Remembering.....

The Men & Women of our Country who continually serve and fight for our freedom. God Bless!

come on in.....

Let me show you around!  She is in need of a little touch up..... but not to worry... this little jewel will be ready to roll on JULY 19TH!  I have her name picked out, need to clear with Sisters on the Fly first-- have a great day!
Valarie

Look what LOML got me!!!

Well of course you all know LOML can NOT keep a secret for nothing! The big 50 b'day is coming soon and LOML has been searching for the last year for my dream of a 1960 Shasta! I want to join SISTERS ON THE FLY and well you have to have a trailer! I believe LOML fell in love with her before I did, she is my favorite color RED!  A 1961 (pretty close to a 1960) 12 1/2 foot cream puff... we headed down to East Texas to bring her home!  We picked her up from  Lorrie@Cute as Pie Cottage!  FYI...Lorrie also used to have this one!!  We made the drive back from deep east texas to far north texas last night in about 3 hours, stopped to buy tow lights and brought the gal home!  We love her already, her wings are adorable - would you agree? Working on a floor plan now!   Please help me on interior - what colors? should I do a vintage dinette table and bench? fold down benches for a bed or a full size bed in the back of the trailer? The stove that came with her is brown adorable! Maybe paint stove? Buttercup yellow? Color on interior, should I paint or re-stain the Honey Oak? Whew.... I am tired just thinking of all the options! Which is why I need your help and a tylenol PM!! HUGS! Valarie

Check out what Martha has done........

If you are dressin' your nest for the weekend holiday parties... stop by here and see what Martha has done with this gazebo! Have fun decorating!! baking!! Entertaining!! Loving and remembering those who have fought for us and continue to do so! 
Happy day! 
Valarie 

and this one...

You will want to spend a few days at this European Escape tucked away in the Historic District.....  
Come see us ... tickets here! 
Smiles.. 
Valarie 

and this one...

A Garden Symphony!! You will not want to miss this home and garden on tour! Amazing, ADORABLE cottage kitchen with a few vintage items you are sure to love.... see you there!! Valarie 

and this one...

Will be on the garden tour... This is Tracey's! Her backyard is unbelievable!  You can order your tickets here!   I will be working the morning shift across the street from Tracey's. Every day this week I will give you a sneak peek of what you can expect... and when making plans please allow time to come to our fabulous downtown historic square!!
Smiles..
Valarie

Sneak Peek......

I wanted to share one of the gardens that will be on the MCKINNEY HOME & GARDEN TOUR June 12th! You will not want to miss this home... Jan will be serving fresh bread from his backyard oven that he built.  Check out their blog for tips on gardening with herbs and Jan's bread oven. Do you have your ticket for a day in the garden??? Have a great Monday!! Valarie  

Art Walk --- Will I see you there?

Hope you all come visit our wonderful Historic McKinney tomorrow!
Happy Week-end!
Valarie

Jessica's "Daily Affirmation"

Seriously, this is the cutest! I was at a seminar today and this was shared!! Hope you enjoy! If only we were all so fired up about life!!


Happy Thursday!
Valarie

My hanging pots!!

Every spring, I look forward to filling the hanging stacked pots with my favorite blooming flowers. This year I selected moss roses, and baby bells!  Hope your day is full of wonder! Valarie

Morning Sunlight...

Don't you love morning sunlight shining over your favorite flower beds? This bed is at the corner of the back of the house.  This stained glass window reflects into my laundry room, the birdhouse is one of several around the house, and of course I plant my favorite hosta. Happy Monday!! Valarie
 

ENJOYING HOME.....

Planted spearmint today ... one of my favorite herbs!  I have orange mint, spearmint, basil, thyme, lavender, all growing around the back entertaining area! I always give them a little swish when I walk by... they all smell heavenly!  You have a favorite herb? Hope you enjoyed your Sunday! 
Valarie 

what's in your window box?

This is one of my favorite window boxes. The planter is rusty wrought iron I bought years back... I think more rust, more chippy paint the better!  In this planter you will find geraniums, creeping jenny, and moss roses. This window box has plenty of morning sunlight, which is what these plants love! What's in your box? What is your favorite planter container for the window? Please share...  Happy Day!  Valarie

A Walk through Blue Moon Garden......

If you ever want to take a relaxing Sunday walk, I recommend Blue Moon Gardens in East Texas.  I was here this past week-end with Mama, very beautiful grounds, flowers galore! bedding plants, gazing balls, birdhouses, herbs.... you name it .. they have it! Grab a glass of sweet tea and let's walk....

Hope you enjoyed the walk! Have a great evening! 

Valarie 

A new Listing.....

Maybe this suburban home suits your fancy! A new listing, on the outskirts of McKinney! 2461 sq feet of family living among a little piece of country. Beautiful trees in a fabulous neighborhood. Priced to sell this week - only $199K! If you want to come preview in person .... you know where to find me.... 

Save the Date!!

Won't you come join me???
Valarie

Spent the week-end with Mama.....

Went to East Texas to spend the weekend with Mama and celebrate Mother's Day.  This is what we gave the ole' gal for Mother's Day! Sister Fannie made the basket cover for it...  Isn't this adorable??

We departed East Texas early this morning to South Dallas to visit the old home place of her grandmother and her home when she was a child.   Great Grandmother's home is no longer there but the empty lot is, AND it was beautiful... (Mama and Fannie below walking the lot) Already on the phone trying to locate the owner, we want to buy it for Mama!

Our final stop... The Stoneleigh Hotel, Mama had her first job there as a hairstylist.. 1957! It was a great day and to see Mama so happy remembering all her childhood memories, and sharing with us ... pretty cool stuff!!  We had a blast!
Hope you enjoyed your day!
Valarie

did I show you?

Sharing my anniversary gift from LOML that he bought me in the HIll Country this past weekend! A fabulous gazing ball and stand!!  I love the blue it compliments my exterior home color and the splash of orange is very fun. The color Orange is really growing on me! Humm...  Happy Friday! Valarie

mimi thursday!!

If you follow my blog you know Thursday is Mimi Night! So tonight we are just hangin' out playing outside and watching the basketball game. I hope you have a great evening! xxoox! Valarie

Want to be my neighbor?

NEW LISTING!! I listed this vintage cottage last night, in the historic district! A 3 minute walk from me....This house has a vintage outside, and the inside is awesome! 1327 sq feet of adorableness! ALL new plumbing, electrical, foundation, new bathroom, custom bead board cabinets in kitchen, custom built china cabinets in dining to replicate the 1950' s era... want to preview in person... if so you can find me here..... have an awesome day!!  Valarie

I have your ticket!!

I have your ticket for the MCKINNEY GARDEN & HOME TOUR!! Just leave me a comment - and I will email you for your address and mail to you! Tickets only $15! Won't you come spend a day with me in the garden?? See you soon!! Valarie

Away for a few days.....

LOML and I are saddled up and riding out to the Hill Country to celebrate our anniversary!! Today is 4 years of wedded bliss and 9 years since the first kiss! ((I'm such a teen-ager!)) The journey we have had over the last 9 years has been filled with more love than you can imagine, tons of fun, laughs, tears, challenges, patience and teamwork.  I hope you enjoy your week-end and if you want to come celebrate with us ... you can find us here!
xxoox!

2nd closing today!

I sold this commercial building north of downtown Mckinney. The building is cool on the inside has a fireplace and a vintage kitchen sporting a minty color tile from the 70's! The guys that purchased plan to use for a meeting place for their Harley chapter meetings, bbq's etc.. The property has a huge back area full of beautiful trees. They plan to start remodeling soon... so I will keep you in the loop and if you ride a Harley .... this may just be the next cool place to hang out and have a cold one!! Hugs!
Valarie  

What's on your nightstand?

On my nightstand, my favorite are the beautiful roses and mint from my garden, a few books I am reading now for personal growth... The Millionaire Next Door & Strengths Finder 2.0. Both are fabulous books and an eye opener!!  The old telephone sitting on the nightstand was one I found at an estate sale, LOML wired and it actually has the old ring... (love it!) and a crystal candle holder have had for years!  The red mirrors over the nightstand were goodwill finds and I painted them red ((of course!). What's on your nightstand??
Have a great day! Valarie

It was on the curb.....

Seriously while driving around attempting to find homes for sale by owner, or homes for lease, etc... I came across a home that was being foreclosed. HUGE pile of junk out front ... and I spotted this flower cart underneath it all!! I could not believe it! I walked to the door to make sure it was okay - the man said "Take IT"..  Doesn't she look like she has found a new home?  
Grins...
Valarie 

Happy Sunday ...

From my nest @ 1110 to your nest!
Smiles..
Valarie

Vintage Scale....

I found this little jewel at a garage sale last week-end! $8 bucks! I think it is really fun as a planter for my pink impatient!  Hugs! Valarie 

Easy Peasy Apple Pie

Kim @Daisy Cottage, had an amazing pie recipe on her blog ... so I tried it! Yummy! My photo of the masterpiece below is not that pretty ... I should have taken a great photo with a piece of pie on a vintage saucer, with a cute napkin tucked in .... and I did think about that. But.... when it came out of the oven LOML & the angel grandson could not wait... and then when I went back to take the photo..... well you know the story....

Easy Peasy Apple Pie

8 Granny Smith apples, cored & sliced

1/2 cup butter

3 T flour

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup water

1 box of two refrigerated pie crusts 

cinnamon and nutmeg to taste

Melt butter in sauce pan.  Stir in flour.  Add sugars and water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce temperature and simmer 5 minutes.

Place one pie crust in bottom of glass pie dish.  Fill with sliced apples.  Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on top.  Pour liquid over apples.  Cover apples with remaining pie crust.  Cut slits into crust.  Set pie dish on top of cookie sheet and put in oven.

Bake @ 425 degrees for 15 minutes.  Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 35-45 minutes. 

Thank you Kim.. it was amazingly easy to make and ohhhhh so good!!
Hugs,
Valarie

FOR ME?

Look what was delivered to me from LOML (love of my life).  A good luck bouquet for this week! Aren't they beautiful? Hope your day is off to a great start! Mine sure is!!  Have a great day! Valarie  

1 2 3 4 5 .....

I found these little jars with numbers at a garage sale for $1! I loved them .... all lined up in my kitchen window with my beautiful roses.  I have one pink rose bush and it bloomed today! #3!
Hope you are having a blessed Sunday! SMiLeS! Valarie

everything is coming up ROSES!!

These beautiful roses are in my ROSE bed overlooking the pergola area. Have you ever planted  DAVID AUSTIN roses? from East Texas!?  i planted these 5 years ago and as you can see below they are going crazy! My grandmother was a natural at growing roses planting  JFK Roses - I remember the smell of the roses and how she had them displayed beautifully throughout her sweet home in miniature vases.  If you love roses,as I do... I highly recommend these!   Easy to grow, very hardy and they really put on a show! 

Have a great Saturday! Valarie