IT'S TIME FOR SUN DRENCHED DAYS AND STARLIGHT NIGHTS

Hello Kindred Spirits.....how is the start to your Summer going?
I plan on spending much of our time poolside before
it becomes unbearably hot....we have no big travel plans
and are so grateful that our outdoor living space has been
transformed into our own private oasis....
I am good with a glass of ice cold lemonade and burgers on the grill....

I am so enjoying this beautiful Dahlia that Miss M gifted to me
for Mother's Day...the first time I will be growing on of these beauties!

Our Lilac Vitex is a proven winner and is absolutely
a showstopper!

These are called Sunset Lilly's

So far, I am thrilled with how Mae's Memorial Garden is growing...
These Canna's will be a bright orange....



It's something to look forward to....

I am in love with Four O' Clocks....
they never disappoint.

They are soft and delicate....such pretty, pretty colors....

Another Dahlia in early bloom....

I adore growing Rosemary....it smells heavenly.....

As I was cleaning and organizing a kitchen cupboard the other day,
I came across this beautiful bowl that I had totally forgotten about...

it's now on display where I can enjoy it everyday.....

I received this cookbook for Mother's Day also, and it's
chocked full of delicious recipes to try....

Such as a Cuppa, Cuppa, Cuppa Peach and Blueberry Cobbler.....

It can be the little things that make you happy to
entertain and celebrate the seasons....
I would love to hear how you are doing the same at your house...
see y'all next time!

OUR FAVORITE BEACH MENU....TUNA MACARONI SALAD AND PEACH PIE

It's no secret that our family loves family beach trips....
we have enjoyed these gatherings for many years...
we play all day....and into the evening...oceanside..... 

I think we never grow tired of enjoying a week at the beach.....

What a fabulous way to have little cousins reconnect...
those lazy summer days of sand and sun....

There is something about the ocean that just seems to melt your troubles away......
So when we come back to the house for the cocktail hour
and dinner.....we love to have a casual meal of 
Tuna Macaroni salad and a sweet ending of summer's best peach pie....

JAY'S TUNA MACARONI SALAD

Large elbow macaroni, 2 cups slightly undercooked
1 can tuna, drained
Whole Sweet Gherkin Pickles, diced
Celery, diced
Three Hard Boiled Eggs
Mayonnaise
Salt and Pepper to taste

Here's the secret...don't use pickle relish and don't skimp on the sweet pickles....
cut the pickles in large chunks

Use as much mayonnaise as you prefer....don't overload it with mayo

I don't measure...it all depends on how many people you are serving.....
few ingredients are best.....it's simple and so, so delicious!

While the pie is still baking, I melt butter on the top.....
it's so darn good, you will want it for breakfast the next day!

It's still summer...it's still HOT...enjoy a slice of peach pie!
It's the end of summer y'all....treat yourself to something good!

CLOSING OUT JULY 2022...SUMMER GARDEN AND RECIPES THAT WERE FAVORITES

Good Morning Loves.....
I don't know about you,
but I am ready to put summer, in the review mirror! 
The heat has been pretty brutal and some of our
plants have just struggled every day despite
watering them twice a day!
But, I wanted to capture those that continue
to thrive and add beauty to our home!!!!!

I have planted Four O' Clocks in most all of our homes.
They are just lovely and delicate in their appearance!

They come in a variety of colors
and bloom in the evening, between 4 and 8 PM.

If you are looking for a lovely ornamental plant,
then try planting Four O' Clocks in your garden!

Now, let's talk Zinnias!!!
This has been the first time I have planted Zinnias
and they have brought us tremendous joy
this summer!
I started these from seeds and they have thrived all season!!

The color variety is just stunning!
These have proven themselves to be a real winner in the garden!

And lo and behold, after six years,
my Trumpet Vine finally decided to bloom!
Never give up  is my motto!

And lastly, we have a pumpkin vine growing ladies and gents!
What a surprise to us.....
obviously this started from a seed left in the ground,,
from a pumpkin we had sitting here last fall.....now that's exciting!!!

FOOD FARE

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

These are delicious!
They are light, fluffy and have just a touch lemon!
These are featured at The Four Seasons and if you would like to try
making them, I have provided you the recipe link below!

LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES

Peach Hand Pies

It's always been my thought, that you must make a peach dessert
during summer.
Normally, it's peach cobbler, but this year, it was the HAND PIES!
Recipe is linked below!
FRIED PEACH PIES

Okay, when was the last time you enjoyed a Hot Fudge Sundae?
You will want to save this recipe....
it's simply delicious!!!!!

I have a fun summer brunch coming up
and then, I am turning my thoughts to the fall season.....
it's time to dream, bake and decorate for the best season of the year!
I hope you're as excited as I am!
My hope is that when you visit Estelle's, you come away
with a recipe you would like to try, some décor that inspires you
and that you have a smile on your face and a pep in your step!!
Sending love to each of you....you're just amazing!

IT'S AUGUST ...THIS CALLS FOR HATCH CHILIES AND PEACH ICE CREAM

Hello Loves.....
do you ever wake up in the morning and realize
there is not one thing planned?
No appointments, no day dates, nothing
to make the day extraordinary?
Well, sometimes you may just
discover your day offers you sunshine and flowers.......

We took a run over to my favorite grocery store and oh,
how I love shopping for an idea that pops into my head....
August features our well known Hatch Chile fest and
it's a tradition of ours never to miss this event held
during the month of August.....

The rich aroma of roasting chiles will draw you in
to savor all kinds of delicious goodies....

passing by their beautiful floral department makes me 
soooo very happy........

I plan on serving these stuffed mushrooms

with a delicious grilled steak on Saturday night....

I always love fresh Peaches in August and will
normally make a peach cobbler....
well, I decided instead, I'm going to make
homemade peach ice cream!!!
Doesn't that sound amazing????

These are Texas grown peaches!

I used Paula Deen's recipe for this rich and creamy homemade ice cream!

Absolutely divine!!!

We preferred to put the peaches on top of the ice cream,

rather that mix the peaches into the ice cream......

Let's savor the last of summer.....are y'all with me?

AT HOME IN MAY

We need to think of something....something wild and fun....

to fill our months of Summer.....I often think of my

Grandmother who continued life as usual in the summers...

the cooking and cleaning went on from day to day....

there were no vacations planned or days to lounge around...

I would guess the day she looked forward to the most

would be Sunday's when she dressed up in her finest

to attend the Methodist church services....she would serve

a huge family dinner and then family and guests would be

welcomed to sit on the porch for a few hours....all of them

dressed to the nines in their church clothes....

Well, Miss M planned a weekend adventure

for her little family....husband Jay said he really

needed time away from his home office and conference calls...

so they are going on a camping adventure....

they have rented an RV.....

And will be spending a few days camping in Tallulah Gorge!!!!

She also planted all the pots that are kept on their deck....

Home Depot had these gorgeous Poppies...first time growing these!

FOOD FARE

The darling has had a craving for a good Bloody Mary...

he is going to perfect the art of making it hot and spicy!

Sunday Morning Breakfast....

Ham, Egg and Cheese Sandwiches

Cucumbers and Onion marinated in vinegar....

I grew up on this....there was always a bowl sitting on 

Grandmother's kitchen table or in Mother's fridge all summer long....

we all loved this....the darling remembers this so fondly at

his own Grandmother's house in the Delta...

yes ma'am....this is comfort food at it's best!

We have had a difficult time finding pasta and pasta sauce

at the grocery....I am thinking it was a non-perishable item

snatched up by the hoarders and I know they include these items

at Food Banks for those in need.

After much looking around, I managed to find these items at Amazon.

I always keep a stock of pastas and sauce in the pantry....

Prosciutto wrapped chicken over spaghetti and 

Tuscan Spiced  Marinara Sauce,

topped with fresh basil

My Ricotta Italian Spaghetti Pie

Spicy Maple Glazed Chicken, Baked Sweet Potatoes and

Green Beans with onions, garlic and tomatoes!

Peach Picnic Cake

One large can of peach slices, sprinkled with yellow cake mix,

coconut and pecans with two sticks of melted butter.....bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes!

The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

The latest Puzzle....



My thoughts are turning to Summer and our weather
seems to be warming up rapidly..into the 90's....
I always think of lemons during summer....
added to ice water, iced tea...cold lemonade....
so my candle scent choice, is this lovely Lemongrass Breeze
candle from Harry Slatkin!

The lilies are blooming...so beautiful!

Trees.......swaying in the summer breeze.....