home – This Sweet Southern Life

I’m not a big baker or cook! Actually that’s not accurate- there was a day when I could whip up anything and everything in the kitchen- and enjoy it! I loved entertaining friends, making a feast and creating a great spread!!! Given the opportunity, I think I’d still enjoy it again! The food, the friends and the fellowship is the best!!

I’m reminded of those delicious days as I’m unpacking our boxes that have been in storage for over a year! We are still not settled but able to pull out some of my favorite things! One item- as heavy as it is- has made every move with us! My kitchenaid mixer!!! My grandmother gave it to me as a wedding present 40 years ago-and ever since I’ve whipped up so many delicious things for my husband, children and now new grand baby!!

Doesn’t this bread look amazing? It tasted even better! This also got my thinking! I met an old friend yesterday morning at The Neighbors Mill in Rogers, Arkansas and they had loaves of fresh strawberry pecan bread served warm with real butter!! Oh my goodness- soooo delicious! As I contemplated buying the entire loaf- which I didn’t because…no self control… I thought of my mixer and how I used to make homemade bread! The search for the stored box began and today I unpacked it!

KitchenAid is still the best around with so many beautiful on trend colors as well as the classic stainless steel and white! You might even see me flirting with a new one at Williams Sonoma and admiring all the new colors and designs! Aren’t they wonderful?

Yet- I come home to my first love – my vintage avocado mixer (that color was on trend back in the day). The crazy part is that my old mixer still works like a charm. Do you have a vintage appliance that you can’t part with or upgrade? I don’t feel like I’m super sentimental but apparently my vintage mixer holds a special place in my heart! In fact- it just might be time to whip up a batch of homemade cookies to christen our new home! What do you think? Once we get moved into our permanent home, I might actually splurge on a new kitchenaid but I’ll always have a spot for my vintage mixer my grandmother gave me!

Here is the link to all things kitchenaid- (ps – this is not an ad or sponsored post- I just love my mixer). https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/see-all.html

Have you ever felt stuck? Well, I feel stuck!!!!! We are so grateful to finally have a house in Texas! With the market here, it was not an easy find but….I can’t bond with my house! The inside is amazing if I can figure out what to do with it but… my number one about our past homes has been curb appeal! I love a front porch with beautiful pots by the door. My dream for our house here was painted white brick with black windows, an awesome porch and double schoolhouse doors! Truth be told, I had hoped to find a house to remodel and make it ours but after moving here to be closer to our daughter during her health crisis, we figured out that there were more people than houses and prices were at a premium. Fast forward 18 months in an apartment, we moved into a new neighborhood between trophy club and Fort Worth. Our house is perfect for us and friends who occasionally visit but now I need to make it mine. When we sold our house in Little Rock, I sold almost everything with the house- furniture, rugs, art. At the time, it seemed like a great idea during a fast move. Now?…..not so much! You see, I’m a big treasure hunter! I love to find special items- not mass produced collections- and that takes time and lots of energy (which I am lacking these days). So after finally wrangling the cars into the garage this week because of the severe weather (apparently I am motivated by acts of God like tornados and hail to move boxes) I took a hard look at the front………….(crickets)……..

I got nothin! I’d love big pots outside the entrance but they planted the downspouts there. To put them inside the little alcove doesn’t seem to serve much purpose! Any ideas? I’d love to know your suggestions. Maybe just hang a wreath and head to the back yard?

Thanks for helping me make this little part of Texas feel a little like home. I’ll post the progress- any ideas on drapes? And plants? And rugs? And patio furniture? And… ps….my friend Jennifer says I feel this way every time I move. I don’t recall that but I trust her and believe I will feel more settled soon. Ps- anyone know why they asked if I wanted a peephole in the door when I had a camera? And why I said yes? Ugh! Good grief!!!! It’s like I’m the one who had brain surgery. 😂

Tag: home

Let’s mix things up!

Curb appeal rescue