Last & Final Clue

Here is your last and final clue of my big surprise.  I've so enjoyed reading your comments about what you think my big reveal is, which if you haven't been keeping up with my posts you can read them here and here.  Have fun with this one, tell me what you think it is.  I'm anxiously waiting to hear your comments.  I'll reveal my secret sometime during the first week of September and I'll also pick someone to win the prize for playing along.

Thanks for all the comments you've left!  You've made this so much fun.

Please pray for Clayton!! GREAT NEWS UPDATE

I will continue to update you as I hear from Theresa.  Please check the bottom for current updates.

I am asking for your prayers.  Please if you are a prayer warrior and you believe in prayer, please pray for Theresa Smith's son, Clayton.  He was in an accident yesterday and is in ICU at a Tyler Tx hospital.  She doesn't have much news at this point, but she is asking for you all to please pray for her baby!  God is in control!!

Theresa called and said he just came to, PRAISE GOD!!  He doesn't remember what happened but he did recognize his dad.  She's on her way to Texas and her daughters will be driving in so please continue to pray for them.  Thanks for all that are praying! 

Theresa called again and said the CT Scan came back good.  He has a cracked skull and they will continue to watch him but she said they'll be moving him into another room possibly this evening.  She just arrived in Dallas (4:55) and has a delay before she can fly into Tyler.  I know she can't get their quick enough to hold her son.  Thank you again for all your prayers. They are working my friends!

I spoke with Theresa this morning (8/31) and she said she thinks Clayton will get to get out of the hospital on Wednesday.  She's planning on taking him home with her to Kentucky since he still needs to rest and take it easy for awhile.  This is awesome news that's he's doing better.  I'm sure she'll fill you all in when she gets home.  I know she can't thank everyone enough for all their prayers!  God is good...

25 Days & Counting

The Round Top/Warrenton countdown is continuing and it's 25 Days until the shows start.  Here's 25 Reasons why you SHOULD NOT miss the shows:

1. Great DISPLAYS 
2. See the Best JUNK in the state of Texas
3. Make New FRIENDS 
4. Have the BEST TIME ever!
5. Play DRESS UP during the Junk Gypsy Prom
6. Laugh A LOT
7. Find the BEST DEALS 
8. Find the most UNIQUE ITEMS 
9. You'll be a lot HAPPIER
10.  It's great EXERCISE
11. Very INSPIRING
12. Get NEW IDEAS 
13.  Meet NEW PEOPLE
14. Think outside THE BOX for decorating
15. Spend TIME doing what you enjoy
16. It's a REFRESHING experience
17. You will not believe HOW MANY shows are here
18. Attend PARTIES
19. Shop with people from different STATES
20. Listen to BANDS
21. Eat at PLACES you only get to eat at during the shows
22. See your favorite VENDORS that bring you the COOLEST JUNK
23. It's an experience like none other that you can only experience in TEXAS!!
24. Attend my BLOG PARTY 
25. You'll regret it if you don't come out once you see all the pictures on everyone's blog

Now that I have you all fired up to come out to the shows and I know after this post you will not want to miss it and now you just have to make plans to come to the shows, even if you have to sleep in your car (there are showers available at the shows). I'll leave you to watch Amie and Jolie of the Junk Gypsy's at the shows:

A Feast For The Eyes (UPDATED)

This title is the only way I could explain how pretty Laurie and her staff had fixed up Laurie Anna's Vintage Home.  Junkin Buddy and I headed out early this morning to attend Laurie's Fall Preview Party and it was just beautiful.  If you didn't get to make it out and you'll be in Canton next week for the Flea Market, you have to stop by and see her.  This place was packed from top to bottom with the most awesome displays.  These girls have worked really hard to find one of a kind things and display them in unique ways.  The new items mixed in really went well with the vintage items.  There were botanicals, and bugs (yes bugs were everywhere) and linens and lights and candles and pumpkins, beds and so many great vintage things.  I bought the cutest pumpkins that will last me from season to season.  Take a look for yourself and tell me what you think:

 

  

 

 

 

 

From there we headed out to see Jo at the Quinlan Tx Trade Days and of course we ran into a few celebs along the way.  Sorry Jo I didn't take any pics, was so excited at getting to meet Valerie of Glimpse of My World and of course Lynn of White Washed. 

 

 

We had a great time.  Next time why don't you tag along with us, you'll have a blast!

Click here to see more great pics of Laurie Anna's Vintage Home.

Laurie Anna's in Canton Tx

Laurie @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home in Canton Texas is having a huge Fall Preview Party tomorrow to debut all the wonderful things she's found during their recent shopping trip.  It starts Saturday at 9:00 am.  Take a look at her blog to see all the awesome things she's discovered during their recent trip to 12 towns in 4 days.  You'll be blown away and will not want to miss seeing it all. 

(Photo Source: Laurie Anna's Vintage Home)

Laurie Anna's Vintage Home is located on Hwy. 19 in Canton, just past the Canton Tx Flea Market if you are coming into Canton from Athens, or they can be reached at 903/567-8421.

 

When you leave Canton head down the road to Athens and check out Winnie and Tulula's while you are near by.  It's only about 20 miles from Canton.  Will I see you there?

Sale at Leftover's Antiques in Brenham Tx

The Leftover's Antiques Shop in Brenham Texas is have an unloading sale and you have one week before the sale ends.  They've bought a container full of new antiques and they need to make room for all their new merchandise.  Here's your chance to load up on specials before it's all gone.  If you've never been to this shop and you live in Texas, all I can say is, where have you been?  You've missed out on some awesome displays.  Here's what we saw the last time we stopped by back in June:

Leftovers Antiques Home Mercantile is located at 3900 Hwy 290 West, Brenham Texas; or you can reach them at 979/830-8496.

Red Shed Sale - Grapevine Tx

The girls at The Red Shed are having their big sale this Saturday.  Mark your calendars and head to Grapevine Texas.  They've been shopping the roads and taking trips to Paris to bring you one of kind treasures. 

Check out their blog for more details and directions to their sale.

White Wednesday @ Judy Hill's

Welcome to Kathleen's White Wednesday.  The pictures in this post were taken last December during Judy Hill's Open House in Kilgore Tx.  I always enjoy attending Judy's Open Houses because they are like none other, way better than any magazine I've ever seen and she's been in plenty of them.  She normally has two open houses a year and the next time she has one you don't want to miss it.  My header was also taken at her house.  She sells at the Marburger Farms Antique Show each Spring and Fall or you can now order her beautiful linens, slipcovers, and pillows from her website.  Be sure and also go over and check out her blog.  To see more of her beautiful home, click on this post.

Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!

30 Days & Counting

30 Days until the Round Top/Warrenton Antique Shows start. Can you believe it? Those 30 days are going to fly by like nothing and I still have so much to do, so much to pack, so much to load and that's on 2 trailers and that's not including the two trucks that will be loaded down as well.

Even with the long list of things to get down before the final loading days, I am getting really excited and I know it will all come together, with a lot of blood, sweat, tears and praying I'm sure.

So, can I expect to see you at the shows? Are you coming. We'll have agua fresca waiting for you to quench your thirst and all kinds of cool junk we've hit the Texas roads to find just for you! We'll be waiting to see you at Zapp Hall.

Here's Clue #2

Here's your second clue. Only one more left before the BIG REVEAL!! I just can't wait to tell you and show you the whole story. It'll be exciting for sure.

Can you see more of the tin ceiling, isn't it gorgous. Come on, take a wild guess what my big secret could be. Read this post if you aren't sure what I'm talking about. There'll be a prize during the big reveal in September. Don't you want a chance to win? Ya'll have made this so much fun!!

Jennifer's Surprise

Jennifer at the The Old Painted Cottage is going to reveal her new home and new decorating style on August 24th. Mark your calendar and go over and give her a visit. I've been following her website way before there were even blogs and you could be a follower. I just love her style.

Can't wait Jennifer to see your new home revealed.

Down The Junkin Road

Junkin Buddy and I headed down the junkin road the other day. We had a great time as we always do and I just had to show you this booth we found in one of the shops we visited. At first we thought it was a new dealer that had moved in but we were told it was a dealer that's been in this shop for a while and she just expanded.

Look at this cute child's mannquin. What great patina and he has a new home at Junkin Buddy's house. I tried to sweet talk her into giving it to me for Christmas, don't know if it worked?


The vendor has totally redone this space. She's combined two spaces into one and has repainted the booth. It looks great. Love the iron bed too!


There are lots of linens to be found in her space. Look at the cute aqua fan.


This primitive child's table and chairs was so adorable. I hope it's still here when I come back, I may just have to splurge on it.

A chest filled with all kinds of goodies. I'll reveal where this booth is probably next week. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Lifestyle Changes

When you get a scare and the doctor tells you, you need to lower your cholesterol or go on medication, you bet I'm listening. I already take heart burn and thyroid meds, so the thought of taking more did not appeal to me. After my doctor's appointment the other day, I immediately started changing my way of eating. The first night we had stir fry chicken just made healthier, with a lot more veges and brown rice. So since I had leftover stir fry I thought about making Tortilla Soup the next night for supper.

Here's the recipe for a healthier version. I can promise you before it would have been fried fried and more fried, but not this time.

Tortilla Soup Recipe:

Cut corn tortillas into strips and put on a baking dish (or you can deep fry them). Bake tortilla strips until they are crisp, about 20-30 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Ovens will vary so watch them so they don't burn. Once crisp, sprinkle with sea salt.

1 whole onion, chopped into small pieces1 rib celery (or more if you like, cut into small chunks)
1 large can or carton of chicken broth1 large can of Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce (only use this brand because the other ones can be bitter)
3 cloves of garlic, minced
spices (garlic powder, pepper flakes*, salt, pepper, onion powder) *You can omit the pepper flakes if don't want it too spicy. I never measure anything I just add to taste.
olive oil
cooked chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
Avocado
Low fat cheese
Small Key Limes, cut into quarters

Saute the onion and celery until soft in a large pot in olive oil (about 2 teaspoons.) Add garlic and cook for a few minutes (at this point you add a bag of frozen veges or beans if you want it more vegetarian). Cook for about 3 minutes. Add the enchilada sauce and broth and fill both cans of water and pour into pot. Cook until bubbly.

Serve in a dish with chunks of avocado and "low fat" cheese and tortilla strips. Sprinkle lime juice over the tortilla strips.

Enjoy, it was so good I didn't even miss the fried tortilla chips.

Another Year Has Passed

I can't believe another year has passed since my son celebrated a birthday. I remember delivering this child like it was yesterday, even though it's been 22 years ago. I actually got to pick his birth day and didn't have to wait for a surprise delivery, like I did with his brother. I knew on that day he would be born. So, I settled on August 20th, thinking it was an even number and could be easily remembered.

He came into the world screaming and wanting to be heard and he hasn't stopped yet! He's a very vocal child, strong, and very determined and settled in his young ways, and he's also a very talented artist. He can draw like nobody's business. I keep telling him this is the field he needs to pursue.

This past weekend we celebrated his birthday since his brother was home. It was a surprise and he really enjoyed it. Since he doesn't like to really have his picture taken, here's one that I sneaked of him:



All the family was there and we all had a great time. I ordered tres leches cake for him. If you've never had this cake you have missed out, it is awesome.



Unfortunately, one of the little kids brushed up against it before I got to take a pic, but it was still good.

Here's a picture of him when he was little:


This is still one of my fav pictures of him. Happy Birthday son, we love you!!

White Wednesday in McKinney

On a previous post of Kathleen's White Wednesday, I had showed you a gorgeous kitchen that was featured on HGTV's-More Bang for your Buck show. Well, I had received an email from Lucinda, who so kindly shared more information about this home. She said it was previously featured by a Dallas Realtor when it came up for sale. Here are more photo's of the Tate's beautiful home. I would have moved right in, Gayle Tate has great style:

I loved the mirror and the way the light just brightens this room, so pretty.

Aren't thse vintage French inspired beds so pretty and the room's similicity makes it seem so cozy. I saw similiar beds at the Round Top/Warrenton antique show during last Fall, should have snatched them up. They were gone by the time I went back. How many times has that happened that you walked away from something you really liked and came back only to find them sold.

This vanity cabinet is so unique. I loved the black contrast against the white accents.


What a pretty bedroom with the blue quilt. Blue is still one of my fav colors.


The white just seems to pop against the wood color tones.


Now isn't this a relaxing room, and the coffee table is so unique.


I actually really like the chandeliar in this dining room along with the windsor chairs. The pop of red of the cabinet is a nice touch.

Ok, this is what drew me to watch the show was this super awesome kitchen. Click here to see another picture of the kitchen. Thanks Lucinda for the additional information about this beautiful home.