Everyday Living

Tablescape Tuesday: Breakfast With A View

~ Autumn, Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭

I never thought I would see the day that children could work up a sweat while Trick or Treating…but with this Alabama weather we are having, that was exactly the case last night!  It’s almost like Alabama dressed up as summer for Halloween!  But even though our afternoon temperatures are mid to upper eighties, our early mornings have been cool and quite pleasant!  I have been taking advantage of autumn breakfasts on the patio!!  The early morning sunlight casts a lovely glow across our garden and pasture, making it hard to go inside!  Please sit down and join me for a cup of coffee and maybe a slice of frittata as we enjoy breakfast with my favorite view!
  
I literally pulled this tablesetting together in a matter of a few minutes…now that I love.

 
A French tapestry serves as a tablecloth…READ MORE

When Southern Meets Italian

~ Autumn, Food & Entertaining, Recipes

“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:19‬ ‭

In the South, we know a thing or two about comfort food.  Mashed potatoes, turkey and dressing, and don’t forget the chicken and dumplins!  There’s nothing quite like a big plate of comfort to meet you just before that Sunday nap!  But do you know who else knows about comfort food?  The Italians!  We took their signature dish, pasta, and made it into a vegetable in the South…mac ‘n cheese!  

 Our favorite family times are centered around the table and food.  We have been known to sit for hours long after a meal is finished to enjoy conversation.  Just this past Sunday, we had a time of sharing our hearts after a wonderful meal that my sister-in-law prepared.  It’s nice to sit amongst the sweetest fellowship with nothing else fighting for my time and attention!  

Rome, Italy carries a sweet memory for me in the way of food and fellowship!  Many years ago, I gathered with a group of friends in a very crowded restaurant…wonderful Italian food, the best conversation and no feelings of being rushed by the staff..but were even encouraged to linger!  How rare is that?!

Butch and I love Italian food, coming in right behind our favorite…the wonderful food of our South!  So I decided to mix the perfect taste of the autumn pumpkin into Southern cornbread and Italian ravioli.  Today, let’s discover what happens when Southern meets Italian!

 
There is not a pasta that I do not like…ravioli just happens to be a favorite!  This particular kind is filled with pumpkin…making it the perfect dish for autumn!


The original recipe called for hazelnuts, but in the South our preferred nut is the pecan.  Toasting them brings out their natural flavor!

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Tablescape Tuesday: The Next Best Thing

~ Autumn, Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'””
‭‭John‬ ‭7:38‬ ‭

Hello sweet friends…and welcome back to our dining room!  Are you enjoying fall like we are?  Today I thought we would celebrate the cooler autumn weather with a dinnerware pattern that you have never seen!  And before you ask…no, I haven’t bought new china!  Actually this isn’t even mine!  Let me explain.  I loved this Tracy Porter pattern called “Marseille” as soon as it came out.  I knew I wanted it, but I already owned the “Artesian Road” pattern…and could not justify buying more dishes.  So I did the next best thing….I bought the china and put it away for my son and his future wife!  So the spotlights of today’s table are only on loan from my daughter-in-love.  I just love the pattern’s vibrant colors for fall!
  
I enjoy the warmth of the mahogany dining table, so I didn’t use a tablecloth…only woven placemats and a table runner.

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