HYACINTHS FOR THE SOUL

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

~ A Pie Party~

A Few of My Favorite Things

My friend Cheryl @ JoJo's Joys is having a party.

~ A Pie Party~

Pies are a favorite dessert here at HFTS

so I decided to join in with a few slices of my own.

Enjoy!

Apple Pie

Apple is my favorite of the fruit pies, though cherry and peach are right up at the top of the list too.

Pumpkin pie is a favorite of my personal "chef" and a must for the fall season.

This one was trimmed using my set of William Sonoma mini pie crust cutters.

I like to serve pumpkin pie with a healthy scoop of whipped cream and a side of honey glazed Texas pecans.

Pecan pie, made with our famous Texas pecans, is a holiday favorite.

Why, you might ask, is this one sitting among sea shells in a fish net? Click here to read my FFT edible book review on MERMAIDS IN THE BASEMENT, written by the talented Michael Lee West, also hostess of Foodie Friday.

Lemon meringue pie is my summer favorite.

This too was featured in a FFT edible review, CHERRIES IN WINTER, by Suzan Colón. Click here to read about this delightful book.

Pocket Pie Photos From William Sonoma

Pocket pies made in the William Sonoma pocket pie molds are also a favorite around here. The individual pies are fun for parties and are easy to make. I also highly recommend the mini pie crust cutters that William Sonoma sells. I like to trim the edge of a pie crust with a decorative edge, and the embossed detail of these cutters adds an extra touch.

Below is the recipe I use for making pie crusts.

No Fail Pie Crust

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup corn oil

2 1/2 tablespoons ice water

Sift flour with salt into bowl. Slowly dribble oil into flour, mixing with fork until coarsely blended. Sprinkle water over dough and mix. Form into a ball and roll out between sheets of wax paper. Peel off top piece of paper and fit crust into 9-inch or 10-inch pan. (If paper sticks to crust, chill in refrigerator a few minutes.) to bake pie shell, prick pastry all over with fork and bake at 425 degrees F for 10-12 minutes.

Yes, pies are definitely a favorite thing.

When I have a big "piz-za" pie, that's amore!

Celebrate National Pie Day, January 23rd

Click here to join JoJo's Pie Party

Also linking to

Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum

Friday Favorites @ Whistlestop Cafe Cooking

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

A Few of My Favorite Things @

Bargain Hunting & Chatting w/ Laurie

Sunday, January 16, 2011

A Special Birthday

calendar

Today is a special day.

It's the day to observe the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

It's also been 365 days since this joy came into our lives.

This little cutie is one year old today.

Happy Birthday, Annabelle!

Page above is from my new 2011 Mary Engelbreit day to day desk calendar. I still enjoy using my M. E. engagement calendar for making notes, but love the convenience and daily dose of M. E. art offered in the new format of the daily sheets of the desk calendar. Both are published by Andrews McMeel Publishing and are available here at Mary Engelbreit's site.

Linking to

M. E. Monday @ The Cherry Chick

Rednesday @ It's a Very Cherry World!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Happy Winter

M. E. Monday

Cold, wet day here, but then it is January!

HAPPY WINTER!

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE SNOWMEN.

Joining M. E. Monday

over at The Cherry Chick

Friday, January 7, 2011

Friends Till Spring

A Few of My Favorite Things

It's cold outside, there isn't much blooming, and soon the garden will be covered with winter blankets in anticipation of the arctic blast expected early next week.

But during the bleakness of winter, there are some friendly faces here at HFTS to warm one's heart till springtime flowers begin to bloom. As with my Many Faces of Santa post that you can view here ~ No words are needed.

Thank you to the ladies who are hosting each of the following memes. Please click the links below to join these weekly parties.

Few of My Favorite Things

@ Bargain Hunting & Chatting with Laurie

Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper

Three or More Tuesday @ The Gypsy Corner

White Wednesday @ Faded Charm

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

"Thyme" to Celebrate

Ambiance Vintage Garden

January 4, 2011

"Thyme" to CELEBRATE

These little birdies told me that this . . .

Special lady was celebrating her 90th birthday. I know! She doesn't even look like she could be an octogenarian, much less someone moving into her 9th decade.

So to celebrate a special aunt's 90th birthday, some of the girl cousins gathered for lunch and an afternoon full of laughter as we shared stories of times spent together through the years.

I'd put away the reds and greens of Christmas, but left up this gorgeous wreath of fresh greens that I received from Liz @ Rose Vignettes. It still smells wonderful, and with its silver accents it fit right in with the party colors. Be certain to stop by Liz's for a visit this Friday as she hosts Fresh Cut Friday.

I added other white flowers with silver about the house.

Champagne mimosas started the celebration with a toast to the birthday girl.

Along with a few nibbles of pretzels.

The tables were set with mini pots of thyme,

details of silver and gold . . .

And black and white.

Hour glasses reminded us of times that we've shared through the years.

I layered black and white Courtly Check chargers on larger chargers in Ambiance Vintage Garden. These were topped with black plates and small white soup cups.

The smaller table was set with pewter chargers and checkered plates by Royal Stafford.

Shortly before the guest arrived I added a rose bud at each place setting for a touch of color.

The coasters with their elegant gold monogram were in the $1 bin at Michaels. I didn't use a table linen, so these were perfect to use under glasses of iced tea.

The luncheon offered another opportunity to use the little silver salts and peppers that were one of my birthday gifts last year.

The champagne bucket, repurposed to hold Winter Cloud phalaenopsis orchids, once belonged to my aunt. She gave it to me several years ago because she no longer entertains. It's perfect as a vessel for flowers.

Lunch was served buffet style.

~ Potato Leek Soup ~ Spinach Salad ~ Onion Walnut Muffins ~

And of course Birthday Cake!

The cake was Lemon Lavender Pound Cake. You can find the recipe here. It's a rich, moist cake made with sour cream. The glaze is lemon juice infused with lavender flowers. I highly recommend it!