Everyday Living

Coffee Table Talk: It Just Kind Of Happened!

~ Decorating

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”
‭‭John‬ ‭10:27‬ ‭

It’s not very often that I change my coffee table…maybe once a season, if that!  Give me a moment to digress.  Butch and I went to dinner in Birmingham last Friday and made a stop at Whole Foods…and I can’t make a trip there without stopping to admire their fresh flowers.  I spotted a pretty bouquet of purple irises and lo and behold, they jumped into our cart with my usual purchases of parmigiana reggiano and fresh goat cheese.

 Now, where was I?  Oh yes, the coffee table!  So, I arranged the irises in a vase and set them on the kitchen island to be enjoyed!  Saturday, I added some snowball blooms and they made their way to the coffee table!  The purple and white goodness gave a new look for the coming week which I had not planned, it just “kind of” happened!  Don’t you just love when things like that happen?

The purple irises and snowball blooms…the inspiration for the coffee table vignette!

IMG_6862
The wicker tray gives texture and collects a stack of inspirational books!READ MORE

Tablescape Tuesday: Outside & Oreo

~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

“…for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land”
‭‭The Song of Solomon‬ ‭2:11-12‬ ‭

 Spring is everywhere in our Appalachian Foothills and oh how I am loving it!  The days are longer and the sun is brighter!  I could hardly wait for an opportunity to take Tablescape Tuesday outdoors!  After torrential rains last Thursday, blowing pollen on Friday, windy and cooler temps on Saturday…finally, Sunday was the perfect afternoon for dining alfresco!  Join us in the garden!


The garden is just coming to life with all the plants beginning to bud!
 *

*

I found the colorful tablecloth and placemats last week while perusing the aisles of TJ Maxx!
*

READ MORE

Just Like Mama Made • Lemon Cheesecake

~ Food & Entertaining, Recipes

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:26-27‬ ‭ 

My Mother was the best cook.  Ok, ok, I know everyone says that about their mother…but I would put mine up against anyone, anywhere.  Her food topped any I have ever eaten…and folks, I have been fortunate to eat at some great restaurants!  She was constantly in the kitchen, day in and day out. To sit at her table and eat her Southern food was to be honored!  We gathered every Sunday after church for the very best traditional Southern fare anywhere…and we still continue our Sunday tradition even nine years after my mother’s passing!  Her recipes live on, and continue to be everyone’s favorite! (You can see another one of her recipes here). On Easter, I treated my family to her fabulous Lemon Cheesecake…and trust me when I say it was fabulous!  (Think Spring!)  It has several steps, but it is well worth the effort for all the compliments!  If you like cheesecake, print this one out….you will definitely want to add this heavenly goodness to your repertoire!


We will start from the bottom, which of course is the crust.  You can buy graham cracker crumbs, but not me…I love the leftover crackers to snack on, so going to the extra trouble to make it myself is well worth it to me! I use my mini food processor to crush the crackers.  Always butter, never margarine….it’s just not the same!   You can also use vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies…but just like Mama, I use graham crackers.


Next, the lemon filling…using fresh lemons only.  This is not a low calorie dessert, so go all out and use real cream cheese!READ MORE