basketball anyone?

We are just enjoying the beautiful weather and trying to keep up with our little Jack....
Have a great day!!

PS... #398 POST.. Give-a-way drawing held on 400TH POST!! 

Goodwill find....

LOOK WHAT I FOUND AT GOODWILL THIS PAST WEEK-END!!  I gave this red candle holder a spray of my favorite red paint, added some candle holders on the bottom! It was marked $10 bucks at my fav Goodwill ...  I said "WHERE ARE THE BOTTOM CANDLE HOLDERS?" she said "GOOD POINT, how about $5 bucks"? I smiled and said thank you!!  Can't wait till tonight to a little candlelight under the pergola with LOML!

PS... TODAY IS MY #397 POST.... I am having a drawing on the day of the #400th post!! if you want to enter leave a comment! The give-a-way is to one of your favorite shops in Texas -- you all know, love and adore her.....  she has a booth and a store in Canton.... need I say more? $50 bucks all for you... the winner!! ANYONE CAN ENTER AND ANYONE CAN WIN ... Laurie's Anna's Vintage Home can ship...... 

HuGs!
Valarie

2 rusty bucketS & a pink geranium.. my favorite!

Planting buckets & window boxes today...
Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather!!
xxoox!

MaGic CooKiE BARS!!

Thought I would bake something sweet for LOML and I date night! I love these - my mom called them howdy Doody bars... but i think most folks call them magic cookie bars... either way they are to die for!! 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1 cup Nestle chocolate Chunks!! (yummy!)   
• 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
• Instructions
• HEAT oven to 350°F. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.
• COMBINE graham cracker crumbs and butter in small bowl. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chunks, and coconut. 
• BAKE 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Loosen from sides of pan while still warm; cool on wire rack. 

Yummy!! What did you have for dessert tonight? 

Happy Saturday night! 

Valarie 

Sharing...

This morning on my walk around the block, I thought I should share this beauty with you. This house is on the main street when enter into the McKinney Historic District. Home sits on the corner of Waddill and Louisiana.  This home has been under renovations for a while, but they are making progress daily. I adore all the leaded glass the many fireplaces, the wrap around porch...... Don't you love it? 

i am here... i promise....

Hey, all you sweet friends that email me. I am here and life is grand I promise.  I am however struggling on how to turn off the business and turn back on the fun... I am loving the real estate business.. I can market property my way, (no more corporate), I can make a decision without a 30 page power point business plan, I create my own budget, I can pop in and check on all of you through my blog dashboard for a second if I want (could not do that in corporate, firewall blocked) can go to lunch anytime in the day (not an option in corporate world, had too much work to get out!) so you can all imagine I am loving the flexibility of being my own CEO, my own marketing department, etc...  I do miss finding time to go junkin', work on my tablescapes, re-arranging my cottage, Goodwill AND the many friends you all know and adore that have fabulous darling shops that I have not been to since end of last year!!
I completed the Keller Williams 4:4:3 (boot camp) end of Jan - The 4:4:3 is a fast track to success with 4 sales, 4 listings, in 3 months, it is a way to get grounded for a journey of success.  I am 1/2 way there and have another 30 days to achieve... I am hitting the pavement hard... To date, I have sold 2 commercial properties, and have 2 listings... I am thrilled beyond words and jump out of the bed each morning for a new day of hope and promise. I can not thank you all enough for your support!
Now for all of you in Texas in Denton County, I have a new listing in Lewisville... $178, 000 .. Super home, pristine condition, new roof, new radiant barrier in attic... Won't you send me a first time home buyer (tax credits still apply)?   xxoox, Valarie

P.S. Any referral you send me I pay a referral fee!  

Someone you all know and adore......

Is having a birthday on Friday!! I wanted to make sure you all knew so you could hop over and wish Tina.. Cherry Hill Cottage a very happy birthday!!  Tina, I wish you much celebration and sparkle on your special day!
Hugs, 
Valarie

Is this a Dream?

Could we possibly have this much snow on March 21?  Look at all the snow here @1110! Normally in Texas, all our spring gardens and flowers are in the ground and moderate temps of 65-72. This morning it is very cold, the wind is blowing very hard (look at my flags) and the snow is coming down in sheets!!  Only in Texas!!  I love it!!  Y'all come on over!!
Have a blessed day!
Valarie  

Dreaming all day @Laurie Anna's post!

No doubt Laurie Anna has more energy than many of us put together!!  Go to her website and check out more of the fabulous pictures... I am sharing just enough for you to begin to dream....  oh and one more thing... you can shop on line for many of the "fabulousness" finds that are in these pictures.. like the super cool bottle drying rack, or the silverware molds... yep I'll take both of those please...  Have a good afternoon shoppin' and dreamin'..
Hugs..
Valarie

Ever been to the Lewisville Feed Mill?

Today I had to take care of some real estate business in Lewisville and on the way home this old feed mill caught my eye! I stopped to buy a few of my favorite herbs and when I went inside and saw all the history to this place... I asked... "Can I grab my camera?" Nicest folks ever... family owned business for generations. At the feed mill there are old scales hanging, old signs, the coolest cash register ever, loved the old cabinet with all the seeds, but my favorite for today was the most darling baby chicks! Just in time for Easter! if you ever get a chance stop by... you will be glad you did.. Hope you enjoyed the field trip!
Happy week-end!
Valarie

Iris blooming!

I have 3 blooms this morning.... aren't they beautiful? There is a cluster of 5-7 and normally 3 have bloomed every spring since moving here in 2002. I often wonder who planted the bulbs and what year?  I will call them my vintage iris! 
Smiles..
Valarie 

Boston Fern Hung...

When spring is around the corner, the first thing I buy are boston ferns!!  Hung this one on the front porch... many more hung around the cottage! (crossing my fingers no more freezes!)  

Hope your day was magical!! 

Playing in the dirt.....

Planted red geraniums in my fabulous planters I bought from my dear friend Jo....  (click on link to find her!) Guess what?? Jo has lots and lots of goodies right now!! It is a sunny, beautiful day here in North Texas! 
Come on Spring!   
Valarie 

goodwill find....

OMG look what I found at Goodwill today!! $12 bucks for this cute candlelier.  Can't you see this with candles flickering in the summer overlooking a garden party with the outdoor area covered in beautiful hanging baskets, with tons of potted flowers.... LOVE IT red prisms and all!! (Humm.. I believe a garden party is due!!)
Hugs... Smiles... and Happy Junkin!
Valarie

shopping @ BIG LOTS!

Today I found this adorable outdoor mat at Big Lots!  I bought these cute hanging baskets.... they had round & square ones! I had to hang them. A reminder that SPRING is on the way!   Big Lots has plenty for you too!
Happy Thursday!Valarie

Have you printed your blog to book?

J-Mac told me about this cool website where you can turn your blog into a book! Well, I thought I would give it a try for my 08 postings.. Only blogged for a few months in 08, so I gave it a try. My book came today and OMG!! I am nuts over it! Website is blog2print. I am very impressed with the quality of the book, pictures are super clear. A very cool way to reflect and capture your life, family, decor, and fun.  (shown in photo are the front and back of the book!)
Hugs & Happy to ya!
Valarie

Want to move to Plano?

This is my listing in Plano!  On the market for 14 days, listing for $287,000! 
This beautiful custom home has the look of Timeless Elegance, situated on a large corner lot in Parkway Estates. Front entry greets your guests with stunning leaded glass surrounding the entire front door. As you enter into the two-story foyer you will find a Formal Dining Room conveniently located near the kitchen. The oversized Family Room features an impressive massive brick gas starting fireplace and has rich picture frame paneling. The nearby Gameroom is separated by a wall of French doors and offers a vaulted ceiling, two skylites and wood planked walls. There is a Master Suite and a Guest Room on the main level on opposite sides for privacy. The spacious Master Suite features a wall of windows, two walk-in closets, both with built-ins. You will love the updated stainless steel appliances in the island kitchen, which includes a Bertazzoni 5-burner gas stove top for the Chef of the house. Throughout the house you will find extensive wood flooring, crown molding and special ceiling treatments. The backyard has 4 fruit bearing trees and a wonderful covered patio for your summer entertainment!  Know anyone that would love to call this beauty home... visit me here! 
Have a great Monday!  
Valarie 

For all of us that have a bit of Gypsy Heart!

I love this new song by Miranda Lambert!! She graduated high school with my son in 2002 from the city of Lindale, Texas!! I am a bit partial to this little country gal.. Go here to see her new Airstream remodel in the making... 


Here are a few lines from the song.... Enjoy! 
Sometimes I wish I lived in an Airstream
Homemade curtains, lived just like a gypsy
Break a heart, roll out of town
Cause gypsies never get tied down

Sometimes I wish I lived on a mountain
Drank from a stream instead of a fountain
Id stay there, top of the world
But I was born a red dirt girl

Unbridled or tethered and tied
The safety of the fence or the danger of the ride
Ill always be unsatisfied

Sometimes I wish I lived by a pier
In a lighthouse with a chandelier
Id watch everybodys ships come in
And then Id sail away with them

Unanchored in the storm
Or safely on the shore
If this is all I need, why do I want more

Happy Friday!! 

Valarie 

Blogging friends are the best!

Hugs to each of you... I am still here... working, working on my business! Thanks for the emails asking if all is okay in my world.  We are all fine and blessed.
Valarie

Before & After

OKAY ... MORE OF THE BLUE COTTAGE BEFORE & AFTER .. This is the West side of the cottage. Since this home was a duplex .. there was a driveway on this side that went down the side of the house (crazy, since the garage is on the east side of the house!) we torn it out and had tons of concrete hauled off, don't you love the vintage block window (that was the bathroom) I pulled out the vintage block window and added a stained glass window.... tons and tons of landscape and bed prep work... (also notice no HVAC photo in the first photo .. yep that cost us!) Photos are both angles from Tim office and then street view. I was most excited when I added the awnings in '08. Hope you enjoyed the tour.. This spring we are adding another flower bed (3rd photo) to the right of the photo so the beds will mirror each other - think we will add some pebbles for walkway .. grass will not grow here too much shade... xxoox! Valarie