MEMORIAL DAY APPLE COBBLER

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for all those
who honored our country and fought and died defending our freedom...
It's important to be mindful and give thanks....

Many celebrate this day by gathering the family
and host a barbecue in the backyards.....
We enjoy the days of tending to the garden and 
splashing in the pool, well into the evening..
we think of summers spent at Grandmother's
and how carefree our days were...
Last year's barbecue was delightful.....

Smoked BBQ ribs and sausage

Mom's Baked Beans

Catherine's Pasta Salad

Come hungry and leave happy..

 HELEN'S CARAMEL APPLE COBBLER

1 cup self-rising flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

1 can Caramel Apple Pie Filling

Nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and melt one stick of butter in baking dish.

Mix first three ingredients in mixing bowl/
Pour batter over melted butter.
Spoon pie filling over batter and do not mix.
Sprinkle with nutmeg
Bake for 35-40 minutes.

THREE NEW RECIPES TO TRY

This year, I vowed to try new things....mainly in the kitchen!

I love trying recipes that I have never made and
you never know when you may find a new favorite!
All three of these were winners here at Estelle's...
so let's take a look at what we taste tested....

 

My friend, Mary Ellen told me about this brand of mix
and said her family loved these potato pancakes.
These are favorites in various cultures and apparently
can be found in European markets which can be served
sweet or savory.

They were easy to prepare and are tender on the inside and 
crispy on the outside....I served mine with a dollop of sour cream
and warm applesauce on the side
The mix can be found on Amazon.

An Austin Chef recommended making these apple pie puff pastries
and they were delicious...easy to prepare too!
    You will need
1 puff pastry sheet, cut into nine equal squares
one can of apple pie filling
sugar and cinnamon

Prepare muffin tin with cooking spray
place each puff pastry square into muffin tin cups
Spoon two apples into each cup
Sprinkle very generously with sugar and cinnamon
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes

This recipe was a real hit!
This is Dolly Parton's Cinnamon Bread
I used one loaf of Rhode's frozen bread
Melt 1/4 cup butter in loaf pan and place frozen bread on top
Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar
Once risen, bake at 350 for 30 minutes

Mix 4 ounces of cream cheese with powdered sugar
and spread on top of warm bread loaf

Hope you will enjoy these recipes and try something new!

CHRISTMAS REVIEWS AND FRANNIE'S APPLE CAKE

 Oh Kindred Spirits....it's just hard to believe..
the year is now 2026!
We must try to keep kindness in our hearts
and spread good cheer toward others.....
I think the word PEACE is my word for the year.....

I so hope you all enjoyed your Christmas season and enjoyed
getting together with loved ones, eating delicious foods
and dressing up in your holiday finest!
We had a wonderful time and the grandchildren were busy celebrating
with both sides of their family!

Our game theme was Christmas Eve at the Theater....

Our Atlanta family Christmas 2025

Our granddaughter's husband's Houston family

The season is not over and so I plan on designing a vibrant

tablescape for New Year's and baking a few things
 I did not get to last week. 

The most important is Daddy's Fruit Cake Cookies,



along with my Peanut Butter Clusters.

Christmas dinner was delicious with Fried Turkey.
scalloped potatoes, cheese grits, green bean casserole
and sweet potato casserole!

I wanted to begin setting the farmhouse table
with a fresh citrus centerpiece that would 
welcome in the brand new year...






FRANNIE'S APPLE CAKE
1 cake mix, yellow or spice
1 can apple pie filling
1 can sliced apples
3 eggs

Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer in large mixing bowl.
Pour into a prepared 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes...
Dust top of cooled cake with powdered sugar!

This is a very easy and delicious cake for afternoon
tea or coffee..I dusted the top with nutmeg..
smells heavenly!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

THE BEST OF FALL COMFORT FOODS

Fall foods are the best....they warm your tummy and warm your soul....
Create the heart of your home in your kitchen...
these are foods I grew up on and that's a good reason
I make these recipes each and every year ...
the creative part is making recipes that others have loved
and shared with others....
there is no better apple cake than Mother's, but this one
proved to be pretty darn delicious...and beautiful too!
And, oh honey....my chicken and dressing 
is homemade goodness...
and of course, please treat yourself to afternoon
tea or coffee, accompanied by a Pumpkin Spice Muffin....
what a beautiful season we have been given....

The fall season is prime time to bake with apples...
I do not peel apples when baking,,
to me, the peel is beautiful and tastes so good....

Can't you just smell the aroma of apples and cinnamon
in this beautiful cake....

PERFECTION

Here is the recipe link.....

FRESH APPLE CAKE

It was a rainy Sunday evening when I served my
homemade chicken and dressing....
Cowboys football, cozy throws and the magnificent aroma
of this comforting aroma coming from the kitchen.....

3 cups crumbled cornbread
2 cups breadcrumbs..use a good french bread
1 tsp each: Creole seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, sage, thyme
1 chicken bouillon packet
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1/3 cup butter
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 onions, chopped
3 eggs
5 cups chicken stock

Mix breads, seasonings, bouillon, and chicken in a large bowl.
Sauté celery and onions in butter until tender; add to bowl.
Stir in eggs and stock until mixture is soupy.
Pour into a greased dish and bake at 375°F for ~50 min, until golden brown.
Homemade Chicken Stock
Ingredients
1 whole chicken
6 cups water
3 celery stalks, 3 carrots, 3 garlic cloves (all chopped)
1 tbsp each: Creole seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, Kinders caramelized onion butter, mixed herbs & spices

I use Martha White Cornmeal Self Rising mix'
recipe on the back of the package

I sometimes enjoy using a baking mix rather
than using all the ingredients needed to bake from scratch...
this muffin mix from Bettergoods is a proven winner....

The spice is just the right amount and you can bet
I will serve these at Thanksgiving.....
they smell divine when  baking too

Fill your home with peace and contentment...
Serve good food to your family
Say your prayers at night....
Be grateful for your days....
Enjoy the beauty of Autumn....

Little Lucy

BUILDING A HARVEST TABLESCAPE

This is the time for seasonal gatherings....
A beautiful tablescape is required
to host the dinners and celebrate the harvest..
and it's all in the details... 

The dining table will set the mood...
you can create an elegant table with minimal effort..
these are pieces I plan on using for a casual, yet
special dinner party..

The Linens

Vintage Plates

Depression Glassware

Accent Pieces for the Autumn Season

Paper Goods from Hester and Cook

These beautiful paper placemats became the inspiration piece...

Selecting the Color Story

Selecting the accent pieces AND
pairing wood with glassware

And featuring a Romantic Autumn with paper napkins

THE LAST OF SUMMER with DELICIOUS EASY RECIPES

I am very anxious to see August leave us....
it is so miserable and oppressive when you walk outside...
and it just zaps my energy and enthusiasm...
it's been triple digits day after day, so we find ways to
be productive indoors...except for a few minutes porch sitting
and watering the plants in the early morning....
just keeping it real.....



This is our house in the summer afternoons....

A delicious way to stay hydrated is with
Blueberry Lemonade!

This cold swiss cheese spread makes a great summer snack;;;
very much like pimento cheese and it's not only
light and refreshing, it's filling!

This has become my favorite lunch for these hot days....
one piece of rye bread, toasted, layered with
crisp lettuce, fresh tomato slices and homemade egg salad!

I came across this easy apple cake on Pinterest and it
is marvelous for a small cake...using only one apple.....

This is great for breakfast or a sweet ending with ice cream....

CINNAMON APPLE CAKE