Sauce..laced with Apple Brandy

Fiesta Bread Pudding with Orange Sauce...
this recipe uses Cuban Bread and Fruit Cocktail

and
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread  pudding with Lemon Sauce

I have these original recipes, so if you are interested in one of her
bread pudding recipes, leave a comment and I will gladly publish.

When I think of Norma's I remember the good times
and dab away a few happy tears....
Norma also was in the catering business
and had her helpers dress in Civil War costumes
for one of the city's historic events...she was fun like that..
No one could master the art of looking like Scarlett,
Mammy or Prissy.....



Norma's was a family affair...
her daughters often helped her prepare the foods,
her Daddy kept the financials straight and
they held a strong bond for family...

NEW HOME GOODS, WHAT'S ON THE MENU AND PROM NIGHT

Welcome back to a visit at Estelle's,,,
It has been spring weather in Texas which
has meant unpredictable weather, such as
a bit of rain, overcast days and tornado chances... 
But right outside my bedroom window,
I noticed how beautiful our Japanese Maple was looking...



My spring cleaning has been in full swing, so I am organizing
and keeping busy in the house....
I have a few new favorites to share with you today....

A new candle is a gorgeous shade of blue
with scents of summer.....
Washed Beach Wood....

I have a few beautiful pieces from
My Texas House and this planter stole my heart

I love wicker accents for the summer months...
and now I bring you a few items that were noteworthy
from Estelle's kitchen...

A delicious Sunday night dinner of

BBQ chicken, yellow rice, fresh green Salad with boiled eggs
and a mayonnaise dressing with hot yeast rolls....

This was a delicious appetizer I served while the boys
watched the hockey game....
four cheese stuffed pastry with a raspberry dipping sauce...

Oh my gosh....the best lemon cake ever.....

This uses a boxed cake mix, lemon pudding and fresh lemon juice

The highlight of the week was Prom night in Atlanta....
They looked like a million bucks and it was a very happy night
for our Prom Couple, Grandson Luke and darling Susie....

We are off to a wedding this weekend and will spend
a few days at a beautiful Air B&B...
I love weddings and am so honored to see our
sweet Amelia tie the knot..