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.....

THE DAYS IN OCTOBER...A BIRTHDAY AND FIRST HOMECOMING, FALL FOODS AND DECOR

Hello to all my fall kindred spirits....it's marvelous isn't it?
Simply marvelous...

there is something very special about the month of October...what a gift it is...
the fall weather has arrived and it has definitely renewed our spirits.....
it's actually been SWEATAH WEATHAH...in the great state of Texas! 

Our grandson celebrated his 21st birthday....
he is happy....he's continuing his college education...sharing
an apartment with best friends...and is in love....
remember those fun days?
He is kind, soft spoken, extremely polite and sweet...not to mention HANDSOME!

Luke the Duke looked like a million bucks for his first high school homecoming....
he's loving and enjoying his school days this year...
lots of good friends, sports and social activities and good grades....
makes us all quite happy and grateful

Here are a few fall touches around the house.....

Love, love, love these....Walmart has beautiful and very affordable pillows.....

Mrs. Meyer's autumn scents are soooo good.....

Still working on the Butler's Pantry....

I am going minimal this year....
my front door fall wreath....

Fall florals for the front urns....

This will do for the season....
I decided not to purchase pumpkins or mums this year...a bit pricey....
The darling will be having his second knee replacement surgery
this month, so I am gearing up for at home care....

We spruced up the patio for these marvelous fall days...

I adore seasonal pillows....

This little guy has weathered well for several outdoor seasons...
he's like reconnecting with an old friend....

It was the perfect time to mix up a batch of spiced tea....

Sunday mornings are meant for porch sitting with the
temperature reading 63 degrees...

This is perfect grilling weather....
we smoked some delicious chicken thighs,
and I made a delicious potato salad and asparagus casserole..divine I tell you....

And...absolutely scrumptious homemade apple hand pies...

I am doing a different look for Thanksgiving this year and am
really excited about this....working on the table which I will
show on an upcoming post.......

The family looks forward to the appetizers on Thanksgiving
almost as much as the dinner....
I love finding unique items to add such as this Italian Strawberry Preserves...
beautifully paired with deli cheeses....

It's a blessing to celebrate your days.....
make the most of the season and your family....
Be still, and sit quietly...think of lovely past memories from childhood

We love Lucy....I think she could be Mae Mobley's baby....

LOVE Y'ALL TO BITS....

OUR JULY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

 

Good Morning Loves.....
I decided to document a few highlights of our
family birthday celebration and share these with friends of
Estelle's and actually, truth be told, as a reminder to myself
how very blessed I am...

All the boys were here, along with our precious grandson and the
sweet and beautiful girls....we swam all afternoon, enjoyed a fabulous
Crab au Gratin and fudgy brownies, then dressed for the evening
and headed out to one of our favorite restaurants.

family......minus our Atlanta loved ones.....and Miss Abbie and Brennan

It was marvelous to be back here...

It had been prior to the pandemic since we had celebrated at

this restaurant....and it was great to see everyone enjoying

an evening of a fine dinner....

We talked, we laughed and enjoyed fine bottles of wine
along with delicious steaks and seafood....

And to all a goodnight.....

For my birthday dinner at home I made a 

scrumptious Shrimp Creole.....

And Mother's Lemon Pie.....

Yes, we are yet another year old and for this, I am thankful.....
Hope y'all have a great week....

A NEW FAVORITE APPETIZER....IT WAS THE HIT OF THE PARTY

July is a three time birthday celebration in our family...
on this particular weekend we were celebrating the darling's birthday,

along with our son whose birthday is July 5th!

They were on a week's vacation in the Caribbean at the time of his birthday,
so we combined the two parties, along with mine too!
The darling and I are now in a new decade and even though
it's hard to imagine,,,,it is what it is...and why not be grateful!

We had a full house and the day was fun-filled well into the evening hours.....

It's always an extra special celebration when Miss ABBIE
and her beau Brennan join us for a gathering!

While the ribs and sausage were smoking on the grill,
we noshed on a few terrific appetizers!

This recipe sounded really good, so I decided to test it out

on the family to get their thoughts.....oh baby...
divine I tell you...it made the hit parade!

Two 8- ounce cream cheese
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup diced green onions
4-5 strips cooked bacon, diced
1 jar Hot Pepper Jelly

Heat in the oven for about 30 minutes....
serve with Ritz crackers

Zucchini Carpaccio

Served on my beautiful new platter from Miss M....
found at Williams-Sonoma

Grilled Veggie Kabobs

Nick's smoked ribs and Jalapeno sausages

Oh these were sooooo good!

For our sweet ending....
I made Martha Stewart's Chocolate Pudding Diner Pie

Now that Otis is with us for a bit...
Mae Mobley is pretty much staying in the master bedroom
which is where she feels safe....
now if we can just get through the rest of this hot, hot summer!