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!

LEMON CAKE...IT'S PRIZE WINNING

 

Mom's Very Best Lemon Cake
1 lemon cake mix
1 box instant lemon pudding mix
1 T. fresh lemon zest
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil

Mix all ingredients in large mixing bowl and beath
with hand mixer until well acquainted.
pour into prepared bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees
until dne, about 30 minutes.

Glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2 T. water

This cake made our hit parade....

SUMMER GARDEN, GOLF AND WHAT'S COOKIN'?

 Oh Kindred Spirits...
how in the world are you all doing?
We are in the dog days of Summer..
those hot triple digits heat!!!!
This is the time of year, I struggle to keep
the plants alive and water daily....
seems like we didn't have this extreme heat
when I grew up......

July birthdays have come and gone..
three of us are another year older.....
when I say it outloud, it seems unreal to me....
you know the saying, when you have your health,
you have everything and for this, I am so thankful....

We are in the throws of preparing for the
ATLANTA family visit..cleaning and sprucing up
around here at Estelle's.....
I thought I would share a bit of food inspiration with you
of recipes that were really good this week...

You know, it's tradition to visit a local Farmer's Market during Summer..
all that Luscious fresh fruit and vegetables is a delight to the senses
so of course, we picked up some delicious peaches for a cobbler...

I tried Caleb's recipe for a cobbler which was quick and easy
and indeed, it was delicious...not like my Mother's but delicious!
The link to this tecipe is provided below.

PEACH COBBLER

Saturday night is sometimes Pizza night..
my son is the the best at preparing a homemade Pizza...

All fresh ingredients and hot from the oven..
such a treat for us....

He tried a recipe for Blueberry Grilled Cheese..
this was delicious...
it included fresh Basil, honey and fresh berries

AND now a little garden update...

I planted Sunflower seeds this year and grew
my first sunflower ever....how exciting!!!

My beautiful Trumpet Vine

And the beautiful pink Zinna's

Saturday evening, the entire family will
be here for the party of cocktails, appetizers and games...
preparations are underway.....



I planned for the colors to be vibrant and beautiful to the eye....

And, I am including my favorite Milo's to the beverage bar..
SWEET TEA AND LEMONADE...
if you haven't tried Milo's, you should....highly recommend....

This is where you can find Lucy and I on Summer afternoons.....
you know the lazy, crazy days of Summer.......
see ya' next time....

EVERYDAY LIVING ...BIRTHDAYS, RECIPES, GARDENING and PUMPKIN CAKE

Good Morning Kindred Spirits...
we find ourselves coming to the end of July!
This month has flown by at warp speed...
It's impossible to believe that in a few weeks,
school buses will be appearing in the early mornings
and late afternoons....such a short summer vacation
for children these days, which is a shame..

July is family birthday month for us....
we celebrate three family members
and enjoy the time we can gather in one place
for a bit.... 



Brunch was just scrumptious as we met over near Keller....

Enjoying Mimosa's and Blood Mary's is not a bad way to begin the day

The darling and I had a lovely evening celebration
for our birthdays in our downtown historic district.
Everything was top notch...the ambiance, the cocktails and 
the service...we loved every minute!

One of my sweetest gifts was this darling garden bunny
which I am choosing to keep inside....

It is the best time to take advantage of those summer fresh berries...
I whipped up a beautiful berry trifle...with custard and whipped cream...

I tried out the Viral Chicken Cobbler for dinner one evening....

We are replacing some dead shrubs in the garden
and chose Texas Sage as a new addition...

I actually love this so much more.....

It is time to think of fall and all the goodness that it
will bring our way.....

I have always been a fall color girl,
and purchased this beautiful new quilt which will go
on the farmhouse table, along with a beautiful leaf and candle....

And, it's time to test out a few new recipes....
this cake is divine and will definitely be offered at Thanksgiving

PUMPKIN CAKE
submitted by Southern Sideboards, Mrs. Donald Seago 1978

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil
2 cups self-rising flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
1 cup canned pumpkin

Mix well the eggs, sugar and oil. 
Sift dry ingredients together and add.
Beat 3 minutes on medium speed of electric mixer, add pumpkin.
Bake in prepared bundt pan at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.

'One remembers all those tables, some grand and richly laden,
some humble and bearing simple fare, 
over which flowed the talk, the tales, the exchanges that

have made up the histories of our lives, the tables which
loving eyes have looked in loving eyes, spirit to spirit...I think 
of vanished loved ones, and simpler times, of youth and wonder..
the seasons in which we were blessed with Heaven's gifts...."
~Wyatt Cooper

SUMMER ENTERTAINING FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

Good Morning to all....
Yes, I know....summer is in full swing,
and it is just too hot to enjoy the  outdoors!
The big news here at Estelle's is that
we are preparing for company!
It's time to plan a party~~~ 

FAMILY TIME



The Divine Miss M is flying in from ATLANTA
for a short visit and bringing our Luke the Duke with her....

It's hard to believe he is now 18 years old and will
begin his senior year of high school in just a few weeks.
I cannot wait to see them and make our time meaningful and fun!
We treasure the time our entire family is together under one roof!!

We are hosting game night and cocktails for a fun
evening indoors!
The theme has been decided upon and we do love
a good mystery game.....

This promises to be a fun evening....
who will be the best detective?

I am so excited for this menu.....
I love attending a party where the food
is all homemade...with  love.....

The color story will be vibrant

The accessories will add a bit of glamour and whimsy

We will enjoy a cocktail hour, then the party shall begin...
as they say...

'let the good times roll!"

COTTAGECORE SUMMER KITCHEN DECOR

Good Morning Kindred Spirits...
let's start a conversation....
what is your favorite style of decorating your home?
Do you follow current trends? Are you into the currently
popular 'Nancy Meyers" or do you lean more to embracing
your own unique style?
I am a traditionalist at heart and choose things
that evoke a memory or bring me a sense of happiness....

One of the features that I find necessary to have in a home,
is a kitchen window over the sink.....and our bay window
in this home, brings me great joy everyday...

I may have found the secret to decorating at this age
as I have chosen pieces I absolutely love, and plan to leave them
where they are, then simply change out a few seasonal decor pieces 
throughout the year..
The pieces I chose for this vignette are mostly in shades of green
which will work beautifully for all seasons and allow me to 
enjoy a few of my all time favorite collections...

I love using my two favorite collector canisters which
represent the summer Farmer's Markets and they are just
so beautiful to look at every morning.
The cruet set belonged to my Mother-in-Law and I keep these
on display all year round....

And, yes I love to add a few whimsy items
like this darling chicken candle holder..
I love to mix Primitive pieces, with Cottagecore .....

Love this wooden base touch tone light...
it's a soft warm light during the evening and before sunrise

For some reason, this evokes memories of my
Grandmother's kitchen...and I really love that....



And, choose a lovely scent of hand soap along with
a pretty soap dispenser

Choosing the color story of GREEN, was the right choice...
it's calming and serene....
find what you love and let your creativity run free....

it's a wonderful feeling...hugs to each of you and
thank you for visiting Estelle's today....