Friday, August 12, 2011

Guest Blogger Friday- Come on in - The door is open!


Welcome to Guest Blogger Friday!! I have to tell you that the past few weeks have been crazy for me as well as other bloggers getting ready for back to school, last minute summer vacations etc... so today I am going to be the guest of my own blog. 

I am Valarie!! I have full bragging rights to 2 blogspots and for being a Texan 51 years proud!! 
and 



Some of you ask questions or leave comments and sorry for not responding promptly. So for today here are all the responses- If I missed any - well ask me again!! 


Question- 
Where do you find your inspiration to blog and how did you come to blog?  I am inspired everyday by life, junky finds, curbside finds, my creative side, my life/family in the blue cottage with LOML, and the friends that surround me.  I attempt to bring a glimpse of happy into your home that will make a difference.  

I came to blog .. because my sweet MAMA (if you read my blog you know her) lives about 2 hours from me and when I would send her pictures in her email it was a disaster!! I came up with the blog - so she could save to her favorites and have our life at one click.  

Question- Who is LOML?  LOML stands for the love of my life, you can call him Tim! or LOML! 

Question- (this question alot!) On the vintage trailer door what is 0430?  Actually stands for  April 30th..  the day I fell n love with LOML, the day we were engaged, the day we married. This day changed our lives 10 years ago!!  So we use this date on many things that hold value to us.  When we were wanting a house number for the trailer door it was the first thing that popped in my head... 

Question- 
How many children do you have? I have 2, Ashley & Jon-Eric - LOML has 2, Karly & Jonathan

Question-Was blending our families hard? Blending families is never easy in the best of situations due to many reasons. However,  I have been blessed to have played a role in the life of Jonathan & Karly for the past 10 years.   

Question- Which one is a Aggie? Karly is the aggie! Whoop!  
Ashley graduated University North Texas, Jon Eric attended Austin College 2 years changed major and transferred to Stephen F Austin where he graduated. Jonathan is a Jr @University of Arkansas.... (Woo pig sooie!) 

This was the Comment -  You never call your step kids - step kids. Are all 4 kids yours?  My sweet Mama remarried when my sister Fannie and I were 2 & 4. My step father raised us as his own. He never once introduced as a step daughter. This was huge to me as a child.  He taught me many valuable lessons that I have remembered to carry through life. (another post on him another day!)      

Comment-  I can't imagine putting all the kids through college... We have fully funded 3 of the 4 and you do what you have to do ... we are pretty frugal in spending!    

Question- How do you find time to sell real estate and manage 2 blogs... and fit in an chairing community events?  IF YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO IT NEVER SEEMS LIKE WORK. + I do not require much  sleep.  I have always said I can sleep when I am old!! 

Question-What are your passions? MY FAITH, FAMILY, HOME AT THE BLUE COTTAGE 

Question- Did you restore the blue cottage? Yes, click here!! 

Before & After of the Blue Cottage

Question- Did you and LOML build your outdoor fireplace? We did not personally lay the stone,  I  designed the outdoor area at Starbucks with a contractor.   


What camera do you use? LOML bought me a Cannon Rebel a few years back... I just purchased  two zoom lens and another lens for shooting sports for the GRANDson. See yesterday post of the GRANDson coming off a water slide!  LOVE IT!! 

I truly appreciate all of you popping in daily- You inspire me to be a better person!  
Valarie 


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

A fun day!!


I seriously think this is one of the best pictures I have captured with my new camera!! 
Love it.. loved my day.. love my time with my GRANDson! 
Hugs.. 
Valarie  


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Dishpan of color!!



Moss roses grow great here in the Texas heat! 
Smiles.. 
Valarie  

Monday, August 8, 2011

enjoying a Monday..

Hugs from my cottage... 



Friday, August 5, 2011

happy friday!

Hoping for a quiet week end! 
 

Enjoy! Holla back Monday... 
Valarie  


Thursday, August 4, 2011

ikea tea towels + burlap coffee sack = chair cushion

Remember when I said.... I had lots of burlap projects....  The cushions are burlap coffee bags I picked up for free, the ruffle is a .49 cent Ikea tea towel. I had the brainstorm to make the ruffle from the tea towel because I love the red stripe through the tea towel.... and the price of vintage linen with the red stripe is way too many $$$ for a fun project. I change things quickly around the blue cottage - did not want to make this a costly project.

Finished the dining chair project... Each chair cushion is different!










Love it? 
Happy Friday!! 

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Good morning Texas heat...

Sharing a few flowers that are still thriving in the Texas heat....  






Also congratulations to Lorilee @Cackleberry Cottage winning the apron from APRON SENORITA!! 

Have a fun summer day! 
Valarie  

Monday, August 1, 2011

extending my give a-way!! APRON SENORITA!!

Please follow and leave me a comment to win.... this or this.... -- anything from Apron Senorita would be very cool!!  




  drawing tomorrow......
Valarie  

Saturday, July 30, 2011

sharing....

Remember a few days ago when I said I was hosting "LADIES NIGHT OUT" ...


Sharing a few glimpses.... 


The theme of our event was "What do you do all day ?"  This is a great for all the ladies and it gives each of us in the historic district association a opportunity to showcase individual talents and share strengths etc...


We gave these items as prizes for the memory game....    



Everything all set up .. giant fans... lots of water, and as many chairs under the tree that would fit  


All the ladies wrote on the back of the tags their name and occupation .. at the end of the night we made a circle and played a game of who did what and name ... whoever shouted out the name first won a prize .. it was fun...  


When thinking of strong women I always think of Rosie.. So she was my theme for this event.. I incorporated her everywhere with lots of red white polka dot accents from her headband.



Another sitting area 


It was 102 degrees so I made fans and used my coca cola cooler as a cute display for them 

It was a good time had by all. 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to follow this blog or the trailer gal blog for a entry for a vintage apron by APRON SENORITA!! 

Friday, July 29, 2011

Guest Blogger Friday!! Come on in, door is open! GIVE A WAY TOO!!!!


I am so thrilled to introduce you to today to my dear friend and blogger THE Apron Senorita!! 
IF YOU LEAVE A COMMENT AND FOLLOW MY BLOG YOU WLL ENTERED INTO A DRAWING FOR ONE OF HER FABULOUS APRONS!!   The drawing will take place Monday !! 


I am Yoli Kalkofen, the Apron Senorita from the Texas Hill Country


 I’m a single mom of 2 outstanding teenagers; Vincent a UT Austin freshman, and Gina a high school junior.  My passion for sewing started 30 years ago when I handmade my first apron at the age of 13 years old. I grew up in deep south Texas where I fell in love with two vibrant cultures “Tex-Mex”.  Apron Senorita started in 2008 as a way to supplement my income and feed my creativity. I wanted to incorporate some Latin flavor and Western charm in my designs.  Blogging about Apron Senorita has been an absolute joy.  I have met so many wonderful people. 


 My aprons were recently featured in Houston Classic Mexican Recipes by Erin Hicks Miller and shown on KHOU’s Great Day Houston Appearance with Deborah Duncan.  Occasionally you can find Apron Senorita at craft shows around south and central Texas.  Most days I can be found vintage shopping, blogging, and sewing.   

I would love to have you over for a visit to my blog ... and...  Valarie would love to give you a fabulous apron!! Follow her blog and leave a comment!! See ya soon!  
Yoli  :)
http://apronsenorita.blogspot.com/
http://apronsenorita.com/. 




Monday, July 25, 2011

just changing a few things around.....

Never been one to sit still....

This week is no different.. hosting a small little gathering of about 50 ladies for "LADIES NIGHT OUT" this Thursday at the Blue Cottage. 

Saturday we LOML worked feverishly to tidy up all the flower beds with new mulch and remove all the flowers that can not withstand 107 temperatures here in North Texas.


This is where we are today... Now, I just have to think over my decor... I love an event.. but of course you knew that!! 

We moved a few things around to avoid the heat... 












More to come..... 
Valarie 

Saturday, July 23, 2011

The gift of Friendship-

My dear friend Laura brought me this adorable vintage silver piece for my birthday.. She added her touch to it... I love it.. thank you Laura!


Happy Saturday! 
Valarie 

Friday, July 22, 2011

Guest Blogger Friday!! Come on in, door is open!

Today at the blue cottage please welcome Amber of This & That. She is the queen of ALL paper goodies. We met via blog when I was stalking her adorable Easter pennants. I emailed her to ask if she could make wedding pennants for Ashleys  wedding. One email later we were fast friends and I will tell you her work is detailed, amazing, creative, etc..... Remember I showed you here and here!!  She is a very talented gal... so please welcome her with a big ol' hug!  



Hellooo Ladies,  I'm so excited and honored that Valarie asked me to guest blog today!  I met Valarie thru blog land when she asked me to make some stuff for her daughters wedding.... I was so excited and super nervous at the same time.  I thought this lady was crazziee for asking me to make something for such a big event, but as you saw everything was just beautiful, even the stuff that I made, LOL!!

I blog over at This and That I love to create new things,  play with scrap book paper, sew and bake, but with two crazy little girls finding time to do all that I want is sometimes a challenge, but I try my best! 

Today I want to share a favorite recipe...these lemon bars are to die for!!



1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1-3oz. pkg. lemon pudding mix (not instant)
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
2 lemons, divided
1 cup powered sugar.

Combine cake mix and butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans; mix well. reserve 1 cup of crust mixture for the crumb topping. press remaining crust mixture evenly over bottom of 9x13 pan. Whisk pudding mix sweetened condensed milk in a bowl until smooth. zest 1 lemon to measure 2 Tbs. Juice lemon to measure 2 Tbs. juice. Add zest and juice to pudding mixture and mix well. Pour filling over crust, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with reserved mixture. Bake @ 350 for 25-28 mins. or until golden brown. remove from oven; cool 10 mins. Juice remaining lemon to measure 3-5 tsp. juice. combine powered sugar and enough lemon juice to make a think glaze; drizzle over crumb topping. Cool completely. Cut into bars makes about 40 bars.



I promise you that these are the best lemon bars you will ever have!!
And they are perfect for a little gift...
I like to stock up on boxes for my treats, paper plates are cute and all, but check out what you can do with a plain box.....








I hope you stop by and say HI!  


And thanks again Valarie, for having me today! 


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