NEW HOME GOODS, WHAT'S ON THE MENU AND PROM NIGHT

Welcome back to a visit at Estelle's,,,
It has been spring weather in Texas which
has meant unpredictable weather, such as
a bit of rain, overcast days and tornado chances... 
But right outside my bedroom window,
I noticed how beautiful our Japanese Maple was looking...



My spring cleaning has been in full swing, so I am organizing
and keeping busy in the house....
I have a few new favorites to share with you today....

A new candle is a gorgeous shade of blue
with scents of summer.....
Washed Beach Wood....

I have a few beautiful pieces from
My Texas House and this planter stole my heart

I love wicker accents for the summer months...
and now I bring you a few items that were noteworthy
from Estelle's kitchen...

A delicious Sunday night dinner of

BBQ chicken, yellow rice, fresh green Salad with boiled eggs
and a mayonnaise dressing with hot yeast rolls....

This was a delicious appetizer I served while the boys
watched the hockey game....
four cheese stuffed pastry with a raspberry dipping sauce...

Oh my gosh....the best lemon cake ever.....

This uses a boxed cake mix, lemon pudding and fresh lemon juice

The highlight of the week was Prom night in Atlanta....
They looked like a million bucks and it was a very happy night
for our Prom Couple, Grandson Luke and darling Susie....

We are off to a wedding this weekend and will spend
a few days at a beautiful Air B&B...
I love weddings and am so honored to see our
sweet Amelia tie the knot..

EASY LIVING ON SPRING AFTERNOONS

Good Morning Kindred Spirits...
Hello from the great state of Texas
where the sun is shining and the trees are budding... 
it's been a very productive week as we move toward the end of March

Good news from the ranch....
Warrior and Annabelle have come to actually like each other
and this is great news that they can now reside in the same pasture....
Annabelle can be a bit territorial in sharing her property
and that's to be expected....she is thirty plus years and has lost her teeth..
but sweet Warrior has won her over to be pals....

Very productive work in the garden....
we completed the task of putting new potting soil
in all the planters and the seeds and bulbs have all been planted

We are so grateful to our son-in-law for installing these
beautiful stair rails for us last November

It's been delightful porch sittin' in the afternoon

Right now it's been gorgeous .but I think pollen is soon to appear

It''s a great feeling to bring out spring touches on the patio

We are enjoying light lunches and it is just enough to keep the calories low...

I did want to share my latest thrifted find from Etsy...
this precious creamer which is a Marks and Rosenfeld pottery piece...
this was part of the collection produced from the 1940's to the 1970's
of cottage ware and farmhouse style of decor pieces...

I purchased this from the vendor above and she included this
sweet note of thanks...and yet, I connected with another KINDRED SPIRIT....

THE LAST OF SUMMER GARDENS AND A LITTLE LEMON CAKE

It's late summer...
this season calls to mind the images of rocking chairs
on the porch as evening falls, and the smell of freshly
mown grass layered with the scent of blooming flowers..
it's the season to live outside, tending to the gardens....
and this has been a rather successful year for growing
new plant species....



It was the time to linger in the garden wearing a floppy hat,
gardening shears in hand and refreshing patio decor....
I wanted to remember the last of the summer blooms....

The beginning of the seasonal change to autumn

The Coleus has been spectacular

The colorful Zinnia's and day lillies

My gorgeous OakLeaf Hydrangea

My all time favorite Four O' Clocks

Foxtail fern, Lantana and Boston Ferns

The stunning orange Cannas in Mae's garden

We say goodbye to the light breezy feeling of summer.....

Here is a quick little light lemon cake which is delightful
with afternoon tea or coffee

Sugar (1 cup) Butter (1/2 cup) Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons) 2 Eggs Lemon juice (2 tablespoons) Plain Flour (1 ⅓ cups) Baking powder 1 teaspoon Milk (1/3 cup & 2 tablespoons) Vanilla extract 1 teaspoon Strawberry Jam/ jelly (1 cup) Plain Flour 2 tablespoons For the Frosting: Cream cheese 8 ounces Butter (⅓ cup) Powdered Sugar (1 cup) (Whisk all together for 3-4 mins) Bake in a preheated Oven at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes

I hope you went barefoot in the grass and were able to catch a few fireflies....

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 GARDEN BLOOMS and TEXAS BLACKBERRY COBBLER

 Hello kindred spirits… let’s take a look at the summer gardens this morning but before we do, I have a question for you! Who inspired you to have a love for gardening? For me, my inspiration came from my mother and both of my grandmothers, Grace and Estelle! They loved to create and nurture beautiful plants for all four seasons and they were all knowledgeable and successful at being rewarded with their yard of the month wins! I owe any success I have to them!

Creating a serene and inviting space for relaxation
and enjoyment with those you love....that's my goal.
I plan on drying this oak leaf hydrangea bloom and 
keeping it for a fall arrangement....

I focus on bright colors for pleasing the eye
that will evoke a sense of peace and harmony

The Wisteria I planted last year has finally bloomed

I was over the moon happy when I saw my planting thriving....

My Cottage Rose bush....

Did you know that Geckos love to visit you while you
sit close by....

The Four O' Clocks are wonderful shelter
for garden bunnies......

I love Lantana in the summer....

Rose of Sharon blooming amongst the Zinna's

Now it's time for a dip in the pool

Have you made a summer cobbler yet?

I used Blackberry Pie Filling and fresh blueberries.....

Take time to enjoy the summer months as you make life a
beautiful experience.....