THE MICROWAVE SAGA, THE POST REVIEW AND HOOK, LINE AND SINKER

Sign.....the kitchen remodel is on hold for a few more weeks.

We all discovered the new microwave we had selected was going

to require new electrical wiring as it ran on a higher current than

the existing ones.

This was proven to be a whole new ballgame when it came to

rewiring and dry wall damage and repair.....so......back went

this microwave and a trip to Lowe's to pick out a new one.

I will say, Lowe's was efficient and very helpful in solving the problem.

It was just fortunate for us that Kitchen Aid just recently came out

with a Black Stainless that is going to work beautifully!

Jenn and I made a quick dash through Target and would you believe

I only purchased one item...this adorable 

shadow box calender!

One item that was fun I should say.....

We enjoyed another very good movie this weekend....

THE POST 

The Post  tells the true story of publishing documents ,

known as the  infamous Pentagon Papers,

 during the 1971 Nixon Administration,  

which chronicled the government's study about the Vietnam War. 

Tom Hanks plays Ben Bradlee, Meryl Streep plays

Katherine Graham and Bruce Greenwood plays Robert McNamara.

I will say this was riveting and brought back well known

names and happenings to the darling and me.

Our son and daughter-in-law probably did not enjoy

this as much as we did, since the figures of the early 70's

were not familiar to them.

I would guess people in our age bracket are going

to find this a very thought-provoking movie!

Mae Mobley spent the weekend keeping a low profile

and watching Bo from a distance......

After the movie, we went to our favorite new area..

The Boardwalk over in The Colony!

It was a gorgeous evening, yet rather cold and brisk!

They are really creating a beautiful area to dine and relax!

I think as this area continues to grow.....

it's going to be super popular!

I was very glad to see the restaurants busy and people

visiting new businesses!

Hook, Line and Sinker was our chosen dinner destination...

the darling's favorite of fresh gulf seafood was going to make

him a happy camper!

My suggestion is that they improve their wine list.....

other than that....it was a good experience!

Oh Honey....now THAT'S a seafood boil!

Over in Atlanta......

The Divine Miss M and family met up 

with friends and it appeared that Luke the Duke, Izzy and Felicity

were quite entertaining while enjoying Pizza!

Gotta love it!!!!

IN MEMORIAM

Lastly, we remember Catherine's grandfather

who passed away on Thursday.

I took this photo of Bob out on Elizabeth's ranch

when we were visiting from Maine.

I love this photo...you can tell how much

he was enjoying the afternoon and this is how 

I choose to remember him......

How blessed he was.....always smiling and happy!

Bob was 92 years young and devoted to his wife Ann,

I would say that it was a life well lived.

They both managed to stay in their lovely home up until

late last year, when they moved to a beautiful

assisted living facility
Peace be with you Bob.......

GREAT MOVIE FOR DATE NIGHT AND THE HEARTH AND HAND COLLECTION

The kitchen color theme is going black and white!

The new Black Stainless appliances, which we are loving,

just called for a new look!

I started with these very elegant looking glass candles

which smell AMAZING!!!!

And, if you are a follower of Chip and Joanna Gaines

from their HGTV show, Fixer Upper....then you most likely

have purchased at least one thing, from their new Hearth and Hand

collection at TARGET!

I am in love, totally in love with their designs!

We had a marvelous Saturday shopping and treating ourselves

to a Starbucks......

Do you know that everyone in the cafe was either glued to their phones

or their I-pads?

I wanted to shout....

"MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN"

and perhaps, then, they might have looked up and joined the world once more!!!!!

We took in a late movie at our favorite theater.....

DARKEST HOUR

It was a tense marvelous drama with Gary Oldman giving us 

a top notch performance!

We loved it!!!!

It was a lovely evening with people out and about

eating, drinking and shopping!

Anyhoo, back to Hearth and Hand.....

the first purchase I made were these ornaments for the 2017 

Christmas tree.....the love affair began........

Ribbon and gift tags followed....

I have an obsession for ribbons......

Placemats, tea towels and nesting houses.......

And a new coffee station for the darling and me!

He gave it two thumbs up...we are loving

the new look for the kitchen...the heart of our home!

GOOD THINGS HAPPEN HERE!

FALL BREAK AND NEW IDEAS

Hello Loves!

Did everyone have a great autumn weekend?

I cannot believe we are almost waving

goodbye to September!!!

I have so been loving the Spiced Tea in the afternoons...

there is nothing so luxurious as curling up with

a soft blanket and a cup of hot tea,

while doing a little Christmas shopping on QVC......

I picked up a few more new fall items that are just too darn cute!

Each day is such a gift during these months.....

The darling and I had a matinee date on Sunday afternoon.....

BRAVO!

I have said it so many times...

Tom Hanks is just a superb actor!

Sully kept us on the edge of our seats...

I cannot even imagine the experience these people shared.

It's a marvelous movie by my heartthrob

Clint Eastwood....very emotional too!

From the previews, there are some

terrific flicks coming in November and December!

This is coming to Estelle's next month......

Oh yes....
time for scarecrows, ghosts, witches and goblins...
candy corn and chocolate bars!

This will be my last post for September as 

the darling and I are leaving on a jet plane for a while.....

But....I will see you in October with many new 

ideas for autumn decorating and delicious recipes!

Y'all have a beautiful week!

NEW BEGINNINGS AND HOME FAVORITES

Finally...

The old Ford F150 was traded in for a brand new car!

For fourteen years, that old truck had been to three years of high school,

then back and forth to Texas A&M, then all the way to Dallas,

and finally down to Austin!

It served him well.

But now it was time for a change!

So proud of his new car!

If there is one thing Rob and the darling and I love to do

is to see a good movie!

We caught this "deliciously Texas flick" at a Sunday matinee!

I highly advise this movie!

Rob is our movie critic, so we rely on him heavily

to always rate movies...this is a definite two thumbs up!

Of all of my dinners....he 

requests my Tuna casserole!

Along with homemade blueberry muffins.....

The coming of Autumn must be near....

a new pillow can make all the difference!

What are your plans for the week?

Today is the first day of school in Texas....

here come the school buses!

SUMMER DATE NIGHT!

The Divine Miss M had a much needed

evening out with one of her besties, Christina!

I would say, there is nothing that does the

body and mind of a busy mom good,

than cocktails and dinner out, then

attending a good movie that results in laughter!

Things are winding up to begin a new school year

over in Atlanta, so I was so happy to see she

took some time for herself!

What a marvelous way to end the month of July

by enjoying A FANTASTIC MOVIE 

and

a fabulous seafood dinner

in the great state of TEXAS!

Finally......

A DELIGHTFUL MOVIE!

I am a huge Woody Allen fan,

and his latest and greatest certainly did not disappoint!

Oh, the fashion, the old Hollywood homes, the vintage cars...

and the MUSIC.....this movie was MARVELOUS!

The movie is set in the golden era

of the 1930's in Hollywood when there was

glamour and elegance everywhere!

Bravo to Jesse Eisenberg for charmingly

channeling the characteristics and mannerisms of

a younger Woody Allen!

Oh Mr. Allen has always known how to

write and create a poignant romantic comedy!

We are creatures of habit

when going to our favorite theater

and always hop over to one of our favorite

seafood spots for cocktails and dinner.

We take some time to talk about the movie

and people watch!

We discussed how frustrating it was

to order fresh oysters in Maine

which were served so differently than

we enjoy them in the South....

what? No crackers, no horseradish or Tabasco???

Just LOVE this place...

they served up a fresh seafood boil

just for him...the shrimp were amazing!!!!

I chose a bowl of hot and spicy gumbo!
Now, THIS was a fun-filled date night!
Here comes the dog days of Summer....
AUGUST...
my least favorite month!
What fun things have you enjoyed this summer?

TV AND A MOVIE...ON OUR SUMMER WATCH LIST!

Have you caught the new Netflix series of

Grace and Frankie?

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!!!

I adore every actor in this new series....
Jane Fonda~77 years young
Lily Tomlin~75 years young
Martin Sheen~74 years young
Sam Waterson~74 years young

Martin and Sam are long time law partners. Martin is married to Jane....Sam is married to Lily.
Life happens....and evolves which changes the course of their lives!
It's funny, charming and they are delightful to watch!
And....
I AM IN LOVE WITH THE HOUSE! 

Jane and Lily move into their shared coastal home....

it was a joint venture buy from the law partners!

Lily is a bit bohemian and Jane is a former beauty product executive who

dresses in a classic style.

They both look like a million bucks! 

The connection is there.......

I cannot get enough of this gorgeous decor! 

Good things go on in this kitchen..

from early morning breakfasts to late night cocktails!

Perfection!

Can't you imagine a lobster dinner at this table?

I am SO happy they have a second season!

The new season of True Detective has begun.

Great cast!

I don't know if it can live up to Season 1 which was exceptional

but

I have faith it's going to have many twists and turns.

Great job on the first episode in establishing the characters!

It's an all in the family watchlist favorite! 

We rarely watch network TV shows...I mean rarely!
Except for Nashville and The Middle....

However, I was caught up in Aquarius from episode one!

Oh, David Duchovny....

another favorite for a long time!

I did a marathon watch of the first season...
LOVE THIS SHOW on NBC!

I hope you caught the movie
"I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS!"
Blythe Danner~72 years young
Sam Elliot~ 70 years young

I have a crush on them both.
Blythe Danner has been one of my favorite actresses for years...
her wardrobe in this  movie is to die for!
and
Sam Elliot....
A dream I tell you.....just a dream!

I never thought of having wine with the pool guy...
he IS a cute patootie!
They develop a sweet friendship....

It's all very subjective as to what you enjoy.
But
These are favorites at Estelle's!