LET'S CELEBRATE SUMMER

Here we are...Summer is upon us!

Final exams are over and the school year has ended!

I think it was a bit more exciting when we were younger,

but we can find ways to enjoy June, July and August!

Here are a few ways I celebrate the season at Estelle's!

Pick up a lovely floral bouquet at the grocery..

they are not very expensive and can

brighten your kitchen for a few weeks!

I love changing out the backdoor wreath for the seasons.

This wreath features delicate little flowers in summer colors...

a very french country theme, I think!

I love a cloudy summer afternoon poolside.

It's lovely to hear music in the distance, neighbors mowing their lawns and

children having fun and splashing in their backyard pools.

Oh, let's enjoy the lovely foods of summer....

grilled burgers and hot dogs, fresh watermelons and 

scrumptious garden tomatoes.......

I love the cool breezy summer fashion

and straw hats....

Jewelry should be light and flirty....

The new boho style fashion reminds me of my teen years....

A straw handbag is a must-have for Summer...
I fell in love with this lovely woven pink tote!
All the fashion featured in this post
is from the Time and Tru line at Walmart...absolutely love it!

I like to wear lighter scents during the summer months...
My all time favorite is White Gardenia...
it's a luxury to layer body cream after a shower
and then spritz with this lovely light fragrance....

Let's make the most of these carefree months of summer fun!

SPRING FOOTBALL, COOKIN' WITH FAMILY, MAY STORMS AND PROM TIME

That blog post title says it all...

a very busy weekend was enjoyed by all of us at Estelle's!

Hope you all had as much fun making memories as we all did!

Granddaughter Abbie is home from college....

that first year went by in a flash!

We were invited to attend the annual Spring JHS football game

complete with the marching band and the cheerleaders!

It was SO much fun...love seeing the kiddos having successful

school years and they are just growing up so darn fast!

I snapped this photo of grandson Noah with his Papa!

It was perfect weather on this Friday afternoon...

we knew a storm was headed in for Saturday....

Nick wanted to show off his new Hibachi grill and made

the most delicious chicken and steak fried rice for us!

I love seeing my children enjoy entertaining and teach

themselves new skills in the kitchen!

 This kid can cook...big time!

Creating a good fried rice means that there are many stages to this dish..

he mastered each one and we enjoyed a gourmet meal before the game!

This game is just for fun so that the students can say goodbye

to another school year....we love, love, love watching our

grandson play football!!!

I was out bright and early to the grocery

before the storm blew in...and...

of course had to pick up the new S'more's Oreos!

My lilies are finally  in bloom and they are stunning this year!

Here comes the storm and it was a doozy!!!!

The darling and I were both looking forward

to trying our first recipe in our new Air Fryer!

Fresh gulf Cajun Shrimp!

This was out of this world delicious!!!

Success on our first attempt!

Abbie was in attendance for Prom Photos..

so happy this was able to be accomplished since

we had torrential downpours all day Saturday!

These guys and dolls look just beautiful....

love the gowns!!

One more week of school and then they are off to Atlanta!

Summer is just around the corner....are you planning your getaway?

SIPPIN' BROTH

We all know the best part of a good soup, is the broth.

 It seems to comfort us like a gentle hug, doesn’t it? 

Do you often feel that afternoon slump and

 search for a little something to satisfy your hunger or tiredness?

This is an all natural vegetable sipping broth!

Made with vegan, wild harvest, organic and gluten-free ingredients 

with no added MSG.

Millie's sippin' broth is made with savory herbs and spices

 infused with green tea.

Warm and flavorful with a nice aroma, 

it's a great way to have a treat without the extra calories.

This delightful vegetable broth is a blend of onions, carrots, basil,

tomato, spinach, lime, spices and green tea.

One bag makes one cup of broth with only 10 calories.

Let the broth steep for 4 minutes, then sip and enjoy!

MOTHER'S DAY HIGHLIGHTS

The cool rain had returned to Texas

beginning Friday night.

We actually had to turn the heat on for a bit....

Rob drove home safely from Austin for the weekend,

however the traffic was horrible and he came across

three different accidents with stand still traffic at times.

I picked up these beautiful fresh florals at the store

on Saturday morning....I didn't even mind the rain

since it gave me a chance to wear my favorite yellow rain slicker!

I baked a batch of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies for the boys....

meaning the darling and our youngest son!

I also decided to pick up a lovely Rose' for dinner just to change

things up a bit from my usual Chardonnay.....
We had a fabulous Saturday night with
steaks on the grill, an evening on the patio,
hash brown potato casserole, a fresh garden salad
and enjoyed a movie evening watching Greenbook!

I bought a second candle in this line of the
Farmbouse collection....loving this scent!

Mother's Day Sunday breakfast was
simply divine and decadent!



Sunday turned out to be a gorgeous day
with sunshine, blue skies and a slight breeze!
It was actually our first day this spring to put out
the patio cushions and enjoy a leisurely afternoon outdoors.
We decided to drive over to Eatzi's and pick up some goodies for lunch.

I love a trip to Eatzi's and fill my basket full of delightful items..

It's a feeling of old world Italy,,,people shopping, smiling and tasting.....



I received beautiful gifts of beauty.....

A new kitchen appliance I cannot wait to try....

A darling gift for travel......

A stunning fresh floral bouquet.....



And time with two of the boys....and Mr. Wonderful....
I didn't get a photo with Rob before he left for Austin...
but I could not have asked for a more perfect day!
I hope your Mother's Day was special and filled with love!

TINY HOUSE LOVE....JUST ENCHANTING

There are times when the creativity

of people amazes me.

To have a vision of this much charm

in a small space is a true gift.

I am loving these tiny houses

and hope they bring you a bit of joyful inspiration,

as we continue to take a peek into

these tiny cottage homes!

Be Kind and Be Blessed

MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH MENU

Brunch is THE perfect setting for celebrating

MOTHERS DAY!
I want to share the best of all...
My menu is compliments of Hello Fresh
who put together a very special
Mother's Day Brunch Box!!!

I have chosen to set the table using

gray and ivory linens with lavender and purple florals!

I love having the family gather for a casual

spring brunch and just enjoy a relaxing day!

However, with all of my children scattered here and there,

it may just be the darling and me! Boo-Hoo!!!!

The heirloom pieces in this setting belonged to my Grandmother.

They are these sweet little glass sugar and creamer!

These lovely paper napkins became the inspiration

I was looking for choosing the color scheme!

This is our menu for this celebratory brunch and perhaps

this will give you a bit of inspiration

to create a lovely table as we honor

the Mother's in our life!

Brunch is served.......



MOMosa Cocktail



Annie's Cinnamon Rolls

Tropical Citrus Salad
with
Honey and Mint

Bacon and Gruyere Strata
with
Tomato-Basil and Asparagus Topping

8 ounces of bacon
1 yellow onion
8 ounces of fresh asparagus
1/2 ounce of fresh basil
6 large eggs
13.5 ounces of milk
2 ciabatta rolls
4 ounces of shredded Gruyere
2 ounces of shredded Mozzarella
4 ounces of grape tomatoes

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Arrange bacon in single layer on baking sheet
and bake until crispy about 15-18 minutes.

Halve and discard bottom inch of asparagus. Cut into 1-inch pieces.
Roughly chop fresh basil leaves.
Tear ciabatta into small pieces.

Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper.
Spread ciabatta onto baking sheet
and bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile,melt 2 T. butter in pan and saute onion
with salt and pepper. Roughly chop the crispy bacon.
Reduce oven temp. to 375 degrees.
Add bacon, ciabatta, onion, asparagus, chopped basil
and half of the Gruyere to bowl with egg mixture.
Let bread soak in the liquid about 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with mozzarella and remaining Gruyere.
Place mixture in baking dish, cover with foil,
and bake until puffed up and cooked through, 30-35 minutes.
Make a topping by halving grape tomatoes and basil leaves.
Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Ready to serve and enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day to all of us who are Mama's!

And now, a tribute to one of the best Mom's I have ever known....
The Divine Miss M

Be Kind and Be Blessed!