Mckinney Happenings!!

Downtown Mckinney will be happening this weekend with all the planned festivities for Oktoberfest.


Also, when downtown be sure to wonder about 2 blocks north of the square to Diggin It!  I introduced you to Tracey.... here and here.... Well her shop is in full bloom now.. lots of gypsy goods, beautiful florals, peace signs galore!! and oh so much more... let's take a peek together... shhh!! it's early and she is not open yet....

Come see us this weekend .. and if you want more info hop over and see my friend Beth - she has all the scoop on our downtown area!!

Hugs,
Valarie

P.S. If you want to look at some fabulous homes this weekend and be my neighbor .. I have the perfect cottage for you in the district!!

she's HomE!!

This past week-end LOML and I went to the RV show. LOML liked the  RPOD because of practicality, easy towing, brand new etc... no, not me!

Then we looked at this one - Called an A-liner.... no, not me either!!




I was still in love with this.... she needed some work.. but oh the potential she has!

After much conversation and compromise  LOML said "get the dang trailer if you want it!!" 

HERE SHE IS now .. Home here in North Texas! She is so shiny - I love her front awning.. this is where the dining area is. She is 17 ft long..    

First thing I did was take down the very dark brown curtains. Tomorrow I will start the cleaning   scrubbing the inside walls, interior cabinets, line the cabinets with shelf paper. My goal is to paint the cabinets an off white, the interior walls are aluminium - not sure why they were painted white. I found a guy in town who will strip off paint and bring back aluminium and shine. Probably will not start this project until mid November when it is really cool outside and we have TImE on our hands! For now I am having the cushions redone... selected 4 fabrics of black & white.. and have curtains made out of burlap.  I will pull in some of my black & white junk from the blue cottage and we will be all set to go.  Sisters on the Fly trip Oct 7th and parent weekend at University of Arkansas week after.. so we are just cleaning her up and making a few changes before we take her out! 

 

Love the light covers ... so retro 63! 

and this... 

Please help me welcome her Home.. 

Hugs.. 

Valarie 

won't you join me?

Breakfast for two! Banana nut muffins and orange juice... see you at 7:30! And if you can't make it, I'll be back tomorrow to catch up with you! 

Enjoy the recipe!   

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup mashed bananas
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites slightly. Stir in bananas, sugar, oil, and lemon peel. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Stir in walnuts. Fill muffin pan cups 2/3 full.
4. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until tops are lightly browned. Remove muffins from pan.

Hugs,
Valarie

Celebrating in Aggieland!

This past weekend daughter, Karly received her AGGIE ring... RING DAY IS AMAZING!

Karly is an education major, will graduate in May 2011!! Yeah.. we love you Karly and are very very PROUD!!  wHooP!

i'll be at HOME!

  

I have so enjoyed my window boxes this summer.. Creeping jenny, Geraniums, and Moss Roses...
Lots of water & love have kept them alive durning this Texas heat.. 

I am enjoying home today...  LOML and Jonathan left early this am headed down to AggieLand for the game and to see daughter, Karly...  I have the house to myself ... ALL to myself....  Nice and quiet after a full week of excitement....
Want to see a beauty I sold this week?? Located in Frisco Texas,  4674 sq feet of elegance!

Isn't she a beauty? The cool thing about being a realtor is I get to dream alot, see beautiful things every day and then come home to my small and peaceful blue cottage!!  Smiles! Valarie

reflecting...

Sharing one of my favorite mirrors with you! She has years of love, wear & tear!  When I bought it - the lady said "IT'S OLD, YOU WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT RESILVERED" ... "sure, no problem" I said. I seriously could not get this beauty in the car quick enough! Hangs in my family living area!  xxoox! Valarie

I smiled.... and then said "THANK YOU"

Isn't it really the simple things that make us smile?

An unexpected sticky note from a loved one.. first thing in the am ...

New blooms on my rose bushes, a sign of cooler weather ?  A sign of more beautiful life!

A fork chandelier glistening in the morning sunshine... Bought years back from Linda .. still love it.... Drop over and see LINDA & "Whimsy in the Garden" perfect for fall!!

I hope you smiled on our walk around the blue cottage!!
Valarie

YESTERDAY.... today...

A day at the soccer field ... a day of watching, cheering and enjoying the 95 degree day!  Today recovering from sunburn and working on a residential contract that came in last night! Hugs! HAPPY Monday!   ((oh, and still contemplating the vintage 1963 silver streak!!)

Trailer shopping today...

Found this Silver Streak on the internet so we saddled up early this am and set out to shop for a new vintage trailer! I thought this could be the new one to replace the gypsy! 1963 Silver Streak.  Loved her! I was in awe... LOML ... NOT SO MUCH!

She will have to have an awning with double fringe!! 

Love the windows on the side

Not crazy about the kitchen needs face lift 

Loved the front of her and the front awning!  (Dent on the front right) I still loved her! 

Sleek back of the trailer ADORABLE WINDOWS 

Cabinets were stained ebony - not crazy about that.... (THOUGHT i COULD BEADBOARD THEM?)Cushions were not my style need redone...(THINKING COLOR - BOLD COLOR) 

Flooring looks white, it is really a commercial grade tile... No.. needs faux hardwood or black/white check

We are going to sleep on it! I want vintage shiny airstream, a silver streak... LOML wants a new trailer like a RPOD with all the bells and whistles with TV, cable pre-wired etc, storage etc... What's a girl to do???

See you all tomorrow!  

Valarie

peace, Love and Happy Grandparents Day!

Actually Grandparents Day is Sunday, however, the McKinney ISD is celebrating today with a luncheon with your grandchild. So you know where I will be at 1pm! As you all know my Thursday evenings are totally dedicated to these guys. Last night some of the questions surrounding our conversation in reference to grandparents day.. He asked "Do you think we will always have Mimi night?" He said, "When I go to college can I come home every week for Mimi night?" (for sure will remember this for his teen years!) He asked,  "Do you think we will always hold hands when we are driving in the car?"  "Will you always follow me in your car when I walk or ride my bike to school?" Here are a few snapshots from last night ...

Brothers.. having fun! Eating cookies! 

We took big brother to Soccer Practice! 

Played football and had Jack's favorite Strawberry Fruit Bar! 

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope your Friday is filled with peace & LovE! Valarie

the gypsy has a new home!!

Sold Serendipity Gypsy in less than a week after we put on her the market!  She went to a fine home.. new owner loves all funky junk and is a avid Roundtop Junkie!! If you see my 1962 Shasta Compact  Pam and Serendipity in Roundtop give em a hug! Not to worry.... An airstream is in my future and I do mean real soon!! Much smiles! Valarie

Save the Date!!

Won't you be my guest for this great event?  You will need to register asap.. 
Please note when registering you are a guest of mine, so we can all sit at the same table! If you follow my blog you know our guy goes to SKY RANCH and he LOVES it.. This event is for the Mom, Grandma, Aunt, Nanny, anyone who impacts our children daily.  I have more good things to share with you about SKY RANCH - and a big secret of something coming up very soon!! Hugs, Valarie

sunshine!

Wishing you a day of sunshine & peace! 
Happy Day!  
Valarie 

TEXAS A & M vs SFA GAME TODAY!!

Football season is here and trust me ... please know LOML is beside himself.. I on the other hand am not a football fan at all, so I am looking forward to many good junkin trips over the next few months!! The blue cottage is divided today! Son, Jon Eric is a 2006 grad of SFA and daughter, Karly is a Senior at A & M this year, my niece Haley Jayne also a 2006 grad of Texas A & M! So we are proudly supporting the alma mater today!

SMILES.. Valarie 

Peace, Love and Happy Friday!

Are you thrilled today is FRIDAY?? I wish you  all a safe and happy long week-end! We will be staying here at the Blue Cottage for the week-end... LOML watching ball games while I sneak off to Canton tomorrow! 

Cleaned my cottage this am and did this little arrangement on my table - simple -thought I would share with you. One of my favorite old pots that has a major crack in it is still my favorite - I move it around the house all the time.... then a few of my  favorite decanters that I collect from garage sales, goodwill, and anywhere else I may stumble across them!

You know we all change our tablescapes every other day so this is mine for today.. I thank you for stopping by the blue cottage to see me! life is grand here and I am truly blessed beyond measure...  wishing you peace within, and much love in your heart for your life & family, celebrate big .. it's FRIDAY! 

SmiLeS! 

Valarie 

Wordless Wednesday!

 Today I am linking up with all my friends for Wordless Wednesday! You can join the party with us too.... Linked here... 

Happy Wednesday!
VALARIE