Pear & Almond Pudding Cake

Posted on March 5, 2014 by lissyparker

Pear & almond pudding cake. Do I have your attention yet? Pears, almonds, butter, eggs—what’s not to like? This yummy cake is crazy easy to make. It is almost like a good old-fashioned Dump cake. (For all of you not from the South, that is a cake you just dump in a pan, swirl around and bake.)

I am including the YouTube link for River Cottage in England so you can follow along and bake this treat. Just be sure to look up a conversion table first … English-English to American-English measurements. Or you might just use this one. You can thank me later when the cake is ready to eat.

Ready for my ‘close up’ in the oven

Now the hard part … WAITING.

Yumm—now go get a fork quick

xo♥, Lissy

All photos by Lissy Parker for lissyparker.com. You are welcome to ‘borrow’ my photos—just please credit the source.

Why, Thank you Miss Frances

Posted on February 28, 2014 by lissyparker

I feel like I must have a guardian angel. Yesterday the talented author, Frances Schultz, featured my Snowbow on her blog post! I was absolutely giddy! Imagine my surprise when I looked out my window and first saw the Snowbow after a recent snow fall here in the South. And now I keep seeing it again and again!

If y’all have not yet discovered Frances Schultz’s original and beautifully written blog, click here for a treat. You’ll be glad you found it. I’ve also included her in the blogroll on the side bar—for those of you who need to click on over a little later. Enjoy her talents and please subscribe to receive her regular posts by email.

The one, the only Frances Schultz

xo♥, Lissy

Have you Ever Seen …

Posted on February 24, 2014 by lissyparker

Maybe you have seen one of these before—it’s an all time first for me. Look closely … it’s not what it seems to be. This amazing band of color appeared in my back view just before the big storm last week—it wasn’t even raining. It is a snow rainbow—or should I say snowbow! Have you ever seen one? Not me. I had never even heard of one, but there it was. The turkeys didn’t even notice. Guess they see them all the time!

Snowbow—quick, call the Weather Channel

Totally oblivious turkeys—they love my neglected grass … oh, I meant Organic

xo♥, Lissy

All photos by Lissy Parker for lissyparker.com. You are wlcome to ‘borrow’ my photos, just please credit the source.

Moving Day … Again

Posted on February 20, 2014 by lissyparker

Here we go again—moving day. I think I may be a professional at moving having packed and unpacked four houses in the last few months. Remember, two in Savannah and now we are packing the Atlanta house and moving half of it to North Carolina. Yes, we are really doing it! A million thanks to Keven Hawkins for finding homes for all of my treasures! Here is a little peek into my life lately.

Only the table and chairs are left in the dining room

Guest Room has only beds and a table—still love this pink toile

Nothing is left in the office—maybe it will staged as a bedroom

Nothing is left in office—maybe we’ll stage as a bedroom

The Master Bedroom is looking a little empty

Master Bedroom a little empty

And the Living Room ... well it looks a little sad

And the Living Room … sad

And, here is where it is all going—looking from the dinning room into the living room

And here is where it’s all going—looking from the dinning room into the living room

The kitchen is stacked to the gills—eating out—yes, please

Kitchen stacked to the gills—eating out—yes, please

The painted Danish wardrobe looks so small in this room—This house eats furniture

Danish wardrobe looks so small in this room—this house just eats furniture

This daybed was made from College son's old bed from elementary school—Randy Korando

Daybed made from College son’s childhood bed—Randy Korando of Boxwoods Atlanta, designed the base

xo♥, Lissy

All photos by Lissy Parker for lissyparker.com. You are ‘welcome’ to borrow my photos—just please credit the source.

The Entry Drives of Savannah

Posted on February 17, 2014 by lissyparker

“Where in the world have you been?” I get that a lot lately. Well here is some of what I saw on my vacation. These charming entry drives are located in the coastal areas of Savannah and rarely seen by tourists. I started to call them driveways, but that just seemed wrong. These entries have so much more to offer then a drive to the front door. They are welcoming, mysterious and totally captivating. Look closely and maybe you will find an inspiration or two—I certainly did!

Savannah brick columns mark this entry—very unique.

Gravel, wood and pierced brick are combined.

I love the mystery of this drive. What is beyond the curve?

Curves, gravel and beautiful Live Oaks dripping with moss

Curves, gravel, white pickets and beautiful Live Oaks dripping with moss complete this drive.

This drive approaches from the side of this waterfront home.

Old Savannah bricks are combined with iron work—love the pierced brick.

Welcome home!

And how about this long mysterious drive?

Stunning brick curving drive and wall—yes, please

Stunning curved brick wall and drive—yes, please!

Iron gates, brick columns, iron arches, boxwood and Live oaks line this entry drive and garden.

This live oak is supported by braces on the ground. What attention to detail!

More mystery is created with the hedge and curving entry.

So very charming … I need to live here.

Good hedges make good neighbors and beautiful entries.

How charming is this little cottage and drive.

Imagine entering this vine covered pergola every time you come home ... so enchanting

Imagine entering this vine covered pergola with small white lights every time you come home … so enchanting.

This side drive is marked by an iron gate and boxwood—a classic entry.

xo♥, Lissy

All photos by Lissy Parker for lissyparker.com. You are welcome to ‘borrow’ my photos—just please credit the source.

Happy Valenties Day!

Posted on February 14, 2014 by lissyparker

Hope you and your Valentine have a wonderful day … here is a little inspiration!

Boxwoods is ready …

Henri’s is ready …

The table is set …

And Lucy is ‘dressed to the nines’

Happy Valentines Day!

xo♥, Lissy

Parker House Bakery

Posted on January 7, 2014 by lissyparker

Well, not really, but I have started baking a lot of bread. My editor is an avid bread baker and encourages me. I’ve bought all of the equipment—a grain grinder, lots of grains, special pans for baking … even a Swedish mixer guaranteed to go the distance.

This is one of my early attempts at bread baking. I’ve discovered that I love the free form loaves—the heck with the pans! I made this loaf using a no-knead recipe given to me by a friend. (Let me know if you need want the recipe.) Why not try and back a loaf of bread—invite your friends and neighbors over to try your new baking talents. I can guarantee they’ll love it.