If I can make one you can too

A bell valance.  I was tired of making plain curtains.  My daughter asked for a valance and I had seen the most adorable one at a blog called. Beyond the Screen Door.  AND, even better Sonya shared the instructions here.  THANKS ~ Sonya!

I wasn't there when my daughter hung them.  But, she sent me a picture by phone and I kind of let out a little eeeee sound.  I love it and she does too!  

Here is the abridged tutorial. But, go to Beyond the Screen Door her for Sonya's detailed tutorial.

I cut four squares 25 x 25 and the five bells.  Make a pattern for the bells, 25 x 5.

You have to make both a front and back.  Lots of cutting and sewing, don't let it scare you off.  This was for a 72 inch window and luckily Sonya's tutorial is too.  You end up with 18 cut pieces. 

Sew, bell, square and repeat.  You end up with a bell on each end. When the back and front panel are sewn they look like this.

I added a yellow dot trim at the bottom.  Pinned the loops at the top of each bell. I used five inches of ribbon.  Sew all three sides, turn right side out and finish the final edge shut.  Sounds easy and really is, just time consuming.

The valance hangs from knobs screwed into the sheet rock.  

 My daughter purchased the fabric before we knew what design we were working with.  She bought two yards, I could have used more to be able to match patterns a bit better.  Again, go here to see the real instructions and you will so enjoy Sonya's blog too.  And if you live in Oklahoma you can have Sonya make these for you!  I think she ships too!  And if you are a friend of hers, how lucky you must be.  She has a wonderful spirit.  (Sorry, a bit of Sonya adoration going on) 

And during all the curtain making Nanny was here.  Her great-grandaughter, Raylyn is helping make cookies. Don't worry, her Momma is right off to the side and was standing behind Raylyn the whole time.  

And this is the best shot of all three great-granddaughters, at the Gaylord Texan trip we made.  Three moving babies is a hard picture to shoot.  

Cookie Chips

I will let you in on a little secret.  Some smart people in California are making cookies into chips.  If you live in Coppell do not go to Tom Thumb and walk near the dairy section.  

Because, you won't find many of these left.  I am trying every flavor they make. I am onto package number three.  But, you can eat a serving ~ FIVE COOKIE CHIPS ~ and only 130 calories.  I have never eaten that many in one serving.  Just takes a few satify my sweet cravings!

Cinnamon Sugar and Dark Chocolate are great!  Now on to my chocolate chip bag to try! The bag says they use pure cane sugar, they are hormone free, cage free eggs, no preservatives and no GSO's. Whatever that is?? It isn't in there.  I have not been compensated in any way.  Except real satisfaction.  Has anyone else tried these?

Nanny's Orange Glazed Pecans

Nickie came for a visit and made these delicious pecans.  I just have to share the recipe below.  It is so fast and easy you could whip up a batch in time for Thanksgiving.  

Napkins I'm using too.  L for Lori or Lala or luscious oohlala pecans!

Sweet, orangey and yum!

Orange Glazed Pecans

2 1/2 cups pecan halves

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp orange zest

1 tbs water

3 tbs fresh squeezed orange juice

Blend sugar, water and orange juice and in a saucepan cook over low heat stirring occasionally until a teaspoon of syrup dropped in cold water forms a soft ball.  

Remove from heat, add orange zest and pecans to the glaze mixture.  Stir lightly to coat the nuts with the glaze.  Pour pecans onto wax paper and separate with a fork to cool completely.  

Stores well in a covered container.

Nickie says she recieved this recipe at a Sunday School class meeting.  Her friend Mary Jo brought these and shared the recipe.

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Linda at Coastal Charm
My Favorite Things

Another trip to New Orleans

And since we had heard about it for years and my sister hadn't been either, we just had to make a stop at THE Camellia Grill in New Orlean's Garden District.  The wait was only about 30 minutes in a line.  We made it go by nicely with a Bloody Mary from next door.  

I had heard about the hamburgers and my Mom had told me about the fried pecan pie!  Yes, you heard me fried!  My sister's husband told her not to miss the pecan waffles.  So we shared.... one amazing pecan waffle.  The yellow syrup is BUTTER!  Liquid butter, who would have thought. Genious.

As the waiter presented our shared portions, everyone around us told us we were so smart!  Hey, it took me over 50 years to get to this place.  We wanted to try everything.

 and when I say everything, when the lady next to use ordered the fries with gravy...... My sister and I looked at each other , winked yes, we added that to our lunch order. YUM.

And when the lady next to us ordered a muffaletta, we ordered one to go.... of course.

I saved the best for last.  See that piece of pecan pie next to the hash browns?  That is the beginning of our fried pie.  It gets flipped and smashed and some of that liquid gold butter is poured over the smashed crust and heated.  I am so glad we had a great seat to be able to watch the whole creation.

Leon, our waiter asked if we wanted ice cream on top.  Silly man, Mon Dieu and of course.

I wish we hadn't shared this time.  But, we were full and I probably could not have finished one by myself.  Yeah, right.

But, finish we did, even before all the ice cream melted.  

If you are in New Orleans, take the cable car through the Garden District down St. Charles. At the curve jump off.  They do make a stop right there, you really don't have to jump.  Don't let the people line frighten you about the wait and order exactly what we did.  One more check off my bucket list!  

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My Romantic Home

85 in Texas and a photo shoot

Yep,  November 17th and a photo shoot.  Hadley and Layton are wearing their birthday tutu's.

 Ruffles everywhere, bottoms too.

Layton and Hadly clap on demand now.  

Great Grandmother, Nanny is in town and got in on the action!

 Strike a pose Hadley.