Honoring Mom

This past Saturday evening I decided to celebrate Mother's Day early with my family.  It was a beautiful night outside and a lovely time together as we honored Mom with some of my favorite homemade Mexican fare!

The table was set simply with feminine details that I thought Mom would appreciate like using my country rose china along with my everyday white dinner plates and glasses.  I found some pretty paper napkins to add color and simplify the clean up. 

For the centerpiece of the table I used a burlap runner that I folded in a bit, with a round wooden board as a base for a simple heirloom peony arrangement straight from our flower bed!  Peonies smell so good and the large flowers are stunning! I sent Mom and my sister home with one each to enjoy for the next few days. 

The views are so pretty out of our windows, so it's easy to look past the table and into the green yard beyond.  Last year when we moved into this house we changed out many of the light fixtures in this home including the one over the table.  I wanted to find a light that virtually disappeared so it wouldn't detract from the windows, and I think we achieved that when we ordered this one from Birch Lane after seeing a similar one on Fixer Upper (our favorite show!).  We love the simple elegance of the shape and the Edison light bulb that we have in it.  It's a favorite in my kitchen!



Stealing a kiss!

Here's a candid picture showing a mom's job is never done.  I appreciate my own mom soooo much more now that I'm one myself! 

The afternoon sun filled the kitchen as I was finishing up the meal.  I made some chicken fajitas with Cuban black beans, buttered lime rice, roasted corn and avocado salad, and homemade guacamole with chips!

Mom is the one who taught me that cooking for your family is more than just preparing food, but it's showing love to those around your table... making them feel nurtured and feeding their bodies with the rhythm of sitting around the table every night! I still absolutely love it when we're in each other's kitchen and we can cook together!!  We're constantly sharing recipes or new tips and tricks we've discovered in the kitchen!  She gave me this apron I have one about 5 years ago at Easter and has given me most of my favorite ones. She wears an apron almost everyday while cooking.

Mom is so very appreciative of my food and cooking as I am hers.  With us both being moms now, like I said before, we have a better appreciation and understanding of all that we do for our families and our homes. 

Many weeks I've found myself calling her or texting her to pray for me as I need wisdom in the newest struggle in parenthood or wondering if she ever felt like she would never again catch up on laundry when we were kids.  It's those real moments as an adult (especially as a wife and mother) where I realize I need mom now as much as I ever have!

We call ourselves 3 peas in a pod, because my sister, mom and I are so much alike!

This lovely lady has shaped so much of who I am from the time I was their tiny first born baby in her arms. 32 years of life and I've learned a thing or two along the way!

So much of the content I have on my blog from the recipes, the home décor, the love of beauty, talent of singing, and especially my love and passion for Jesus and my family has been encouraged and inspired by Mom!!! 

As I look back she and Papa have cheered me on in every stage of life from the second I thought I was a soccer player in middle school (ha) to the first time I ever lead worship at church and every time since I can honestly say they've prayed and encouraged me along the way. 

I want to honor Mom for who she is to me!

I only hope one day my children will be able to feel half the love and appreciation for me that I do for my wonderful mom! 

Just the way Granny (her mom) passed down to her and she passed down to me, I want to carry down the legacy of love for the next generations to look back and see that this family heritage was built on learning from each other and leaning on God one prayerful day at time!!!

"Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise."  Proverbs 31:31

Family Farmhouse Breakfast

I. Love. Country breakfasts.

Especially when my mom is doing the cooking and we're eating in her cozy farmhouse kitchen.  On this particular morning, it was delightful to wake up to the aroma of warm muffins and bacon frying.  We drank the first cup of coffee on the front porch while Mom was finishing breakfast.

We came in for the weekend for a fun visit and a hike around Hematite Lake. This big breakfast was not for any particular occasion.

Mom is just "the best" like that!

When fixin' a big breakfast, my parents pour the milk into one of their antique, glass milk jugs for a old fashioned experience. (Besides, who wants a gallon of milk on the table?)  We are a very nostalgic family!  :)

Look here at the extra crispy, thick cut bacon and homemade hash browns.

Wow, this looks good right now!

Unbelievably moist, spiced apple & pecan muffins on one of her beautiful cake plates that she collects.   Her kitchen is full of pretty things.  I love the cherry branch photo in the background, and the china cabinet you see is mostly filled with family kitchen heirlooms. 

I bought Mom this cream & sugar set at a little shop in Asheville, NC.

Look how dainty they are!

Toast and strawberry jam.

Golden scrambled eggs lie on a Currier & Ives plate.  This is a beloved family collection that was passed to my parents.

This adorable cherry tablecloth is one of my favorite's of hers.  Simply sweet.

You can see the refreshing fruit salad on the table filled with blueberries cherries, and kiwi! 

I wish you could see the beautiful view outside of  rolling farmland through this picture window.  It's lovely to sit at the table and eat breakfast with a view like this.  I often sit at this table and talk to mom while she is cooking.  Thinking about times like this reminds me of how blessed I am with my family.  God is so good! 

 I like the way mom didn't use all the same dishes here.  It's more casual to use ones that just coordinate.  Look at these pretty napkins and rooster plates-- nothing says French country more than these!  They are in her favorite color, red!

The morning sunlight was streaming in on our delicious, country breakfast table!

Now do you see why I call their house a Bed & Breakfast?!? 

Thanks so much to my wonderful parents for always making our stay so warm and inviting- and fun!!!




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Mama's Fresh Tomato Pie

Mom just started making tomato pie this year.  The first time was during a "girl's day" that we like to plan a few times a year.  We ate this with a green salad and crusty French bread.  I didn't know exactly how I'd like it since I'd never had anything quite like it-- but I loved it!!  It's something we've both wanted to try for years after watching Paula Deen make it.   I was excited when Mom surprised me by serving it for lunch that day!

Mmm, garden inspired tomato pie is a base of a buttery, crisp pie crust with a filling that combines fresh tomato slices, lots of bubbling cheeses and a bright bunch of fresh basil leaves--it's a Southern dish, yet Italian tasting at the same time.  (Now that's a great marriage of foods, to me!)  Mom adds her delicious twist to it by adding lots of Parmesan cheese to the top, along with extra slices of tomato and black olives. It not only looks beautiful, but the aroma of this dish is seriously irresistible when you take it out of the oven!

This is not a "healthy meal," due to some of the ingredients, but the key is moderation!  This meal is very much a treat for all of us with a nice side salad.  It is meatless, but it's hearty enough to be the main course.  For another option, you could make this a delicious side dish with some grilled chicken!  It could also be a new option for brunch, especially made into individual mini pies.  How cute would that be?
 Now that tomatoes are starting to get really good, this pie would be a perfect new summer recipe to make after coming home from the farmer's market!  I only put my favorite recipes on here, and this is one of them!!  Rustic tomato pie is a warm weather comfort food that I really hope you guys will try out sometime. :)   Thanks, Mom!

Mama's Rustic Tomato Pie

4 tomatoes, sliced

10 fresh basil leaves

1/2 onion, finely diced

1-9 in. Pre-baked deep dish pie crust

1 c. shredded Colby-jack cheese

1 c. shredded mozzarella

1 c. mayonnaise  (Yes, trust me on this one!)

1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese

salt & pepper


"Garnish"

tomato slices

black olives


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place the sliced tomatoes in a colander in the sink in 1 layer.  Sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for 10 minutes.

Layer the tomato slices, basil and onion in a pie shell.  Season with salt and pepper.

Combine the grated cheese and mayonnaise.  Spread cheese mixture on top of the tomatoes.

Add the extra tomato slices and scatter the black olives.  Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over the top and bake for 30 minutes until lightly golden brown and bubbly.

Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes.  Cut into slices and serve warm.

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Sea Salt Double Chocolate Chip Cookies & A Gift from Mom

    If you've wondered what's happened to Leslie here at The Cozy Little Kitchen, it's probably because I've been busy on vacation for the past week!!!  Yes!  A much needed break from everything to spend some really quality time with my husband!  I'll post more on our wonderful trip soon, though... (lots of good fun and food!)

I started to write this blog right before we left, and I'm just now finishing it...

     I personally think that salty and sweet is a match made in Heaven!  A tinge of salt with chocolate or caramel is my new favorite!  My husband even gave me a Lindt chocolate bar in my Christmas stocking that was dark intense chocolate with sea salt (Fleur de Sel).  Highly recommend it!

     This is a very, very good chocolate chip cookie recipe.  Chewy, buttery, a little salty and the two different chocolates make it oh so good.  The sea salt gets sprinkled right over the top right before baking, and it's just the right taste to complement the sugary sweet cookie.  A friend of mine in culinary school, told me a trade secret for a better cookie.  She said to refrigerate the dough for a few hours or overnight before baking!  After baking one batch right away, I decided to take her advice and refrigerate the dough for a couple of days--yes days!-- and they were much better and prettier than the first batch.  It really did make a difference in the taste!  Thanks for the tip, Leah!  They even look tastier by turning a beautiful golden brown color.

      I know that you will  love these cookies.  A lot!  I hope you try this slightly modern twist on a very classic cookie.  Sea Salt Double Chocolate Chip Cookies would make the perfect dessert with a cold glass of milk and your favorite movie! 

Sea Salt Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 c. cake flour

1/1/2 all purpose flour

1 1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 c. brown sugar

3/4 c. granulated sugar

2 eggs, room temperature

2 tsp. vanilla extract

10 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips

10 oz. Ghiradelli milk chocolate chips

Sea salt

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Sift first 5 ingredients into a medium sized bowl. 

Using a mixer, cream butter and sugars together until fluffy.

 Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time. 

Reduce speed to low and add dry ingredients and mix until just combined. 

Stir in chocolate chips until well incorporated.  

Press plastic wrap onto the dough in the bowl, and refrigerate for an hour or up to 48 hours.  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Line a baking pan with parchment paper.  Roll dough into golf ball size pieces and arrange on baking sheet. 

Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake for 10 - 12 minutes for soft chewy cookies.

Cool cookies for a few minutes on the baking sheet.

Makes about 36 cookies.

Here is a sweet picture of my beautiful mom and I on Easter!  She gave me this exquisite apron with a truly old fashioned floral pattern, for my Easter gift.  This was something she found in Gatlinburg, TN and it's a Williamsburg collection apron.  She said that she loved it so much, she had to get me one, too!  It's that such a thoughtful gift?

Here we are in our pearls and aprons, in her kitchen.
(My husband calls us "Two Peas in a Pod!!)



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