AUTUMN TOUCHES, WILDFIRES AND DOLLY'S BUTTERSCOTH PIE

Hello Kindred Spirits...
it's been a difficult week for so many of us....
the world lost the sweetest soul, our Dolly Parton..
and parts of our beautiful Texas experienced horrific wildfires.....
I thought I would share a little catch up post as we focus on
autumn....progress has been made  here at Estelle's.... 

The family room is being transformed....

The formal dining room shows off a bird theme which I most always
love to do....early autumn



I love the first edition of Candy Corn.....

And, the bar cart sports a romantic botanical fall theme....

The entryway tables featured soft fall artwork accented with
velvet pumpkins along with acorns and my glittered pheasant....

I love displaying my grandmother's goblet filled with acorns,
alongside a pumpkin and woodland art

I fell in love with the toile pumpkin
which is part of the fall collection
from My Texas House

Lucy and I decorated the little guest bedroom....
new pillow covers, a soft cozy throw and art.....

        OVER IN ATLANTA....

Luke attended a Braves game with his friend, Lucas and his Dad...
always a good time....

He works hard which allows him to buy clothes he really enjoys wearing

We were shocked and simply heartbroken to learn of
the passing of Dolly Parton.....
she has been a part of my life since childhood...
I began watching her when she first started out
on The Porter Wagoner show long before color TV....
Dolly was a special gift from God

So, in her honor, I made one of her recipes....
The Butterscotch Pie...and it is just delicious!

Texas has been battling horrific wildfires this week....
This is smoke billowing in the distance from 
the ranch....

Please remember to pray for all affected by this tragedy...

COTTAGE CHIC HOME DECOR AND TRIPLE BERRY PIE

Well....we begin again....perhaps, you are experiencing a bit
of the winter blahs....we often do after the flurry of holiday
activities and all the merriment of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Texas sunrise on a January morning....
cottonwoods are bare in the greenbelt....
Winter can be rather bleak but how thankful that
we live in the great state of Texas....
the high today will be 75 degrees..perfecto for a bit
of outdoor activity....
inside, I am transitioning our home into the spring season....
yes, I decided to skip over the winter months....
I am even planning my Easter decor....makes me happy!



A good beginning in this transition, was to refresh
the farmhouse table with a table runner and a few
of my favorite little pieces that gives off a cottage vibe....

I needed warm and cosy colors of golds and persimmon...
which gives off a feeling of comfort and relaxation.

It's important to keep feeling passionate for a few things you 
enjoying doing, such as changing out your home decor
for the changing seasons.

And it can be as simple as changing out a throw pillow and cozy throw..
I feel better already......
and I still embrace my love for cooking new recipes....
I tried my hand at baking a fresh triple berry pie....

COMFORT FOOD FROM ESTELLE'S KITCHEN

The fresh berries reminded me of summer....
and they are so beautiful and soooo delicious....

I wanted to make a lattice top crust in order for the berries
to show through and make it appear a bit rustic....

Here's a tip on creating a beautiful slice of pie...
allow the fresh berry pie to cool, and then chill
in the refrigerator a bit before serving...
this will allow the juice to settle and prevent it from being too runny....

I would say we are off to a pretty good start for the new year.....

 

DINNER AND DESSERT.....ALL HIS FAVORITES

Good MORNING loves...
Today, I have a bit of inspiration for you..
as far as inspiration for serving a delicious dinner
to those you love...
I call this my "redemption dinner",
as the dinner served the previous night
was a complete FAILURE.....
When I find myself missing my mother and grandmothers,
I want to dedicate the cooking preparation to
a few favorites straight from their collection of food specialities...
these are basic recipes that we grew up on.....
it's gonna be so good y'all......

With the high price of food these days.
I wanted to get back to some favorite basics...
Oh how I loved the times when there was a big pot
of green beans and new potatoes simmering on the stove....
it is still, to this day, a feeling of home and comfort....

To add delicious flavor,
I add chicken broth and a few slices
of applewood smoked bacon

Who doesn't love a fresh and hot yeast roll....

This right here.....you will want to keep this recipe....
men LOVE this simple casserole....






Dinner is served.....how beautiful and delicious....

Everyone loves a homemade cream pie

It was a winner.....nothing fancy...just
a weeknight dinner enjoyed by the family

 

Enjoy your home....especially your kitchen...
it indeed is the heart of the home.....

TIME FOR SOUP AND CORNBREAD

Aa the temperature drops and the nights continue
to grow longer, let's wrap ourselves in the aromas
of a comforting winter meal.....



Looking out from the library of the Maine House....

There is something romantic and peaceful about the glow
of candlelight.....

Enjoy the the recipes from Estelle's kitchen.....
it's all about family favorites



Here's a little clip of the boys in Denver.....
it was minus 7 degrees and the Air B&B had no heat...

Today's post is all about an easy but delicious
soup night, ending with a pudding pie.....

This is one of the best soups I have ever made..perfect for a cold night...
the boys ate two servings..it was that good!

ROASTED TOMATO BEAN AND SAUSAGE SOUP

2 cans (14.5 oz each) fire roasted tomatoes

- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

- 1 can (15 oz) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

- 1 large yellow onion, diced

- 2 stalks celery, chopped

- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 4 cups vegetable broth
Smoked Sausage

- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder to taste

- 2 bay leaves

- 1 handful of fresh spinach leaves, optional

- Fresh basil for garnish, optional

1. In the basin of your slow cooker, combine the fire roasted tomatoes, both types of white beans, onion, celery, carrots, and garlic.

2. Pour in the vegetable broth and stir to incorporate.

3. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Give it another gentle stir to distribute the spices.

4. Tuck the bay leaves into the mixture, making sure they’re submerged so they can impart their flavor.

5. Set your slow cooker to low and let the soup cook for 7-8 hours, or switch it to high for a quicker cooking time of about 3-4 hours.

6. Before serving, remove the bay leaves and give the soup a good stir. If you’re using spinach, stir it in now and allow it to wilt in the hot soup for a few minutes.

NOTE; I added the smoked sausage as the boys love it! Adds great flavor too!

And yes, you can bake some delicious cornbread and add
some spice with jalapeño's!!

We ended the heartwarming meal with a chocolate pudding pie...



Just purchase a shortbread prepared pie crust..
pour in some warm cook and serve chocolate pudding
and top with sweetened whipped cream....

It's all about comfort at the table.....

Provide your family a warm space for the heart.....

as you entertain and celebrate the seasons.....

Who's ready for Spring?

THE BEST THANKSGIVING PIE

Good Morning Loves...
oh how I  love searching for recipes..
I have had this passion since I was very young...
pouring over the pages of Mother's recipe books...
looking through the handwritten journals of 
both my grandmother's...
and now, with all our social media,
we have a wealth of recipes at our fingertips....
and I came across this vintage pie recipe
that really intrigued me....

\

The newspaper article said this was THE
favorite Thanksgiving Pie of
the Walton's actor, Will Geer, who
played Grandpa Walton.
My Grandmother Grace and I never missed
an episode of The Walton's...such
warm memories that I keep inside my heart....

So, if he deemed this THE BEST pie he ever had,
so much so, he asked for the recipe,
I knew I had to make it.....

I would say it is a mix of tastes between a
Pecan Pie and a Pumpkin Pie....

We did a taste test in the family...
it received five stars....
I think Grandpa Walton was right....
so I am sharing this vintage recipe with y'all....

This will be the star of the dessert table during Thanksgiving...
only then, shall we pass the whipped cream.....

I plan on making the most of every November day..

 

CHILI MAC DINNER FOR A FALL KICKOFF

Good Morning Loves..
welcome back to Estelle's kitchen....
This season, plans are underway to celebrate
the Southern Harvest favorites....
serving delicious food is the perfect way to
showcase the splendor of the season~

Fall dinners are a bit hardy and offer comfort to those you love
after a day of school and work....let's make it pretty and delicious....
tonight on the menu is a spicy Chili Mac, Cornbread Muffins and Custard Pie!

What could be better than preparing a big pot of chili
in your favorite cast iron stockpot...
let the flavors marry as it simmers away for the afternoon.....

I am thrilled when I run across Blue Runner beans....
my parents would buy a case of these when
we would revisit New Orleans and shop at
Schwegmann's grocery....

Hearty and Spicy...
it's dining with design....

It's always great for your chili dinners to offer toppings
of shredded cheese, green onions, and sour cream!

Hot cornbread muffins are always served to 
accompany a bowl of chili...

and, who doesn't love a Custard Pie?

Let your autumn table settings inspire you to channel the season
and impress your guests at your next gathering!