TEXAS HAPPENINGS AND A SWEET RIDE IN ATLANTA!

Good Morning Texas!

I love catching the sunrise out my kitchen window!

It can often be a stunning view!

My bunny collection seems to grow!

It's not quite like putting away Christmas decor,

but it does take awhile to bring all the spring and Easter upstairs!

Mae seems to find any folded quilt or blanket to take her place of privilege!

I just had to share Halee's little Easter dress!

Halle is Cat's niece......

Isn't this just precious?

She is learning early that a strand of pearls is

the perfect accessory for southern belle!

Miss Abbie spent a week in St. Augustine, Florida

with a few good friends!

She is definitely a beach girl...has been since she was tiny!

Loved this picture she sent to me at

Bubba Gump's Seafood House!

What a perfect Forest Gump!

Over in Atlanta...

baseball commands the weekend schedule of events!

Little guys are so cute in their sports outfits!

Don't you wish you could listen in on their conversation?

 Oh lawd...

Miss Emily has captured Luke's heart...

at least for this week! 

Now...prepare yourself...

can you understand Math these days???...

and

this is FIRST GRADE!!!!!

Oh baby, baby...

Mr. Jay has a new beauty in his driveway!

This reminded me of the time Daddy bought Mother

a new Chevrolet convertible!

We LOVED that car!

They surprised Luke!

I think he thought this was one sweet ride!!!

Wooooooooooo Hoooooooooooo!!!!

Until next time.......

smile and the world smiles with you!!

MY BEST SHRIMP SCAMPI

We reserve Saturday night

for either some great seafood

or 

a delicious grilled steak and baked potatoes!

This scampi was THE BEST I have had in a long time!

The darling said it's going to be a Saturday night special 

from now on! 

CAJUN SHRIMP SCAMPI

3/4 pound linguini

4 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

1 large shallot, finely diced

6 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tsp red pepper flakes

1 t. cajun seasoning (Estelle’s uses Slap Ya’ Mama)

1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 lemon, juiced

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves

1 cup reserved Pasta Water

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cook pasta according to box directions, but cook it aldente' meaning cook it 1 to 1 1/2 minutes before done per box directions.

Season the shrimp with 2 Tbsp. of Olive oil and your favorite Cajun seasoning and let the flavors mingle for 5-10 minutes.

In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Add shrimp to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan leaving the garlic and shallots in the pan; set shrimp aside and keep warm.

Add wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil.

Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil to pan. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley, cooked pasta, and reserved pasta water. Stir well and season with salt and pepper.

EASTER HIGHLIGHTS 2016

I hope everyone enjoyed a blessed and happy Easter day!

We began the start to our weekend by driving a few hours

south to a city in which we lived for over twenty years.

It is where, for the most part, we raised all our children.

What a glorious sight the bluebonnets along I-75 are!

The darling has a new hobby.....

and "it's smokin'!"

This is our first time to attempt to smoke ribs!

Saturday was an absolutely glorious day

with sunshine and perfect weather to enjoy outdoors!

The boys began this "all consuming" cookout!

There is quite a lot that goes into this method of cooking....

deciding on the rub ingredients, keeping the temperature steady,

at what point to wrap the ribs....etc. etc.....this goes on and on!

For their first attempt.....these were mouth watering delicious! 

My little purple tulips are just SO SO pretty!

I am still so surprised these sprouted up since I just

planted them as an afterthought last year! 

There she is!!

Mr. Big's new black beauty!

We decided to "smoke" the Easter ham!

Oh honey....how delicious!

I think I'm going to like this...

he prepares the entree' and I take care of the sides!

Easter sunday started out overcast and a bit windy and cool!

Perfect to warm up the firepit!

Mae was watching all the outdoor activity

from the safety of our bedroom window!

Such a flirt.....

Bo was trying out his new pool cabana!

The new pitmaster......hubba, hubba!

This is a typical scene at our house....

for some reason a wrestling match always breaks out before dinner!

Smoked ham. scalloped potatoes, mothers Asparagus casserole,

honey glazed carrots, deviled eggs, fresh fruit and 

homemade rolls, along with fresh lemonade...

and...

Sour Cream Lemon Pie 

and

Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake! 

Easter dinner 2016

The Sour Cream Lemon Pie...
so light and fresh!
Love this recipe!
I think I will have to publish this one sometime this week!
It's a keeper!

Some of us couldn't decide...

so....

we opted for small pieces of each!

The Divine Miss M and her family 

celebrated Easter by dying Easter eggs...

I see Luke's is on top!

Beautiful job y'all!

What a gorgeous basket for an seven year old!

Luke the Duke sent me his picture to say
"Happy Easter Maine Grandma!"

Again, we are so blessed.
Easter Sunday gives us hope and forgiveness of our sins.
We need the love from above.....
Y'all have a good week! 

A VINTAGE SOFT PALETTE FOR THE EASTER TABLE

It was love at first sight when I noticed these little canape plates

a few years ago.

I happily discovered a set on ebay last month!

They were just what I wanted for the farmhouse table.

I planned on a diversion from the normal sweet pastels of Easter.

Soft creams, taupe's and browns were going to be used for this setting.

(another photobomb from Mae!)

Isn't this just the sweetest little pattern

of a french vintage Easter bunny?

The simplistic white eggs......

I suppose the muslin bunny was the first piece

of inspiration to decorate with neutral tones.
Gingham napkins have proven to be very versatile! 

Easter brings forth the images of new life....and gentleness of spirit.
This little Willow Tree figurine
is The Angel of Protection....
she is holding a baby bunny and was
a gift from the Divine Miss M.

It is always a good design challenge to see what

you have on hand to give a layered look.

It's fun to search through your cupboards and 

discover something you have not used in a while.

The little birdhouse was from the

Southern Living at Home collection.

I have had this for a good fifteen years now.

Have you thought about decorating for Spring with

neutral colors, or do you prefer spring pastels?

The great thing about these little plates is 

that they would go with just about any color you

would wish to display on Easter.

Celebrate the season by creating an

organically beautiful setting for entertaining.

Estelle's is joining Tabelscape Thursday today!
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

A COZY LITTLE EASTER BASKET... DO -IT- YOURSELF -PRETTY!

Hi everyone!

This is a darling little

"Do-It-Yourself-Pretty"

I decided to make on this gorgeous, but windy day

here in Texas!

This would be a wonderful craft project to share

with the little ones in your household!

If you are like me,

you love banners for the holidays!

Banners, baskets and all the sweetness of Easter and Spring

are in this craft!

The graphics were a free download

compliments of 

The Graphics Fairy!

All you will need is scrapbooking paper and ribbon!

I dressed the bunnies and sheep a tad bit

with a little Martha Stewart craft glue and glitter

for a more vintage appearance!

I already have a darling little banner for the mantel

so I decided to string this on along a basket

I have sitting on the hearth.

Added a soft cream throw.....

and Mr. Muslin bunny!

Family is coming for Easter Dinner

and

the menu has been planned.

I think we are ready for Easter sunrise

and

for enjoying a blessed Easter Day!

Hope y'all have as much fun with this project as Mae and I did!