SUMMER GARDEN, GOLF AND WHAT'S COOKIN'?

 Oh Kindred Spirits...
how in the world are you all doing?
We are in the dog days of Summer..
those hot triple digits heat!!!!
This is the time of year, I struggle to keep
the plants alive and water daily....
seems like we didn't have this extreme heat
when I grew up......

July birthdays have come and gone..
three of us are another year older.....
when I say it outloud, it seems unreal to me....
you know the saying, when you have your health,
you have everything and for this, I am so thankful....

We are in the throws of preparing for the
ATLANTA family visit..cleaning and sprucing up
around here at Estelle's.....
I thought I would share a bit of food inspiration with you
of recipes that were really good this week...

You know, it's tradition to visit a local Farmer's Market during Summer..
all that Luscious fresh fruit and vegetables is a delight to the senses
so of course, we picked up some delicious peaches for a cobbler...

I tried Caleb's recipe for a cobbler which was quick and easy
and indeed, it was delicious...not like my Mother's but delicious!
The link to this tecipe is provided below.

PEACH COBBLER

Saturday night is sometimes Pizza night..
my son is the the best at preparing a homemade Pizza...

All fresh ingredients and hot from the oven..
such a treat for us....

He tried a recipe for Blueberry Grilled Cheese..
this was delicious...
it included fresh Basil, honey and fresh berries

AND now a little garden update...

I planted Sunflower seeds this year and grew
my first sunflower ever....how exciting!!!

My beautiful Trumpet Vine

And the beautiful pink Zinna's

Saturday evening, the entire family will
be here for the party of cocktails, appetizers and games...
preparations are underway.....



I planned for the colors to be vibrant and beautiful to the eye....

And, I am including my favorite Milo's to the beverage bar..
SWEET TEA AND LEMONADE...
if you haven't tried Milo's, you should....highly recommend....

This is where you can find Lucy and I on Summer afternoons.....
you know the lazy, crazy days of Summer.......
see ya' next time....

EVERYDAY LIVING ...BIRTHDAYS, RECIPES, GARDENING and PUMPKIN CAKE

Good Morning Kindred Spirits...
we find ourselves coming to the end of July!
This month has flown by at warp speed...
It's impossible to believe that in a few weeks,
school buses will be appearing in the early mornings
and late afternoons....such a short summer vacation
for children these days, which is a shame..

July is family birthday month for us....
we celebrate three family members
and enjoy the time we can gather in one place
for a bit.... 



Brunch was just scrumptious as we met over near Keller....

Enjoying Mimosa's and Blood Mary's is not a bad way to begin the day

The darling and I had a lovely evening celebration
for our birthdays in our downtown historic district.
Everything was top notch...the ambiance, the cocktails and 
the service...we loved every minute!

One of my sweetest gifts was this darling garden bunny
which I am choosing to keep inside....

It is the best time to take advantage of those summer fresh berries...
I whipped up a beautiful berry trifle...with custard and whipped cream...

I tried out the Viral Chicken Cobbler for dinner one evening....

We are replacing some dead shrubs in the garden
and chose Texas Sage as a new addition...

I actually love this so much more.....

It is time to think of fall and all the goodness that it
will bring our way.....

I have always been a fall color girl,
and purchased this beautiful new quilt which will go
on the farmhouse table, along with a beautiful leaf and candle....

And, it's time to test out a few new recipes....
this cake is divine and will definitely be offered at Thanksgiving

PUMPKIN CAKE
submitted by Southern Sideboards, Mrs. Donald Seago 1978

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil
2 cups self-rising flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
1 cup canned pumpkin

Mix well the eggs, sugar and oil. 
Sift dry ingredients together and add.
Beat 3 minutes on medium speed of electric mixer, add pumpkin.
Bake in prepared bundt pan at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.

'One remembers all those tables, some grand and richly laden,
some humble and bearing simple fare, 
over which flowed the talk, the tales, the exchanges that

have made up the histories of our lives, the tables which
loving eyes have looked in loving eyes, spirit to spirit...I think 
of vanished loved ones, and simpler times, of youth and wonder..
the seasons in which we were blessed with Heaven's gifts...."
~Wyatt Cooper

EASTER SUNDAY 2026

Good Morning Kindred Spirits...
I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Easter weekend.....
we celebrated a birthday for our son

 and then
enjoyed a lovely, yet rather quiet Easter Sunday....

The Easter tablescape takes some planning....

A Saturday morning spring rain rolling through

The first rose of the season....

I woke up early to begin the dinner preparations and noticed
a beautiful full moon on Easter morning....
this told a story from the heavens....

Which then gave way to a stunning sunrise....
God speaks to us in amazing ways....
a reminder of the the teachinga of Easter.....

It was just three for dinner this year....

Candlelight always makes it special

The menu was planned and this year,
rather than ham, I slow roasted a turkey breast...
the kitchen smelled heavenly all day

Crescent roll bread,,,

Deviled eggs and roasted turkey

Broccoli cheese casserole and Scalloped Potatoes
from Costco

Lemon and Raspberry Tarts

This was the birthday cake....
made with Blackberry Wine...very
similar to a Crack Cake

It was a special day and we are thankful to see, visit
and celebrate with family...
Thank you Lord, for allowing us to enjoy another Easter Sunday....

DINETTE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

February is a sweet month...
it's all about love and valentine's, chocolates
and treating yourself on certain days...
this brought to mind all the delicious
snack cakes that my grandmother and mother
often made!
Often, I would come home from school
and see that mother had made one of her
fabulous snack cakes for me....
She was so wonderful about that....always...

 A snack cake is a simple, single-layer cake, often baked in a  square pan, designed for casual, everyday eating as a small treat, rather than a formal dessert for special occasions. They are typically easy to make, sometimes from one bowl, with minimal fuss, and can be served plain or with a light glaze or dusting of powdered sugar, meant to be grabbed with your hands and enjoyed with coffee, tea, or milk. 

 Simplicity: Often made with pantry staples and one-bowl methods, requiring little prep.

Single Layer: Baked in a single layer, like a sheet cake, making it easy to cut and share

Casual & Anytime: Meant for everyday moments, afternoon breaks, or packing in lunches, not just birthdays.

I found this little gem the other day
and it is perfect for a smaller cake, uses basic ingredients
which are most likely in your pantry and it received rave reviews!

DINETTE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

LINK TO ORIGINAL RECIPE



We are celebrating our granddaughter's birthday this month..
y'all have a happy and delightful VALENTINE'S DAY!

BIRTHDAY DINNER FOR HIM and THE TOTAL ECLIPSE

Good Morning Kindred Spirits....
I hope this finds you feeling good and happy...
we celebrated a family birthday this week
of one of our kiddos...and
it was a fun-filled event....
a concert with his brother and friends,
an evening in Arlington attending a
Texas Ranger baseball game and then
a special dinner with Mom and Dad!
 

Memories from Maine....

a day in Cape Elizabeth

Love this one of a zen moment on the beach.....

I thought it might be nice to share our menu for this special celebration...

it was casual, and so delicious....

preparing a special dinner for your family can be considered your

love language......

THE MENU

Million Dollar Dip
Shrimp Tacos with Citrus Slaw
Strawberry Cheesecake Shortcake



This is a really good appetizer dip
made with ranch seasoning, sour cream, cream cheese,
shredded cheddar and crispy bacon.....men love this....

Even better topped with some strawberry jam....

The maine course was grilled shrimp....the Barefoot Contessa way...

I decided to crisp up the flour tortillas for these tacos
and this really kicked it up a notch...I plan on doing this next time too....

The slaw had a fresh citrus dressing made with orange juice, fresh lime juice,
a bit of sour cream and jalapenos....

so fresh and tangy.....

These shrimp tacos tasted so fresh and light....

I also prepared a Strawberry Cheesecake layered with angel food cake....

I think he may have really enjoyed his special dinner.....

Now, it was outdoors to experience the Total Eclipse.....

I mean to tell you, this was a awesome experience....
it was magical, spiritual and awe inspiring.....
total nighttime darkness and silence.....



to me, it was God speaking to us all.....