COFFEE, COBBLER AND COZY BOOKS

 I love small spaces that evoke the season.....
Coffee bars are certainly front and center
in the autumn aren't they?
Some feel the need to spend a fortune creating
a coffee bar with very expensive beverage makers,
canisters, syrups and all kinds of notions....
they are really beautiful and interesting,
but I kept my little corner simple this year..
and I love it......
This is actually a drying mat which
protects my glass stovetop, and also
protects the mugs.....

Autumn is the season for candlelight....
The warm scent is GRANDMA'S KITCHEN

May I suggest making a LEMON COBBLER....
this is divine.....
a can of LEMON PIE FILLING
and your favorite cobbler recipe....
it was a five star sweet ending here at Estelle's...

THE READING CORNER

Rustic Corners is the perfect read for those who love rustic interiors,
cottage inspired living and slow, mindful moments at home.....
it is perfect afternoon reading for all of us who enjoy
quiet corners and gentle living.

 Booked for One is a romantic read that will make you smile...
It's the story of a second chance love,
that results in healing and chemistry, paired

with a small town charm.
This book is a warm cozy read with heartfelt dialogue and
is so uplifting to the mind...

The story is set in the Low Country of South Carolina....
all the Southern Charm you can come across....
This is a story of a family written with tender, touching
moments and yet, revealing the flaws within....



I hope you find comfort and contentment this upcoming
fall season,
The world is quite different from the time I grew up...
I am in the golden years as they say and
it's the most wonderful feeling to 
make your home, your happy place.....

A COTTAGE CORE COOKBOOK CORNER

I have developed a passion for Spring....
The season can be felt as a love latter to beautiful florals
and creating a simple lifestyle.
I have memories of beautiful lawns with
soft sunlight coming through the windows
and try to recreate the feeling of my childhood home
that was well lived in.....

I am currently in love with a COTTAGECORE style in my kitchen!
The color story for this vignette is mocha and ivory...
I shopped my cupboards and selected a few pieces of transferware
to create my cozy cookbook corner winter/PRE-SPRING look.
These are soft neutral colors, grounded by warm woods....

This vintage coffee cup was from the
Sesquicentennial celebration of my grandparent's hometown... 
this was Main Street where they lived.
I would often visit the building on the corner
to purchase penny candy and buy a loaf of bread
with my cousins....

I love changing the seasonal look of my workstation...
and currently am embracing the soft mocha colors...

I love a rustic vibe and softness in the theme....

It's a bit of a vintage look I think.....

The cookbook featured in this vignette is a real gem

Authored by a mother and son, the recipes span
two decades of culinary foods which will
inspire you to soak in all the history and expertise from
a delightful home chef!

I felt inspired to make a cupa, cupa, cupa peach cobbler....
just perfect and good for the soul......

LEMON CAKE AND WINTER WEATHER

 GOOD MORNING WINTER LOVERS....
Are you snug and warm in your cozy home?
I hope this finds you well, sitting by the fire
in warm socks and soft blankets....we need
comforts during winter as we dream of
warmer weather and picnics in the park....
I have a delightful recipe for your today..
a marvelous lemon cake that tastes sooo good and
smells like a fresh lemon while baking...
You will want to make this for your 
next gathering!

One box lemon cake mix
One small box instant lemon pudding
1 cup milk
1 stick of melted butter
4 eggs
1 t. lemon extract

Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer
Pour into a prepared bundt pan
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

I wish I could have bottled the aroma....

I always serve a lemon dessert at Easter and this is the one
that will be served for 2026

If you are looking for a good cookbook, this darling
book is all about the art of the PICNIC ...
full of recipes, illustrations and lovely stories..

We love salad for a light lunch and this
Lime garden chopped salad was so refreshing....
I love a bag salad, how about you?

A winter storm is headed our way for the weekend....
perhaps a time for a pot of 15 bean soup....

THE CHRISTMAS NOSTALGA OF LITTLE WOMEN

Merry Christmas Kindred Spirits....
I have the loveliest of memories
of CHRISTMAS PAST and the
sheer joy and happiness that came
when sharing the holiday with my grandparents....
those days were so magical and so special...
the foods, the lace tablecloth that adorned the
dining table, playing and laughing with
all the cousins, their special decorations...
oranges studded with cloves.... 
it brings a feeling a melancholy

Both sets of grandparents lived in Ohio..
a distance of 166 miles from each other...
My maternal grandparents heated their home during
winter from a coal furnace in the basement
and my paternal grandparents had a beautiful wood
burning fireplace....



One of my earliest Christmas gifts from our
Grandmother Estelle, was the book
of LITTLE WOMEN!
Both my sister and I read and reread this book
over and over.......
The year was 1956

I miss those days...and there is no better time to honor
 the days of long ago back into our homes
than creating an Old FASHIONED CHRISTMAS...
This has meaning to me....it's simply delightful
in creating something that warms your heart.....

We love Little Women at Christmas because 
it celebrates themes of family, generosity and gratitude.
and its narrative is framed by the holiday season.
The story shows the March sisters learning the true meaning of Christmas
is found in spending time together and
giving to others, even when they have little,
 making it a classic and heartwarming holiday read.
The book also connects the holiday to themes of hope, self-reflection, and
 creating lasting memories. 

How lovely it was to spend an afternoon
with the theme of the book....
setting the stage with charming Christmas art

Discussing the classic story of Meg, Jo, Beth,and Amy.
Their Mother Marnie was such a devoted mother
and managed to keep their household together
while their father was away at war....along with the help
from Aunt Josephine.....

This theme would make a lovely gift or time spent during
the holidays with your grandchildren or the book lover in your life....

Set the table with a beautiful Christmas mug and sip
on a cup of Spiced Tea or Hot Cocoa
as you immerse your thoughts in Christmas past

For a little sweet holiday treat,
bake some Pecan Crescent Rolls brushed
with a sugary glaze and buttery pecans

I thought these vintage holiday napkins fit the theme beautifully....

This was the most lovely of afternoons spent enjoying a classic story
and visiting a cherished memory of Christmas long ago....

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

 

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.