LAUNCHING INTO 2022!!

 HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS!

May your "2022" be filled with good health and much happiness!

Kathleen/The Lavender Bouquet

(Photo credits to my daughter Hilary)

LIVE FROM TEXAS....THE LAVENDER BOUQUET

Hello TLB friends, it's so nice to be back!

As I sat in church on Sunday, my head was filled with so many thoughts. No matter how joyous or sometimes difficult our journey has been, you, our family and friends have been there for us with your support and enthusiasm as we begin to build our new life. Strong foundations begin with support of family and never wavering friendships. We
are fortunate to have an abundance of both! THANK YOU ALL! 

My hubby laughed at me when I told him I wanted to bring a statement to our new porch. I think he was afraid that it might cost him some money. (ha,ha) Instead I surprised him by planting my urn with summer grasses and flowers, and strategically placing it in plain view from the street. I really missed my Buckingham porch and my Spring/Summer plantings this year, but darn it, even though the temps top 100 degrees these days, there was going to be an inviting urn on our porch with the message...

"WE'RE HOME.... COME ON IN!"

So WELCOME FRIENDS AND FAMILY 

as we sink our roots into the "red clay soil" of Texas!

 FONDLY,

Kathleen

P.S. Our front door is knotty Alder wood from Texas stained Ebony. It has knots in it much like knotty pine and has bit of a rustic feel. It's color and graining are much like cherry. I chose this wood because it reminded me of the knotty pine cabinets my Dad made for our kitchen when I was growing up back in WNY!

                                                    

WARM CHRISTMAS WISHES

Greetings TLB friends,

The Florida house is decorated, the cookies are baked, the family has all arrived....and now it's time to settle in for a warm winter's night as we wait for Santa's arrival.........

Wishing you all a beautiful Christmas filled with the love and laughter of family!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Kathleen

Good Morning Monday--"Dunk in Coffee or Red Wine"

Sometimes you just have to take that afternoon break and share it with a friend or someone you care about. When Ron and I were first married we lived next to a wonderful Italian couple that we just adored. Florence was an awesome baker. She made us things we had never tasted in our lifetime. I was thinking of Florence and her Biscotti today as I prepare for an afternoon phone call date with my niece. We are states away from one another, but somehow even a phone call recharges us until we see each other again.

Although I wish we could sit down and enjoy Florence's Biscotti and coffee together, my photographs will have to do today. Do you have a friend or family member that you could enjoy coffee & Biscotti with?

My recipe from Florence is written in her hand writing on a now tattered piece of paper. I love the state it is in........it brings back many great memories of the early years of our marriage and the wonderful people we were surrounded by. And also just how many times this Biscotti recipe was served to my friends and family.

Florence's Biscotti

Beat with mixer--
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup oil (veg)
3 eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla
1 tsp. pure almond
pinch of salt

Mix in--
3 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
(I added mini choc chips 1/3 cup to one batch, and 2 tsp. pure lemon and lemon zest
to the other batch)

You may chill if you like. I did not.

Form dough into 3 loaves and bake on a greased or parchment lined pan.

Bake at 350 degrees 20-25 min. depending on your oven.

Cool

With a serrated knife slice each loaf diagonally into 1/2 inch slices.
Place the slices, cut side down on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees
for about 5-6 min. Remove the pan and turn slices over and Bake 2-4 more minutes
and cool. The Biscotti should be crispy and dry.

Optional glaze:  Use powdered sugar and water OR l egg yolk and water on top of
each slice before baking.

FLORENCE WRITES THIS AT THE END OF HER RECIPE:
 Dunk in coffee OR red wine!  :)


I hope you all enjoy Florence's Biscotti making new memories of your own.

                                                      Have a wonderful day!
                                                               
                                                                   Kathleen
                                                 
***Thanks so much for being part of The Lavender Bouquet.