February 29, 2016

THE MAINE HOUSE...A LOOK BACK AT SPRING

 
The Maine House was a place of good times!
Spring in Maine could not have been more beautiful...
however, it did not reveal itself until May.
Those were some long winter months...
from October until May!
But the beauty that unfolded was just breathtaking!


The lawns in Maine were mostly Kentucky Blue Grass.
Our gardens were professionally landscaped
so that there would be something blooming 
all through the spring and summer.


These were our back gardens and our woodlands.
I just adored this little area,
with huge stones all throughout.


I began practicing my photography skills while living
in Maine and was thrilled when I was able to 
capture this picture of "Chip"
sunning himself in the front garden.


The side gardens were so lush...
wild roses grew everywhere!


We put our own touches on our Maine House....
I remember when I found those little star wreaths
at The Christmas Tree Store....
our touch of "Texans live here!"
You can see where the deer chewed the little evergreens during winter.....


We did however, learn that a sloping yard was soooo much trouble to mow....
quite a workout! 
But, it made for stunning curb appeal!


These were the spring blooms on our Pear Tree.


Some of my gorgeous additions to the garden...
I was so proud of my pink peonies I planted in honor of Mother.


Oh, I remember this....
how the darling looked after a day of sprucing up the yard.


Some of the very best times
were when all the grands came to visit....
I love that they were able to experience Maine life.
Look at little Maepole....


The grands having fun at Papa and Maine Grandma's....
just little southern boys.....
I treasure this! 


Jay grilled fresh salmon we purchased off the wharf
in Old Port!
These were fabulous evenings.....


Of course, we did quite a few Lobster boils.....



Miss Mae watching for activity in the woodlands.....


Our sweet memories of life in Maine!

February 28, 2016

PET LOVE!




As February draws to a close,
what better way to end the month
by reflecting back on some moments of sweetness......
Luke the Duke's Boy Scout den met up at the ranch
to visit Robbie the horse....


Robbie loves children and is always
willing to give a few horse kisses
in exchange for some carrots!
Don't you just love him?


Luke won not one, but
two prize drawings on Saturday
with competition games being played
with a Star Wars theme!
Piper is always, always ready to be right in the middle of things!


Piper now knows how to give
"High Fives!"


She also talks......
silly girl....


Cat had her niece, Halee come to stay for the day
and Halee is always willing to help clean up at Liz's ranch.
This little cutie pie calls Liz, her grandmother, Marmee!
Don't you just love that?
In honor of the novel, Little Women.
That is Liz's beloved rescue dog, Apache, in the background.
He is absolutely a beautiful dog!


Once the ranch was all spruced up,
it was time for lunch on the patio!
Looks like Miss Halee did a little sidewalk 
chalk art for sweet Franz!




Miss Mae has been enjoying birdwatching these days...
always sophisticated....always regal!
There is a common thread running here....
how much love and joy animals bring to our lives.
We have been out in the garden, planting spring bulbs
on this warm, lovely February weekend.
I'm ready to welcome March
with some fabulous recipes...
y'all have a good one! 

February 25, 2016

THOUGHTS OF HOME....THE GIFTS OF SPRING


Happiness and contentment come naturally in Spring....
What brings you a smile each day?
For me...it's my pair of Mourning Dove that coo for me to fill the birdfeeders...


It's when I walk outside on a bright spring day
and
our pear tree is bursting into bloom.....


Pulling everything together in one place
in order to create a pretty little vignette....


Spring certainly tells us a story of rebirth....
and provides us such a sense of peace.


 I look forward to creating a beautiful space outdoors...
seeing green and all the pots filled with color.
We love sitting and watching and listening to the birds..
the sweet sounds of nature.


And those beautiful warm days when we can be lazy
and grill out well into the evening...
these are my thoughts of home today.

Linking to Thoughts of Home on Thursday today!



http://www.poofingthepillows.com/2016/02/thoughts-of-home-on-thursday-3.html

February 24, 2016

APPLE STREUSEL CAKE



I had totally forgotten this recipe.
It is one of my all time favorites.
Every time Mother and Daddy came to visit,
I would have this apple cake warm from the oven
to serve them with a cup of coffee.


I got this recipe as part of our wedding gift
from Ms. Tommie Booth, our backyard neighbor
in Jackson. She was just precious....
Tommie would invite us over for her infamous
coconut cake, iced tea or this apple streusel cake
and we would sit at her kitchen table and talk for a few hours.
She also made the cutest little doll clothes.
She was an avid gardener too.
She and mother would be out tending to their rose bushes
and talk over the fence most everyday.
She gave me a lovely cookbook, kitchen utensils and some
of her best recipes when I married.
I will always remember her and love her! 


APPLE STREUSEL CAKE
1 (20- ounce) can Apple Pie Filling
2 t. Cinnamon
1 cup packed Brown Sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 cups Flour
1 cup Sugar
1 ½ cup Milk
½ cup Butter, softened
3 t. Baking Powder
1 t. Salt
3 Eggs
3 T. Butter, melted


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a 13 X 9 baking dish
Combine Pie Filling and Cinnamon and set aside. Combine Brown Sugar and Nuts and set aside. In large bowl combine Flour, Sugar, Milk, ½ cup Butter, Baking Powder, Salt, & Eggs. Mix on low 30 seconds beat on medium 2 minutes. Pour ½ Batter into prepared pan. Spoon ½ Pie Filling evenly over batter. Spread ½ Brown Sugar mixture evenly over pie filling. Add remaining Batter to pan and spread remaining Pie Filling over top. Mix 3 Tbsp. melted Butter with remaining Brown Sugar mixture. Spread evenly over top of cake.
Bake 45-50 minutes until tester comes out clean.     

THE GLAZE
1 ½ cup Powdered Sugar
2 T. Butter
1 ½ t. Vanilla
4-5 t. hot Water

Combine all ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over cake 20 minutes out of oven

February 23, 2016

SPRING TOUCHES AND SWEET PIPER


Don't you just love discovering an "inspiration piece"
when you are trying to decide how to decorate a space?
The first thing I found for Easter that I simply fell in love with
was this little muslin bunny!
I thought he would be perfect for our farmhouse table.
Then, I found this vintage looking table runner and knew
this was the look I was going for!


Do you take advantage of the sales
and free shipping at
Bath and Body Works?
I cannot be without their candles....
they last for quite some time and
 always smell heavenly!


This is the look I am going for 
out on the patio.
I seem to always be drawn to the colors of autumn...
how about you?



The ottomans came in and we are so pleased...
it's coming together!
I can feel the softness and warmth
of this safflower throw during an
October evening and the aroma of the chiminea!

Now let's check in with Miss M over in Atlanta.....


Piper is forever "cruising the counters"
for leftover breakfast....
a bit too late this morning!


Her regal girl....
she loves hopping up on the ottoman for a better survey
of the backyard and golf course!


I loved this...
I think Luke the Duke was up to some mischief....
Piper seems to be telling his Papa to temper that emotion!!!!
Notice her paw resting on his hand......precious!

Have a great day everyone!

February 22, 2016

GET READY FOR SPRING


 Hello Loves.....
how was your weekend?
What projects did you work on?
I could no longer wait...
with all this glorious spring weather
we have loved the past few days...
I simply had to bring out the bunnies!


I think he needs a cart full of jelly beans.


I am crazy about this little cupcake stand
from Pottery Barn!
Just waiting for the perfect little Peter Rabbit cupcake!


Miss Judy gave me this Valarie Par Hill spring bunny
twenty years ago and I bring him out every Easter!
You can use this as a door decoration or 
anywhere you choose to display him!
This year, he's taking his spot in the kitchen!


Cupcakes!!!!
What shall we make and when do we eat?



decisions, decisions......


I agree with Tessa.....
Cadbury Creme Eggs are a must- have!


Moving on to the mantel....
just a few touches..
my vintage peter rabbits
and
Grandmother Estelle's little
 Tuscan fine bone porcelain pitcher and bowl
she purchased in England.


They make a statement!


Feeling the love for Easter and all-things Spring


Easter is just the sweetest time of year.


Bo came to visit for the weekend
and
as always...had new Bark Box toys to play with!


Smile BoBo......


It always proves to be an exhausting
weekend for Mae, when Bo pays us a visit....
this is her Sunday afternoons.....
blissful naps.