BANANA BREAD WITH LEMON ZEST AND SWISS CHEESE SPREAD....NEW RECIPES FOR THE SUMMER SEASON

I used to clip and save recipes that sounded intriguing
from the newspapers wherever we were living at the time.
Of course, with the change we have seen with
social media, I love finding vintage newspaper recipes
on Pinterest and I have two prize winning ones for you today.

 

I have tried so many Banana Bread recipes over the years and they all
taste different....this recipe uses LEMON ZEST and I think it 
made all the difference in the world....just marvelous!
Now isn't this a beautiful loaf of freshly baked banana bread?

This is perfect for a mid-afternoon snack or a breakfast delight...
serve warm with butter.....

2 1/4 cups sugar

12 tablespoons butter

3 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Zest of 1 lemon, grated

4 bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup sour cream

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

The Process:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat well. Add vanilla extract, lemon zest and bananas; mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add sifted ingredients alternately with sour cream to the sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Blend in chopped nuts. Butter and sugar two loaf pans. Divide batter between them. Bake in oven 30 to 40 minutes or until tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly in pans; turn out on racks to cool.

Makes 2 loaves.

This cheese spread is perfect to serve when you
need an appetizer side....

Now, this easy and delicious spread is perfect for a cool summer appetizer
or even a light lunch....on the menu for a summer party with family....

One block of swiss cheese, grated
one or two fresh scallions, chopped
two fresh Roma tomatoes, chopped
Pepper to taste
Mayonnaise to your preference...

Mix well and chill....serve with crackers

I love to serve this with whole wheat Club or Ritz crackers.....
So, so good on a hot summer day....enjoy!

LATE SUMMER GARDENING

Good Morning Kindred Spirits.....
As I am aging....
I have actually begun to treasure these last days of summer....
Those afternoons of porch sittin' brings back memories
of my grandmother's house and I feel close to her.... 
We have enjoyed gorgeous weather recently,
with cool breezes and much cooler afternoons...
very surprising for Texas in August....

I love seeing little children ride their bikes past the house....
I love the sounds of the katydids hum throughout the trees....
I hear children splashing and playing in the backyard pools
and lawnmowers whirling....

I love sipping on cold lemonade....
these are slow living days which remind
us to slow down and be mindful in our lives

The Rose of Sharon will soon make way for
mums and pumpkins...



Otis loves to enjoy his outdoor time as he  takes in the sights and sounds
of a summer day....

Just look at these gorgeous summer vegetables...
perfect for making a spicy and fresh guacamole

Late summer lunches often include a light note of veggies...
sweet peppers with chive cream cheese hits the spot...

And, this was the perfect time to use my favorite birthday gift
which my son gifted me..this darling little appetizer
set from the MAGNOLIA Hearth and Hand decor line....
I served club crackers, strawberry jam, cream cheese and pickled jalapenos!

And, you cannot let summer pass by without making
a delicious peach cobbler..
I made this one a bit different by adding apple pie filling

The perfect summer sweet ending....

Take note of shorter days, evening coming earlier,
a leaf falling across the lawn and a slight cool breeze..
a new season is soon to be....

SUMMER SORBETS...SIPS AND SWEETS

Welcome July....it's time for outdoor barbecues, ice cold watermelon

and family birthday celebrations.....

 In Texas, entertaining is ingrained in our culture!

This is so true as a way of life, having grown
up in Mississippi...we refer to it as
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY!

The colors of summer, to me, are citrus inspired...
vibrant oranges, lemon yellows, hot pinks and deep greens....
I felt the perfect setting for our little summer soiree,
would be on the patio, when the temps were in the mid 80's
and it turned into a delightful opportunity to just play....

We played with colors of coastal daydreaming....

Summer has arrived and we are beginning the kick off
with a Citrus Sorbet Cocktail hour poolside..

A celebration need not be fussy but can be
impromptu and a little effortless...just make
it pretty to the eye and a comfortable setting....

We all know that the secret to any party is a great 
guest list and delicious food!
Appetizers are the star of the show..tiny bites
of deliciousness..and don't forget the cocktails....
on the menu..

Wisconsin Supper Club Cheese Spread

with
Multigrain Club Crackers

WISCONSIN SUPPER CLUB CHEESE

Who doesn't love a cupcake?

Sometimes it's the simple stuff of summertime.....
'Just living is not enough", said a butterfly....
"One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower"
~Hans Christian Anderson

WEEKEND HAPPENINGS WITH SUPERBOWL FOODS AND DOWNTOWN FUN

Good Morning Kindred Spirits..
I do hope you are all well and happy..
did you enjoy your weekend?
We were able to be outdoors and soak in some
afternoons of warm sunshine and a bit of nature....
so good for the soul....
We dined on Sloppy Joes and Corn on the Cob Friday night.... 
These are simply snippets of our weekend here in
the great state of Texas.....

We had 80 degrees temps through the afternoon on Saturday,
then a cold front arrived bringing an evening in the 50's...
we enjoyed a dinner in the historic district on their patio,
under the heaters..it felt so good to be out!!!



This is one of our favorite gathering places and they
have a robust customer base with great atmosphere 
and absolutely delicious food!

Our granddaughter celebrated her birthday
with a big friends and family party down in Midland....

I am beginning to change out the home decor to a bit of spring....

We both have taken to reading in the living room
during the afternoon....ahhh..retirement....
a rather strange chapter in life....

Sunday was SUPERBOWL SUNDAY....
I served a small menu of appetizers
and made a Bloomin' Onion for the very first time..
this is a bit of process but I think I managed to 
create a delicious air fryer onion...

I just created my own seasonings and will share the entire process
if you are interested....

I love having a side of buttered and toasted french bread for dipping.....

My slow cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

A favorite of the boys....
Little Smokies in BBQ SAUCE..
we loved Lady Gaga's performance at the Superbowl
and did watch most of the game....
not thrilled about either team this time around...

For those with a sweet tooth...
I made chocolate chip blondies from Taste of Home...delish!

Miss Lucy seems to love getting up really early in the morning
and then enjoys a long afternoon siesta....

It's going to be a week of cold days and rain...
I think Chili will be on the menu..
Thanks for stopping by today...enjoy your week!

COZY AUTUMN BOOK CLUB And A RECIPE FOR THE BEST PISTACHIO CAKE

Don't wait to spend time with good food and best friends!
Today, I am providing a bit of inspiration to host
a seasonal, casual and somewhat whimsical book club gathering!
I have chosen books that will provide an enjoyable escape
from the world troubles and allow us to enjoy reading
on the porch, while the leaves fall from the trees
and you can sip on a glass of wine or a cup of spiced tea,
while you look forward to an Autumn Tea Sandwich
and Nonna's Pistachio cake....
the food that's perfect for a casual evening.....



Find fun ways to enjoy the season..

Favorite Autumn Sandwich
Smoked Turkey
Provolone Cheese
Sourdough Bread, lightly toasted
Thinly sliced red HoneyCrisp apple
Mayonnaise
JellIed Cranberry Sauce
Dijon Mustard
Fresh Spinach

And,,,,for a refreshing seasonal mocktail,
I chose to serve a delicious, crisp, ice cold Pear Juice......

The best Pistachio cake ever!!!!

One White Cake Mix
One package of Pistachio instant pudding mix (3.4 ounces)
1 8 ounce container of Sour Cream
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 t, Almond extract
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts (sprinkle on top of cake before making)

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and blend
with hand mixer for three minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and pour
batter in prepare bundt pan.
Sprinkle top with chopped walnuts
Bake for 45-50 minutes.

THE BOOKS~
One classic and the rest are
whimsical fun autumn reads.....

If you are planning to host a book club gathering 
a sweet little gift for your guests would be
a darling little book plate....
Mother would always gift these to me
when I was a child...I loved them so.....

Lucille Louisa Merriweather

It was a perfect event to celebrate the season of Autumn