From somebody's trash to my treasure. I like to re-style & re-create what was once a cast off. Isn't that what Jesus does with us?


Saturday, September 3, 2016

The Corn Crib

Hi Ya'll --
I just love sayin' that! How are you?

The pictures I'm about to show you are not a flashback to my recent trip to Waco, Texas. Rather they are to a place called The Catering Barn and Corn Crib that I had the privilege of decorating. What a fun, easy party. And what a dream!!
I was both a guest and decorator. The best of both worlds.


My prince charming and I were there for a party that he was invited to. Shortly after, they contacted me to decorate all the tables. I had never been here before so I suggested we go take a look.
SQUEAL!!! I was not disappointed. All the farm's original patina was kept when the barn and corn crib were restored. 
 I am so in love with that barn doors chippyness!!
 It made for great pictures of my sweet man. I was bummed I didn't get a good shot of the two of us together.

 More shabby chippyness and table decorating to come! 
Tammy 

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Back To School

Hello Friends --
Are you back to school like we are?
Although we officially started back August 1, we truly never stop learning. And why should we? God has given us a world to be explored, tested and investigated whether behind a desk with books or on a trail in the woods. (I have to say I would rather be on the trail in the woods!) As these girl's teacher, I choose to look at the world around me with anticipation of His creation and any opportunity to learn something. I want the girls to see a fire burning within me. I want them to know that a caterpillar or moth that I've never seen before excites me to want to learn more. I hope they catch that fire!
Our theme verse for this school year is 1 Corinthians 9.24-27.  Paul encourages his friends to run the race so that they can get the prize.
My oldest was recently in a triathlon. She swam two laps, bicycled 1 mile and ran 1 mile. She had never disciplined her body to do this before.  Although she has competed in many relays, she had never put her body through the training and exercise this kind of race demanded of her. It was a hard course. She did well.
I think it taught her some things about life. Our school year is all about exercising self - control and disciplining our bodies to grow in wisdom and have good attitudes. It's a mix of brain development and character building. I'm so glad I can be their coach.
Coaching his friends along in the race, Paul said "I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
Nobody wants to be told they jumped the start or fowled on the 20 yard line. As their teacher, I want to be that example that they can trust in, lean on and look up to.
So these words of admonition from Paul are as much to me as they are to the students. And to all of you parents, Aunts and Uncles, Grandmas and Grandpas out there, I pray this will be your verse as well. Let's love on our kids and never stop growing in wisdom. They are watching every decision we make.
The choice is yours. Don't be disqualified!
Blessings,
Tammy 

Monday, July 25, 2016

Texas Closure

Happy Summer Friends!
Today I bring you the final pictures of my trip to Waco, Texas!
I could live in this barn! 
 We were dismayed to see the Magnolia sign come down at the entry of Chip and Joanna's driveway, but figured it must be for privacy reasons. 

I just couldn't get enough of these Texas Long Horns. They thoroughly enjoyed the feast they were partaking of. Shaking their heads back and forth as they tugged at the hay.
Pure loveliness! 
Just a few more photos before we say so long ......
Until our next adventure .....
Tammy

Wednesday, July 20, 2016


More of Texas

How is summer treating you, friends? I hope it's relaxing and warm wherever you are. That just seems like the perfect recipe for a perfect summer to me.
I've really been enjoying sharing all my Magnolia Market Adventure with you. And I appreciate your sweet comments. I hope you get the chance to go yourself as some of you have it on your bucket list of things to do!!  If you have missed any of those posts, you can reference them below.
Friends have asked what the favorite part of the whole trip was. That is so tough. I love flying in an airplane. I love A.N.Y. adventure. I love me some rusty, chippy industrial farmhouse design. I love the outdoors. And yummy treats! Well, it's just hard to narrow it down.
 My mom read of Jo Jo and Chip"s latest purchase. So of course we had to look up the address and drive to it. It was somewhere in Waco. Waco is pretty big. Much bigger than I had anticipated! 
I had to wonder at the kind of fancy parties one could have in such a beautiful house as this. I imagine ladies in ball gowns and men in tuxes. Maybe from the 1920's or 1940's. (sigh) 
At last we drove to a neighboring town called Crawford where Chip and Joanna have their white farmhouse. 
Even in the moonlight the place was aglow with perfection. 

More lovely pics of the Gaines' farmhouse and Texas Long Horns next post! 

hugs,
tammy

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Today we will visit Clint Harp's house and shop! If you have missed any of the posts about HGTV's Fixer Upper show with Chip and Joanna Gaines, please see the posts below. My mom, sis and my two girls and I flew on a girl's long weekend trip to Waco, Texas recently to soak in all that Waco has to offer. Namely, Magnolia Market. And on this day we were thrilled to spot Clint's famous door that he handcrafted. What a beauty on the show and definitely in person!
(sigh)

Right beside the Harp's house is their shop. It's small but has some really unique items.
I'm crushing on this wall!!
And these hand-carved wooden letters. SWOON!
 Next we moved on to the Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast that Joanna and Chip bought in the town called McGregor. Did you see that episode? The B&B is now available for a stay. I don't think I could ever leave. They would have to kick me out! HA! 
 There's a quiet little park with a gazebo right across the street. The caretakers have taken up residence in a ranch house on the gate-lined property. There's also signs on the fence asking you to keep out to give the B&B visitors some privacy. 

I love their sweet porch and beautiful front door. How I would love to walk through that! (sigh)
Loved seeing these Texas flags in many places we visited. 
I'll be back with more pictures soon, friends.
Tootles,
Tammy

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Betty Crocker I am not! But I do know a good cupcake when I taste one. Joanna Gaines, hostess of HGTV's Fixer Upper show opened her bakery Magnolia Flour at the beginning of July. I've never been to France (yet) but it epitomizes any French cafe's I"ve seen online. Take a look for yourself!
You can see the black umbrella tops and planter boxes that mark off the outdoor space of the bakery courtyard. The use of black and white throughout is evident and very classic.
I love these textured bistro chairs in the patio area. It's so sophisticated!

The bakery sits facing the street as you turn up to the silos. So you can access it without going into the grounds of Magnolia Market. Like the Market, Joanna and Chip have designed every detail to showcase this sweet little gem of a bakery.






Maybe I should have warned you about the load of pictures you would see today! HA! I just wanted to capture every detail! The dessert board offers such goods as Cup O' Jo, a chocolate cupcake with espresso laced light icing; Silo-bration, and a lemon cake with lavendar icing. OH YUM!!
I tasted the strawberry and cream, the cup o' jo and the lemon lavender and the peanut butter cup. What a tough decision! They were all very moist and creamy. It's a toss up between Lemon Lavender and Cup O' Jo but I think in the end my favorite would have to be (drumroll please!) cup o' jo!
There are cute wooden forks to eat your cupcake with!
They give you these cute little black and white boxes to take your cupcakes in. Of course my girls had to sit outside on this cute little bar under the sign! I could go back tomorrow! 
I'll be back with pictures of Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast and Clint Harp's beautiful house and shop. 
Until next time my friends,
Tammy