Sunshine

Just a little teaser to let you know where I have been. I will be back into my routine soon. Have a safe and fun New Year's Eve. Janey

A Family Tradition

This is the time of year that we all try to practice a few family traditions.

One of ours, is the making and decorating of Christmas Sugar Cookies

So, I have been in the kitchen again.

Before I get patted on the back for my culinary talents... let me confess. I have been known to take a few shortcuts. These cookies are going to become more a holiday craft for a two and four year old...not sure how many are actually going to get eaten.With this mix you simply add 1/2 cup of butter and an egg. Roll them out a choose your favorite cookie cutter.

After they bake for five to seven minutes, you let them cool. Normally I would then mix powdered sugar with a tiny bit of milk and some vanilla extract to make an icing that will be separated into small dishes and colored with various food colors....The fun part  though comes next...choosing which sprinkles to use.

Although, I am transporting these to North Carolina to be decorated....so I  layered them in a plastic container, between sheets of parchment paper, and put in the freezer. They will thaw along the way.

At this point I want to say Happy Holidays to all of my blog friends . I will be signing off for a few days. Stay Happy, Healthy and Warm...except for Grace in Perth who needs to stay cool!

I will return....Janey

A Day at the Spa

Yes, I have been at the Spa all day

This is not a normal thing that I do....It was a gift my husband gave me back in September for my birthday, and I finally got around to using it. No, this is not the first time I have had a spa day, but the first time in a long time.

First things first. They assigned me a locker for my belongings (clothes),

and issued me a soft over sized robe

Of course I had to check out all of the toiletries displayed for  use....wonder if anyone else does this?

I noticed that there were containers of water with fruit ... everywhere. Apparently it is important to stay hydrated.

First up was a 50 minute full body massage. Oh my that felt good.

I was then ushered into a darkened room lined with comfortable lounges, and soft music playing. People came and went...and I had an opportunity to snap a picture when the room was empty. I am not sure they would be happy about me photographing them.

During this break I had of cup of green tea.

Next up was a pedicure, with a friendly lady who was a good conversationalist.

Meanwhile back in the room with the lounges, my lunch magically appeared...Oops I noticed the other ladies ordered salads. Hmmm well, I was being pampered and didn't want lettuce. If it makes you feel any better I didn't eat the chips.

Then it is time for an 80 min facial. I could get use to this. I know I know...not my most flattering angle.

From there I received a manicure.Where I forgot to take a photograph..and my magical day was over...just in time for Cinderella to go back home and join the Christmas rush. Thanks for coming along... I hope you enjoyed our Spa Day!

ICE!

Over the weekend, daughter number three and her grandchildren came up and joined us for a special event.

We loaded up the car and drove to the the little town of Grapevine, Texas where there is a huge hotel.

Their lobby is really dressed up for the holidays, with live poinsettias everywhere.

The center courtyard being several stories high, as witnessed through the panes of the glass elevator.

 Tom's great grandchildren we excited about all of the Christmas festivities,

but the real reason we were there was to visit the ICE Theater

The first thing we encountered were falling snowflakes. Mesmerizing for these little Texans.

Then we were issued our huge blue parkas.Yes, making us look a bit like "Smurfs".

I am not sure why we paid a lot of money and were excited to go into a place full of ice and with a temperature of 9 degrees (-12 C)....but we were!

There were scary figures to delight the older kids,

sweet ones for the wee folks,

and even a nativity scene, all craved out of ice,

Although hands down I think the ice slide was a favorite with our kids.
I hope that you too are joyfully sliding into the holidays!

Then and Now

I don't know about you, but I love Before and Afters, almost as much as I adore Then and Now articles. You know, where they do a side by side of what an area looked like, say 100 yrs. ago, and the way it looks now. I won't bore you with a lot of history of an area on the west side of Fort Worth, Texas, since I am aware that some of you like very little wordage (if that is a word), and aren't as crazy about history as I am... This is the evolution of a now vacant lot of land; what is left of a large space on a very desirable bluff.

It is a rather large lot,

and it is for sale. If you are wondering what was here before. I will be happy to tell you.

Way back when...before the later part of the nineteenth century, there was probably a farm or ranch on this property (after all this is Texas),

but in 1890 a young English real estate developer built a luxurious resort on this very spot.. He was hoping to attract home buyers to the surrounding lots that he was also developing.. It had all of the newest inventions, including electric lights, etc.etc.Sadly, it was lost to a fire in 1894.

Along came a group of local developers who decided Ft. Worth needed a country club. Yep, they put it right on that same lot.There was a new sport in Scotland, called golf, and they were hoping it would catch on on this side of the Atlantic....even in Texas.

This is a rare map of how the nine hole course was laid out.

Members of this new Country Club (built in 1903), soon decided that they wanted an eighteen hole golf course...and there was also a rumor about a dispute as to whether women should be allowed to play....Anyway, a new eighteen hole golf course was built not a half a mile away in 1911,

but what to do with such a large clubhouse with 36 rooms? Well, a successful businessman made it into a home for his wife and two step daughters.

Fast forward to the early 1940's. Yet another very successful business man bought the old club house, and the seven acres,that were left on the bluff, and constructed this beautiful place. He was able to reuse a lot of the lumber from the old club, not only for this house, but also for his ranch in south Texas.... This home would remain on the property until around 2002, when it was purchased from the family's estate, and demolished. Developers sectioned off and sold four lots on the edge of the bluff, where beautiful homes now sit, and the remaining lot is the one pictured above for sale. A wealthy couple purchased said lot and there was a huge party celebrating the ground breaking of what was to be their new mansion.There was even mention of an elephant being present at the party. ...but alas, a divorce happened and nothing was ever built.

I was going to end this by suggesting that you might want to purchase this famous lot for your dream home, but driving by today...I noticed that the sign now says SOLD. I guess you know by now, that I am going to show you what springs up.

I have done a lot of research for this article although, with the exception of the first two, the photographs are not mine. If anyone objects to their use or has a dispute regarding my facts. I will be happy to remove this article.

Holidays are Here!

How are things at your house? Don't know about you, but I have been a bit busy!

My hubby talked me into having the neighbors over for wine and cheese. We have been in our house two and a half years, and it really is time to get to know our neighbors.

Well, if you have folks over this time of the year...you really should send them home with a little favor. So, I cooked about five dozen little orange/coconut balls and put them in little gift bags. I have made these little treats for Christmas for longer than I can remember. If anyone wants the recipe ...just say so (there is no baking involved).

If you are going to have a wine and cheese party...you need cheese. We had three kinds. Jarlsberg, Smoked Gouda and English cheddar.

I also made little blue cheese toast tips

Bruschetta and a Baked Brie with cranberries, pears and pecans on top.

We had sixteen people here and everyone seemed to have a good time. I know you are thinking we had a lot of cheese items. ....again the invitation said wine and cheese, but I did have some sliced apples and grapes about.

What are you up to? I would love to know...Janey

Home Tour Part lll

The final stop on the home tour (see previous posts),which included five homes was this place that has become a bit famous in town.

It is approaching it's 100th birthday, sitting here all boarded on the edge of this historic neighborhood. In those 100 yrs. it has only had two owners.As luck would have it, a firm that does historic renovations has made it their project, and the day by day changes have been picked up by the History Channel
 (a t.v.network),and the show airs weekly.

The "Wine Down" party, which includes a full casual dinner, was held here for the volunteer docents.Above is a shot of the spacious living room.

 Where a photo of how it looked when the family lived there was on display.

I was happy to see that the character of the home has been preserved. Obviously the show documenting the fireplace tiles has yet to air.

They have also saved the cedar closets which are in each of the three large bedrooms.

The staircase, while not particularly grand is very pleasing

with a bay window nook half way up.

It appears that they are going to keep the vintage bathrooms.

Seems colored fixtures were the rage at one time...An old advertisement.

One of my favorite things was this little wall gas heater in the bathroom . Back when homes were drafty and cold, they made the bathroom toastie warm.

I hope you have enjoyed the home tour and sorry that I wasn't able to feature all of the beautiful homes.