Around Here ....

ok gals, so posting has been slim - because I've been slightly 'unplugged' spending time with Mr, traveling and settling into our new home. But rest assured I've got a beautiful line up for Fall coming your way.

Here's a peek at what's been going on around here ....

5am wake up call comes very early! purrrr 

Priorities

Fuel break

Hiking at the Whitewater Center

Scragley is sad there's no room for him in my suitcase to visit Mr

Mr to a T: Camo, NC & America

Spending a Sunday Afternoon Swinging 

I'm all about soaking up every moment together

September Issues - addressing Fall's must haves

Custom bedding arrived!!!!  Stay tuned for the boudoir reveal 

I spend as much time as possible in our sunroom

While on a Target run I found these bottles of bubbles with my name on them! #cheers

Uh Self checkout?!!! makes my target runs even more fun :)

This is how I roll - higher the hair closer to heaven 

My Grandma & Mamma taught me all about hot rollers 

Bigger is better #redhairdontcare 

My new neighbors had me over for dinner to welcome me to the hood and you should never come empty handed so I made one of my favorite sweet treats. A healthier lemon pound cake.  And like everything else in my world - dress it beautifully in a decorative bundt pan. 

I've made every attempt to kiss his face off!  

It's important to just sit back and enjoy life and the moments that matter.  

Dress Your Days Beautifully with Lots of Love & Happiness

XOXO Sarah Louise

Ladies Who Lunch

Today I hosted a luncheon for a group of lovely ladies and fellow military wives.  We are all members of 'Gourmet Club'. We meet once a month to enjoy a 5 course meal and great company.  There is a rotation amongst the members to host and cook (I clearly host!)

Hosting a dinner party can be intimidating to some, for me southern hospitality is in my blood.  Welcoming others into my home is a way to serve and extend love.  My home isn't grand nor do I have the fanciest of serving ware. Here's the truth: the company is what matters! (and maybe the food, hence I leave that to someone else)

We vary the cuisine each month sampling the delicious flavors of different cultures from all over the world.

I joined this club over a year ago to meet other women and in great hopes of learning to cook.  Regretfully, I still dread the kitchen but I do have a new appreciation of a delicious meal and friendships I cherish.

This month our luncheon captured the cuisine of New Orleans in celebration of Mardi Gras.

For my tablescape I kept it simple but with vibrant colors.  I filled glass cylindrical vases with ornaments I already owned and strung beads throughout.  I added a few masks and used gold for the place settings.  

For the cocktail I made a King's Cup.  It's tangy and includes a topping of champagne and colored sugar! And if that wasn't enough, I was able to use my new bar cart, Cheers!

Tip: to add sugar to the glass rim simply coat a paper napkin with coconut syrup and apply to the rim, then dip into a plate of sugar. I used a mix of purple & green for extra fun!

For the appetizer we nibbled on Muffuletta Skewers and Spinach Balls with Creole Mustard Sauce 

We sipped on a White and Rose Wine. 

Spring Salad with Spicy Sweet Pecans & Strawberries 

Oyster & Artichoke Soup

Shrimp Étouffée with Rice

Banana Foster 

Cheers! 

Tip: straws save your lipstick ... and they add extra fun :) 

Host Gracefully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Belgian Waffle Brunch

Host Gracefully - It's a Part of my Lifestyle.  Southern Hospitality is in my Genes.  

It goes Beyond Your Home, Meal and Tablescape.  It's Welcoming Others with Open Arms Giving Service and Love.  I'll be Honest Sometimes I Fret Over my Home not being Grand or Fancy Enough and My Lack of Culinary Skills Gives me Heart Palpitations, but Love Doesn't Care about Such Things. 

Regardless, Nothing gets me more Giddy than Hosting Friends & Family.

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:1-2

One of Mr & I's Favorite to Host is Brunch.  Not just Any Brunch but a Belgian Waffle Brunch.
Why?  It's Mid-Morning & Casual, Inexpensive and Easy to Prepare, and Guests Leave Full and Sassy with their Weekend Days Still Free :)

Image via Pinterest

Our Next Brunch Inspiration will be a Waffle Bar with a Brown Paper Tablescape

Image via Pinterest

Image via Pinterest

We were Gifted this Kitchen Aid Waffle Maker & it was Love at First Waffle!

Amazingness:

- No Cleaning!
- Non-Stick (no need for sprays)
- Cooks Two Waffles Simultaneously 
- Timer (3:30 mins I've Found is Perfect for Light & Crispy Waffles)


As Much as I Love to Indulge in Shopping, I Detest Grocery Shopping 
Confession:  I used to order online and pick up without ever leaving my car! That's not an option where we live now and Mr finds it embarrassing and completely unnecessary 
(I for one Believe Convenience is a Beautiful Thing!)

For this Meal Your Shopping List is Short (you may even have most in your pantry/fridge):

Krusteaz Belgian Waffle Mix - We've tried them all Gluten free, wheat etc... This One's the Best!
Pure Maple Syrup Grade A - Avoid the Chemical Syrup!
Fruit - Choose what's in Season it will be Extra Sweet :)
Meat - Optional - Sausage or For Bacon (My Preference) choose Nitrate Free; Keep it easy by baking or microwave 
Mimosas - I Believe in Cheers and Champagne Always! - use with low cal not from concentrate O.J. or with a blended fruit juice 
Coffee - Essential in Our Home! We prefer French Press on the Weekend but if you're severing a crowd compromise and brew a pot but still use fresh ground beans
Extras - Powdered Sugar, Butter, Whipped Cream, Nutella, Jelly etc...

I Love this One from Williams-Sonoma

Image via Pinterest

Serving a Belgian Waffle Brunch isn't Formal.  That's what makes is so Relaxed.  It doesn't have to be a sit down affair.  Use the time to Mingle with Guests and Catch up on Life's Happenings.  Serve the Waffles as they are Ready - Best Enjoyed Hot! 
Others can Sip on Mimosas or Coffee until Served 

You can Have the Accouterments on the Dining Table or Buffet Style in the Kitchen. 
I Always Try and Use Linens (From my Vintage Collection) but No Shame in Using Paper Products They are Often a Fitting Choice & Easy Clean Up!

P.S. Kids Love this Meal just as Much - Especially Served with Cartoons :)

Just Recently I Helped Host a Sprinkle for a Sweet Mamma-to-Be and my Waffle Maker was a Hit! 

Flavored Syrup and My Vintage Gold Fruit Serving Spoon - It's All in the Details

The Host Chose Mason Jars and Pastel Hues for the Tablescape

The Guest of Honor & Her Baby Girl Were Tickled Pink in Belgian Waffle Delight

Ivana - SL - Ellen - Brook

Surrounded by Mammas-to-Be!

Be a Graceful Host with a 

Belgian Waffle Brunch!

XOXO Sarah Louise