Holiday Tour of Homes - Mckinney Historic District

Are you coming this Saturday to our Christmas Tour of Homes? Located in the beautiful historic district?  

Beautiful grounds and tons of fretwork inside this beauty  located on Virginia

Located on College St - haven't seen this inside since recently restored - heard it is a beauty!

Located on Waddill Street 

I will be here as a docent on Saturday morning - say hello!! Located on Waddill St -

Located on Corner of Bass and Howell -

Custom built home by British Builder - stunning! I have a lot for sale that belongs to Wayne -if you want to build in the district!

look forward to seeing you this week-end!

To buy tickets go here -

Valarie

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS....

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas!! I will trade in my '63 Silver Streak!!   

Go here to read more  about this fabulous auction on this beauty!! 

Thanksgiving...

I left town on Tuesday heading SE with my brother to prepare for Thanksgiving on the lake and returned late yesterday. No laptop, a cell signal only in certain areas. We stayed at a beautiful condo that my sister had arranged for us. It was a giant slumber party!! This was the first year we celebrated Thanksgiving away from all our homes. It was nice, the beauty and the calmness of the lake is what we all needed.  This year has been rough with my brother in law's cancer and my brother's recent heart scare, my daughter's recent move to East Texas with the grandbabies.  It was an amazing time with food, stories, memories of all the kids, and being surrounded with love. My prayer is that you all enjoyed your day as well... 

I am starting to decorate for Christmas and will share more this week. In the midst of the busy holiday season ahead take the time to love & embrace your family. 

Daughter Ashley, Son Jon Eric 

Son Jonathan, Brother Brian, Son Jon Eric, LOML (love of my life) Tim 

Grandson Wesley, my son Jon Eric 

Grandson Jack 

Hugs.. 

Valarie 

Cottage- Historic Mckinney

Check out the newest listing located in my Historic District!!

Love the cedar shutters, the front porch - welcoming you in!

Mother in-law quarters in the back of property - 2 room, 1 full bath

Modestly priced at 139,500!!  

Want to preview? Call me!  

I would love to show you historic Mckinney!!  

oh my... I'm still here...

What a week!!

new fabulous listing in the historic district (will share soon) and getting ready for a fabulous closing tomorrow!

Plus.... my baby brother had a little scare with the heart so had to run down to Tyler and get Mom and bring her back up to the Dallas area for a few days then return her back to East Texas. Let's just say a lot of windshield time this week! Good news is everything turned out fine.. thanks to the great folks at Baylor Heart & Vascular.

Back to finishing my garland...  (shooting with a old camera so pics aren't the greatest!) Bear with me while my Rebel is being repaired-

Still have to add all the sugar berry springs in the garland.. almost done!  

Have a great week! 

Valarie 

Today....

This is the first year I have started my Christmas decor this early -- with all the festivities and a few trips we have planned I thought I better get a head start. 

I dug out all the Christmas garland today and gave them life with new ribbon.  This year I am using a Santa theme on the front & side entrance.  My GRANDbabies love Santa and so do I!!

This is a sneak peek of the side entrance... 

Hope you had a great day!! 

Valarie 

Remembering...

Expressed  gratitude for all U.S. servicemen and women, past and present.

Tonight....

Cooler temps here in Texas.. we may be able to sit by the fire tonight and talk about our day! 

Come on over! 

Valarie 

Enjoying home....

Have a great day!!
Valarie 

Did you say Apple Pie?

Went to see my dear friend Christine while in East Texas yesterday. Did you all click over to the link and see her knack for photography? You would love her too... We have been through birth of our 4 children, the birth of 4 grandbabies, the passing of my father, the passing of her mother & father, the passing of my sweet grandmother (who she named her daughter after Emily), college graduations, high school graduations, Halloween hayrides when our babies were young, and over many glasses of sweet tea in a mason jar we have healed the world.. we have laughed, cried, and I love her dearly!! 


Her sweet hubby (of 31 years) recently in Pennsylvania on business trip brought back let's just say bushels of all kinds of apples! She gave me several freezer bags full! I could not wait to get home to bake LOML (love of my life) a apple pie!!  Recipe super easy!! Enjoy!! 

8 Granny Smith apples, cored & sliced

1/2 cup butter

3 T flour

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup water

1 box of two refrigerated pie crusts 

cinnamon and nutmeg to taste

Melt butter in sauce pan.  Stir in flour.  Add sugars and water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce temperature and simmer 5 minutes.

Place one pie crust in bottom of glass pie dish.  Fill with sliced apples.  Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on top.  Pour liquid over apples.  Cover apples with remaining pie crust.  Cut slits into crust.  Set pie dish on top of cookie sheet and put in oven.

Bake @ 425 degrees for 15 minutes.  Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 35-45 minutes. 

Thank you Christina!! Love ya dear!! Wish you were here to have the apple pie with me!! 

Spending time...

Going to spend the day with my two adorable GRANDchildren!! 

love those little fat hands! 

Love his piercing blue eyes!!

Have a great day!! 

dinner is served...

TWO INGREDIENTS 

3 steps.. 1)spray pan with Pam, 2) cover bottom of baking dish with chili, 3) mix cornbread according to recipe on package & pour cornbread mix on top!

Bake at 400 for 15 minutes -

Serve with tossed salad!

Cooking made simple....

Valarie 

Birthday Love!!

My son turned 28 yesterday, my daughter turns 30 tomorrow!  

Happy Birthday my dear children!!

You make this Mama very proud!!

Love you both very very much!! 

Nassau

The grounds around The Hilton property 

Back of The Hilton 

Festival Place.. all the cruise boats dock here... 

Beautiful blue ocean.. 

The most beautiful water - crystal clear 

I loved this blue fish -

Back home on Texas soil, trying to get caught up at work from being gone 4 days.. it was awesome... More tomorrow.. Hope you enjoyed the tour -
Valarie