NO SEW DIY FALL PILLOW

I don't know about you, but I begin thinking of fall

and all the beautiful home decor probably mid-summer.

This is my second DIY project for fall and I am in love with it!

I found this beautiful watercolor bird print some time ago,

and have just been obsessed with it!

Lo and behold, I found it by some miracle and did my first project

using this gorgeous print...a no sew fall pillow!

I already had a pillow that I could use to recover

and simply made a pattern adding about 2 inches on each side for a hem.

I then used hemming tape to secure each edge.

I am just loving it...

when fall rolls around this will be on display

with a hunter green autumn throw....

My next project is to create a lampshade

using this material.

Are you looking forward to fall as much as I am?

Perhaps not quite yet...we still have a month of summer

left and a weeks vacation to enjoy!

What DIY project have you done recently?

I would love, love, love to hear about it!

THE ULTIMATE COCONUT CREAM PIE

Hello Loves....

I so hope you are enjoying these summer months!

Have I ever got a treat for you today.

Let's talk PIE!!!!

My father-in-law's favorite pie

was Coconut Cream Pie so I was able to

find THE recipe that proved to be

THE ULTIMATE COCONUT CREAM PIE!!!

He loved it so much......

Now those of you who live in Texas

will recognize this...

This recipe was published in

the FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM

in April of 1997.

It is THE very pie

served in LUBY'S CAFETERIA.

LUBY'S was kind enough to share their secret.

So clip this and save it for all of those

YOU love !!! 

LUBY'S COCONUT CREAM PIE

This recipe makes 2 pies

5 cups Half and Half

1/4 cup butter

1 cup sugar

3 extra-large eggs

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 t. vanilla

1/4 t. salt

1 cup mini marshmallows

1 1/4 cup coconut

2 baked pie shells

THE MERINGUE

8-9 extra large eggs (whites only)

1 t. cream of tartar

1 1/2 cup sugar

For the filling, combine the half-and-half and butter

in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, cornstarch,

vanilla and salt until cornstarch is completely dissolved

and mixture is well blended. Gradually add the mixture 

to saucepan, stirring constantly with a whisk.

Cook about 1 minute until thickened.

Add the mini marshmallows and 1/4 cup coconut.

Cook and stir until marshmallows melt and mixture

is smooth. Pour into baked pie shells

and refrigerate about two hours.

Now for the meringue, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until

soft  peaks form. Add the sugar in increments

while continuing to beat. 

Beat until stiff peaks form. 

Divide the meringue between two pies

and sprinkle with remaining coconut.

Bake 12-15 minutes until lightly browned.

We prefer this served at room temperature

but some prefer it cold....

this is THE most luscious coconut cream pie ever!

Foodie Friday

WHAT' S FOR BREAKFAST?

Need a little inspiration for a delicious breakfast today?

Soft Boiled Eggs with Avocado over 9-grain Toast

with fresh garden tomatoes

and

fresh pink grapefruit slices.....

Stay cool everyone...100 degrees today.....

Who doesn't enjoying a bottle of bubbles during summer.......

TIME FOR TRANSITION....ON THE ROAD TO FLORIDA

Life is about love and loss isn't it?

It is so important to capture the golden moments and celebrate whenever we can....

celebrate the good times....because changes come and the world as

we have known it.....is no longer what it once was. 

This post is about Luke the Duke's Ohio grandparents....

Miss Irma is one brave soul...she is saying goodbye to her Ohio home

and

relocating to a brand new life in Florida.

I will say also, she is in her 80's....looking marvelous

and willing to take on the transition.

The vacation times spent with his grandparents slowly turned into

dealing with the progression of aging and how to best care for

them during this time in their life. 

It has now been a little over one year, since her husband, Pat,

passed away and she was left with a lovely home sitting on

three acres of land, with a barn stuffed full of collectibles

and a pond....now you must imagine what that would be like

to take care of especially during those long, harsh winters.

While visiting her daughter in Florida, earlier this year,

she jumped in with both feet and purchased a home

right then and there. 

She purchased new "second hand" furniture that

would give her new home a coastal feel

and her daughter has already done several updated

renovations to make her new home fresh and airy feeling.

This past weekend with the help of our darling daughter

and most of Jay's siblings, her Ohio home was cleaned out,

auctioned off and prepared for sale.

If you have ever done this process with your own parents,

this can be an overwhelming event...emotionally and physically.

It is what family does.....out of love......

This change in someone else's life, always gives me pause to

think what I would do if faced with this decision....

my answer is,'''I have no idea!"

I think of aging and starting anew in a brand new state

where everything is going to be vastly different

than what you are accustomed to.

I will tell you she will not be totally alone,

as her daughter is going to be with her....

this should make a huge difference....a good outcome I believe.

So, I applaud Miss Irma for making her life choice

at this age and moving forward....

I would love to know how you feel about this coming time in your life.....

 The grandparent visits are now over for little Luke...

I have no doubt he will hold these glorious times in his heart

and carry them through his adult life.....

Life is about change....how gracefully we deal with that change

and hold dear the memories of family.

Happy trails dear Irma.....

TRADER JOE FAVORITES

I love seeing what everyone comes home with

from Trader Joe's!

We have been going there for many years now,

however we don't go that often....

I am already in "holiday mode" and

thinking ahead to the holidays when we entertain more often.

Trader Joe's always has some interesting choices....

I will say it usually reminds me of Whole Foods with a bounty

of fresh fruit and vegetables and lovely, lovely florals.

I love being greeted by all their gorgeous flowers and succulents who look

far prettier than my garden right now.....100 degree days takes it's toll.....

I think their paper bags are the ultimate whimsy....

And...yes, we save the bags....

This is what we chose today as I had read

great reviews on each item....

we shall give it our taste-test to see if they

make the appetizer buffet.

I am going to throw these in the crockpot with the recipe

of the grape jelly and chili sauce.....

These should go great with a chilled glass of pinot.....

I purchased two bags of these Wontons as I read several

people love these.....

YES....I couldn't resist...they are small and just a happy

sweet treat!

So that's it loves...a small haul but a bag full of goodness!

MORNING SUNBEAMS

Do you love early mornings?

Isn't the first cup of coffee glorious?

Mother used to just love that!

Do you prefer your dining table clear of everything

or

a complete tablescape to reflect the season?

I love to enjoy the pretty things most of the time,

but then I get in the mood to clear the counters and the tables

for a cleaner look....no clutter....

There is not a day that goes by that Mae and I don't do a photo shoot.....

Is there anything more beautiful than your beloved pet in a sunbeam......

It's her favorite spot in the morning hours.....

Oh the sheer deliciousness of sunbeams.....

Have a great weekend loves!

HALFWAY THROUGH SUMMER

I will admit that Summer is not my favorite season!

I believe it used to be when I was younger...much younger.

Summer meant a full three months of vacations, playing outdoors,

riding bikes, visits to the Farmer's Market and visiting

our grandparents and cousins.

I wanted to do a little review of what's going on

at Estelle's these days during July.

I love adding to my cookbook collection with

USED BOOKS.

This is my latest addition....a gorgeous Williams-Sonoma cookbook!

I love finding little hidden treasures in used books.....

We have had visits from Bo...

who loves afternoons in the pool....

this dog loves to swim.....

Mae is not so amused when he visits......

We celebrated birthdays...the last one being the darling's....

We are the same age for one week out of the year...

I prefer being the younger woman in his life so I like it when

he once again...is older than me!

He has really become a puzzle fanatic and I ordered this one for him,

which we all loved....rather difficult I will say.....

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this fall puzzle...

I want to frame this one!

The plants are surviving...it's not been too hot so far...

I am loving my little bird bath which was a gift from Nick and Cat!

These little guys have been floating around all summer....

I have loved seeing them every single day...

although we are now minus one white swan

who fell victim to Bo's bite......

We are all keeping on eye on August and our family beach vacation..

this year will be a bit different as the grandchildren will already be in school

so we will be minus two families.....oh I can already hear those ocean waves.

We will be headed down to Austin in a few weeks as we learned

Rob is going to have his wisdom teeth removed....oh no!!!

I hope this goes well as we want to have him pain free before the beach!

What's going on at your house this summer?

A LOVELY FRIEND TO HAVE

I just had to share a most unexpected pleasant surprise

that I received.....

this beautiful hand crafted birthday card

from dearest Lana.....

Is this just not THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CARD!!!!

Lana is such an animal lover and caretaker

and always compliments Miss Mae....

Isn't this the most wonderful thing about blogging...

the dearest of friends you make along the way....

what a blessing indeed!

THIS MAY MAKE YOU HUNGRY

Saturday night date night called for

getting dressed up and going out

on the town for some fabulous Tex-Mex!

I always love seeing couples enjoying

their evening out.....

Here's a toast to the good times life offers...

three July family birthdays to celebrate!

Best ever Queso.....

The darling and me.....

we seem to end up matching these days....

We love double dating with the kiddos....

A cool slushy swirl of margarita and sangria

Dinner has arrived....

Good atmosphere....great service, delicious food

and

lovely company!