RE-DO

Several months ago I gave my niece my entertainment center and donated my TV center to charity. It was time for a change. I looked, thought I would buy a "vintage" piece and restore it (I mean, what some people consider "vintage" - is just plain OLD....and they want an arm and leg for it.)
So I opted to look elsewhere - and found something at WALLY WORLD - online - go figure. The piece was not exactly what I was looking for - but close and I will make it work.

Wheatie mounted the TV on the wall and hid all the cords in the wall. LOVE THIS...but for the last several weeks this is what it has looked like.

I ordered a credenza - and when it arrived (in a flat, heavy box)

and Wheatie started to put it together - this is what it looked like.

(needless to say - he was not a happy camper)


And so it began:

Bought some new nick-nacks, pictures, took down some things, re-purposed a few

 and waaa-laa -

Finished wall...very pleased

and Wheatie - as always - did an outstanding job - thanks honey !!

10 Random Facts About Me

{reminder: the theme isn't a MUST, just a prompt!}  

Linking up today - I am a newbie - with LenaB check out her blog - you will love her !!

I love purple, not that that is random, because if you know me - even a little bit - you know this fact already.

I use to decorate cakes, when my boys were younger - I did all their birthday cakes, I did wedding cakes, shower cakes, retirement cakes, cakes for other kids birthdays, cakes for cakes, cookie cakes,  - and got so sick of them - I don't like cake at all,  anymore. Don't like to decorate cakes, don't like anything about them.

I hate it when people say, "Remember??" - no I don't. I have an awful memory. Maybe I should eat more Omega 3 fatty stuff.

I love animals. I have 3 dogs, 1 cat and a horse at present. If I could - I would have a rescue home - take them all in and love and care for them. Any size, shape or form.

When I retire - which I hope is within the next 2 years - I want to live down on the coast.

I am not much of a reader of books. It has to grab hold of me instantly - or I won't stick with it.

I really dislike people who aren't true to their word. If you say you will, then do it. If you don't have any intention of following thru  on your word, your commitment...then don't even say anything.

I really, like really HATE - hypocrites. Especially those people who say they are "christian" - but don't truly live their life as a christian..

I don't like fruit, well most fruit. Watermelon is good in the summer, grapes are ok - and if I am really hungry - I will eat a banana...but past that - nope

I love my family.

 

This weekend - I worked my A$$ off.....Geeezzz louise.....

first I thought this working in the yard thing was over - should have been in August. We have been blessed with much needed rain the past several weeks, which means my yard still needs mowing and weed-eating. Wheatie had to work all weekend, so I took on the duty of yard work......then I cleaned out the camper - and it is show room ready clean !!

This weekend I bought another Vera Bradley item....I don't know what has gotten into me...but I suddenly am in love with everything and anything Vera Bradley. We were in Maryland last week and I was forced to shop at the Vera Bradley Outlet store.....and found a small duffell bag, perfect for travel in the Plum Petal Design. Apparently this is last years color - but I love it!  It is my birthday month - so in addition to the already discount outlet price - I got an extra $ 20.....WOOHOO..... then this past weekend I went shopping at Stein Mart and found this purse in the same design. I absoutely love the purse....it has everything this girl could want!! They were so kind to send me a discount for being a new customer...so I must go shopping !

This weekend, I watched my LONGHORNS go down hard.....sorry guys - but you sucked  BIG TIME......maybe, just maybe - it is time for a new coach....Also, the Dallas Cowboys came up a little short...tough sports weekend in Texas.

This weekend, I made turkey meatloaf muffins. I am attempting to eat healthier and better and by putting the meat mixture and cooking in a muffin tin - I can control the portion size and they are super dooper easy to freeze.

 3 lbs. ground turkey, 2 envelopes onion soup mix, a large can of mixed vegetables, salt/pepper. Mix really good, and fill tins up to top. Made a hole in the center of each muffin and filled with ketchup! So simply, so good for you !! (this is not a pic of my loafs, I forgot to take pics)


 

This weekend, I got to watch (not recorded) REVENGE....I love that show...and am so glad it is back.

Here is hoping your weekend was filled with family, friends and love !!

Maryland...


Earlier this week and for 5 wonderful days, we spent time in Maryland with Corey, Robyn, Jaxson and Annabelle. Chad (Mr. Chod to some) came along to make it one of our best trips ever.


SATURDAY:
We started off  after pick-ups and meetings at the airport to the Fell's Point Festival in Baltimore. There is a saying in Austin, Texas - KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD - but I gotta tell you, the sights we saw at this festival would put Austin Weird to shame.

(These were the normal people)

Beautiful water view

As you probably know, we like Texas Longhorn Football...duh - I know. So our day would not have been complete without a football watching party. We stopped in at Hollow Creek Golf Club for some grub and football. Although the outcome was not to our liking, it was good food, good conversation and most important - family.

 

Back at the Wheats Casa

It's been said that you can take the girl out of  Texas,

but you can't take the Texas out of the girl....

Miss Annabelle proves the point !

SUNDAY:
We got to visit at Corey and Robyn's church.

Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch at

Barley and Hops Grill and Microbrewery

yummy...Maryland Crab Cake sandwich

Brunswick is just a hop, skip and a jump.

There was a local fair going on so we stopped in to take a look

 

It's never to cold or raining or wet or cloudy or apparently anything not to enjoy a snow cone!!

Headed then to Harper's Ferry. What a cool town on the banks of the Potomac and Shendandoah Rivers. We didn't get to spend near enough time there...can't wait to go back. Beeee u ti ful !

MONDAY:
was a lazy day around the house, enjoying the family. We did manage to stroll into downtown Fredrick for some sight seeing and back to Corey and Robyns for some steak and chicken wings
courtesy of Mr. Chod (Chad - sorry - I forgot to get pictures.....my mouth was too busy watering)

 TUESDAY:

Before taking Chad to the aiport - we stopped in at the Music Cafe to enjoy some good 'samwiches' - and MUSIC.....

AB just had to give it up on the way home !

WEDNESDAY  was here before we knew it and Boo and Pops had to head back to the real world !

We already have our next trip scheduled - but this time it will be even better - I will have all my family,

especially my 4 GRAND ANGELS with me.

What a way to start the new year.....

Thanks to Corey, Robyn, Jaxson and Miss AB

....you guys know how to show folks a good time !

Love to all....see you real soon !!

Wine, wine and more wine....

This past weekend, Wheatie and I made our way over to the Lightcatcher Winery and Bistro. TOO MUCH FUN. The winery is nestled on 4 acres, surrounded by trees and less than 10 miles from our house (this could prove to be dangerous)


It is an actual winery and altho all the wines they serve are not distilled there...a great many of them are.

    We started with a wine tasting before dinner. Very good - Wheatie had 3 reds and I had whites/blushes. They were YUMMY!

The shoes are wine bottle holders - I had to have one - you will see which one later in this blog!

We chose to sit outside on the patio area. It was raining, but the patio was covered, there was a cool breeze and soft "winery" type music playing. Candles, tablecloths, mood lighting and an amazing waitress - Valerie.

Our before dinner drinks were to die for. Our dinner was the hand cut beef tenderloin in a merlot sauce. Cooked to perfection. And for dessert, the Fresh Merlot Creme' brulee with fresh raspberry and strawberries. (sorry I was so amazed at the food (and hungry) I forgot to take pics)

We were very impressed with the staff, the facility, the food, the wine and the overall experience that we joined their wine club. Now how fun is that going to be. We get two bottles of wine a month, they have Jazz Sundays and wine tastings. I can't wait.....

After dinner, we headed back to house to watch the Texas Rangers. Sat out on our patio and enjoy the game and a little after dinner drink and fine cigar.

This was the winner......tooooooooooooo cute! Love it!!

I have collected several wine glasses over the years and this past weekend following our amazing night at Lightcatcher, I took all my "wine" stuff and put it in a curio cabinet, in one of my dining area, my glasses are right at my finger tips, along with my wines and .......the wine holder!

Wordless Wednesday

A HAPPY LIST

I have seen this on several blogs these past couple of weeks. This week has proved to be a little trying so I decided to look for the good in my life. I know there is way more good than bad, but why does it always seem like bad comes out on the top of the thinking lobe.

Here is my HAPPY LIST:

Spending time with my family

When I hear ‘I love you’

Knowing my kids/grand angels/hubby are happy and healthy

A phone call from the grand angels

Surprises in the mail

A babies laughter

My friends

My dogs

Bringing a smile to someone else

Texas Longhorns, Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys

A great bottle of wine, on a patio late in the evening

A good cigar

A spring storm

Warm sunshine

Texas sunsets/sunrises

Cupcakes

Getting into that pair of jeans from long ago

Shopping

New jewelry, new outfit, new shoes, new purse

Finding those Christmas presents that I hid so well

When someone gives me a compliment

A good movie that leaves me with the “WOW” factor

Music to sing along to

Completing a craft project

What’s on your happy list?

I have always believed and been taught that God directs our lives. If you have faith and believe, his hand will lead you. I know from personal experience that I have questioned some of the "doors" that were opened and shut in my life. I haven't always been happy or pleased.  The good, the bad and the ugly.

Today a dear sweet friend of mine sent me this pic.

I love the idea of the key with the words on it. I have read, seen, repeated it often, and I believe it to be true. You may think that you know which doors should and should not be opened and closed for you. Have faith, God will open and shut the right doors for you ......he gets to pick. 

 Matthew 7:7

"Ask and it will be given to you,

seek and you will find,

knock and the door will be opened unto you." 

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you,

 is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone,

even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE

thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever,

something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you

take another look.

Thanks to Pam at It's me Again...Pamela for the nomination.

Rules to follow:

* Include the blog award in your post.

* Thank the person who nominated you.

* Nominate 5 people and let them know you have done so.

* Tell 7 random things about yourself.

My nominees for the One Lovely Blog Award:

TheJavaMama

HappyLittleFeet

TheRoyalDaughterDesigns

AllTheSmallStuff

EatWineandBeMerry

7 random things about me:

1. I want to go camping more often.

2. I dislike fashion blogs that show an outfit, and the clothing is not available (something from their "closet")

3. I watch Pretty Little Liars, Drop Dead Diva and Mad Men....if not, I dvr them

4. I would like to have more of "an eye" for crafting and scrapbooking

5. I am a morning person

6. I like Katy Perry and her songs

7. I am ready to retire

Desire to Inspire

This is my first link up with Royal Daughters Designs, so Amanda if it is not quiet right…..let me know.

I was looking on Pinterest – wow – shocker I know, and I came across  this.

It is actually from an Etsy shop Walkingthefaith777.

This just screamed at me and I got to thinking, things, who, what? What did I thank God for yesterday? It brought tears to my eyes, I stopped right then and thanked God for many things, but these were the first 10. Now I find myself doing often.

1.       My Lord and Savior, if it weren’t for him….any and everything else would be pointless.

2.       My boys, daughter-in-laws and my grand angels.  Strange that I put them before my husband, but if you are a parent, you know – once you have kids, they trump your spouse…at least for me.

3.       Hubby – he is my BFF, he works hard, is an A+ hubby, dad, and Pops. He is and has always been a provider of love and happiness. He is healthy and I am blessed beyond words to have him.

4.       The rest of my family, immediate and extended. They are always there for me – in good and in bad.

5.       My health. For my age – I am reasonably health. I don’t take any meds for blood pressure or cholesterol – I am a little overweight – but working on that.

6.       My friends. Can’t ever have too many of those. They come and go – they change, but you always need them.

7.       My job. For obvious reasons. Unfortunately we have to have money to survive. I am blessed to have a job – that for the most – I love. I have been doing it for 24+ years.

8.       The roof over my head. We have what I feel is a very comfortable home. When my friends and family come over, I want them to feel they can put their feet on the couch, help themselves to the fridge, kick back, take control of the remote – whoops – maybe not that. I want and feel I have a warm and welcoming home.

9.    My furbabies. I love animals and especially love my dogs. They love you unconditionally. All you have to do is speak their name and they start wagging those tails. I think they bring joy and happiness. Studies have been done that show kids that have animals, dogs especially, do better in school and social skills. For the elder, they can prolong their life.

10.   And last, but surely, surely not least, if you are reading my blog, know that I am thankful for you.

What have you thanked God for today??

Being TEXAN

To me being a Texan means talking with a southern twang.

It means Sunday morning spent in a church pew, then Sunday afternoons spent having lunch with family.

It’s bird huntin first weekend in September.

It's bow hunting in October,

and rifle hunting in November and December.

It's days spent at the county fairs in the fall.

It's Friday Night Lights.

It's tailgatin Saturdays.

It's cattle, horses and cowdogs.

It's the State Fair in October, and the Houston Livestock Show in March.

It's Warrenton twice a year, and Canton every first Monday.

It’s playin sports (football) as soon as your old enough to walk

It's FFA all through high school, and 4H as soon as you're old enough to show.

It's Blue Bell ice cream and Dr. Pepper.

It’s grandmas peach cobbler

It’s boots, all year long

It's rattlesnakes and armadillos.

It's George Strait, Miranda Lambert, and Willie Nelson.

It's small towns where everyone knows everyone else.

It's honkytonks and dancehalls.

It's Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes.

It's rodeos and barbecue.

It's families and friends.

Being a Texan means everything to me. And sure, maybe not everyone one sees it this way, but I do. This is my Texas. And I have to say, my Texas is pretty great.

Linking up today...and it is hard to believe it is MONDAY already! Geezz...I say let's have a 2 day work week and a 5 day weekend...but, still make the same $$

My weekend was not too exciting. Hubby worked and so I pretty much just hung out at the house with my "girls"

There are 3 of them....Sam (Samantha) on the left - she is the same color as the couch. Cappy, my "little" girl and Solo....she is a brown. This is pretty much what they do in the house. It's a tough life, but somebody has to sleep...

Friday night, hubby was off so we went out to dinner. We decided to try a new place in the town of Weatherford. I won't mention any names, because we left before we were seated. We both felt a weird vibe the minute we walked in. We were asked to wait at the bar - while she seated her 7pm reservations. (there was not one person "waiting".) OK...so we sat down at the bar. Very uncomfortable, very ...I can't describe it. So we decided to look at the menu...OMG.....are you getting me? I thought I would die....the dinner prices were something you would expect to pay at a VERY HIGH DOLLAR restaurant...not this place... WE LEFT. Then we looked across the square and noticed that the WEATHERFORD DOWNTOWN CAFE was open.

Been here for years, and under new ownership in the last year. So we headed over there.....all I can say is YUMMY. Even tho they were busy (I am sure the other folks started out at the other place too) We were seated right away. The food was AWESOME, the staff fantastic, and the prices were incredible. We will be returning - FUR SURE!!

Saturday, was the usual. Laundry, house cleaning, watching TV( the idiot box as my daughter in law refers to it), playing Word With Friends, Pinterest and Etsy on the "puter"........

Saturday night we met up with the local chapter of the TEXAS EXES at a watching party for our Longhorns as they whooped up on OLE MISS 66-31.

Sunday was a lazy day for sure. The weather was cloudy - reasonably cool - for Texas. And then POW - it's MONDAY all over again

How was your weekend?