double chocolate pecan pie

You’re in for a real treat today! A double chocolate pecan pie that is so delicious and easy to make, you’ll be saying, “It’s easy as this pie!”

I originally found this recipe in an old newspaper clipping from 1974. I was intrigued by the simplicity of its ingredients and the fact that it has no corn syrup like most pecan pies do.

Old-fashioned recipes are one of my favorite things to make and collect. They just are so homey and comforting. Check out some of my favorites here. 

The original newspaper clipping suggests eating hot or cold with ice cream or whipped cream, and I couldn’t agree more! It’s delicious any way you slice it!

I created this lux dessert for Country Sampler Farmhouse Style magazine for their Summer 2024 issue and it’s filed under “Blue Ribbon winning Recipes”, and this one sure is!! 

It's very tasty any  time of year, but here I have it styled for a Fourth of July party with lots of vintage accessories and table linens. 

Although the blue check tablecloth is a vintage find, the napkins are from Ikea, and offer that pretty calico country look. In fact, I've spotted these same napkins on the Great British Baking Show! 

A few pretty blooms and ivy from the garden brighten up the whole table! 

I do hope you’ll give it a try!

 

ciao fabiana

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on Instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials” 

 

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.

 

farmhouse style magazine, summer 2024

Today I’m sharing five projects that are near and dear to my heart, and I created them all exclusively for Country Sampler Farmhouse Style magazine and are now all featured in their Summer 2024 issue.

From easy coastal inspired décor a few fun diy’s and a super yummy pie recipe, I think I’ve got you covered for a little bit of cool, calm and collected inspiration for the hot summer months!

 

First up are a couple of snapshots of my living room at the peak of summer. I put this together for the summer issue for an article about decorating with coastal farmhouse style.

 

It’s the best of both worlds for me, since we live in a beach town and always appreciate every aspect of the sea, even in our home décor.

With summer just around the corner, I’m looking forward to planting out some more zinnias and other lovely summer annuals like sunflowers, campanulas and hollyhocks to mingle with the roses, clematis and hydrangeas. All some of my favorite flowers!

What are your favorite summer flowers?

The beautiful soup tureen & wooden crab cheese board are new and everything else you see is vintage, thrifted and collected.   

Milk glass is one of those thoroughly nostalgic collectables that are hard to resist when spotted at a thrift store or yard sale.

 

Here I’ve taken a few of my favorite pieces and mixed them with some more of my favorite summer garden flowers.

 

A simple little wicker basket or cloche becomes a centerpiece for your alfresco table. It’s as easy as…

 

Finding a suitable basket, buying an outdoor light kit and attaching it to a tree branch or nearby overhead structure. 

There are even new electricity-free lightbulbs now that would do the trick without all the wiring.

 

A visit to grandmother’s house has inspired this sweet little “window box” made from an antique frame and a vintage crate.

 

Take all your precious mementos and small souvenirs and gather them together in a pretty wall display.

Old postcards, recipe cards, dried flowers, small bottles and matchbooks can all be so full of beloved memories, so it’s so very special to have them displayed where they can be seen by all and appreciated by you every day.   

Double Chocolate Pecan Pie anyone? Get set for a flakey buttery crust filled with a rich fudgy brownie-like piece of heaven!

This ain’t your ordinary chocolate pecan pie! Best of all, it requires no corn syrup, only basic pantry items like chocolate chips, used twice!

Serve hot or cold, with whipped cream or ice cream, this is sure to ‘wow’ your summer guests! 

You can find the recipe here or in the summer issue of Country Sampler Farmhouse Style on page 110.

   

Here are three more of my favorite projects that have appeared in Country Sampler Farmhouse Style magazine over the years:

 Blueberry French Toast Casserole

 

California Chili and 

this fun repurposed table cover with vintage yard sticks!   

 

 

the best cake of summer ...

peach upside down cake   

    

My next-door neighbors have the most amazing peach tree that overlooks their swimming pool and is just laden with peaches decorating every branch.

 

They’re so generous with their peaches and share them with us, and we end up with a few bushels of peaches every year.

 

Our favorite way to eat them is to top this amazing Peach Upside Down Cake. I found the recipe through the NY Times, and I have to say it’s one of the best cakes I’ve ever had.

 

It’s really pretty straight forward to put together. You start by making a caramel sauce to bake with the peaches in the bottom of the pan.

 

After this cake comes out of the oven is when all the magic happens… Sweet ripe peaches oozing with warm sugar-spiked caramel, just dripping down the sides of the cake.

 

I’ve made this cake at least a dozen times, and it’s my recommendation for the must-try recipe for summer, and I know you won’t be disappointed.

 

ciao fabiana

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

farmhouse style for summer 2023

 

Have you picked up the summer issue of Country Sampler Farmhouse Style yet? It’s jam-packed with great décor, farmhouse style inspiration, DIY projects and recipes.

It’s so perfect for a relaxing afternoon of reading too. Be sure to check it out… I have a few projects and recipes featured as well.

I made this table runner from various damaged vintage tablecloths. They either were stained or had small holes in them, so I took the good bits, but them in strips, and sewed them together to make a new runner.

  

Here’s a look at our “faux door” that we added to a huge blank wall in the backyard. It now faces the new potager garden and adds to the ambiance.

 

These were a pair of shutters I literally found in an alley, and I had my handyman guru, George frame them out with some door molding. I added a little bit of vintage hardware for fun.

 

Now these were really fun to make and even more fun to eat! These little Lemon Meringue Pies in jam jars are a perfect Sunday afternoon pick-me-up. 🍋 

This is a great idea for a picnic or potluck too. Check out the whole recipe on page 110.

This project is on page 10 and is my fave. Architectural salvage can create instant interest to any space, and this chippy, old vintage shutter had the most beautiful patina on it when I found it.

 

It’s really handy for holding favorite recipe cards in the corner of the kitchen. I just used mini clothespins. Total cost… zero dollars!

Check out these treasured recipe cards from my husband’s mother, aunt and grandmother. Some of these recipes are on full rotation in our kitchen, like Martha's Coleslaw.

 

Check out my willow teepee filled with nasturtium.

 

This is not my home. It's the home of Shannon Wilson aka My Little White Barn on Instagram.

Isn’t it darling?

There are so many good articles in this issue, and I was so pleased to see a great feature on Shannon and her home.  

 

ciao! fabiana

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

strawberry tiramisu

 

A new favorite recipe for Strawberry Tiramisu gets first place in the yummy department, especially when displayed in my beautiful new Arthur Court Butterfly Pyrex Baking Dish.

This is the perfect recipe to make now while as the strawberries are in season. I'll be making this for Easter and for Mother's day, just because it's so pretty and truly delicious!

Check out all the pretty butterflies!! You can't get better than this set that includes the super-useful matching glass cover. I went all in with the gorgeous Butterfly Collection by Arthur Court. 

Yes, those are glass coffee mugs that match the casserole dish. So cute, right?! 

There also happens to be matching napkin rings, plates, placemats and more with the same cute butterfly motif. I'll be using this collection all spring and summer long, and you can check out two of my Butterfly tablescapes HERE.

Now here’s the good news…

 

the entire Butterfly Collection from Arthur Court  is 10% off  

until May 31, 2023 with

 

the promo code:  CIAOFABIANA10OFF

🦋

ciao! fabiana

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.

the perfect way to serve butter

 

Good morning! Don’t you feel like this summer is just flying by? I can hardly believe it’s already July 31st, and with the start of August tomorrow, I want to stop and savor each moment that’s left of summer.

 

There’s nothing better than starting off this sunny day with a hot cup of coffee and a sliced up, toasty baguette that’s all buttered up and finished off with a touch of home-made jam.

 

Sitting here, I can’t help but notice that the real eye candy on the table is this gorgeous Seashell Butter Dish from Arthur Court Designs.

Doesn’t it bring just the perfect coastal charm to the breakfast room? With the addition of white hydrangeas from the garden, I feel a real Hamptons vibe going on, which is perfect because we’re headed to NY later in the week!

 

Hoping you have a great day and remember to enjoy this lovely summer day.

And now Arthur Court is offering

10% OFF with the Discount Code: 

CIAOFABIANA10OFF

•       To add to the beachy feel, this Amalfi Stripe Tablecloth from Solino           Home really sets the mood.

•       Pretty napkins are from August Table

•       Seashell Placemats are also from Arthur Court Designs

•       Cup and saucer are vintage.

 

 

 

ciao fabiana

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.