Happy New Year!!

LOML & I are driving out to the country for a New Year's Eve celebration.

This little farmhouse "diamond in the rough" sits south of Tyler on acreage huge wide open space, fresh country air, maybe have a cow or two roaming on the land.. perhaps a nice little week-end remodel?? and close to the lake.... More to come... 

Have a sparkly & safe Happy New Year!
xxoox!
Valarie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!!

Please help me wish Mama a fabulous 69th birthday!!!  

Fannie brought Mama to Dallas for a day of fun and an overnight stay @The Hyatt Regency. Today's activity included the Dallas Aquarium, Noon mass @The Cathedral followed by a relaxing afternoon here and dinner tonight in the Arts District.

Fannie has always be in awe of The Cathedral at the Arts District . They were both in amazement of the beautiful Cathedral and the service. I believe this was the highlight of their day! This Cathedral is one of the most beautiful sites in downtown Dallas.

Tomorrow morning we are meeting for brunch and a day of junking, and fun at the Bishop Arts District before they head back to East Texas! 

Hope you all had a great day!! I believe Mama celebrated her 69th just the way she wanted it!
Hugs..
Valarie

house is quiet......

ALL the kids are back with friends, the grandsons are playing new games and not calling Mimi, Tim is paddling at the lake seeking solitude from all the Christmas frenzy! I thought while all was calm I would start taking down the Christmas tree..
My favorite part...  wrapping the memories of ornaments back in the tissue and boxes and store for next year.

Hope your day is joyous!
Valarie

*** edited to add 3 hours later, all decor down, Christmas tree down, and LOML is on his way home ... It was cold & raining out today, so I made a fabulous roast for LOML. A nice quiet day at home... much accomplished!! Whew.... I need a COKE ZERO! ***

Kid Rock - Born Free

Born Free... Watch the video beautiful country side, beautiful beaches... Listen and tune in to the words... I LOVE THIS SONG.. MAKES ME WANT TO HIT THE ROAD ON A HARLEY!!
XX0!
Valarie  

pray for edie.. life in grace...

Please pause for a moment of prayer & silence for Edie... Her beautiful home that she shares with us burnt to the ground. They lost everything.

My heart breaks for her. Although I have never meant Edie, if you read her blog, you know Edie, you know her heart, you know her love for her family, love for God, love for life. She is an inspiration to women.

Edie, Steve, and her three daughters all safe. Thank you God!

Edie, praying for you and your sweet family.

Valarie

Merry Christmas from my family....

Santa hat tarts!! Yummy! A favorite this year!! 

Santa sharing his scrapbook of his journey! 

Daughter Ashley and family.. The Mother of my two adorable grandsons. 

Daughter Karly, Son Jon-Eric and boys! 

Son Jonathan & girlfriend Kaisha

We celebrated our family Christmas-Christmas Eve. Having all the kids and grandkids home are the joys that LOML and I cherish.
Take the time to enjoy your families and enjoy the memories!
Merry Christmas! 

Gingerbread Men...

When I was raising my adorable children in East Texas, every Christmas we went to the Village Bakery to pick out their favorite cookies... I always picked out a dozen Gingerbread Men... A few years ago Jon Eric was on his way home for Christmas from college(SFA). He stopped in Tyler to bring me the gift of a dozen gingerbread!! When he brought them home I cried, I thought that was the sweetest gift ever. I had no clue he would remember all those trips to Village Bakery. GINGERBREAD MEN... the sweetest gift of all... Hope you are enjoying your holiday memories!! 

Happy Holidays!! 
Valarie 

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas???

What are you dreaming of? 

Happy Christmas!! 

xxo,Valarie 

Almost time for the family to arrive.... Christmas Eve gathering here!!  

Happy Glittery Christmas..

A touch of glitter and sparkle for the dining room chandelier and table!  I am hosting the family Christmas Eve... hope you have all the sparkle ready in your home to entertain!!  

Counting....

Counting down the days until Christmas!!  

A new home for Christmas...

Out showing property today... I will be in STONEBRIDGE RANCH today - Freedom Park & Mayberry Park showing these 2 fabulous homes for the second time to my buyer from California. A referral.. Thanks to you ... my special friend!!  

hope you all are out finishing up last minute Christmas shopping!! have a blessed Sunday!! 

outdoor fun...

Adding a few touches here and there!! It's almost Christmas!! 

Are you ready??? 

XXO, Valarie  

Fresh greenery!

fresh sprigs of evergreen! 

hope you enjoy your day! 

Valarie 

"I'll Be Home for Christmas" - Rascal Flatts Official Music Video

Hope you are enjoying the excitement of the season!

xxox!

Random list of grateful

Sometimes we are forced to gear our lives down not on our will but God's. I am grateful.
This holiday season we are taking time to pause, reflect and breathe.
Taking time to remember why the SEASON.
Our home is filled with love for Christmas, it smells of evergreen and Christmas cookies.
We have driven Swiss Av & Beverly Drive and were in awe of the simple beauty of lights and carriage rides.
We are celebrating with a family dinner Christmas Eve followed by a movie with all the children. No gifts this year.. giving the gift of LOVE & FAMILY.  
Our grandsons are giggling and waiting on SANTA... The giggles warm our hearts.  
LOML and I are thankful our children are all home, safe and healthy.
I am thankful and humbled for the season.
I am thankful for all of you who read my blog and leave me amazing comments, who support me with emails, and prayer when times are difficult. Thank you from the bottom of my heart... you all are a part of my fabulous days!
Blessings,
Valarie

kitchen makeover!!

 This is my friend Linda.. you all know her! She makes fabulous yard conservatory items... and I do mean fabulous!! Check her out here!! 
Today I am delighted to share Linda's Shabby French Kitchen! You ready?

Fabulous!!  Pop over to see her here .. the before and after is amazing!! I love it Linda!
Dear Santa, can I have new countertop's?
xxox!
Valarie  

Tree is up!!

Tree is up!! This is my family tree... full of ornaments over the years... I never grow tired of it! 

On the shelf.. Santa's given to me over the years by friends.. Many more around the house! 

I love this Santa ornament... 

Santa riding a turtle.. This was the year that my grandson was on a turtle love .... Everything was turtles.. I buy ornaments for the kids and grandson's every year based on what they are loving at the moment!

Have a great week!! 

CHRISTMAS DRIVE ...

Sharing Christmas fabulous!! Beverly Drive & Swiss Avenue in Dallas..... Enjoy the drive....  More tomorrow!!

One of our traditions!

Every year for the past 8 years.. Fannie and I take Mama to a Christmas luncheon at the Zodiac Room @Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas.  Neiman Marcus was the first employer for Mama.  You guessed it ... Gift Wrapper for the Holidays!!  To this day - she swears this was the most fun and rewarding job she had over all her career!

One of the entry decor pieces on the 4th floor of the Christmas Store @Neiman's 

Mama & her cousin Sookie- While enjoying the Zodiac experience they bring you this fabulous popover bread and serve with a strawberry jam butter!!! 


While you are being served lunch - these fabulous models walk around and model fabulous gowns, coats etc and invite you down after lunch to meet the designer!  Isn't she beautiful?? 

This coat felt like cashmere... oh so luscious!! Dear Santa, I will take this!! 

Glitzy tree and the mirrored glittery wall to the elevator! 

Another cute tree - the theme this year was Spaceland... very cute tree!   

The girls were acting up!! Not G Rated so will leave out what they were laughing about!! 

A MacKenzie - Childs tree.. I purchased a few ornaments!! I had too!! 

From l-r .. my sister Fannie, Sookie, Mama, Carolyn, niece Haley Jayne

Thanks girls for a fun afternoon!! Love you all..... 

Christmas love....

Working on my Christmas decor!! I love my garland with the silver creamers... I did this last year too... The greenery is fresh and free from the Christmas tree farm around the corner! Hope you are loving the season!
xx0x!
Valarie

Working...

Out showing property today... to an amazing family from Arizona!! Busy times here at the Blue Cottage!! I am thankful for busy times!! Thanks to you (my special friend) for another referral!!  

Hugs.. 

Valarie   

No place like HOME!!

Good to be home!! I missed you all! 

Good bye Nassau!!

On my way back to Texas....

GOOD BYE TIKI HUTS! 

GOOD BYE BEAUTIFUL CRYSTAL BLUE SPARKLING WATER! 

GOOD BYE PALM TREES!!

Be home soon LOML!!