Everyday Living

Just Peachy!

~ Food & Entertaining, Recipes

“But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭ 

Let me go on record by saying that peaches are my favorite fruit. I love everything about peaches…their color, their smell, and obviously, their sweet taste!  Peeling a peach while the juice runs down my arm is a sure sign that my tastebuds are about to dance!  One of the prime growing areas for peaches in the South, Chilton County, is within a couple of hours drive from our house!  Countless travelers driving south to the Alabama and Florida beaches brake when they spot the giant peach water tower.  Butch and I never fail to stop and grab a couple of baskets of the sweetest and juiciest of fruits. And more times than not, that stop includes hand-made fried peach pies and peach ice-cream! Last week, Seth (our son) was driving I-65 and I talked him into stopping to purchase peaches for me!  I have frozen some for later use, but I have mostly just eaten!  But, I have prepared some proven recipes for us to enjoy!

 Chilton County Alabama is famous for their peaches.  The large peach water tower in Clanton honors the area’s major income and can be seen from I-65 between Birmingham and Montgomery! Sweet Chilton County peaches at a farmer’s market earlier this summer! Fresh peaches make a beautiful and fragrant centerpiece! Slicing open a peach reveals its lovely color and unleashes its heavenly scent! Is there anything better than a bowl of fresh peaches? Sipping a glass of ice water flavored with fresh peaches, blackberries, and mint on a hot summer afternoon!p2 I made these Peach Streusel Muffins last Friday and they were delicious according to my Daddy!  Recipe is here.
 My Mother’s Pound Cake recipe with fresh peaches and blackberries is the perfect ending to dinner!  Blackberries or blueberries pair beautifully with peaches!My favorite summer breakfast – Swiss muesli with fresh peaches and granola sprinkled on top!Fresh peach cobbler…one of my family’s favorites!

(Click the following photos for their original sources….)

 Peaches ‘n Cream Bars…need I say more? I love scones and peaches – so these Peach Pie Scones with Vanilla Glaze are definitely a winner! What a unique pairing – Green Bean Salad with Peaches and Caramelized Onions! A rustic Peach Crostata – makes a simple and easy dessert! This is a wonderful summer appetizer…Grilled Peach Crostini! I enjoy paninis and sandwiches with unique combinations like this Grilled Peach, Brie, and Basil Sandwich! One more perfect summer appetizer – Bacon Wrapped Grilled Peaches with Balsamic Glaze!  p1From our local Frios Gourmet Pop – fresh Peaches ‘n Cream!

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Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined, Karens Up On The Hill, Grammie Time

Tablescape Tuesday: Pops o’ Color!

~ Food & Entertaining, Recipes, Tablescape Tuesday

“May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you”
Jude 1:2

Today, we are going to take you back to last summer on our old patio!  It is hard to believe that we have been at this blogging thing for a whole year!  That means 52 tablescapes!  The colors in this one are just happy!  Enjoy!

  (Make sure you scroll all the way down for a sweet treat!)I have always loved the crisp look of blue and white mixed with a sunny yellow.  The dinner plates are “Willow” by Johnson Brothers.  The tablecloth was my first linen purchase as a new bride forty-one years ago.  Placemats add texture and were found at TJ Maxx.Katy’s Nana grew these glorious zinnias in her garden!The stemware was ordered from Horchow and they remain a favoriteSeveral years back, my Sunday School class took an outing to the Botanical Gardens in Huntsville, AL where I found these sweet hand painted clay pots used as my napkin holders.  “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver”
Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭11‬ 

Fresh from the oven, Lemon Rosemary Shortbread with a tall glass of sweet tea.  Butch and I love this recipe! 

Thanks for visiting with us on our patio!

Lemon Rosemary Shortbread
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons fresh minced rosemary
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
In a medium bowl, beat butter and sugar at a medium-high speed with a mixer until creamy. Add lemon zest and rosemary, beating until combined.  In a small bowl combine flour and salt.  Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until combined.  Shape mixture into 2 (10-inch) logs; wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.  Preheat oven to 350.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.  Unwrap dough, and cut into 1/3 inch-thick slices.  Bake for 11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Let cool on pans for 2 minutes.  Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.  Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

This post originally appeared here:  Summer’s Happy Ending

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Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined, Karens Up On The Hill, Grammie Time

Just Like Mama Made • Sweet & Salty Snack

~ Food & Entertaining, Recipes

 “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭5:16‬


Eating lunch is not an everyday occurrence for me, but sometimes I will make myself a snack…something not too heavy, but filling enough to hold me over until dinner!  It may be a piece of fruit or a few crackers, but usually nothing more.  Last Saturday, after finishing my many chores around the house, it was time for a pick-me-up!  So I went to the pantry and grabbed three items: a jar of peanut butter, saltine crackers, and marshmallows!


“What on earth are you going to make?”  Glad you asked!  It may seem like an odd combination to you, but not to me…those three ingredients come together to form the sweetest little childhood memory for me!  First of all, you should know that I had a wonderful childhood!  It was about as perfect as you can have on this earth…my parents loved The Lord, each other, my brother and me!  Could you want or need more than that?  My Daddy was the breadwinner and my Mother was a housewife (in other words, a stay-at-home-mom).  Were we rich?  Absolutely not, if by wealth, you mean monetary things…but I didn’t know it because we were rich in all the ways that matter!  I can remember special times, places, and sounds from my childhood, but the most vivid memories involve food made by the loving hands of my Mother.  And this little snack Saturday took me back there.  Everyday was special to me, but Saturdays were always a treat.  After we ate lunch, she would make us the simplest snack that proved that she was way ahead of her time with the sweet and salty combination!  I don’t know where she got the idea, but I sure wish I had asked!


She would take a saltine cracker, smear it with peanut butter, and plop a giant marshmallow on top!!


Into the oven it would go on broil.  Within a minute she would open the oven door and…


I love these and could eat them every day of the week!

Apparently, s’mores had not yet reached our little southern neighborhood.  Or maybe, it was an issue of “make-do-with-what-you-had-in-the-pantry.”  Do I like s’mores…yes, of course.  But if I had to choose between a s’more and Mother’s sweet and salty – hands down I will choose the sweet and salty every time.  Don’t forget you just heard that from a foodie snob!


Add a glass of cold milk and it’s just like Mama made!

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Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined, Karens Up On The Hill, Grammie Time