TIRAMISU DIP FOR ITALIAN DINNER DESSERT

Hello Kindred Spirits....
we are preparing for a family visit 
and my menu planning is underway...
I am planning on a delicious Pomodoro sauce
which is simple tomato sauce that tastes
super fresh and flavorful....
I like to add red pepper flakes and fresh basil.... 
but in today's post...we are going to start with dessert....

A quick and easy Tiramisu Dip

TIRAMISU DIP
16 OUNCES Mascarpone Cheese, Softened
2 T. confectioners sugar
1 T. cocoa powder
2 T. instant espresso powder
1 pint whipping cream
3 T. confectioners sugar
1 t. vanilla

In a bowl, beat the softened mascarpone cheese, 2 T. confectioners sugar,
cocoa and espresso powder until smooth.
Whip the cream with confectioners sugar and vanilla until stiff
peaks form.
Fold most all the whipped cream, reserving some for topping,
with the cheese mixture.
Divide the tiramisu dip into small bowls or glasses and top each
with a dollop of whipped cream dusted with cocoa powder.
Serve with Lady Fingers and Vanilla Wafers

This is so creamy and billowy...a small bite of heaven....

The Divine Miss M and our Luke the Duke
will be coming for a visit in April and the purpose of this special
dinner, was a practice run to test out my recipes for hosting
a family Italian Dinner night....
we will end with the Tiramisu Dip......
but oh honey.....we will begin with
my homemade spaghetti and meatballs over
Buccatini.....



Homemade meatballs..
made with beef and pork, fresh Italian Parsley
and lots of garlic.....soooo good....

The aroma of a simmering Pomodoro sauce will bring
everyone to the dinner table....

Serve family style in one large bowl at the table
which makes for a beautiful presentation!

A lovely, yet simple, light and fresh dinner salad

Spaghetti alla Napoletana

We have loved and enjoyed family dinners for many years..
time flies by and how blessed we are to make memories of
time spent together...I love to make these special times....well...memorable.....

A FRIGID WINTER WEEK...LET'S TALK RECIPES, BOOTS AND BOOKS

Well, my kindred spirits....
Texas has been REALLY COLD this week...
as has much of the country....
we were at 11 degrees most days......
with a light dusting of snow......
this is a peek into our days....

What is the secret to living a cozy life in the winter season?
How do you keep balance in your life?
Perhaps the secret is to be purposeful..be present in what
you are doing..ensure your thoughts are all there.....
bring comfort to those you love....

We were blessed with a visit from granddaughter, Abbie..
she was in town for coaching her select Volleyball team
and dropped by to visit before the winter artic blast rolled in..
she made it safely home and for that, we are thankful...
we were able to talk about wedding plans for a  good hour....

I love seasonal dinnerware..and fell in love with this pattern from Bico....
What could be more perfect for winter dining than a sweet
Nordic village scene....

Create a "serve yourself" cozy spot in the dining room
for afternoon tea or hot cocoa



Speaking of hot tea.....
this holiday blend from Harney and Sons is lovely
for sipping during cold winter afternoons.....

And, I love candlelight and seasonal scents....
this is a Harry Slatkin called WOODLAND CABIN....
notes of Nordic Spruce, Cypress and Frosted Mint.....

THE COMFORT FOOD

 
There is nothing more enriching than serving a hot
delicious dinner to family.....
on this evening, it was just what we needed....
butter and brown sugar baby carrots.....

A wild rice, mushroom and spinach casserole topped
with a buttery puff pastry.....
recipe link below.....

\WILD RICE SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

It was heavenly to linger over dinner and talk about
our day and world events.....

And, I ask you...what can be more
comforting than a homemade banana pudding....
there is nothing better than a creamy homemade custard
poured over lemon kissed bananas and vanilla wafers...
a true southern classic.....

Nothing short of a masterpiece.....
served slightly warm.....
Recipe link below....

SOUTHERN BANANA PUDDING

It's proved to be a comfortable evening.....

I am thinking alot about the wedding scheduled for October....
and, I purchased my very first pair of western boots....
why not? I am into my senior years, but still want to be fashionable......
and truth be told, I am kind of excited about the fashion
I am planning for the rehearsal dinner.....

On my bucket list for entertainment.....

I am so looking forward to this premier....
The eight-episode season is based on the bestselling book Capote's Women:
 A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era by Laurence Leamer.

I have always been a fan of Truman Capote and remember
this time of this life when he befriended some of the
most well known New York socialites....
this is going to be a delicious read......

When your spirits need refreshing....
take pictures of your beloved family members....
rest your mind in their comfort moments.....

It's such a good thing to hibernate..
these are the days to take time to be a little leisurely..
there are only 61 days until spring.

WARM CHOCOLATE PUDDING....A WINTER COMFORT TREAT

It's Winter.....
a New Year to live our best life....
what shall we do?
What plans shall will make?
I changed a few things for the new year of 2023....
for starters, I went back to an old favorite by
selecting a Susan Branch, HEART OF THE HOME calendar.
it felt good to change it up a bit.... 
I love her art and the bits of nostalgic wisdom she shares...

 I remember as a child, when Mother would turn the heat on before
we had even gotten out of bed in the morning...
we had floor registers which we would stand over before breakfast...
the warm heat would billow out my nightgown as I stood over the register....
it felt marvelous....

I like this advice...BE A HOMEBODY....

I most certainly am and find myself to be okay with that title.....

A cold day calls for something warm and comforting....

I want to grab a deliciously cozy throw....a good book..

eat tomato soup with grilled cheese for lunch...

enjoy a glass of wine in the evening and treat

myself to a serving of warm chocolate pudding...

topped with meringue and a sprinkling of graham crackers.....

MAKING CHOCOLATE PUDDING
2 large egg yolks...save the whites
2 T. cornstarch
2 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 t. salt
1/4 cup butter
2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. espresso powder

In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks until fluffy,

whisk in cornstarch and 1/4 cup milk...set aside.

Place the sugar, cocoa, salt and 1 3/4 cup milk in saucepan
and bring to a slow boil, stirring constantly.
Spoon about 2 T. of the chocolate mixture into the egg yolks
and whisk to temper.
Add the yolks to the chocolate pudding mixture and 
continue to heat for about two minutes.
Remove from heat, add butter and vanilla.
Pour into ramekins.

Beat the two egg whites into stiff peaks.
Add 1/8 cup sugar.
Spoon meringue over tops of puddings.
Bake in 350 degree oven until  tops are brown.

January is the month of hope and new beginnings....
I updated our guest bath before Christmas so that
Miss M and her family would have a fresh new bathroom
to enjoy while visiting over the holidays.....

I went all white with touches of black....
and I loved the look.....

Small touches of luxury can make a big difference....
It's important to feed our souls with good things...
Wishing you all the best for 2023.....

CREAMY STOVETOP RICE PUDDING

Good Morning loves....
I so hope you have all had a good week
and I am just thrilled you came back for a visit
to Estelle's before starting your weekend.

The days are growing shorter and the nights are becoming cooler.
I have gazed out the windows so often during the day to
catch the leaves falling....isn't that sight magnificent?

Today I have a recipe to share that will warm your heart and
also your tummy...it was a favorite of my Daddy's and
is just about perfect for a cold Autumn evening.......

 

This is a pretty easy to make rice pudding that is creamy
and laced with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.....a true southern classic!
I add golden raisins to ours, but you can easily omit these if
you prefer your rice pudding without raisins.

Stovetop Rice Pudding
3 1/2 cups whole milk
2 T. butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup of uncooked white rice
1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
1 t. vanilla
sprinkling of golden raisins
2 T. heavy cream

In a medium saucepan, combine milk, sugar, rice, salt and cinnamon.
Bring mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently....do not cover.
Once the rice pudding has thickened, add vanilla and raisins
and the heavy cream....remove from heat and spoon into serving bowls or ramekins.
Mixture will continue to thicken as it cools....
You can serve this while still warm, which is what we prefer
or also chilled.

This is a heavenly, comfort food sweet ending which
I know your family will love!

QUIESCENCE OF WINTER

I would like to thank each of you sincerely,
for your kindness and encouragement
for Estelle's....it came as quite a surprise
and warmed my heart....
I am grateful for your friendship and
lovely words....You are such a gift to my life......

Hello Sweet Friends....I'm so glad you dropped by
for a short visit today!
You know Texas weather is never, ever boring....
we can enjoy a sunny January day by the pool with temps in the low 70's
and the very  next day, embrace a blustery day with elements 
that resemble snowflakes....it can be quite enchanting actually...

Sunday morning snow in Atlanta

I have put on a few touches of a winter casual vibe
in our kitchen, and I think pretty things do help to
brighten the mood of cold January days!

I found this sweet little sugar and creamer on Amazon
and absolutely fell in love with them......
this pattern also has a few other pieces
that I may pick up at a later date!

I sure find it wonderful to use seasonal florals
year after year....and a touch of red berries in amongst
frosted branches is just lovely!

This candle is Flannel, from the Bath and Body Works....
Notes of crisp Autumn air, Bergamot,
Heirloom Mahogany and Soft Musk

How sweet is the Toile creamer...just love
the old-fashioned scene of winter......

The Winter season gives us time to rest and reflect

within our homes, planning meals and intimate gatherings
for those we love....it can add so much happiness to our lives!
These are two winning comfort food recipes I have made
the past few weeks that I highly recommend!

The creamiest, richest Rice Pudding ever......

OLD FASHIONED RICE PUDDING

A decadent loaf of fresh Cranberry Orange Bread with Orange drizzle......

CRANBERRY BREAD WITH ORANGE GLAZE

I probably snap a photo of Mae Mobley 4 or 5 times a day....
I mean she can just be napping or bathing or playing and 
she is just so darn loveable!!!!!

In other news......

Miss Elizabeth took this photo out on her ranch
which is right before she put the horses in the barn
for the night....her rancher neighbor needed a spot
for some of his cattle, so they have proved to be friendly company
for the horses....a cold January day......

The time has finally come for our grandson Noah,

to relocate out to Montana to begin his college career....

they flew out a few days earlier so that they
could enjoy a family ski trip....
he has a football scholarship to the University of Montana.....
go Bobcats!
Due to Covid, this new class of Freshmen will
begin the Spring Semester, rather than the normal Fall....
I think like everyone,,,,we are all quite weary of Covid....

The view from their beautiful Air B and B.....

After a day of skiing....time for grilling out in the snow.......

I hope 2022 is a year for all of us to
Relax, Restore and Refresh.....
It is our time to be grateful for each day, find the beauty in nature
and realize the importance of being on good terms with all people.