A FRENCH COUNTRY FALL VIBE

Well, Kindred Spirits....
we are still in the early stages of decorating
for the upcoming fall season....
we have experienced weeks of extremely hot temperatures, which
tends to slow down thoughts of autumn....
so today I thought I would bring
you a bit of delightful collectibles 
that could be considered a part of early fall decor....

 Roosters can be a popular choice for a rustic
French Country Autumn display
and they certainly have the charm of farmhouse!
These pieces I selected today are favorite
collectibles that you may want to pick up for yourself!

The fall season brings about a more scheduled lifestyle..
especially when school starts



The day begins very early morning and continues with
school bus runs, homework, sports practices and 
evening family times around the dinner table!
Moms and Dads are on the go and it's the
best time of life, in my opinion.....
This brings to mind Mother always having
a home baked treat for us when we returned
home from school and supper on the stovetop
or warming in the oven
Her Chicken Noodle Soup somehow brought me comfort
and now, nostalgic thoughts....
so that's what we are serving today at Estelle's..

Let's talk collectibles.....

Goodness Gracious It's Good Cookbook

This is a delightful cookbook full of prize winning recipes
along with stunning illustrations....one of my favorites!

Certified International Gilded Rooster



I am so in love with this pattern and have been
for a long time. 
It's been around for awhile and is hard to find
the collection these days,
so if
you are wanting this pattern, I would recommend
you purchase some pieces soon...
These are lovely to use for the autumn season
for all of your soups and pasta dishes....
A beautiful pattern and autumn colors for your table....

  THE MENU...all homemade

Estelle's Chicken Noodle Soup

Honey Cornbread Muffins

Cherry Cobbler

Enjoy this period of seasonal transition in finding your indoor creativity.......

THE COMFORT EARLY FALL BRINGS

 It's easy for me to say good-bye to summer....
Triple digit days rob me of my energy
and I find little joy in really hot weather....
The part of August that can be a happy time
is looking forward to a new school year,
football practice starts and shopping for new clothes
for the upcoming fall season...
this evokes such wonderful memories of
back-to-school shopping with Mother and 
organizing school supplies along with
the nervous feeling of a new academic schedule....

So, I have decided to look forward rather than

limp along as days float by in August..

I think I shall call this my pre-fall series

as we transition from summer into fall.....

I was undecided about when I would begin fall decorating this year,
but as it so happens, the appearance of pumpkins and mums
grabs my attention, along with my heart....
I shall begin the early fall look in our home....
subtle, but with joyful anticipation.....
I lead a scheduled lifestyle, it seems.......

The new look on the farmhouse table.....
shades of plum and mocha......
then we shall make a comforting and yummy soup,
and follow up with apple cinnamon rolls...

An autumn botanical table runner with vintage plates

The centerpiece is soft and gentle with a nod to autumn.....
a wooden dough bowl, a mocha gingham tea towel and
sprigs of crimson raspberries......

This ITALIAN SAUSAGE soup was meant to have cheese tortellini added,
but my son suggested great northern beans instead...
a brilliant idea....
before serving I add fresh spinach and top
with fresh parmesan cheese.....

This was honestly one of the best soups I have ever made!!!

There is a new seasonal cinnamon roll which
includes apples.....

Divine!!

What a breath of fresh air to relish the idea of autumn days....
I am now inspired to go room by room and transform
our home into a new season.....
My wish is that all the children starting back to school
have a happy and successful year ahead...
thanks for joining me today!

CHICKEN TACO SOUP...CROCKPOT STYLE

Good Morning Loves...
y'all grab a pen and paper because you will want to
jot down this recipe....you are going to LOVE this easy, delicious recipe!
I just adore crockpot recipes where you can just add
all the ingredients at once, turn your slow cooker on Low....
and dinner is ready when you are!

This recipe was just so yummy and filling for a Saturday night dinner....
The recipe was actually entitled White Chicken Chili, but I call
it Chicken Taco Soup which is more descriptive of the recipe.

The SALSA VERDE was the perfect ingredient too!

15 ounce can pinto beans drained

15.5 ounce can great northern beans drained

11 ounce can shoepeg corn drained

10 ounce can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)

2 cups chicken broth

16 ounce jar salsa verde

1 ½-2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

1 cup diced yellow onion about 1 medium onion

2 tablespoons taco seasoning

Garnish Options:
 tortilla chips, lime wedges, jalapeno slices,
sour cream, cilantro, avocado slices

Drain the pinto beans, great northern beans, and corn.

To a crockpot, add the drained beans and corn,
 Rotel, broth, salsa verde, chicken, onion, and taco seasoning.

Stir the mixture until combined well.
Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-5 hours.

Break the chicken into smaller pieces either inside the crockpot
 or by transferring to a bowl, shredding,
and returning to the crockpot.

Ladle and serve with garnishes as desired.

It's Texas thing....y'all are gonna love this one!

 

TRANSITION TO FALL

 Good MORNING to all my autumn lovers out there....
today I thought I would share little elements of the season
that may provide inspiration for you to use in your own home....
I have been holding off until September 1st to begin the real work,
but going through our bins, and selecting certain decor pieces
has been rather enjoyable and not so rushed or overwhelming.

 adding one of my favorite fall magazines to the ottoman came first,
and then thought my small white lighted pumpkin would be a lovely accent.....

And, new fall scented plug-in's was the absolute perfect way
to begin...that lovely apple scent filled the home in a soft way...
it reminded me so much of apple picking in Maine....
a perfect way to welcome a new season...

It seems green is my chosen color this year and I added a new
lovely sage hand towel to the guest bath, along with this
beautiful leaf plate. which will serve as my soap dish....

I love it ,,,,and... it's Lucy approved!



I recently have been loving little composition books to write down
recipes and notes....such a pretty vintage vibe....

And, then to finish the look I wanted....
I added one of my favorite woolen scarves to complete this 
little vignette on the ottoman....

And, now we turn our attention to the kitchen....

I love making soup on the weekend....
full of flavor and fresh veggies...

I do believe a crockpot is my favorite appliance

Soup and hot cornbread muffins....warms the soul

This sweet lady at the grocery told me about this salad dressing
and urged me to try it...she loves it and thought I would too....
so into my cart it went....
and she was so right,,,it's delicious

A fresh salad makes a wonderful and light lunch

I could no longer resist to add a few fall touches to the piano...
my vintage sheet music of THE AUTUMN LEAVES...
accented by a little wreath and a lovely velvet pumpkin...

My sister found that beautiful photo at an estate sale and 
gifted it to me....beautiful don't you think?

And lastly, a little touch of Halloween on the cake stand.....

I think it's a great beginning to a new season.....
remember to enjoy your days, enjoy your home
and make it your happy place!
Love y'all to bits....

CHICK FIL' A CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

Yes, I agree with you on this....
summer is not really soup weather...
but it is the perfect time of year to use your Slow Cooker
and today, I am serving up this delicious Tortilla Soup!



I so love this Slow Cooker from the Barrymore line......

Yes, Chick fil' A does serve Chicken Tortilla Soup
as a seasonal item...Usually from November through March.
This soup is made from shredded chicken cannellini beans,
black beans and Rotel. It is chocked full of flavor 
using Cumin and Oregano as seasonings!

It will certainly make your kitchen smell amazing
while this concoction slow cooks all day.....

We serve ours with fresh avocado, cheese and jalapeno peppers!

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

And, a good tortilla soup calls for your best cornbread recipe..
my favorite is Firehouse Cornbread!
This was a good summer supper.....

"With summer came the sense that all of life slowed

to smell the deep green grass,

to watch fireflies dance on an evening breeze,

or to hear the gentle lap of lake water against the sandy shore."

~ Karen Kingsbury 

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?