COTTAGE FARM VILLA

The most beautiful wedding …… part 1

2011-11-26T19:30:00.001-06:00

It’s been almost 2 months since my son’s wedding…. so it is about time for me to start sharing some photos with you!! After the 15 month engagement and wedding planning, I have to tell you that everything exceeded our expectations !! Enjoy these beautiful photos. If you have any questions for me, please feel free to send me an email or post your questions in the comment section.

The photographer that my son hired took over 700 photos – ALL beautiful, so it will be hard for me to pick and choose…….. but here goes part 1.

The much loved couple ~ Brandon & Megan October 8th, 2011

Love is a beautiful thing !

The Girls !

Megan awaiting her entrance down the long staircase…….

Too sweet…….

Look at that face !!!!!!!!

The Boys !

Me & my boy !!

The gang!!

Bride’s Rhinestone Cake !

Groom’s Donut Cake ! To match his car….of course !

The purple and green theme came to life just beautifully!!!

Happily Ever After……..

ox ~Cheryl

Drew Ryniewicz – Final 9 on XFactor

2011-11-19T18:33:00.002-06:00

Please scroll down to my playlist and put on pause while you listen to Drew's performances!!!

Drew in France at Simon Cowell’s home ….. “It must have been love”
Now known only as “Drew” !!! My niece is in the final 9!!! I’m sure you can imagine how proud we are!!
X-Factor will be on Tuesday and Wednesday this coming week due to the Thanksgiving holiday!!! Please watch Drew perform on Tuesday and we need your votes more than ever this week and the weeks coming. There will be two contestants voted off on Wednesday, November 23rd :(
If you have been following Drew and have been voting, our family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for your support. If you have not yet tuned in to X-Factor, please do…….you will fall in love with our “Drew” and her voice. Her true gift.
Not only does the winner of X-Factor win a $5 million dollar record contract, but the winner will sing at Super Bowl and will get to do a Pepsi commercial. Both, a huge honor in the industry!

Drew singing “What a Feeling” from Flashdance.
Here are some pictures of Drew during her performances!

Drew singing “Just a Dream” by Nelly

Drew singing Coldplay’s “Fix You” ~ I was lucky enough to be at this live show in Los Angeles!!!

Drew singing U2’s “With or Without You”
Voting is so easy! Do it by phone…..you can vote around 50 times in about 10 minutes! Our feedback from supporters is that they are voting between 100-300 votes per night (it does not use up minutes because most of your plans have evenings as free minutes) !!! Thank you sooooooo very much! Every vote helps and certainly so when you vote by the hundreds. oxoxoxo

Google Drew Ryniewicz for news stories!

Drew on the Red Carpet of the Jack and Jill Premiere with Adam Sandler!

Drew at Pepsi Party thrown for X-Factor Contestants!

Our girl is on her way!!!!!!!!! She praises God every day.

~ox Cheryl

My Niece – Drew Ryniewicz !!! X-Factor Finalist

2011-10-23T09:51:00.004-05:00

Hi everyone….. it’s been a very long time since I have blogged, I know. It has been a busy summer and fall for my family. After a 15 month engagement and preparation for the wedding, my son married the love of his life on October 8th and just returned with his bride from their honeymoon! and ……..

My niece Drew is a finalist on Simon Cowell’s X-Factor!

You may remember that I used to have Drew posted on my blog, but had to remove her during the process of auditioning. I now can share with all my follower’s that she has indeed made it to the final 17!! We are so very proud of her! If you are already watching X-FACTOR then you are well aware of the sweet girl with the soulful voice! If you have not yet seen the show, please tune in on Tuesday, October 25th on FOX network and follow her journey!

Live voting by America will begin on Wednesday, November 2nd. I thank you in advance for your support!

I’ve missed the blogging world and hope that during the colder months, I will have time to return and visit you all ~ ox cheryl

repurpose

2011-07-23T13:05:00.004-05:00

Dining Hutch 2003

Forward to 2007…
and today… 2011

My inspiration for the black hutch is in this kitchen below. My actual kitchen inspiration was from another kitchen I shared with you in this post (visit here).

These knobs have been sitting on my counter for about 2 years, waiting for the right project (visit old post here). I purchased them at Anthropologie on a whim. I think everything a girl purchases at Anthropologie is on a whim!

My hutch accents…. LaurieAnna’s in Canton. Oooh laaa laaa !!!! Please Visit here.

Stay tuned for more projects ! ox ~Cheryl

Arizona blue sky ~

2011-05-21T07:59:00.001-05:00

Happy Day ~ xo Cheryl

texas spring

2011-04-17T21:07:00.002-05:00

~Cheryl ~

it’s here !!!

2011-03-19T11:02:00.002-05:00

Hello friends and readers …..

It has been a while since I last posted but, as I mentioned, I have been waiting for Spring. Well, it has arrived !!! We can always count on the grass to start turning green and the redbud and pear trees to bloom like clockwork here in Texas!! It is such a comfort in KNOWING what you can expect ~

especially when you are freezing your tootsies in February.

The baby animals are being born right and left and the adult cows and horses are in the fields eating as much of the fresh grasses as they can.

It is sweet to see them loving on each other with sweet kisses and playful times ~ it always warms my heart at the end of a busy day ~ Perspective.

xo ~Cheryl

waiting……..

2011-02-03T20:13:00.001-06:00

For the warm weather, sunshine, buds blossoming, flowers blooming, green grass that needs mowing ….. patiently waiting :)

share the message

2011-01-30T21:28:00.001-06:00

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION - "Brown Family" - The Brown family from Wellman, Texas is still recovering from the loss of their talented teen-aged daughter, Alex, to a texting-while-driving accident. Parents Jeanne and Johnny Mac, along with their 12-year-old daughter, Katrina, have made it their life mission to prevent others from having the same fate. To help spread their life-saving message across the country, celebrity volunteers, including pop singing sensation Justin Bieber, actress Emma Roberts and NASCAR superstars Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle, all signed a pledge promising that they will not text while driving. This two-hour episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" airs SUNDAY, JANUARY 30 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The Story: Jeanne Brown tried calling her 17 year old daughter, Alex, after she left for school one day and couldn’t contact her. She didn’t have a good feeling and so Jeanne decided to leave work to go look for her. She came upon Alex’s truck. It had rolled several times and landed off the country road. When Jeanne went up to the truck her daughter was not in there. She called for Alex and found her laying in the field several feet away. She had been ejected and was unconscious. Something no mother should have to go through.

The end result: Her beautiful daughter died.

At the time of the taping, Extreme Makeover Home Edition got 50 high schools, in 50 states to sign the pledge to “Not Text While Driving” and all the students wore the “RAB Thumb Bands” (Remember Alex Brown). They are orange bands like the colored wrist bands that we wear in support of a cause close to our hearts (Our Troops, Breast Cancer, Aids etc). Having them worn on the thumb is an easy reminder not to text while driving.

I know my last post was about texting and driving. You can see that I am passionate about spreading the word. Lives are being lost senselessly. Families changed FOREVER. Please help to get this message out. This is an epidemic that we can turn around by simply asking those we know and love - “please don’t text while driving”. I ask again,

PLEASE DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE ~ XO CHERYL

Texting

2011-01-09T11:34:00.002-06:00

…….. and driving
After viewing this video and passing it along to my friends and family ~ I knew I could reach so many more people through my blog with thousands of “hits” per month. I encourage each of you that stop by, please, watch this video. We must get educated and educate on this horrific danger that has become a way of life for so many of us.

I understand that many of the bloggers in the blogging world have their comments going to their Blackberry Phones ~ and I pray that you do not read your emails or respond while driving. None of this is worth losing a life or worse taking a life. ox Cheryl

http://www.tvkim.com/watch/669/kims-picks-dont-text-while-driving?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=csotd&utm_content=2011-01-05-fifl&utm_campaign=s

is this you?

i know it has been me.

My word for 2011

2011-01-02T14:29:00.002-06:00

This was the last sunset of 2010 as I was driving home from work. When I see these sunsets, it reminds me of why I love living in a lakeside community near a beautiful Metropolitan City - Dallas. I want to wish a Happy New Year to All who take time out of your busy schedules to stop by and visit my blog! Beautiful Dallas Skyline

My word for 2011 – Energy: person's spirit and vigor; available power
Synonyms:
activity, animation, application, ardor, birr, dash, drive, effectiveness, efficiency, endurance, enterprise, exertion, fire, force, forcefulness, fortitude, get-up-and-go, go, hardihood, initiative, intensity, juice, life, liveliness, might, moxie*, muscle, pep, pizzazz, potency, power, punch, spirit, spontaneity, stamina, steam, strength, toughness, vehemence, verve, virility, vitality, vivacity, zeal, zest, zing, zip,
My goal of obtaining this energy is going to be through proper nutrition, weight loss and balance of work and home.

I bought this cute little lunch bag. It is made by KOKO!

It is very well made, insulated and comes with it’s own fork and spoon.

It will fit a lean cuisine and a morning and afternoon snack container.

Here is a recipe for a fat-flushing/metabolism boosting drink that I saw on the morning show New Years Day.

2 quarts of green tea (iced or hot)
juice of 1 orange
juice of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lime
Can store up to 3 days. Drink 8 oz before breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Here’s to healthy food choices in 2011 !

Happy New Year ! ~Cheryl

Anti-aging food #3

2010-12-27T22:26:00.001-06:00

Anti-aging food #3 - Blueberries

The most healthful way to eat blueberries is raw. Off the bush or out of the basket!!

You can also add blueberries to your morning oatmeal

or your afternoon yogurt

1. The highest antioxidant capacity of all fresh fruit: Blue Berries, being very rich in anti oxidants like Anthocyanin, vitamin C, B complex, vitamin E, vitamin A, copper (a very effective immune builder and anti-bacterial), selenium, zinc, iron (promotes immunity by raising haemoglobin and oxygen concentration in blood) etc. boost up your immune system and prevent infections. Once your immunity is strong, you won’t catch colds, fever, pox and all such nasty viral and bacterial communicable diseases.

2. Neutralizes free radicals which can affect disease and aging in the body: Blue Berries bring you the brightest ray of hope, for they are laden with anti oxidants and rank number 1 in the world of anti oxidants. This is mainly due to presence of Anthocyanin, a pigment responsible for the blue color of the blue berries. The abundance of vitamin-C is also a big factor for this as well.

3. Aid in reducing Belly Fat: A new University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center study suggests that blueberries may help reduce belly fat and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. So far, we know that the fruit works on rats, which were the test subjects. A blueberry-enriched powder was mixed into the rats' diet, which was either low-fat or high-fat rat chow. After 90 days, the rats with the blueberry-enriched diet had less abdominal fat, lower triglycerides, lower cholesterol and improved fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity. And their health was even better when combined with the low-fat diet. That group had lower body weight, lower total fat mass and reduced liver mass than the rats on the high-fat diet. An enlarged liver is linked to obesity and insulin resistance, a hallmark of diabetes. Although more research is needed to confirm these results in humans, a related study presented at the same conference showed that men with risk factors for heart disease who drank wild blueberry juice for three weeks seemed to experience slight improvements in glucose and insulin control.

http://www.womenfitness.net/blueberries.htm

Blueberry Smoothie

http://media.canadianfamily.ca/images/cf_smoothie_main_.jpg

1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup plain, low-fat yogurt
1/2 cup washed, stemmed blueberries
honey to taste

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth.

*you can also add a banana for a thicker smoothie!

Serving Size: about 1 cup

Anti-Aging #1 = Avocado

Anti-Aging #2 = Sweet Potatoes

……….. stay tuned for #4

Wishing you all a Happy and Very Healthy New Year ! xo Cheryl

focus

2010-12-11T22:17:00.002-06:00

a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity

Synonyms
1. center, heart, core, nucleus.

Add another line of lights.

Decorate another corner of the room.

Merry Christmas!

it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas …

2010-12-06T23:50:00.002-06:00

From as far back as I can remember, I have always wanted different “themed” trees throughout my home.
That is a hard task to accomplish because you would have to have oodles and oodles of ornaments all in different themes. Well, who can afford that? Not me. I have a great collection of Santa ornaments but that is about the only theme I have collected. This year I decided that I was going to start a “kitchen” themed tree. So I set out to Garden Ridge to see what I could find on a budget. They had a 6 ft artificial tree for $7. I bought two! Then I wandered on over to the “sweets” ornament isle. How cute!   Well, I got about 10 ornaments for $30 and thought that was a good start for my kitchen tree.

I’m crazy for glittery ornaments

As much as I think I would like to try a white themed Christmas decor ~ I always get lured back to the “lime” green and red decor. Lime Green being the Key Color ~ I just can’t stay away from it !



Love those socks and shoes ~

this little reindeer is my tree topper. i adore her “lime green” sexy little skirt with the lambs wool trim ~

Gotta add some Texas to the tree!

The Glow of Candlelight ........

Now that the house is all trimmed, it is time to start shopping! ….. It’s the 7th of December and I have yet to have one gift purchased. I never have been an early shopper ~ I like to get all my decorating done first and I love the hustle and bustle of starting my shopping around the 10th of the month right up to the 23rd …. that gives me just about two weeks to exhaust myself !! :-)

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas! ~ Cheryl

To revisit Christmas Decor 2009, click here

ready, set, go …..

2010-11-27T13:19:00.002-06:00

A month has passed since my last post and I have to admit that I actually feel some guilt when that happens. It is on my mind constantly. Truth is, I think about it and then I realize I am just too tired after working all day and/or the weekends are filled with cleaning and errands – or sometimes I just have nothing to share and I need to “gel” and be home getting myself psyched up for another week.

Then something happens, or I see something that I feel the need to post about (journal really). It is usually because my heart is full. (I think you all must know by now, it can take the simplest thing to fill my heart).

What is so interesting about being in the blogging world (and I am only in it with one toe, so to speak), is that there is inspiration from all directions of life. Intellectual, spiritual, artistic, marital/family ~ and the list goes on...... One of the things that I can never get over when I am visiting blogs is how so many young women have all four that I just mentioned. That is very comforting to find in 2011. Comforting in knowing that there are so many young women who strive to raise a healthy family, be a loving wife, create a pride-filled lovely home and actually use their personal God-given talents to create and share.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The kitchen is the center of everyone’s home ~ especially during the holidays (mine is actually IN the center of the house (lol) …. therefore, my kitchen is in many of my posts. We finally put the knobs on our cabinets (only took 3 years). That is SO not like me ~ but I have found that I am not in such a RUSH in my life anymore. I was NEVER like this PRE –age 45 !! And as each year has passed …. well, less and less of a rush. I guess that is the gift we get for making it this far ~ :)

We had a wonderful, comfortable, Thanksgiving Day. Brandon & Megan brought us the sweetest “Basket Full Of Gifts” !! And they spent two nights at the house with us !!! We love it when they are here.

a bottle of yellow tail merlot. pumpkin bread mix.

cornucopia flour sack towels

a beautiful basket & “give thanks” sign.

sitting turkey with dangly legs! SWEET!

my daughter-in-law to be already knows her mother-in-law to be’s taste. ;-))))

everything was perfect.

There’s our cute “engaged couple” making deviled eggs and peeling potatoes.

Brandon has become quite the deviled egg pro! We didn’t have paprika – so we used cayenne. It’s a keeper.

We love HOT.

Megan and I had so much fun talking about the upcoming wedding!!! So many ideas and thoughts. Thank goodness they gave the engagement a little over a year!!! Their current decision is the photographer. Venue (check). Caterer (check). Wedding Party (check). Cake (check). Colors (check). Honeymoon destination (check).

(You can click “colors” and “venue” to visit those posts)

We all know who was “under foot” while preparing the “BIRD” !! Yes, it’s Ms. Bella !! She looks like a lady, but she acted like a hyper-active child! It doesn’t matter how she acts,

WE LOVE HER and SHE IS

THE

CENTER OF ATTENTION ~ and she knows it!

Hubby and I got the most beautiful card. We have come to expect it – just because our son always picks the most wonderful cards with heartfelt words. ALWAYS. We are very lucky parents. I also wanted to share the front of this card because it reminded me of the most adorable paintings that dear Becky at Farmgirl Paints creates. You can send her a photo of your home and she will paint it for you. This looks so much like her style.

Please visit her here, if you don’t ALREADY know her. She is known for her honesty of everyday life, hence her huge dedicated following! And this girl has the “biggest” heart!

She is the ‘REAL DEAL’. True to the core. Loves the Lord.

And now …. off to get the Christmas stuff out! Ready, set, go!

You know how there are Christmas decorations you will just never part with?

This Candy Cane is one of them. It is distressed wood ~ and a real favorite!

Happy decorating!!

Have a beautiful week dear ones ~ Cheryl xo

Anti-aging food #2

2010-10-27T20:22:00.002-05:00

Anti-aging food #2 – Sweet Potato

In the southern island of Japan, there's a group of Japanese known as the Okinawans. The people that are renowned for their youthful complexions and not looking their age. So what is their secret to this fountain of youth? The secret is believed to be their diet. They feast on starchy root vegetables as part of their main diet, and one of these core vegetables is the sweet potato.
Sweet potatoes and other starchy root vegetables are anti-aging superstars. For years, nutritionists have advised us to fill plates with a variety of colors of vegetables - and not just the green variety. Conventional potatoes don't provide the same kick. The sweet potato provides sugar but unlike sweets, to provide a slow release and sustainable source of carbohydrates, essential to our energy and vitality.
In fact a recent study from China demonstrated how the purple sweet potato contains a naturally occurring anthocyanin, (a super powerful antioxidant that has neuro-protective effects). The potato is also rich in vitamin A in the form of beta carotene. This element is essential for preventing rough and scaly skin. It also helps protect the skin against sun damage and helps to balance the pH levels and promotes softer skin complexions. The antioxidant levels contained in the potatoes are so high that they are excellent for cancer prevention. So if one of your loved ones is a smoker, feed them sweet potatoes!
Another reason why you would want to include sweet potatoes in your diet is for its high hyaluronic acid levels. As we get older, these acid levels drop. Our bodies depend on this to keep our skin moisturized and the joints in our body lubricated. It also helps to maintain levels of collagen in our skin without resulting to bovine collagen injections.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Anti-Aging-Secrets---The-Sweet-Potato-is-the-Fountain-of-Youth&id=4467763

Oven Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
INGREDIENTS
2 large sweet potatoes
1 generous tsp sea salt
1 generous tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp paprika
Pinch of black pepper
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
Slice sweet potatoes lengthwise into thin strips, and place in a bowl. Add the olive oil, sea salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder, and toss to coat thoroughly. Place the fries in a single layer on a wire rack, with a baking sheet underneath.
Bake for approximately 20-30 minutes (taste to tell if they’re done), or until the fries are soft and delicious.
Serves 4 (um… 2).
Photo and Recipe above courtesy of www.sugarlaws.com
This is Sugarlaws ~ she is adorable, young and has HUNDREDS of recipes!!!! Click her picture to view her food!

Bon Appetit

~Cheryl~

somewhere over the rainbow …..

2010-10-25T21:14:00.005-05:00

I LOVE IT WHEN IT RAINS IN TEXAS

it can happen at any given moment and is always welcome

rain in the warm weather beckons you to run out in it and dance like a child, head tilted up, arms stretched out spinning around as if to be cleansed of all sins

a familiarity to me of growing up in michigan adoring the summer rainstorms
– but fearing the thunder and lightening - still.

in texas the rain blows in and out

just long enough to quench the thirst of the land. just long enough to drench the earth so it can release it’s sweet aroma

when the rain stops and the sun shines through the clouds

the warming of the earth starts beneath your feet, you smell the steaming dirt, and witness the beauty of the millions of droplets of water left on every blade of grass and each petal of the flowers

just glistening with delight

beyond my words

and then, if all is right at just that moment in time ~ a rainbow or two

“somewhere over the rainbow”

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Anti-aging food #1

2010-10-23T21:49:00.004-05:00

Anti-aging food #1 – Avocado

Eye Cream: Build an eye cream by mixing 5 drops of almond oil with 3 ripe slices of avocado. Mix this mixture and dab it around your eyes. Keep it on for five minutes then rinse.

Facial Mask: Make a paste of ½ ripe avocado mixed with one tsp vegetable oil. Apply this paste on a washed and clean face. Leave it for fifteen to 20 minutes. Rinse it with warm water. This masque is very good for dry skin.

Avocados are a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat that can help lower levels of the bad type of cholesterol and raise the levels of the good cholesterol in your body. Avocado contains vitamin E and can help to maintain healthy skin and help prevent aging of the skin. Avocados are also rich in potassium which helps prevent fluid retention and high blood pressure.

Avocado calories, serving size and nutritional values (click here)

Slice up an avocado and add to your favorite sandwich, burger, eggs, pasta, salads, soups, or chili for it's health benefits. Visit recipes for meat eaters or vegetarians here http://www.avocado.org

Remember my favorite dinner from a previous post: click the picture to visit my recipe

Instead of adding meat (saturated fat) to your pasta ~ add the healthy texture of avocados and tomatoes!!!

Bon Appetit !

autumn favorites

2010-09-26T18:01:00.004-05:00

click on picture to visit old post and credits for my mosaic

I borrowed this mosaic from an older post. These are still my favorite things of this time of year! And these are the colors I love in my life.

happy “around the corner” October~

Cheryl

engagement party

2010-09-20T20:57:00.004-05:00

Cupcakes made…..

Gifts wrapped …..

Celebration to begin ….

When I looked at all the pictures of Brandon & Megan over the last year and a half … i got teary-eyed “again” ~ I loved seeing all the happy moments they have spent together so far as a new couple.

They just “fit”.

To my son and his girl ~ I love you both ! xo mom

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

…and a BIG shout out to Terry & Mike (Megan’s mom and stepdad) ~ thank you for your generosity hosting this fun party for our kids!!

Brandon & Megan and their friends had such a wonderful evening!!!

…and another shout out to Lori, Tiffany and Katelyn (the bridesmaids) ~ Megan is very lucky to have you three silly young women in her life!

You did a great job and you are amazing friends to her!!

~ xo Cheryl

september

2010-09-19T14:32:00.003-05:00

It’s all about the way the sun begins to cast it’s Autumn shadows. This is what gives you the yearning of everything pumpkin !
October 1, they will be showing up in my home ~

Wishing you a beautiful Autumn Season ~ Cheryl

purple & green

2010-09-18T13:42:00.003-05:00

Wedding colors have been chosen. Originally, Megan had chosen pink and lime green for her colors. But with much thought she decided on purple and lime green. First, her favorite color is purple. Second, it is a fall wedding and the pink and lime green looked too much like a spring wedding. And third, after choosing the winery as the venue – purple just made sense.

Funny how things work out.

The wedding is a year away, so there is much time deciding what flowers and what shades of purple.

Of course, there is a budget, so the extravaganza of “limitless budgets” will have to be scaled down. But we are going to do our best to put together a wedding of “simple elegance”.

Brandon is drawn to vintage. Vintage pinup girls, vintage cars, vintage photography. With that in mind, I believe Megan will add a touch of vintage to her wedding. Like this rhinestone broach.

Bridesmaid’s dress color.

Little by little – decisions to make.

all photos borrowed from www.projectwedding.com

~ have a beautiful week ~ …. xo cheryl

Bella

2010-09-14T21:15:00.004-05:00

While looking through some pictures, I couldn’t help but get a smile on my face when I came across this sweet little thing. My grandpuppy.

This is when Ms. Bella was not allowed on the couch. We don’t allow dogs on the furniture in our family.

(unless you are just too dang cute to yell at)

Looking at her, we decided she had a lot of “pointer” in her! Learning the stance.

REMEMBER: “ NO DOGS ON THE FURNITURE !!!”

(unless you are as sweet as can be and let grandma snuggle you)

Sweet baby all grown into a beautiful girl!! (in less than a year) LOVE LOVE LOVE THOSE LIPS!!!!!

What does grandma say ????

“NO DOGS ON THE FURNITURE !!!!”

(unless your back legs are still on the floor)

DO I LOVE HER OR WHAT??? LOVE HER!!!

(and her lips)

~ Cheryl

the venue ……

2010-09-09T22:50:00.005-05:00

Well, here it is! They chose the winery & vineyard!

Let me step back a moment and talk about the other two venues. The Cotton Mill and the Farmhouse.

Brandon and Megan LOVED the Cotton Mill. It has so much history. It is very unique and the character is beyond a photographer's dream. However, it is located in a “not –so -great part of town” – they suggest security – that tells you something. All they offer for the cost, is the room. No bridal suite, no nothing. Both Mother of the Bride and myself feared the “work” involved. It just seemed like it would be overwhelming to coordinate everything that needed to be done. There were also some concerns about the heating/air conditioning. It is old and VERY rustic – we worried, “what if something went wrong electrically”. Lastly, it wasn’t very clean. Just lot’s of old dust. Again, Rustic. Maybe a little too rustic for the wedding – definitely not too rustic for awesome photos!

I LOVED the Farmhouse. This was our second stop. Brandon and Megan really liked it too – but I think they still had their hearts at the Cotton Mill. We all liked the house with the bride and groom suites. It was out in the middle of nowhere and the grounds were so serene and pretty. Everything about it was wonderful. I did have a problem with how the reception area would photograph. The floor is a common grey cement floor. It didn’t show well in photographs. My son and I had great concern about that. Megan worried about the weather. After all, she was raised here in Texas and rightfully – you never know about the weather. The reception pavilion was not completely enclosed and that was the deal breaker for her (too hot, too cold, raining, high winds) – just too many weather “if’s”.

The winery was our last stop. It really had the best of all three. We still get our brick walls, high beamed ceilings like the Cotton Mill. Stained concrete flooring photographs well. Rustic wooden doors, hand painted murals and the casual feel of the wine barrels just made this a terrific choice for what Brandon & Megan had in mind. It is spotless, has a wine bar and the lighting is very romantic ~ and the grounds = vineyard!
But what made the decision easiest of all, is when we were up in the bridal suite (above) and then walked out onto the landing and the woman who was giving the tour said, “Megan, you will walk out and stand here for about 3 seconds with everyone below and then you will walk down the staircase to meet your dad at the bottom” – well, the tears started to flow from both Megan and me ~ that was it!!!!!! Like a fairytale!!! No question this was the place.

Stay tuned for the wedding color scheme. xo Cheryl

a year to plan a wedding ….

2010-08-31T22:05:00.003-05:00

Wedding on the Brain…. step # 1 …. find the venue

As you know, my son proposed to his girl ~ and they will be getting married in the Fall of 2011. Yes, a whole year away …. but as we have found, most venues are already being booked for next year. Can you believe it?

Brandon & Megan knew they wanted to get married somewhere rustic and casual. They also knew that they wanted the ceremony and the reception in the same place. Their first visit was a historic flour mill. It was just what they had in mind, except they felt the reception room was a bit too small, so it got nixed right away. Next on the list, a historic cotton mill built in the early 1900’s. Then, a restored farmhouse built in the late 1800’s. And the final destination was a 20 year old vineyard & winery.

I wanted to share the three venues with you.

Cotton Mill

As you can see, this Cotton Mill is HUGE. There are so many different areas of the building that are amazing for taking photos. The area below is the part of the mill that is currently rented out for weddings, receptions, corporate meetings, & community parties and events. Other areas of the building, they rent out for photo shoots for bands, modeling, etc.

The vintage windows make a gorgeous backdrop for the ceremony. This venue is filled with antique doors, floors, windows etc.

Those windows are actually blue. In person, they look like blue sea glass.

….bet your heart is going “pitter-patter” looking at those original hardwood floors!

A photographers dream!

(Click http://www.flickr.com/photos/darbig/2708268179/ here) to see wedding photos in this room

The contrast of the vintage, rustic textures with the elegance of a bridal gown ~ well, see for yourself…….

Farmhouse

This 100+ year old farmhouse is on 11 acres surrounded by trees. So serene.

Back of the house and pool area!

The farmhouse has the bride and groom suites used to get dressed ~ and the kitchen is used by the caterers.

The owners built this pavilion to use as the reception area. You can tell we are in Texas !

There are several areas on the property that you can choose to hold the ceremony. This gazebo is one of those areas.

Vineyard/Winery

Built in the 90’s, this newer constructed winery also has it’s rustic charm and great architecture.

After entering the front doors (first picture), you walk into a lobby with painted murals on the walls and ceilings. Sorry, I couldn’t get a picture.

Then you walk into the doors you see in the above picture. Upstairs is the bridal suite ~ and that is the staircase the bride walks down to meet her father.

Below, is the main room of the winery. The ceremony is held in front of the doors at the far end. Then staff switch out the ceremony chairs with the reception tables and chairs while guests have cocktails outside by the vineyard.

The buffet table can be set up in the wine vat room (below). They offer this so that the guests can experience the winery as it works.

wine anyone?

So these are the three venues Brandon & Megan decided to choose from. I hope you enjoyed the tour! Would love to hear your thoughts!

There will be more pictures to share with you as we help the engaged couple with their many decisions throughout the next year –

it’s going to be a fun time! Stay tuned ……

~ Cheryl

remember this voice !!!

2010-08-08T16:46:00.004-05:00

Not just because she is my neice, my baby brother’s daughter, but because “a star is born” …. she is only 13, and someday very soon we believe you will all know her name ! And to be honest, we all held our ears when she was a baby because she was SO loud and vocal !! How were we to know she had been preparing from day one !!!

(click Drew Singing Hallelujah .m4v here)

I received my brother and sister-in-law’s permission to post Drew on my blog. Enjoy her gift !

~cheryl

She said “Yes” !!

2010-07-17T23:53:00.004-05:00

Brandon & Megan are getting married

a chance meeting at a party

found an interest in one another

she inquires more about him (he was the new guy at the party)

text messaging

a date

another date

can’t go a day without seeing one another

sleep over

play

dinners with his family

dinners with her family

he moves in

learning to cook together

play

travel together

get a puppy

play

travel together

he meets her (out of town) family

move in to a bigger apartment

setting up a home

she meets his (out of town) family

travel together

he asks her to marry him

she says yes

simple

real

love

life

future

happiness

love!

What I wanted most for my child was for him to find someone

to love and to be loved in return.

We have all been blessed.

quietly awaiting …….

2010-07-10T13:34:00.003-05:00

This morning I looked out my window and got my fill. My fill of my obsession with the beauty of flowers, clouds, raindrops, trees and lichen – all on my very own land. I am blessed.

I haven’t had much to say via my blog in the last couple of months, (I’ve been busy at cottage farm villa with errands, chores, loved ones in town and work) … but here is what makes my heart sing, what makes me run for the camera and want to share with you – the beauty that quietly surrounds us – patiently waiting for us all to notice.

Dear Mother Nature, I notice. I always notice.

It has been an unusual spring and summer in Texas. Well, unusual for us anyway - since we arrived here in 2005. This is the first spring that did not have severe weather (lightening, rain, tornadoes etc), and the first summer we have experienced mild weather (no heat records !! yippee). It was very hot for a couple of weeks, but basically we have been in the low to mid 90’s and we just got a good downpour of rain. With all that said – my hydrangea’s have had a very LONG bloom and are fading beautifully. I will be able to cut and dry them for the first time. Something I can save from the Summer of 2010! A very special summer indeed (my brother and his family came and spent a week with us!!!)

My guess is that, because the weather has been cooler (cooler for Texas, that is) and clouds have been moving in and out, that this is why we have so much lichen growing! Gorgeous.

Fresh rain water droplets – oooohhh sooooo preetttty !

I have to mention that the above photo is of a standard-sized head and foot board that I picked up on the coast of California at a garage sale one year – I have always left it in the garden. Just look at the colors the elements of California and Texas have given it. You couldn’t imagine a more perfect patina ! (you may want to visit my rust and aqua post of November 08) for more patina!!

perfect little petal

Amazing.

Grace.

After viewing the above photo’s you may see why I decorate my home in the colors that I do. The colors in nature-flowers, bark, grasses, leaves, iron patinas, stone, etc - are my inspiration. This is the latest wall art that I purchased. A flower market – on, what looks like, a street in Italy. LOVE IT!

Happy Weekend to you all !

~Cheryl~

summertime

2010-06-24T00:28:00.005-05:00

Hello friends ~ I kinda got lost in spring and we’ve already moved into summer. When sunshine and warm days come around, there seems to be so much to do around the house.

It is HOT HOT HOT here in Texas (eating lots of watermelon) - but that is what summer is and I will take it over the cold winter - ANY DAY!

…..and as I was walking to my car after work one day, this is what I saw reflecting from the window and trunk of my car. As an amateur photographer, the loveliness of it deserved to

“stand still in time”

white billowy clouds in the bright blue sky!!!!

Have a wonderful summer and please take the time to see all the beauty that surrounds you each day!

xo Cheryl

ps. haven’t painted the island black yet

black or white ?

2010-05-02T03:27:00.003-05:00

ok, ya’ll, i would like to have your thoughts on this one.

i am thinking of painting the island black.

(any professional or faux painters out there, i would love to hear from you)

i have wanted it black since the beginning, but everything was new, and i was scared. it has been three years now and still no knobs on the cabinets ~ though it is getting closer.

i am so antsy to paint the island first.

you all know what my kitchen looks like:

well, check out this upscale kitchen (below). the cabinets are a pale green antiqued and the island looks like it is stained black. i don’t want to paint all my cabinets green (yet). but what do you think about the contrast?

i LOVE it!

mine has to be painted, it is too late for stain.

here is the same kitchen but a different view. gorgeous, huh?

and here is a similar kitchen, with the cabinets all the same color. very pretty, but I am an eclectic girl ~ so i am drawn to the contrast.

what do YOU think? any other suggestions?

looking forward to hearing from you :)

Have a beautiful week! ~Cheryl

pasta healthy

2010-04-10T00:00:00.001-05:00

Simplicity at it’s best!

pasta of choice. i usually choose whole grain

olive oil – extra virgin – cold pressed

sea salt – just need a little for a big taste

the good fat - avocado

tomatoes

add a little grated parmesan!

~Bon Appétit~

Have a beautiful weekend

xo Cheryl

kooky chicken

2010-04-04T22:05:00.002-05:00

For a kooky dog!!!

Ms. Bella (my sweet grandpup) playing solo soccer…… for hours on end ….. chicken in mouth

A true source of entertainment!

Oops….forgot to take photos of the humans !!!

Happy Easter.

Have a beautiful week ~ Cheryl

vroom

2010-04-03T00:30:00.001-05:00

As I was driving up the street from work yesterday….it was good to see hubby back on his bike. It has been a while.

I think it is where he needs to be.

xo ~ Cheryl

spring has finally sprung………

2010-03-28T16:50:00.001-05:00

Weed or Wildflower ?

It doesn’t matter to me….. pretty just the same!

The photo below is what we woke up to last weekend, amazing what a week can do !

No more snow, no more cold, please!

Have a beautiful springtime week ~ xo Cheryl

Little Ms. Bella

2010-02-20T22:21:00.003-06:00

We had so much fun puppy sitting our little grandpuppy Bella! As promised here is a new photo or two!

She has the softest ears ……. and I love her sad eyes and droopy lips. Is she cute or what?

What does she see? The “bad man” with the ball cap on and shovel in hand! At 12 weeks old, you forget you were just sleeping on that man’s chest.

I heart her!!!

Have a beautiful week ~ xo Cheryl

Bella’s mommy & daddy go on a cruise next week, so we get her for a whole week! Yippee!!!

“S” stands for……

2010-02-12T13:08:00.005-06:00

sanity, serene, smile, & SNOW !!!!
First of all, I wanted to thank all of my blogging peeps for your warm wishes for my return from my terrible funk. I’m telling you, rain and gray skies for weeks on end is the one thing that can obviously send me spiraling downward. I truly feel it has to due with the lack of sunshine. It was a physical and mental “sick” that I could not shake. I guess that is why when I moved from Michigan to California, I always said, California is where I was meant to be. Sunny Southern California – endless sunshine!
Well, this year’s Texas winter has been very unusual because there should be a break between the rain storms with a day or two of sunshine ….. but there was not. Now, instead of the “S” word I was waiting for …. “sun” …..we got SNOW. But it also did the trick! Each snow flake yesterday was like a little ray of sunshine falling from heaven !!

when i woke in the morning … it had been snowing for about 3 hours

(keep this tree in mind throughout this post)

Now, I know all you northerners and easterners are thinking, big deal - snow! Well, it is a big deal for us because ~ it doesn’t snow like this in Texas! ….and during our rain storms, I was soooooo jealous of all the snow you all were getting!

so, off to work I go……

this is no, pretend snow storm ….

I had to mail bills, and you can tell my spirits are back up ….. I even photographed the snowflake that fell on my pants when I opened the window! dork! Dead giveaway that it’s a girls car – paraphernalia = eye drops, hand sanitizer, lotion and a nail file! :)

Still driving to work ….and I am sure you will get a bit bored with my snow photos, but, this is also my journal so I am going to load them all. Plus we made a new snowfall record in north Texas ……

My morning journey over the lake – I take the bridge, they swim.

This is where I work at the nursing home. The grounds are pretty! The snow is still falling. Hours: 12. Not really sticking ~ but the flakes are huge.

time to go home……..

End of the day and I am back home on my street…..snow is finally sticking. Hours: 16

It is suppose to keep on snowing for another 6-9 hours !!!! Can’t wait for morning!

The tree is getting heavier with snow……

It’s midnight and our tree is looking a bit scary….. it is so heavy now….and still snowing! Hours: 22

and then……..

….. good morning Tree!

good morning snow!

Hello Mr. Hawk!

SNOW DAY!!!!

Baby, it’s cold outside!

As my son brilliantly pointed out to me, this is his mom's version of a snowman!

I think he knows me better than anyone! Love him.

Until next time! Have a beautiful week!

~Cheryl

ps. grandpuppy sitting this weekend …. wonder what pics will be posted next ? hmmmmm?

zero, zilch, nothing

2010-02-08T23:38:00.002-06:00

dreary:

1.
causing sadness or gloom.

2.
dull; boring.

3.
sorrowful; sad.

I just wanted you all to know that I am still here, but I have nothing to give.

NOTHING!!!!

It has been cold, raining and dreary for so long now ~ that life is just ……. gray.

No color…………. what-so-ever.

I hate it.

If the sun ever comes out again, I will be back.

If it doesn’t,

well,

then,

goodbye. (sniffle, sniffle, sniffle)

barkcloth project

2010-01-18T15:16:00.006-06:00

this is my mudroom, not very muddy. again, i found the idea in a magazine, just like my kitchen and asked my architect to incorporate it in this area of the house. we keep some of our shoes in the bottom cabinets and the chalkboard holds upcoming birthdates and other important dates to remember. the stairway you see, leads to the media room….. which has no media, it is just an empty room … but i have dreams. but the main reason for this post is to show you the cart insert that I made from some vintage barkcloth drapes i bought years ago when i had my space in an antique mall in Agoura, California! once i learned of these draperies from what i believe were popular in the 40’s & 50’s (correct me if i am wrong) … i couldn’t stop searching for them on eBay~! i did a lot of eBay shopping back in those days. a lot. but i always made a profit on what i bought and then sold.

(below: see the drapes hanging on the hanger on the right side of the doorway!)

that was my little space “Cheryl’s Cottage” (est..2003-2005)

and here was my other space

i stayed busy….painting, and sanding, and sewing, and buying and selling, and thinking, and pondering ….. and then i decided i wanted to leave California and move to Texas and build a house. that’s how i roll………. always looking for what i want to do next ……

crazy – but i have been that way forever – wanting to learn and do something different

so, back to the project

how this came to be is that i was at Canton Flea Market and needed a cart, so i bought one to carry my findings! well, it was UNATTRACTIVE to say the least (below, plastic checked), and a girl like me needed something CUTE!

i didn’t want to pay for something cute so i thought about those adorable barkcloth drapes that i now had sitting in my pile of fabrics in the linen closet.

now, i am no super sewer or anything, but i can sew straight lines and can try to figure things out, thanks to my mother’s genes and home economics in the 7th grade!

so i measured the sides of this plastic insert and cut my fabric pieces, put the “right sides” of the fabric together and sewed my straight lines.

the problem with me though, is that when i want to do something, i want to do it right now ….hence the wrong color thread that i was forced to use to sew on the fringe! i am a very impatient woman that way~ plus my sewing machine was old and it wasn’t sewing the stitches properly, so it took me frustrating hours to get this finished

since, i have bought a new machine

if you don’t know what barkcloth is, it is a thick linen-like textured fabric. check it out on eBay to see all the different colors and patterns

speaking of my new machine, i might as well give you a glimpse of my sewing, gift-wrapping, shabby-chic storage room

the green/white cabinet holds all my stationary and gift wrapping in the drawers and cabinets

and the upper glass cabinets is where all my left-over vintage items from my antiquing days are kept

my girlfriend Susan made the bulletin board, which i took off her hands!

close-up of the bulletin fabric - below

more of the mudroom …..

i love my chalkboard – from Ventura flea market – i think the creator of this was Doug for any of you who still go to Ventura

close-up of the chalkboard detail below….

and this next special piece …. my brother Andy made this for me from a building that they tore down in Newbury Park, California - i don’t really think he knows what this piece means to me – i don’t really think he knows how much i truly love him

i am famous for throwing things away. it is part of my OCD and type-A personality (there are other underlying reasons, but that is for another day). but there are some things that i will never let go of. the heart above, obviously and this little horseshoe below. this horseshoe has been above a door of every home that hubby and i have owned. that is 4 (four) homes to be exact. and along with the horseshoe, there is always a quarter in the corner of the cabinet in the kitchen too!

today is monday. my day off, back to work tomorrow for another long, grueling week, no doubt

…..but for right now, I am ………..

i didn’t mean for this to be such a long post that jumped around …. but you got a bit more glimpse into my world, which i hope you enjoyed ~ and i thank you for taking the time to stop by and always, for your sweet comments!

Have a beautiful week my friends ~ Cheryl

sunday ski soup & corn bread

2010-01-11T12:38:00.001-06:00

All the Christmas decorations are put away but I keep the sparkle of the holidays around during the cold to keep the warmth of the season going until we start to make the turn toward spring! Winter garland and twinkle lights still adorn my windowsills and the scent of cookies still fill my home. Since it is sooooooo cold outside and my boy and his girl are coming for lunch, I wanted to share a family favorite with you!

This is our “ski” soup that took us through many ski trips to Mammoth Mountain. Every year I would cook it at home and pack it in the cooler for the 6 hour drive and 4 day ski trip. It warmed our tummies and our souls after a day on the mountain. If any of you ski, you know how you feel after 6-8 hours of exerting yourself in the cold!

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs lean ground beef (I use 90% lean – you can also use ground turkey), 3 cans beef broth, 4 cups water, 1 large can (28oz) whole or stewed tomatoes, 1 large can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 medium onion chopped, 5 carrots sliced, 2 cups celery chopped, 1/3 cup pearl barley, 2 cups frozen corn, 1/4 cup catsup, salt and pepper to taste, olive oil to sauté, cayenne to your desired “heat” (1/2 teaspoon to start and go from there)!

In a large soup pot, sauté the onion in olive oil until transparent. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.

Add the beef broth, water, sliced carrots, chopped celery, UNDRAINED cans of tomatoes, pearl barley, catsup, and spices. Reserve the frozen corn until later. Bring to boil (stirring) then reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes (until veggies are tender). Add the frozen corn and simmer for another 15 minutes. Serve with your favorite bread! Simple, fast and hearty!

Tip: if you don’t own one of the little slicers, get yourself one. It takes no time to slice carrots, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, whatever your heart desires!

Today I served the soup with cornbread – here is the recipe I used! Moist and sweet!

Ingredients: 2 boxes of the famous little Jiffy cornbread mix, 1 (14oz) can creamed corn, milk, eggs, Pam! Follow the directions on the box of Jiffy! I substituted the milk with half and half, and you need to bake until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean!

As an appetizer I served wheat crackers and a log of sharp cheddar cheese and a bottle of red wine!

Ok, three more things that I want to say ~ (1) Girls, always, always wash your wine glasses before you pour the wine! We want them free of anything (dust) and we want them sparkling clean!

(2) I was wondering if any of you recognize the bake ware in this post, from the 80’s? (Cheryl’s been Loafin’ and Cheryl’s Classic Creation). Who remembers the home parties for this particular bake ware that you would order with whatever “saying” you wanted on it! Remember the lovely blues and mauves? YUCK! I can’t remember the name of the cookware, but they swore up and down that nothing would EVER stick to it (it was expensive – for a twenty-something in their first home and baby on the way)….but the demonstration sold me, and the colors were so “in” at the time!!!

IT HAS BEEN OVER 20 YEARS AND NOTHING HAS EVER STUCK TO THIS BAKEWARE!!!!! THAT IS WHY I STILL OWN IT AND USE IT ALL THE TIME. BLUE AND MAUVE OR NOT, IT IS THE BEST BAKE WARE EVER!!!!

LET ME KNOW IF YOU ALSO OWN THESE LOVLIES AND IF YOU REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT AND THE HOME PARTIES!!! What do yours say????

Drum roll please ……………………………………………………………….

and (3) introducing my new GrandPuppy, Bella!!!!!!!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a spotted little belly ……

AND A LITTLE ATTITUDE TO BOOT!

Have a beautiful week! ~ Cheryl

glitter in the air

2010-01-09T00:26:00.007-06:00

Glitter In The Air Lyrics by Pink

(turn up your sound)

Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?
Closed your eyes and trusted.

j u s t t r u s t e d

Have you ever thrown a fist full of GLITTER IN THE AIR?
Have you ever looked fear in the face
And said…….. I just don’t care?

It’s only half past the point of no return
The tip of the iceberg
The sun before the burn
The thunder before lightning
The breath before the phrase

Have you ever felt this way?

Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
You’re whole life waiting on the ring to prove you’re not alone
Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?

It’s only half past the point of oblivion
The hourglass on the table
The walk before the run
The breath before the kiss
And the fear before the flames

Have you ever felt this way?

There you are, sitting in the garden
Clutching my coffee,
Calling me sugar

You called me sugar

Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars…… and pulled that rope tight
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself will it ever get better than tonight?

Tonight

Have a beautiful weekend ~ throw some glitter in the air ~ Cheryl

the year 2010 !

2010-01-01T23:04:00.007-06:00

I wanted to wish you all a Very Happy & Healthy New Year!!! Thank you for your kind words, support and encouragement in 2009. Your kindness and friendship have warmed my heart beyond expression. I have enjoyed visiting so many beautiful, creative and inspiring blogs this year and I am looking forward to another year of delight!

2010 ~ can you believe it?

I am not making resolutions, but what I am doing is looking forward to the changes that are coming….

1. the days getting longer (more time to spend outside)

2. warmer weather (really need to start planning for that ~ you ladies know what I mean! )

3. healthier eating/drinking more fluids (no breads, cheese or sugars)

4. gardening (oh, how my rose bushes are going to need me and how I need them)

5. organizing and purging stuff (something I am really good at and love to do)

6. touching upon my creative side (which has suffered due to my job)

7. going to Canton, Texas regularly again (buying cute things for me, not the house)

8. taking care of ME (all those doctor appointments that are overdue)

9. seeing my family (i miss them so much – 2 weeks vacation come April ~yippee)

What are some of the things that you are looking forward to this new year?

I am excited to hear about them !!

Have a beautiful day ~ Cheryl

the day after, the day

2009-12-26T09:54:00.004-06:00

A Texas home - Christmas Eve

I wanted to share the December 26th post from Curious Girl with you. Beautifully said.

Here is a snipit.

Afterglow:

“call it whatever you wish...afterglow, drydown, linger...the purpose of the hazy time following grand moments of significance is to integrate back to normal with minimal re-entry damage.

“over time and out of necessity, I've learned that the transition is more easily accomplished when the big moment itself is tempered with reality. this is how the last few christmases have been for me. because they are not over the top full-on festivity, it becomes clearer that regular everyday life can be filled with the magic, dreaminess, togetherness, beauty and loving spirit of the holidays. like eating tuesday night tacos off the good china, everyday life becomes fuller with these moments once reserved for specific dates on the calendar. in return the actual big events become less pressured, more sweetly sedate. as celebration becomes a gentle routine practice of beauty and acknowledgement, regular life sweetly shifts from a boring midline spiked with dramatic events to an even and comfortable serendipitous journey.”

author, Lisa

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am sure that most of you can relate to the feeling of the “day after”. Lisa’s post struck me so much, that it sparked some things I wanted to say today.

I consider myself someone who looks at the glass half full. Don’t get me wrong, (it sometimes depends on what is in the glass), but for the most part ~ I am a girl who really does see and appreciate the beauty around me each day. I rarely get blue. I guess that is why I am someone who welcomes change ~ and even seeks change. Thank goodness I married a man who goes along with me and my new and sometimes “hair-brained” ideas. Not to say that I don’t get scared of change. I do. But I would rather try and/or learn something new than not try at all. I still say….

“ I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up”

So with all that said, I want to share something that happened on Christmas Eve that touched my heart and made me smile. Me, hubby, my son and his girl were out to dinner eating our fave, Mexican food!! We ordered the exact same thing, fajitas for two, half and half (chicken & beef). At the end of our meal we were saying how good it was and Ms. Megan said “I think these are the best fajitas I have ever had”. That was when my heart smiled. That was the moment I knew why my son had fallen in love with this girl.

You see, that is MY saying. It always has been. It is how I live my life. Not intentionally. I just do. Until that moment, I had never met anyone who had said that before and meant it the way that I mean it. And those who really know me, who really love me and who have really paid attention to ME, know that about me. If you read about the sunsets on my side bar, you will see. “Every sunset I see is the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen”. I have gotten teased about this as far back as I can remember. But it is how I feel at that moment.

It probably wasn’t the BEST fajitas Megan has EVER had. It is not the MOST beautiful sunset I have EVER seen. But that is what living in the moment IS. That was why my heart smiled. My son met a girl that lives in the moment and really enjoys THAT moment. Sigh. :)

This is what I believe Curious Girl was saying: everyday life can be magical like “eating tuesday night tacos off the good china” !

Have a beautiful day!

~Cheryl

Merry Christmas: Happy Birthday Jesus!

2009-12-25T15:01:00.004-06:00

Santa came………

and brought hubby and I the best presents EVER......

Our boy & his girl!!!!!

That's all we REALLY wanted.

Brandon & Megan

Wishing you all a merry day!!

Cheryl

bittersweet.

2009-12-20T11:39:00.006-06:00

Definitions:

1) both bitter and sweet to the taste: bittersweet chocolate.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/piperbole/3788875253/

2) both pleasant and painful or regretful: a bittersweet memory.

The Christmas season is bittersweet for me ~ as I know it can be for many.

The sweetness of twinkling lights in the night, sparkling decorations at every turn, festivities of family & friends, the hustle & bustle of gift shopping, Christmas music and movies that bring back wonderful memories of Christmases past. The anticipation of Christmas Day. The celebration of the birth of Christ.

Amongst all the sweet things that give me joy and a light heart during Christmastime ….. there is a heaviness that I carry. It slowly creeps in and builds. I lost my father 3 days after Christmas, 35 years ago. He was laid to rest on New Years Eve. The pain never leaves. I can’t even say that it lessens. Two years ago, four days after Christmas, my mother suffered a heart attack. She lived through it ~ but a call at that particular time of year was doubly difficult. Last year on New Years Eve, we got the terrible news that my husbands tumor in his lung was cancerous. He is doing just fine. No time is good for bad news, but it seems to hit especially hard during the holidays.

Yesterday, on my way to work while driving on our two lane highway, I was on the phone with my husband and all of a sudden there was a car in my lane coming towards me. What I think was a girl, was trying to pass four cars when there wasn’t even time to pass one car. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I quickly maneuvered into the shoulder while yelling to my husband that someone almost hit me head on. While in the shoulder, she passed me in my lane. I was shaken. Terribly shaken. What shook me was that it could have been over in a blink of an eye. In a blink of an eye during the Christmas season. What would that do to my family. What pain would they have to hold on to during all future Christmas seasons. And for what …. someone’s lack of judgment on a beautiful Saturday morning.

So, I want to say, please be cautious. We can’t control cancer or heart attacks, but there are things that we can control. We can drive safely and keep our eyes open for those who aren’t. We all have so much on our plates during this time of year and so little time to get it all done. But let’s remember what is most important ~ Our loved ones. Being with our loved ones. Please slow down in everyway. Be safe for those who love you and for those you love.

Merry Christmas!

Have a beautiful week!

~Cheryl

Blondes & Brunettes

2009-12-06T18:43:00.001-06:00

Megan & Brandon

I have been looking for a frame for this picture of my boy & his girl. Yesterday, I found this one at target and absolutely had to have it. $4.99 !!! At first I thought I could only have it out at Christmas, but then the more I looked at it I thought it could go through Valentines Day….then I thought, why not through spring and summer & fall. The colors are perfect for all the seasons of trees!! Are they the cutest couple EVER!!!! xo I am so happy – because they are so happy!!

I stopped at the video store last night, after Target, to get a movie for hubby and I. I felt like a comedy and remembered that this was a cute movie….but didn’t really remember much about it. I ADORE VINCE VAUGHN. Actually, if I were younger and single…..I would seek him out. I love his expressions: he is manly and childlike all wrapped up in this large teddy bear frame. YUMMY!!!! This movie is HYSTERICAL. I am going to buy it. It will rank right up there with A Christmas Story as a yearly viewer. BTW: Peter Billingsley aka Ralphie (click here), is executive producer on Four Christmases. :)

My sweet Aunt Winnie (click here to read about her in my Red Door Christmas post) sent me these pictures of my mom & dad from the 50’s. My mom, a BEAUTIFUL platinum blonde and my dad – well, GORGEOUS! and that baby in the picture …..me. My mom was 18 and daddy was 19. Crazy, huh? Daddy passed in 1974 at the age of 38, mommy is 71 now.

And lastly, this blonde is me and the brunette, hubby. This was a Christmas party we were attending, about 8 years ago. I am no longer blonde, hubby no longer brunette. UGH. I was 45 and hubby 52! Crazy, huh? .. if only we could turn back time.

All my life I wore bangs, except as a teen and the last 2 years. I have been thinking about cutting my bangs again, what do you think ? (click here to see me now)

Hope you enjoyed my Blondes & Brunettes!

Have a beautiful week! ~Cheryl

Christmas Decor Part 2

2009-12-05T01:24:00.003-06:00

Since my last post, I have added to my “simplicity” Christmas decor.

Please come in for a tour.

I look forward to coming home at the end of the day and plugging in the Christmas lights and lighting the candles. They both add that special glow to these cold winter nights! …. and the scent of the holiday candles warm the soul (pumpkin, sugar cookie, apple & cinnamon ~ yum!) I found a cute little Santa towel and Christmas cookbook that I added to the vignette.

I also decided to add a couple of my “restaurant” Dickens Village houses to the mantle above the cook top and sat them in a cushion of “snow”.

The two restaurants are Wong’s Chinese and Italian Ristorante!

What I love about the Italian restaurant is the little side yard with the swing gate. Wouldn’t you love to sit there with a glass of Merlot?

At Wong’s, I picture myself living in the third story apartment. I have always had a fantasy of living above a restaurant in a big city! Always.

The fireplace mantle

First on the tour, are the Fire House, firemen and Spot! All knee deep in snow.

Ready for any emergency that may arise!

Fresh roasted chestnuts, anyone?

Auditions being held tonight!

This little lad is lighting the way to the Inn.

Come out of the cold.

The Innkeeper will get your bags for you!!

Another little touch that I added were these ribbons to the shades on the chandelier. It looks so lovely at night with the light on. So much so, that I am thinking of getting red shades!!

I want to thank all of you that gave your suggestions for decorating “my” vintage ice skates (from my last post). I appreciated all of your great ideas!! I decided to go with the red ribbon for the laces and add a pair of white & red fuzzy socks. Aren’t they just adorable??? LOVE THEM. I don’t know what took me so long to think of using them as my winter decor. But I just love them. I have so many wonderful memories involving my skates and now I can look at them throughout the cold months.

I am going to leave them propped on this bookstand sitting in one of the cubbies of our entertainment center right above the TV. I want to look at them ALL the time!!! Therefore, they will not be going on my front door ~ which some of you suggested. It was a great suggestion, but I want to be selfish and have them where I can see them!!

I thought I would also share the dining room. Simplicity at it’s best! A Christmas wall hanging and a sparkling tabletop tree. That’s it. Just a touch of Christmas.

And lastly, we got lucky because our neighbors across the street decorated like this ! The picture does not do it justice….but it is soooo pretty to look at! I zoomed in so you could get a better look!

Thank you for visiting, I hope you enjoyed the little Christmas tour. Please take good care of yourself during this season of hustle and bustle!

Enjoy the day.

Don’t wear yourself out.

Give yourself a special treat each day!!

suggestions: a hot bath, a cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, buy a new lotion, sit in front of the fire, listen to Christmas music, buy a new warm scarf

~you get the idea~

be good to yourself

Have a beautiful week ~ Cheryl

the beginnings of Christmas decorating……

2009-11-25T23:27:00.004-06:00

I don’t know about you, but when it is time to take out the decorations for Christmas, I get “stuck in my thoughts” about what I want to do. Of course, I would love to run out and get all "new" ~ just because I get tired of decorating with the same things each year ~ even though they bring such great memories! Over the years, I started with my Santa collection, and then moved to the Snowman collection and then to Dickens Village (it’s a girl thing, right?). So, I truly do have some great pieces to display. But my taste changes, as I am sure yours does too….. and new, beautiful styles come out in the stores each year. I love all different styles and color schemes for Christmas and that is what is so exciting about seeing everyone else’s holiday decor. I wanted to share the beginnings of my holiday decorating with you. Simplicity.

As with any seasonal change, I like to start with the kitchen island. It is the center of the house and my island is large enough to allow a good-sized grouping (vignette). This one started with a little wooden sleigh to get some height, and then I added a Santa candle holder, black wire basket, shabby crystal tea light holder, measuring spoons, bottle of wine, cookbook, kitchen towel and country living sign.

I enjoy mixing my everyday items with my Christmas items. Then I don’t have to part with my favorite things that are out all year.

I just adore these pewter spoons that my sister-in-law gave me for my birthday one year. The next little vignette is with my red Southwest cookbook, a pair of wooden ski’s and a snowman. Simple, but festive!

I love anything that has glitter on it because of the way it catches the light. One of the reasons that I bought this little green tinsel tree last year is because you don’t need the lights on for the tree to sparkle in the daytime.

And if you have things in your home (bunny rabbit or white roses) that you don’t want to put away during the holidays, just add a bow, a wreath or pinecones!

Now, I need your help with something. Last year I saw a few decorating ideas for vintage ice skates, but for the life of me ~ I can’t remember what they were. I have this pair of skates (they are mine) that I have had since I was probably 10 or 12. If you have read my “about me”, you know I grew up in Michigan. I used these skates to skate on the local ponds that froze over as well as in my own backyard. My father, every year, turned our backyard into a skating rink. He would go out every 1/2 hour or so, day after day, and spray a light coat of water on the grass until we had a thick, slick, ice rink! A cherished memory.

I don’t want to damage the skates in anyway….just adorn them! Any suggestions or links to pictures would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to displaying them this year! Here is a picture.

I did a lot of stopping with those toe stops~

And a lot of falling ~ proof in the scuffs!

This is the inside flannel.

I appreciate all comments and ideas ~ have a beautiful holiday weekend !

~Cheryl

halloween night

2009-11-01T14:56:00.007-06:00

This was the first Halloween in over 30+ years that I did not stand at the front door handing out candy. When my boy was little, his daddy always took him house to house while I handed out the candy. I loved dressing up and frightening the children!

I love Halloween. As my family and friends know, it is probably my favorite holiday. It is one day a year you can dress up and be someone else besides yourself and just have fun! As a child I used to bring home two full pillowcases of candy, mom always made my costume and I just loved running around in the night getting scared by monsters behind the bushes!! I hated when there was no one home at a house handing out candy and I must confess, we didn’t let them get away with it (bars of soap & toilet paper were very popular growing up in the 60's & 70's).

I stayed true to my heart and never disappointed a child who dressed up for Halloween and walked the neighborhood looking forward to picking up their treats! And I stayed true to my mom’s efforts with my costumes, and always made my sons Halloween costumes.

I have so many fond memories of Halloween Parties hubby and I threw over the years :)

Of course, due to all the real life frightening things that happen in this world, children now go to parties, church events, malls, etc to do their “trick or treating” ! So, because of the lack of children coming to the house, hubby and I decided to go to dinner and take in a movie!

We went to see Law Abiding Citizen with Jamie Foxx. I thought it was great. Jumped out of my seat at least 4 times and the poor man sitting next to me must have thought I was a bundle of nerves. You see, as I have gotten older, I scare a lot easier than that little girl running around the dark streets at night looking for the scare!

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Now, my sweet friend Becky from Farmgirl Paints (please stop by and give her a visit), asked that I share more pictures of myself in my blog. I have always photographed terribly, and as I age it is getting worse!!! UGH!! But here it goes. I tweaked the colors of the last 3 sunsets for fun! After dinner (Mexican, of course), hubby and I went down to the harbor to the theatre. The sunset over the water was fabulous!

Have a beautiful week! ~Cheryl

and the winner is……

2009-11-01T09:11:00.002-06:00

Thank you for your entries for my year anniversary giveaway. Using the random generator, the winner is Judy, of Just a Little Something for You!! Please visit Judy’s blog and say hello!

Judy, please email me with your information and I will get your goodies out to you shortly!! Congratulations! ~ Cheryl

one year “blogiversary” giveaway !!!

2009-10-26T11:46:00.001-05:00

For the coming season I would like to present a

Christmas Giveaway!!

Two kitchen towels. Red & White ~waffle weave with snowman appliqué.

Two vintage pillows with red ribbing. One Santa, One Snowman

Two snowman ornaments.

One gold Florentine picture frame. Opening 3.5 x 5 inches.

One Christmas coffee mug!!

I hope this is something that you all will like. It is my thank you for following my blog and giving me so much joy in showing my photos of my everyday life, recipes, and everything that makes me smile about this beautiful state of Texas!

But most of all, I have been blessed to have met some special friends .

All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment and please let me know, over the last year, what you have enjoyed most about my blog (or what you would like more of) ~ so that I can continue to have your visits be enjoyable for you. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.

I will let this giveaway run until Saturday, October 31st, midnight, central time!

~Cheryl~

Thank you!

2009-10-24T20:53:00.007-05:00

Thank you.

I wanted to thank each of you who sent your well wishes to me. I am beginning to feel much better. The fatigue that I had is lifting and my spirits are lifting as well. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your kindness and concern.

~Cheryl

under the weather

2009-10-18T18:40:00.003-05:00

Bless our Texas home

Been under the weather.

Brighter days are ahead.

how i know when it is autumn in Texas ……

2009-09-27T15:47:00.003-05:00

The cows cannot eat in peace and the grass starts turning brown.

It is so cute, these birds follow them everywhere!

The fields are yellow… and

the sky is blue!

Pumpkins are everywhere.

The nurseries are decorated ……

and mums are about to bloom!

The colors are magnificent.

and cameras are in hand…

Just in case someone is right there for you to capture!

And did I mention, pumpkins are everywhere. Pumpkins of all kinds!

But most of all, the sun has that special Golden Glow ……..

and the sunsets never disappoint.

How do you know it is autumn where you live?

Have a beautiful fall week ~ Cheryl

so much to say, so little time …& a healthy snack

2009-09-21T12:49:00.006-05:00

My son and his girl went to Seattle and Portland on their first vacation together and for my son to meet her father. These are 4 of his 400 pictures!!!

This is the souvenir they brought home to me………

Since it is Monday, and my day off ~ I vowed to take the time to enjoy the morning sun and post in my blog. You know how I love the morning and evening sun coming in my house. My new mug is from the “first” Starbucks located in Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA. The perfect gift for me :) Thank you Brandon & Megan.

My snack.

Actually, this is my breakfast today….but normally it is my sweet-tooth snack.

Frozen banana slices and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter! YUM!

Now, this can’t be an everyday thing, because of the peanut butter.

270 calories, and 16 grams of fat.

If you cut the peanut butter to 1 tblsp, then you only have 8 grams of fat, which is about a third of the fat you should have for the day. And believe me,1 tblsp is PLENTY! But for photography purposes, I had to go with the 2 tablespoons :)

While deciding to photograph this treat, I was looking in my kitchen for a plate and I found these cute little plates that I bought on sale months ago for $5 ~ I forgot I had them.

CUTE!!!!

I could save the rest of what I have to say for another post, but I have been meaning to share these (below). I picked them up a couple of weeks ago with a Barnes and Noble gift card I had from the girls at work. Barnes and Noble is always my request if anyone insists on gift giving!

I know you all have seen Tara’s book on many of our fellow bloggers blogs, but I want to share as well. Tara is one of the first blogs I found that just blew me away. Her humor, her photography, her love of her family …. And to top it off, she wrote this book … I think she deserves all the recognition we can give her!

Lastly, for today, I want to share with you what I am doing for my heart. Oatmeal. I have been meaning for sometime now to eat oatmeal each day to counter-act all the bad things I do to my heart, caffeine, lack of cardio, stress etc. My mom swears that she lowered her cholesterol by these three things daily. Oatmeal, an orange and fish oil tablets. I have incorporated the oatmeal into a smoothie with orange juice, soy milk and a frozen banana. I semi-freeze it and drink it throughout the day at work. It is my mid-morning snack, my lunch and my afternoon pick me up.

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

1 frozen banana

3/4 cup oatmeal (uncooked)

1 cup orange juice

1 cup soy milk

Put in a blender until smooth. Freeze for one hour.

Health Benefits of Bananas ~ Click to Link to Statistics! Better than an apple a day!

Have a wonderful week ~ Cheryl

oh yea, Cowboys 31, Giants 33 – UGH!

who doesn’t love a cowboy …

2009-09-13T23:19:00.005-05:00

I forgot to tell you girls (in my last post) the best thing I love about the fall. It is the start of football season :)

I’ll be spending my Sunday afternoons with Mr. Tony Romo and his boys for the next 4 months!!! He’s the MAN!!

1st game: Cowboys 34 Tampa Bay 21 Way to Go Boys!!!!! We are on our way to Super Bowl !!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/boxjock78/3040336220/

it’s all around the corner!!!!!

2009-09-06T22:12:00.004-05:00

These are the things I love about this time of year:

Gorgeous Golden Sunflowers – other than pink roses, sunflowers might be my favorite flower~

Pumpkins and Gourds – It takes me forever to pick out our pumpkins…searching for just the right ones. The right ones are never the same from year to year…..just like the Christmas tree!

Sweet Caramel Apples – These were a childhood fave, along with salt water taffy. My silver fillings, root canals, and crowns are proof! I adore caramel. I was always happy to get the little wrapped caramel squares in my Halloween bag.

Scrumptious Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream – The BEST. I have to admit, Costco has one of the best pumpkin pies. It is the perfect firmness, spiciness and it is HUGE!!!

Change of Leaves - I always say, we can’t beat God’s colors.

State Fair - Texas holds their State Fair from September – October. They come out with a new deep fried food every year. This year it is “deep fried butter”. What the heck????? I don’t know what to think about that, other than they better have plenty of ambulances available. Heart attack on a stick!

Country Wagons & Red Barns – Actually, I love country wagons and red barns all year round!!!

Hot Apple Cider & Cinnamon Sticks - This is also a great beverage while putting up Christmas lights – with a shot of Brandy ~ of course :)

Cider Mills – I was such a lucky girl growing up in the North. Us kids would walk to the cider mill to get hot cider and fresh baked cinnamon doughnuts each fall. It was a 14 mile round trip walk. Imagine 5 or 6 kids (boys and girls) walking a country road to the cider mill and back. It would take us all day since we would goof around the whole way there and back. These were the good old days when our parents didn’t have to worry about us and we could be kids and experience the world around us – on our own. A blessing to be a pre-teen in the early 70’s!! I guess that is why I relate to the movie “Stand by Me” ~ except we weren't looking for a dead body. EEK!

Happy September!! Enjoy all that the season has to offer ~ Cheryl

1. Sunflower Close up, 2. Pumpkin Pile, 3. caramel apples, 4. Pumpkin pie, 5. Walk With Me...., 6. enjoyed the ride!, 7. The Old Buckboard Wagon, 8. fpx206004, 9. The Cider Mill

the apron

2009-08-29T21:01:00.002-05:00

The History of 'APRONS'
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few and
it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material. But along with that, it served as a
potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched
eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow ~ bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could
dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew
it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served
so many purposes.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.
Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron!

This apron history was sent to me by my dear friend Lisa and I just had to share it with you since it brought back such wonderful childhood memories of my sweet granny and my mom. Both apron wearers! Though I don’t wear an apron, I do own them because I like to buy vintage ones at garage sales & new ones at Anthropologie. Check out the link below!

http://search.anthropologie.com/?q=aprons&international=false

hey ? hay !

2009-08-20T22:10:00.003-05:00

as I drive along the country roads, I see golden speckled land. a familiar site this time of year which promises that autumn is around the corner.

are you looking forward to pumpkins and hay rides and a chill in the air?

a man’s view

2009-08-16T11:18:00.004-05:00

After my frilly pink cake post, I wanted to contrast it with a man’s view through the camera lens !! The man = my son. These are borrowed photos from him again … 1) because it brings me close to him to see what he sees 2) because he takes amazing photographs and he doesn’t even know it!

Fresh & Homemade Strawberry Cake

2009-08-10T22:52:00.004-05:00

In my last post, I was trying to find a strawberry cake recipe for my co-workers birthday. There were so many to choose from, but I chose the “from scratch” homemade strawberry cake with buttercream frosting and fresh strawberries!

CAKE

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

4 tbsp cornstarch

1 cup strawberry puree (frozen strawberries – almost thawed )

1/4 cup milk

6 egg whites

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 3/4 cup sugar

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 sticks unsalted sweet butter - softened

FROSTING

4 sticks unsalted sweet butter – softened

4-5 cups powdered sugar

1/4 tsp salt

4 tsp vanilla

4 tbsp heavy cream

1 package Fresh Strawberries – sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottoms of (2) 8- inch cake pans with wax paper. Grease sides of pans and flour.

In a bowl, puree the half -thawed frozen strawberries.

Add the milk, egg whites and vanilla. Whisk until mixed.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder and salt.

Add the softened butter. Mix until the mixture resembles moist crumbs.

Add the liquid (strawberry puree mixture) and beat at medium speed for about 1 minute. Stop mixer and scrape down the bowl. Continue mixing on low speed for another minute.

Divide the batter evenly among the two pans – smooth tops. Bake for 30 – 45 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean, or center of cake bounce back to the touch.

Remove pans from oven. Let rest for 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks and let cool for about 2 hours.

For buttercream frosting,

in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the softened butter at medium-high speed until smooth (20 – 30 seconds). Add half of the powdered sugar and all the salt. Beat at medium-low speed until most of the sugar is moistened. Add the remainder of the sugar and beat until fully combined. Scrape down the bowl and add vanilla and cream. Beat on medium to medium-high until light and fluffy (about 4 minutes).

Sweet Strawberry Cake!!!

Strawberry Cake Mosaic

2009-08-09T12:30:00.004-05:00

i haven’t posted a mosaic in quite a while, so while searching for a strawberry cake recipe for a co-worker’s birthday ….. well, i couldn’t help but to share these gorgeous cakes with you!

1. Strawberry rhubarb cake, 2. Strawberry Cake Ball, 3. Homeade Angel Food Cake with Strawberries, 4. strawberry marble cheese cake, 5. Strawberry Mango Cake, 6. Photo of Angel Food Cake With Strawberry Fondue Sauce, 7. Strawberry-Mousse Cake with White Chocolate Ganache, 8. Chocolate and Strawberry Cake, 9. Strawberry Cake

Butterfly, butterfly, oh, butter butterfly

2009-08-05T23:51:00.003-05:00

Butterflies: self-propelled flowers

photos by Brandon

shared by Cheryl xo

beautiful faces

2009-08-03T20:25:00.005-05:00

It was recently my birthday and my wonderful SON got his mom the Nikon D40. All my photos on this blog have been taken with my Sony point and shoot $100 camera. So now I hope to give you even better pics to enjoy!

These are not my beauties, sadly, but I had to share their beautiful faces!

Dog Fun!

Photos taken by Brandon with my new Nikon!

Dog owners Kevin & Tiff

My Winning Photo

Curly, Moe and Larry! Not really.

Our Home Owners Association had a photo contest for their website header photo and this picture of the horses that I have shared with you on a previous post won their hearts! I received a $50 gift certificate!

Girls at work surprised me with this!

rain love rain

2009-07-27T19:06:00.002-05:00

rain

love

rain

it rained today

beautiful rain

earthy scent

moist skin

and when it was over

stillness

~Cheryl

i scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream

2009-07-18T20:47:00.004-05:00

All you really want when it is the 7th day over 100 degrees!!!

Which was your favorite as a kid?

Mine was….. Good Humor Toasted Almond

Baskin & Robbins : Black Cherry or Pistachio

But I was AN ODDBALL. I liked fish sandwiches instead of hamburgers. Onion rings instead of french fries. Orange soda instead of coke!

…….. what ……….. ever !!!!!

2009-07-14T19:52:00.002-05:00

in order to keep my blood pressure down and my chest pains to a minimum, all i have to say today is ~

"Whatever" is a slang term meaning "Whatever you say." The term is also used to dismiss a previous statement and express indifference. It is sometimes only written as w/e, where the / indicates the beginning of the second word.

In the late 20th century and early 21st century, the word became a sentence in its own right; in effect an interjection, it is used as a powerful conversational blocking tool. [1] In the above examples, the first speaker is left without a convincing retort. Anything they do or say can simply be blocked by the retort of "whatever".

On the TV show All in the Family which premiered in 1971, 'whatever' was frequently used by the main character, Archie Bunker, as a dismissive response to his wife, Edith Bunker.

It was prevalent among the affluent "valley girls" of California in the 1980s, is known to be offensive as in saying "I don't think what you are saying is relevant" (Clueless), according to slang expert Tony Thorne, who first recorded it there. It was a term used by WAGs - the wives and girlfriends of movie stars and producers but picked up as part of the code of the 'valley girls'.

crepe myrtle and baby birds !

2009-07-05T12:53:00.003-05:00

i wish i had more to share with you this week, like some awesome recipe or a decorating tip …… but it is all about work right now and trying to keep our heads above water …… but even with that, i do stop to smell the flowers … so here is a picture of our crepe myrtle that is on it’s second season. they are all over north texas now ~ and oh~so pretty … but i have to admit that i think the red bud trees are still my fave in early spring ! the wonderful thing about crepe myrtles is that they bloom a long time !

and by the way …. remember in a previous post i showed you our baby birds in a nest in the asparagus fern out back ? …….. and unfortunately the snake got them and mama …. well ….. we have more babies out on the front porch now …. and they have made it longer …. I pray that these little ones make it !!

here’s a quick peek ……

not sure how they fit in that itty bitty nest, but they are cute as can be !

have a lovely week!

~cheryl

escaping the Texas heat …….

2009-06-29T11:09:00.002-05:00

Boy and his Girl

Local Jazz Concert on the Lake

It has been HOT here in Texas! Triple digits! So when it is hot….. seek water!!!

When lightening strikes …

2009-06-21T10:10:00.003-05:00

This is the 4th custom home in our general area (5 mile radius) that has been destroyed by lightening (that I know of) in the past two years. Two years ago, during the first week of June, two homes got hit by lightening during the same 1/2 hour storm and they burnt to the ground. Last week when we had a storm we heard of a home that got hit and also destroyed. We did not even know that the next street over, this neighbor was also hit by lightening in that same storm. This is the result of that lightening strike. It scares me terribly. Coming from California in a populated area, we didn’t hear of homes getting struck by lightening. Transformers were hit, but not homes. We didn’t have many lightening storms for that fact. But here in Texas, every spring and even summer, there are NASTY storms, and all I can do is sit and pray during them. I am like a dog curled up in a corner under the bed when we have lightening storms. And here is proof why I am scared. If anyone knows anything about protecting your home (lightening rods or such) please let me know. I am not sure if the rods attract the lightening or not. I had overheard that this home had a weathervane on their roof ~ was it part of the problem, or just bad luck? So sad.

I hate to leave on a sad note ….. there are too many things to be grateful for and too much beauty around, so I want to share with you my view when I was driving home from work last night!

This is around 8 pm as the sun is getting ready to go down (the perfect time to take pics). The feed corn is all around our area now (with its golden tips!) Nothing like a country road ~ in my book.

Sweet Lemonade!

2009-06-14T15:49:00.006-05:00

Well, here it is Sunday again….and yard work had to get done. My Sunday Date Days are long gone

… they will be back in the winter months. Too much to do now. It is Texas, it is mid June and it is 98 degrees! So you can imagine the thirst after being out mowing. I LOVE Simply Lemonade ~ and here is their new flavor …. “to die for” !!!

I have so much to show you that I don’t know where to start ~ I could save it for different posts, but it is on my mind to share with you now ~ so here you go!

First: we had babies! Baby birds that is.

…… this is dad in the tree, watching over mama on the chair and babies in the nest.

…… I am sad to say that only the papa made it. We lost mama and the babies to a predator in the night. The nest was clean and only papa was in the tree the next day. I am sure it was a snake. I was devastated when I opened the curtains and window and didn’t hear them. The circle of life.

All in one day: Sunrise/Sunset

Morning sunrise

Now, this is just the beginning of my husband saying, “honey, you might want to get your camera !”

He already knows I am going to gasp at the sight!

We had rain and so the sky kept changing that evening from light to dark. As I was trying to catch up on some things, next I hear “ Honey, you might want to look out front” . A rainbow.

Now I am on the computer ~ seeing what my blogging buddies are doing this week (I am way to exhausted during the week to be creative and share with you all) ….. so I am trying to visit your blogs….. and, AGAIN, “honey, sorry to interrupt, but I am afraid not to tell you to look out back now”

….. Oh my heaven!!!!

Ok, sun is going down, that should be it. Nope. “Honey …. I really think you should look again……?” he says.

I wish I could capture what the whole sky looked like. It was just an unbelievable night, and the colors were beyond pictures or words.

Good night sky.

A flower for you all! Have a beautiful week!

~Cheryl