NEW LOOK!!

QUICK POST... Stay on my blog.. it's me! Just a little updo! I loved the old backdrop I had, started seeing on several other blogs.. so I Amber create this for me! I do love chandelier's! I have many, many, in our home! DO YOU LIKE the new do??
Hope your day was great!
Valarie

ps.. We lost the first game 5-4! Play 2 more tomorrow! Go Rattlers!!

*** NOTE- HAVING ISSUES WITH MY BLOG BACKGROUND- STAY POSTED***

Take me out to the Ball Game! Sing along with ME!

And I do mean all week-end ball game! Wesley is playing a tournament this week-end... SO, this Mimi is bringing the fun snacks and the cheer leading squad of family to sit on the front row!! How could I say NO?? Well, it's First Monday week-End and a ton of estate sales in my area today~ But with a cute little face and piercing blue eyes.. I normally don't say NO to this little first baseman!
AND... Of course, I will have to keep Baby Jack awake to cheer for his big brother! (isn't he a lump of sugar?)
What are you up today? Come on.. don't be shy leave me a comment!!
Valarie

LOOK WHAT I AM SALVAGING TODAY!!

Our son, Jonathan had a bunch of lumber in the back of his truck.. I asked "What is all that wood in the back of your truck?" replied "it's going to the dump- It was some chair's we built for a project .. didn't turn out well" etc.... Well, you know me and LOML immediately looked at each other. When LOML figured out they were Adirondack chair's- I was screaming HAPPY! LOML rebuilt them, painting them my favorite other color,Behr Daffodil 8512. What junky find will you locate on a curb, garage sale, this week-end to recycle??? Share with me!
Happy Trails!
Valarie

Ever been to Fort Worth, Texas?

Well if you come to Texas or live in Texas go to the Fort Worth Stockyards! It is a fun "DATE" with your loved one. We had a blast... enjoy the photo's!
The downtown area has some of the most yummy BBQ AND THE coolest COWBOY boots if you would like to purchase a pair or two! Read up on the history of the Chishom Trail of 1875! You will appreciate the enormous size mural! This steer was covered in English ivy!! Gotta Love it!! Only in TeXas!
Then of course we had to have some BBQ! We were waiting patiently!
Saddle up and ride on over!
Valarie

Sharing a beautiful sunrise with you!

Taken at The Del Coronado, San Diego last year! Beautiful! Have a blessed day!
Valarie

It was a great holiday week-end!

I hope you all were able to spend Memorial Day with those you love. Have a great week!
GrinS!
Valarie

A CUPCAKE FOR YOU...

Cook-out at 4 PM. Your cupcake with a iced sweet tea will be waiting on ya! See you this afternoon! Smiles!
Valarie

Pause to Bless those....

Please take time to pause to thank & remember those who fought for us!
Blessings & Gratitude~
Valarie

Would you look at what LOML placed on the steps in the side garden last night? GARDEN BOOTS! and oh yes.. I need them, I have my runined my tennis shoes, flip flops etc... cause I tend to be a tad messy while working, watering in the flower garden! Very cute on and comfortable. love em'!
May your day be filled with laughter!
Valarie

p.s. please let me know if you stopped by today!

Waiting on the little birdies to come bathe!

I love to tuck different things in flower beds, little surprises tucked in and there.. make me smile!
Little imperfect bird bath.. the base has a broken off piece on the back.. and the base holding the bird bath is a old plant stand. I don't think the little birdies will notice it has a small flaw! (click on photo to enlarge)

Wishing you a day of happy!
Valarie

MIRROR .. MIRROR.... ON THE WALL?

Working on my guest bathroom... if you recall from a previous post (click).. I love all jewelry/vanity trays! Bought two from Jo this weekend.. painted them REGAL RED! The little shelf above the commode, when found it was emerald green.. isn't she pretty all dressed in Regal Red??Reflecting back from the mirror over the sink . . to the cute wall of Mirror's!
Little red shelf.. not sure what to put on it.. so this is for now!
I want to do this entire wall -- if you see any old jewelry/vanity trays holla at me!
Do you move things around in your house all the time??? What room is easiest for you to move around?? Don't ya just love change!
Love you all..
Valarie

Imagine... by Jo...

Hey all ... I wanted to share some photo's of my friend Jo's fabulous shop in Quinlan Texas.



Jo helped me tremendously last year when I was in a panic getting my home ready to be on the Home and Garden Tour. I can not tell you how many very cool vintage pieces of silver, old photo frames, vintage mirrors, garden junky finds etc.. I snagged from her! Enjoy the photo's .. and if you are out in Quinlan ..stop by and see her @Hunt County Trade Center #18! Saturday or Sunday ONLY! Jo, i enjoyed our visit.. see you soon!
Valarie

A old enamel KITCHEN SINK??

WELL ... Well .. .. isn't it fun to use your imagination?? If you recall my post (May 5th) I picked up this little kitchen sink in Comfort, Texas! Not sure why I had a fit and made LOML grab it before anyone else did!! BUT.. I did. LOML hung it today! Planted fern and impatients in it.. Should be beautiful in a few weeks with the fern draping and the impatients growing over the side!
Hope you all have a blessed Sunday!
Valarie

a LAZY raInY DaY SaTUrDaY!

A very rainy day Saturday!! Thught I would step out the porch to smell the rain, when noticed my little bird friend sitting on my side porch.
Think I will snuggle up on the couch with a tea and a good movie! What movie would you watch? Tell me!!
Hope you all have a restful Saturday!
Valarie

gardener’s best friend.. LADYBUGS?

Okay my blogging friends! I just received my 2000 ladybugs for all my flower beds! Tonight at dusk, I will water and then place them on my garden. Also, planting more impatients, creeping jenny & ferns tonight! Hope you all have a great Friday night! You know where to find me!
Cheers!
Valarie

Happy Birthday Fannie!!

Please help me wish my sister Fannie a very happy birthday!! This photo was taken of Fannie this past week-end at Lake Palestine. Of course, she was the only one that caught a fish! As you can tell she is pretty proud! Few things you should know about Fannie.. she is loyal, loving, caring, adventuresome, good fisher girl, one hell of a caster, hard worker (dental hygienist 30 years!), keeps an immaculate house, was a former barrel racer back in the day, loves horses, can out cook Martha Stewart, has a green thumb, very organized, unbelievably smart, great sense of humor, great seamstress.... (she made many things for our girls.. costumes, altered prom dresses etc..) the list is endless of her attributes! I love her so .. she is my big sister, my dearest friend, a shoulder, a hug at all times.. You all would be richer to know her... so PLEASE SING ALONG WITH ME IN WISHING FANNIE THE HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY EVER!
Fannie, I love you dearly!

little pink chair!

One of the newest of my Goodwill finds..-- Little pink chair for guest bedroom.. better known as my Mom's room. Bought for $20! I was going to recover then I had a change of heart. I love the old pink vintage worn look, so I put a pillow in the seat and there you have it. I believe I have shared this room with all of you before .. but here are a few more pictures!


Let's all go junkin!
Valarie

I been Junkin'!

Goodwill finds... Bought both of these little tables at Goodwill last week. $6 for the two of them. Thought they added a splash of fun to the dining room!
Painted this one with two coats of RUBY RED paint. I have books everywhere.. always buy them at a thrift store and remove the paper covers, the teapot lamp- my mom gave to me when I bought this house in '02 for a housewarming present. The bench in background bought at Garage Sale for $1!
Painted this one little table with Behr Daffodil 8512. More little books, and my favorite Uncle Ben clock. In the background on the tea cart is a old Bread Box filled with a lamp and flowers, and my favorite speckled rooster. The chair beside the yellow table my Mama gave to me for my birthday one year. .. had covered in toile.
Hope you liked my junky finds.
Valarie

Garden Cheer!

Everything is really blooming here at the cottage!

How was your day? I really do want to hear about it!! Good or Bad? Rain or Snow? Laughs of joy or tears of sorrow?
Thanks for stopping by to see me!
Valarie

My New House!??

Kidding.. This is so NOT my new house... of course, I could not leave the little blue cottage! However, if I did win the Texas Lotto .. I would want something like this .. on the water, watching the sunset! We came upon this house yesterday while cruising the lake. I was about to hyperventilate trying to tell LOML to stop the boat!! Isn't this spectacular? Had to share with all of you!

I'm such a dreamer!
Valarie

Beautiful day at the Lake with Family!

We spent a day relaxing yesterday and this morning on Lake Palestine down in East Texas! We laughed, we ate & ate, told stories, fished and relaxed. What a beautiful way to spend Mother's Day!
Hope you all were as fortunate to spend time with family!
Valarie

Happy Mother's Day!

Have a great week-end!
Valarie

We'll be at the Lake....

Hey all... going to spend Mother's Day with my Mom and awesome sister Fannie, my brother Brian down at Lake Palestine! I'll be back Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day with my grown babies, Wesley & Jack and all of you! Being a Mom totally ROCKS!
Blessings & LovE!
Valarie

Wishing you all a PeAcEfUl Friday!

eNjoY your day!
Valarie

Guess who I met? Final stop ~Bandera!

All, I hope that you enjoyed the little tour of my trip to the Hill Country. I saved the best for last. I am a "blog stalker" of Robin Brown! I have read many articles on her, read her book twice - so you can only imagine how thrilled I was to meet her in person! Please stop by her blog and check out the coolness of what she creates! I love her backpacks, carpet bags, clothing, home decor style and her lifestyle! She is so down to earth, very hip and cool... her husband John was just as wonderful as Robin. (a little birdie told me to check out the new ROMANTIC COUNTRY .. details of their wedding in there!) Treat yourself to a copy of her book!. You will be inspired to follow your dream!
Wishing you all happiness in finding your dream!Valarie

Stopped by Comfort Texas...

On the way out of town, we went to this antique market.. someone said it is held twice a year. Here are a few of my favorites!
Old baseball bat's, locker bins,stained glass windowsLoved this old awning! It was sold!
Loved this marble statue of Joseph with the offering plates and candles! IT WAS SOLD! I did bring home a very old enamel kitchen sink .. have a plan for it and will share soon.. few other little items.
Hope you enjoyed the market!
Smiles to ya!
Valarie

Sharing Fredericksburg~

A few of the many fabulous homes in Fredericksburg~
We visited the Homestead StoreLOVED the outdoor garden finds, especially the ballerina coming out of the tulip!
Our feet were very tired by the end of the day! Love & Peace,Valarie

Great to be Home!

There is no place like Home! We had a wonderful time in Gruene, Bandera, Fredericksburg, Comfort, San Marcos...A remarkable time. We met some very amazing people... had great food.. & above all celebrated a great anniversary! Missed all you blogging gal's and will share some photo's this week with you.. Have a Beautiful SundaY! As always.. I am inspired by each of you!
Valarie