Home Sweet Home!!

Nothing better than home... LOML and I had a great time! Wanted to say Happy Labor Day Week-end to all! Hope you all have the time to spend with loved ones tomorrow!
Be back in the am to post some awesome pictures to share with you...
Valarie

Have you met MY LOML?

My LOML (love of my life) came home from the office last night and said "Pack an overnight bag, we are heading to Gruene for a one night stay and .... to see Charlie Robinson @Gruene Hall!" No way!! Yes, way!! I guess I was surprised but not sure why-- he is always pulling a rabbit out of a hat when it comes to me! If I may, let me share a few tidbits about LOML. Come along - you can call him Tim. He is the most patient, caring, adoring, sensitive, loving, best father, best "PA" in the world, supportive of my fly by the seat of my pants lifestyle at ALL times, humors my decorating style, never a complaint about having to come along for one of my junky find field trips, he hunts down a Sonic anywhere we go so I can have a "Tea with good ice" (all of you Sonic drinkers understand the ice thang!), he drives me to First Monday with the truck and trailer in tow! He is the love of my life, my ROCK and he is all mine! I hope you enjoyed meeting LOML...
Holla at you gal's on Monday!
Hugs!
Valarie

Happy Friday!!

I hope y'all are getting your nests ready for the week-end parties! Enjoy this labor day week-end! This is a sneak peek of my side yard! Enjoy your day!!
Peace & Love-
Valarie

PS ~ Thanks for stopping by today... You all are full of inspirations, you make me smile, give me hope, you mean the world to me!

Welcome to my Hometown!

Let's take a walk around my town... First stop~ The Cake Stand!! The prettiest cakes ever!!
One of my favorite little shops! 120~ Diane is adorable, she has lots of glittery birds, bird nest, glittery words, bird cages, you name it.. you can find it here!
Ambrosia Vintage - OH my gosh! This shop is FAB!
Smitten~ Amazing store, unique finds! You will love Karen..
Spoons- great HUGE cupcakes! They are yummy! This little cafe is decorated stinkin' cute on the inside.. Few of my readers decorated her place.. I'LL keep these gal's ANONYMOUS to protect the innocent!
and our courthouse, recently restored - it is now a Performing Arts Center!
And last but certainly not least - my favorite Italian - Mama Emilias on the square!! White tablecloths, very romantic, a favorite of LOML's! Hope you all enjoyed the walk around my hometown!
Hugs~Grins~ Happiness~
Valarie

She's got LEGS!

I have to do a shout out on my niece!! If any of you see a Cavender's billboard here in the Southwest - those cute little legs in the billboard belong to Ms Haley Jayne, class of 2006, Texas A & M Aggie, loud and proud!! She has gorgeous legs (and I thought Tina Turner had great legs!) Haley, you made it to blog world... enjoy! You are now a celebrity!!
Loves you.....

What do two doves together symbolize???

Saturday afternoon I made a run down to see Jo.. and found this amazing dove statue! The symbol of two dove mean an everlasting love and peace, it only seemed perfect to put these in our master bath! Aren't they pretty?
Have a great Monday!!
Valarie

Mabel has a new home......

Thanks to each of you who entered my drawing! I loved each and every one of your comments! They made me smile! I love this blogging world, so many kind & genuine folks! So here we go ..... the winner of my drawing is .... (drum roll please!!! ) Darlene! Pop on over and say congrats!
Hugs and SmiLEs!!
Valarie

PS.. Mabel - you will be missed!!

Have the time of your Life today!

I am so stinkin' excited over all the comments everyone left! It was so much fun reading all of them.. and you all were so nice to me!! I am going to draw for Mabel tomorrow-- so all the folks reading today can enter my drawing! Do something crazy today!! Hugs to each of you!!
Valarie

Strutin' my Roosters! Come Along!+Win a Rooster!!

Rooster pillow on my sofa~
Little boy holding a Rooster on a sofa table in my living area!~
My Speckled Rooster- one of my favorites-a birthday gift from the kids.
Beautiful roosters above my dining hutch~
A rooster clock~ found at Goodwill!
My rooster lamp!
A Rooster welcome each morning in the dining area!
Texas Gal holding a speckled rooster - painted by Duda Daze! (love ya Diane!) and the rooster's on the shelf!! Found the pair at a garage sale or thrift store.. can't remember. and...... if you leave me a comment I will enter your name to win Mabel! Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment to win Mabel - the Rooster above! hugs to all... Valarie

Historic District....

Welcome to a few of my favorite homes in the historic district. When we walk or ride our bikes in the evening- these are my favorites for today anyway! Our District has many, many amazing homes.




Which house is your favorite?
SMILES..
Valarie

SCHOOL BELL IS RINGING!

I "HAD" to take a day off to take the grandson to his first day of school! It seems like yesterday when we were walking him to his first day of kindergarten!
Going junkin - hitting all my favorite spots -
Chat tomorrow!
Valarie

Progress thus far......

Seriously have you ever tried to create a fun, funky, vintage flair space around a 47 inch man size flat screen TV? Well here is my attempt! I bought this vintage buffet from Jo, sanded and painted black. Yes .. I did paint OAK! Welcome to my work in progress! (click images for larger view) (please note that is baseball on the big screen.. are you surprised?)

NOW.. I NEED YOUR THOUGHTS!! What to put if anything on the left side of the TV? I am thinking of making this whole back wall filled with family pictures, mirrors. What else could I put! I am searching for a warm look like the corner wall?

Looking for all your suggestions and comments... Have a blessed Sunday!

Working on.....

Sneak peek of little project I am working on for the living area. Will finish the project this week- end -- More to come! What big project are you working on this week-end?
Holla back at ya tomorrow!
Valarie

PS.. please ignore the messy shop in the background!

Say a Prayer for Mama~

All of you that follow my blog know that I love my Mama!! She is the most amazing mother, friend, and cheerleader to all of us! She is the glue that binds us all together! She is the mother of 3, grandmother of 5 and the great grandmother of 5!! Lately, she has been under the weather. Appreciate all prayers. Loves you Mama! Feel better soon!

HOME SWEET HOME!

We made it back safely, left the college student all nestled in the cozy dorm!
Missed you all- Happy Monday!
Valarie

ARKANSAS BOUND!!

We are heading out to Fayetteville to take Jonathan to the University of Arkansas!! As I post this blog you all know it is an emotional journey whether you are ready for them to leave the nest or not. It seems like only yesterday that I became his step mom - which was 7 years ago! I do not write this blog to pretend blending families is easy. It is not! However, Jonathan did make my role as step mom easy and I thank you Jonathan for that. We have had many laughs, many tears, many special holidays, amazing soccer games, basketball games, FFA stories, football games, argued over if has to clean his room (which he never did!), and drank plenty of his and my favorite sweet tea! The memories are endless and priceless I must say. All in all it has been a very good ride, I have been blessed to play such a small part in his journey.
ALL PACKED UP!! What will I do with this room now -- The hog will have to stay!!


Jonathan, I love you.. I wish you much success in the school of engineering! Don't forget the two things I tried to instill in you the last 7 years... live with respect and responsibility and you will go far.
BIG hugS!
Woo!Pig!Sooie!
Val

This will make you smile!

Our grandson Jack .. now 9 months old! Time flies by so quickly! Is it just me or does this ring true with you?
Valarie

Do you have a pair of tacos?

Good day to all you- As you all know my grandson recently had the opportunity to attend Pine Cove Christian Camp. He had an amazing experience there! Pine Cove is on a mission to collect Tacos for Ticos. Let me explain~
Pine Cove Tacos for Ticos
Tacos = cleats
Ticos = Costa Ricans
(Spanish slang)
One unique and simple way that Pine Cove blesses Latin American campers is by giving them something they greatly treasure! Pine Cove has had the wonderful opportunity over the past five years to experience ministry in Latin America through Commission Camping. By equipping "Ticos" to play their most cherished sport of soccer with a new pair of "tacos," we can show them God’s love in a very tangible way.
I am collecting any cleat used or new, for a boy or girl, any size, that I can pass along for the mission. Please leave me a comment if you can donate and I will contact you.
Thank you!
Valarie

and the winner is.....

I did not forget I was suppose to have the drawing yesterday, we delivered the grandchild to the final camp of the summer! SKY RANCH. It was a beautiful camp and I can not wait to hear all about it on Saturday.
Of course, we were first in line at the gate!! That is very important to a 9 year old because top bunk is a must! In his entertaining mode!
I thank you all for entering my drawing for pearls just like Julia's! DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!
and the winner is...... Laura @White Spray Paint! Hop over and pay her a visit and congratulate her. You will enjoy her blog!
Congrats Laura!
Hugs to all~~
Valarie

Julie Powell -

Well.. while you all were sleeping last night... I was reading Julie Powell's blog till all hours of the morning! Yes, the real Julie Powell of Julie and Julia!! Click here to read Julie's blog! . I also read the reviews of the books.. and ordered a few!

I had much fun reading her blog! I hope you enjoy!
Bon Appétit!!
Valarie