To all my dear friends, 

After nineteen years of putting my dream on hold, I was presented with the opportunity to pursue my dream career. Although it was a forced opportunity, I am thankful to be able to devote all of my energy to the pursuit of my dream.

I am excited to announce that I am now working as a Real Estate Agent for Keller Williams in McKinney! As you all know, selling real estate has been a long term goal of mine. The past three years I primarily sold to family and close friends and along the way flipped cottages in the Historic District for fun. I now have the opportunity to use all the tools I learned while working for a large corporation to market, manage, and sell homes here in the North Texas area. I will also utilize all those years of customer focused training to provide the highest level of service to my clients.

If you or somebody you know is in the market to purchase or sell a home, I would love the opportunity to present what I can offer.  Also, for anyone outside of Texas, I have established a network of specialists that I will be working with on a one -on- one with for any referral .. buy, sell, or lease.   

My prayer is to get the word out to all my friends - all of you- so that I may make  a difference to the single mom who never had a home, to the young married couple buying their first home, a couple retiring looking for the perfect patio home on a golf course, or the empty nester couple, perhaps the college grad buying his/her first condo.. the list of opportunity is endless.   

I always pray to make a difference in someone's life... somehow... someday... I believe this may be it!  

Thank you for all your support! 

Valarie 

PS... I hope you love my brand... website up on Feb 11th - will share when launched!  

National Girlfriend and Sister's Week!!

I am  only as strong as the coffee I drink, the  hairspray I use, and  the friends I have. To the cool women who  have touched my life.   Here's to you!  Post it on your blog!  Thanks to my sweet sister Fannie for sharing!!  

It  is good to be a woman:  

1. We got off the Titanic first.
2. We can  scare male bosses with mysterious  gynecological disorder excuses.
3. Taxis  stop for us.
4. We don't look like a frog in  a blender when dancing.
5. No fashion faux  pas we make could ever rival the Speedo.
6.  We don't have to pass gas to amuse ourselves.
7. If we forget to shave, no one has to  know.
8. We can congratulate our teammate  without ever touching her rear end.
9. We  never have to reach down every so often to make  sure our privates are still there.
10. We  have the ability to dress ourselves.
11.   We can talk to the opposite sex without  having to picture them naked.
12.  If  we marry someone 20 years younger, we are aware  that we will look like an idiot.
13. We will  never regret piercing our ears.
14. There  are times when chocolate really can solve all  your problems.
15. We can make comments  about how silly men are in their presence  because they aren't listening anyway.  
Hope you laughed out LOUD!! Have a great week!  

chocolate chip cookies!

It was "Mimi night" last night and here is what we baked up! As you can tell from the photo he was a bit focused on wrestling! However, I did manage to keep him on track until these yummy cookies were in the oven. This was the first time I tried this recipe, they were very good! Recipe credit given here! 

Hope you all have a wonderful week-end! Smiles! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter flavored shortening
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons Mexican vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter flavored shortening, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla .Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until light brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

You asked?

How many different fabrics do I have in the master bedroom? Well, I counted around 7, but I figured since they are all black and white I am gypsy chic! Right??  Matching fabrics or bed in bag is not my personality at all, as you can tell from the polka dotted dust ruffle to the damask print in the comforter to the different pillows on the bed. My favorite chair, my mom gave to me one year for my birthday, now covered in toile! My favorite wall lamps covered in black white check.. so it is really a hodgepodge of black & white fabrics that warm my master suite and my heart! Thanks for asking about all my prints and I hope you find what warms your heart in your home!
xxoox!
Valarie  
  

Meet my friend Fredda Perkins!

I have to share this adorable,cutest ever craft cottage. I met Fredda a few years ago in the garden club, she also loves in the Historic District in the most stunning home in the district. Please go here to read about Fredda. She and her daughter will inspire you! Her home, her life, her love for all her crafts are amazing. Please read more on her daughter's blog here! (Another talented one!!) Fredda, we all so enjoy your talents! I am glad to be in your company!  oH... and click here for Fredda's fabulous mosiac work! Leave me your thoughts and I pass on to Fredda!
xxoox!
Valarie
(p.s. Make sure you click on ALL links in the post!)

Amazing!!

Kim at Daisy Cottage, You are an amazing person and I adore you and your blog! You make us all feel loved and special everyday. If you have not met Kim hop over and introduce yourself and enjoy her beautiful blog and roses for you today!
xxoox!
Valarie

I have been a very bad girl.....

Sorry to not have answered some of your questions so here goes to all the sweet gal's I have not responded too...
1) What is the actual color of the blue cottage? Color, Denim by Sherwin Williams, the trim is Ink also by Sherwin Williams.
2) What is the color of my dining and living area? Color, Sands of Time by Sherwin Williams
3) Are my hardwood floors orginal to the house? Yes and No..  The hardwood floors added to the kitchen in 08. At that time I also had the entire cottage hardwoods stripped, restained and hand scraped.
4) Do I have a new sofa? LORD, NO! This sofa was once all red, but had her redone and I designed the look, mixing 5 fabrics.. had this amazing guy recover -cost me about $375  and yes... he also did the wingback chairs for $125. i bought the wing back chairs at an auction I attend regularly in Edom
5) Have I found a job? A job no, a new venture yes ... will share soon.
6) Are all my kids out of the house and are we empty nesters? YES, THANK GOD!
7) Why do I blog? I LOVE LOVE people! I love to share my life, that I have been blessed with. Hopefully this life I lead will inspire or make someone smile. I guess it is just my way of giving back.
8)  Would I consider helping plan a wedding? YES.. YES.. As you all know I have been in events and marketing for 19 years in corporate America so yes.. I would be thrilled to help anyone or review any type of a contract for your event.  ( I have done 3 weddings the last few years and it is pretty cool)
9)  Why do you call your husband LOML and what is his real name? His real name is TIM and  he is the Love Of My Life... so I always call him that.
10) Why don't you do more post on MIMI Thursday?  under my label "What is a MIMI?"  I had a strange comment on my blog about my grandsons - it freaked me out so stopped for a while.. will continue to do but not with face photography.  This person was blocked from site.
11) Am I from Texas?? Yes... a native Texan, I was raised in East Texas, went to Elementary school in Greenville & Winnsboro, before settling in Canton in the 5th grade, Canton High grad 1979, moved to Tyler in 1979, Mckinney in 2002.
12) Someone emailed me - you talk about your MoM often - but never your dad is he deceased? My step father raised us three kids.. wonderful man-passed away in 94, taught me everything I know about life lessons, hard work and horses. My grandson is named after him.  My biological father is living.. enough said!
I hope I answered all the questions... and thanks for being a follower.. I love you and would never want to neglect any of you fabulous gals!
Happy SATURDAY night..
Valarie

I have a makeover.... your thoughts???

You have to love Amber! You know it is pretty cool when you say I want something light, whimsy, and stick my cottage in there too.. and she comes up with this! Amber you Rock!
I love my Friday already!
Valarie

We're having..

Chicken Stir Fry tonight here at the blue cottage!

Credits given here...  

---

2 whole chicken breasts
1 lg. can pineapple chunks
1 lg. bunch broccoli
4 to 5 carrots
2 onions
1 green pepper
2 c. mushrooms
2 stalks celery
1 to 2 tsp. minced garlic
Soy sauce to taste
Stir-fry sauce to taste
Sesame oil (to stir fry in)

Par-boil chicken breasts, skin and cut into pieces (save water). Chop all vegetables. Drain juice from can of pineapple chunks and marinate cooked chicken pieces in juice for 1/2 to 1 hour. Heat sesame oil in wok or very large frying pan. Add vegetables, starting with hardest (carrots) and adding remaining vegetables little by little. (Adding the onions with the carrots gives a better flavor.) Then add chicken with pineapple juice.

Cover wok and let vegetables steam. While vegetables are steaming, cook rice in chicken water. After vegetables are cooked enough (do not overcook) stir-fry vegetables (should be semi-crunchy). Add pineapple chunks. Serve over cooked rice.
oh p.s. I added in roma tomatoes as well
It was very yummy!
Valarie

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE ~JUNE 12TH~ AND COME TO MCKINNEY FOR THE HOME AND GARDEN TOUR.  In our club we only have the tours every two years! So you can only imagine how hard we work for this event. It is beautifully done, the homes are magical, and yes the gardens are splendid!  Won't you save the date and come spend the day with me?  I am the publicity girl for the club so if each of you could spread the word on our blogs.. I will hug you and appreciate you very much!!
I knew I could count on you all~
Valarie

I have my LOVE banner!

Thanks Tina for the reminder to hang the LOVE banner!  I am so glad Mika made my LOVE banner!  If you need one or two email mika2682@aol.com.  
XXOOX,
Valarie 

Sharing LOMLs 50th Birthday...

** edited to add, per the email requests**

Pine Mills Catfish, 2205 S Fm 14, Mineola, TX.  Tel: 903-857-2021 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey all.. wanted to share the beautiful scenery while we celebrated in LOMLs 50th! It was a misty, cold, foggy morning. As we went out for a morning drive the countryside was amazing! Deer everywhere, wondering through the neighborhood like tamed animals, aren't they beautiful?  The Lakes.. so calming! We then proceeded to dine here..  THE BEST CATFISH EVER! If anyone of you would like to visit Holly Lake, leave me a comment and you can stay in a cabin -guest of us.. check the map about 1.5 hour Dallas.  LOML had a fabulous 50! Thanks to each of you that left comments!
Hugs to all,
Valarie

Shhhh... It's LOMLs 50th tomorrow!!

Hey gals.. heading out to Holly Lake Ranch for a little celebration with LOML ... It's his big one!! 50th!! If you would please leave him a wish, advice, or anything you like. I will share photos and the wishes upon my return. 
xoxo-
Valarie

Lemon Tassel!

Thank you Cindy, I am enjoying my lemon tassel.
When I have one of those days - I hear the little birdie on my shoulder say "When life gives you lemons made lemonade"... Here at the blue cottage we have plenty of lemonade these days!!
Grins..
Valarie

Frame~Vintage Mirror

The picture frame I found on a curb and painted natural canvas and sanded the edges.. the mirror hanging inside is an old vintage mirror that I found at a local junk store. I love the reflections in the mirror of the collectibles on the shelf with a glimpse of the chandelier hanging.. This is in my Mom's room when she comes to visit.
Giggles..
Valarie

Vintage Frames....

An old vintage frame with the top of a vintage serving dish hanging inside the frame. Hanging proudly in my dining room. You can hang anything in a frame right???? I'll be sharing more frame photos this week!!
Valarie

Check CrAzY!

I adore black & white check!! Have you ever noticed? I have it as a border around the rooster in the kitchen, on my couch, on my dining room chair cushions,  lamp sconces in the bedroom, lamp shade in the living area, painted checks on one of my dining room chairs.. and it goes on and on.... Wonder what it is about check that makes us all say "OH MY GOSH, IT's SO me?"
Smiles..
Valarie

Few Mirrors .. little silver... Glass Apothecary Jars

One of my favorite spots in the master bathroom, layered mirrors, glass apothecary jars filled with things that are a "must have" favorite bath soap, favorite speciality soap, bath fizz balls, q-tips, cotton balls, displayed on a silver tray that I found junkin'! Simple but classic.
What is in your favorite spot?
Happy~
Valarie

Monday....

I woke to this sweet card today from LOML. I think the card says it all. I hope you all have someone in your nest that supports you unconditionally!
Happiness to you!
Valarie

Playing house!

Hung a few of my old favorite creamers and a few vintage syrup pitchers.. thought it would add a splash of whimsy to the window above the sink area.
Hugs..
Valarie

Happy New Year~ 2010 A New Beginning!

LOML (love of my life) and I just arrived from a quick little overnight stay at one of our favorite B & B located in Mineola, Texas.  If you ever have a chance pop in and say hello to Bob & Sherry. They offer the best hospitality, best breakfast ever.  Last night we celebrated the New Year in with 5 other couples staying at the inn with a fabulous dinner at Kitchen's Hardware.. These folks can cook a steak and that is my FAVORITE, LOML had salmon, followed by an amazing cherry jubilee at the B & B followed with great fellowship and the peppermint pig!! We had a blast meeting new friends. I love new friends, old friends and you! I wish each of you happiness, great health, and many dreams to come true in 2010.
Hugs,
Valarie

P.S. Did you set any resolutions for 2010??  I would love to hear them!!!