Happy Birthday Baby Girl,

Happy 23rd Birthday Lauren Elizabeth. I absolutely, love the picture of this cake!

I Love you,

Momma

Jon and Kate-It's not too late, read below!

Click below to read the article:

Jon and Kate, It's Not Too Late

Watermelon Cake ...

Okay, you know this is cute! Betty Crocker recipe....

1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix, Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box

1 package (0.13 oz) cherry-flavored or other red-colored unsweetened soft drink mix
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1 container (12 oz) Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white frosting
Green and red food colors
2/3 cup green jelly beans

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease bottoms only of two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans with shortening or cooking spray. In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, egg whites and drink mix with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds; beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. (Batter will be lumpy.) Stir in 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips. Pour into pans.
2. Bake as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch round pans. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
3. In small bowl, stir 1 cup of the frosting with 10 to 12 drops green food color. Stir 10 to 12 drops red food color into remaining frosting. Frost sides of cakes with green frosting; press green jelly beans into frosting. Frost tops of cakes with red frosting; press remaining 2 tablespoons chocolate chips into frosting for seeds. If desired, cut cakes crosswise in half and arrange "slices" randomly on tray. To serve, cut into wedges. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Housing Stats May 2009

According to MLS data compiled by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.

Tyler May 2009 Stats

Number of Sales = 216
Change from last year = down 24.5%
Median Price = $132,700
Change from last year = down 2.4%
Months of Inventory = 12.5

I will be blogging this report each month. Look under "Label" on the right side of the homepage and click Real Estate Housing Stats to compare each month's stats.

Blackberry...

Today, my phone and I "had" it. My Palm Treo 755P, is dead and gone, and I am not sad about it. I now have the Blackberry Curve 8330. The best feature so far, is that the email is pushed, meaning it is on the Blackberry instantly without having to retrieve them. I am tired, this technology will get the best of you, but in the end, it is priceless.

Cake Boss...

Hey, if you have not watched the "Cake Boss" on Monday nights, TLC channel, you are missing out......Amazing, cakes......I mean it, you will not believe the cakes this man creates, even Jason loves this show!

I love you Daddy...

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother"~ Henry Ward Beecher.

This is so true.......I am so glad you are my dad.....I love you! Enjoy today!

And to my JB, you are a great dad to Katie, Kelly, Lauren, Dustin and Layton ...I love you !

Hot Showings!

It is HOT outside, I know it, but, calls are up today. Realtors are showing properties. This is a good sign! Let's sell these properties!

50th Anniversary!

I want to say "Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary" to Raymond and Lynda Folmar. They were married June 11, 1959. What an accomplishment!!!!!

Something "gold" is the traditional gift for the 50th Wedding Anniversary.......Yes!!!!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Browines....Amazing

I made this new recipe tonight.......so amazing and so EASY!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

1 box Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® chocolate chip cookie mix
1 container Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray, or grease with shortening. Make brownie mix as directed on box, using oil, water and 2 eggs. Spread in pan.
2. Make cookie mix as directed on pouch, using butter and 1 egg. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls evenly onto brownie batter; press down lightly.
3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool on cooling rack 30 minutes. Frost with frosting. For brownies, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows.

Heard of Ping.fm?

Have you heard of Ping.fm............ If you use Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin.....or mulitiple social networks, you can go to Ping.fm and post one time and this site will post to all of them at the same time. Pretty Awesome! You just learn something new everyday! huh......

Go to: http://ping.fm/

Fake Bake.....

Okay y'all might not admit it, but I will, I actually went to Style Salon this afternoon, and paid for a "Fake Bake" tan.... Yes, I allowed Casey Dumas, to spray on a Fake Bake tan. It actually looks pretty darn good. I have used Tanning Lotions for years, but we are going to Destin, in a little over a week, and I thought I would give this a try. Of course, I could not post me in a picture, but you get the idea! I will give updates on what I think of "Fake Bake"...... :)

Cupcakes, Pretty as Flowers

I need to look at something pretty today! I am in the mood to bake.....but, hey Lauren, I want these for my birthday, ok?

Tyler Business News Today...

Click here for the article: May Home Sales Slowest in 6 years

This article was in Tyler's paper today.....and the title says it all. But, I remain Optimistic. To say the least, there is no EASY button right now. We are working hard for our clients.

Are you related to? Over and Over....

I am asked over and over again.....all the time, "are you related to Angie and Les Loggins?" Well, I have recently been in contact with Angie Loggins Hick's on FACEBOOK......(Les is her brother and he is not in the pictures). Angie said it would be fine to post a few pics of her family on my blog. Mother, I thought you and Daddy would enjoy these pictures.

PS Angie and I are second cousins. Our fathers were first cousins.

Lace Cookies....by Gina.....

This Recipe is from one of my "great" clients. She loves to bake....and I love her food. She is one of the best clients that knows how to "show" her house! I have her house listed now, and you can see it- just click on this link - Taylor's House

These are like the ones at Collin Street Bakery but not as (dark brown). I made these yesterday and put them on a pan in little round balls with my mini scoop and they spread out to a beautiful cookie that looked like a lace doily. crisp and delicious! Love ya! Gina

Lace Cookies

½ cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
3 Tbs. all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant!)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with aluminum foil, parchment paper, or nonstick baking mats.

Using an electric mixer at low speed, cream the butter and sugar until thoroughly combined. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well. Stir in the flour, salt, and oatmeal, mixing well with a spoon. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 5-8 min, until lightly browned. Let cool completely before removing from the sheets; peel cookies away from the lining. Makes 2 ½ dozen

Christmas with Paula Deen

Gina Taylor 6/2009

Calorie Counter.....

Lauren, check out the calorie counter at the bottom of my blog.....tell me what you think?

Layton Video...

I kept Layton this afternoon.....he was so loving today and fun! He got so tickled trying to find my feet and bite them through the blanket...... :)

Happy Flag Day- June 14th...

" The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'. "

Three Generations Today...

Me, Lauren and Mother went to a Wedding Shower for Casey Dumas today. She and her mother (Shelley Dumas) have cut, colored and performed "maintenance" on all three of us for years..... We had fun today!

Home on the Range....

This video is was taken outside my kitchen window.....I should have moved closer but the sprinklers were on.........this was taken around 8pm, overcast skies, cows and babies were running and jumping to the north pasture.

For you Mother and Daddy,

PS Mother----click on the "arrow button" on the picture above to start the video.... :)

Harry Cat.....

This one is for you Lauren, show Layton. Harry's favorite hangout, outside the kitchen window.

Social Networks, Facebook!

Social Networking.......we all dread learning curves......but I have joined facebook, and I am glad I did. You really get to know others, whether it is work or play.

I am learning to incorporate my business into facebook and it is a good thing! I have already had responses to properties.

Go to: http://www.facebook.com/

Join, it is easy! Then look for me, Lorri Loggins.

Okay, Mother, I know you can do it, if you can shop online, I know you can do this! ......Lelia did and loves it.

Tenants and Foreclosures.....

According to the Texas Association of Realtors online magazine,

New law offers protections to tenants of foreclosed properties. A new federal law attempts to shed some light on the issue of how to handle a tenant occupying a property that has been foreclosed upon. The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (S 896) includes provisions that offer protection to tenants of foreclosed properties. These tenants will be able to stay in the home for a minimum of 90 days after foreclosure. Further, tenants with lease terms that extend beyond 90 days must be allowed to remain in the property for the duration of their lease unless the new owner plans to occupy the property as a primary residence. In any event, a tenant must be allowed to remain in the home for 90 days after foreclosure if they continue to abide by the existing lease terms (including payment of rent). "

My gbaby....again....

Little man, Layton, in his birthday swimsuit (Lelia).......

I had several pictures from the weekend taken.......(never mind the date on this pic, it is wrong), anyway, I accidentally, deleted all of them from my memory stick....I am so upset ....oh well, move on and take more.

Real Estate and Pantries?

You just never know what you might see when viewing property.
Today, we opened the pantry door, you have to always check out the pantry, women love pantries, and to our amazement, there were boxes and boxes of cereal. I counted "24" boxes of cereal, yes, I counted them. You just never know what I will blog about, huh?

But, on the other hand-----did you know, that I will not forget that house......so, anything out of the ordinary catches attention........I will think on this for future reference,

Food for Thought!

Live Today, as if, Jesus died yesterday, He Rose this morning, and He is Coming back tomorrow!

Precious little boys....

Okay, this is really scary....this is wayyyyy too close up of me, my arms are not long enough...I took it on my phone.......ughhh, but Layton is so cute with his LaLa. He WILL NOT stay still for pictures anymore......
On the other hand, here is my Aunt Lelia with her grandbaby, Connor. He is three months younger than Layton, and he WILL stay still for pictures....... so sweet!

Helping Hand.....

Isaiah 41:13, is a verse, that comes to my mind, many times a day........I am trying to memorize it....

13 " For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

Seeing the picture above, reminds me of myself taking Layton's hand (below). He totally trust me that I will lead him and take care of him. He has no fear. If only I, would keep this vision to myself, wouldn't my days be so serene........

My Rosemary, was 15 times this size! Today, Jason and I spent the better part of the afternoon, ripping and tearing our front flowerbed ----- our Rosemary had grown at least 6 ft wide, and about 4-5 feet tall in three different places. Tonight, I researched this pungent, invasive, monster of a plant.

Read this:

"Rosemary has a long, and sometimes entertaining history. Throughout time, it has been cultivated widely, and there is an old belief that if the Rosemary is growing well in the home garden, the woman of the house rules. hello :)

There are stories of kings and lords stealing outside to injure the plant to cover up the evidence.......My personal Rosemary plant WAS gorgeous this year......in case you wondered :)

TGIF

Buy one, get one free, BOGO, at T.G.I. Fridays.....till June 22, 2009.

Driving Ms Daisy'sssss......

Everyone remembers this movie........I felt this way today......I had some very independent women with me today. My mother, 3 aunts, 1 uncle and 1 cousin. "She Wood" comes from this side of the family (10 children on my mothers side)........independent women......they just may say anything and they speak their minds. Two of them today have "canes"....yes, canes, and I would not put it past them to use them, if need be. It is so much fun to be around all of these wonderful women.....today, Ruthye, one of my aunts, is turning into a parking lot, and of course, is trying to beat a car, and one of my other aunts, Lynn, says, "Hold er Newt, she's a headin' fer the pea patch"......oh my, that is one of those good sayings....one of those old sayings.......love 'em.

We had a relaxing day, first to the farmer's market downtown Dallas, then to a patio, Mexican lunch .....great weather, and then to the Home Store...........just a plethora of any and all things..... and then, mother and I headed home . Mother and I have a tradition, we always get a chocolate shake and french fries for the ride home. Did I say this was a Fabulous day? ummmmm

Tyler -New ...News

According to the Real Estate Center at Texas A & M,

TYLER COURTYARD MARRIOTT UNDERWAY
TYLER (Tyler Morning Telegraph) – Construction has begun on an 85,000-sf Courtyard Marriott at 7524 S. Broadway Ave.
The 121-room, four-story hotel will include 4,400 sf to be used for meetings, banquets and events.
The Courtyard Marriott is expected to create 35 jobs.

Momma, Aunt's- Adventure....

Friday morning, I head out with my Mother, picking up my Aunt's at an ungodly hour- 7 am, we are going to Dallas for the day. They want me to tag along, to DRIVE.....always a motive, huh.....

We start out with, donut holes and coffee.......oh yes........come back here for more later.....we girls can eat! ( Lauren informed me that it was National Donut Day)....I did my part, did you!

Green with Envy.....

Lauren wouldn't these look so cute in your new, re-painted bedroom.......yummy!

Techie.....

Technology.....what can I say, it is intimidating, stressful, overwhelming and wonderful all at the same time. In reading, the Texas Realtor magazine, I have come across a few interesting facts.

Did you know?

You can reliably store data on CD's and DVD's for 100 years, under perfect conditions. (can you believe they put that, perfect conditions, Duh! )

Did you know?

A refrigerator magnet placed on a flash drive or computer hard drive will not destroy data on that drive. It is not strong enough, and flash drives are unaffected by magnets. I bet you are glad I have told you this, huh......my mother is bored now by reading this.... :)

Did you know?

Online quizzes (testing your IQ, etc) often collects your answers and personal info to use for advertising and marketing purposes......so, stop taking that mess.

Today's Pie.....

Just thought I was finished blogging tonight.....but, on facebook, Lauren posted this picture. She made "I love you more than chocolate pie" for Dustin-on their anniversary. She makes me proud! I love naming pies.......re: the movie, "The Waitress"....

Contentment- Yes

Content------right......

Today, during my quiet time, these verses really spoke to me, and maybe they will to you also. I wrote them down today in my day timer, so that I could look back and reflect on them. I know a lot of us are having challenging times, whether it be our jobs, family or an illness. If there is anything I "want" - it would be "contentment" in all situations.


Philippians 4:12-13 (New International Version)

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.


Verse 13 does not say, I can do anything, it says, "I can do EVERYTHING, through him who gives me strength". That is just AWESOME! I love you Lord Jesus.

No rules here!

Today Layton had the snack of gods......Cheetos's, marshmallows and chocolate chip cookie dough....He loved licking that beater and his hands. It is so wonderful to be a LaLa........no rules, we eat what we want.......then I get to send him home. :)

And Baby makes Three!

Since it is Lauren and Dustin's 3rd Wedding Anniversary, I thought it fitting to put a few pictures with Layton.......he makes three- cute, cute fam...i...lee.......

Haunted Houses and Leases?

This question caught my attention when I was reading the Texas Realtor Magazine online,

True or false?

A tenant cannot terminate her lease early because she claims a house is haunted.

True

The landlord may exercise his default remedies as detailed in the lease.

WOW! Beware................