Knocking On Doors

Have you ever driven by a house and thought,  I would love to meet the person who lives there? Well there’s a house in my daughter’s neighborhood that I kept passing and thinking, I would love to meet that person.

So recently while my sister and I were visiting my daughter I mentioned that I would love to meet her neighbor. She jumped on the idea and before I knew it she was at her neighbor’s door asking if she could bring us over for a visit. Hence…I met Leta! What an absolute treat it was to meet someone with so much talent! Leta decorates her home with a cottage style that is quite eclectic to say the least. Her unique and tasteful style was absolutely refreshing!  She is a true artist and uses paint to transform just about anything. Leta sells her work in several shops in west Texas, one being Conch Confetti Antique Mall in San Angelo,TX

(I will tell you more about it later).

You can read more about Leta as well as learn how you can purchase some of the wonderful items she transforms here.  

Here are some pictures of her booth " The Violet Rose" 

What a hospitable lady to be willing to let complete strangers into her home at such short notice! It was so hospitable and kind of her.  

 In return, I decided to show my appreciation by inviting Leta into my home. 

We visited while enjoying hot tea, 

tomato basil, onion, and garlic quiche, 

spinach, strawberry, and walnut salad with raspberry walnut dressing,

and raspberry filled cookies. 

We shared our stories and decided we would get together again soon.

You may never know whose path you may cross, and how you might be inspired by knocking on a door.  

Making Memories,   

Simply Scrumptious

Let me tell you the story of Charleen McCain, from Simply Scrumptious Tea Room & Emporium in Eureka Springs, AR. She always had the dream to open her own tea room and gift shop by the time she was 30. When she turned 50 this year, a series of events made her realize it was time for her dream to come true. With the support of her encouraging friends and her airline pilot husband, she has embarked on a journey that, at the time I met her, had only just begun. 

Simply Scrumptious Tea Rome is absolutely adorable. It is located at 185A East Van Buren and you couldn’t miss it if you tried because the character of the building just grabs you and pulls you in.

When my Italian Man and I walked in the door, Charleen’s welcoming smile said “I am so glad you are here”.

The tea room was tastefully decorated with memorabilia from the past and present. 

After finally deciding from the array of choices on the menu, the Italian Man and I both settled on the Quiche Sampler. It is the quiche of the day paired with a soup and salad. The Italian Man chose the soup of the day—loaded baked potato.

I chose the fresh strawberry soup, served cold. All of it was pure delight to the pallet! 

Our salads were a spring mix, tossed with cucumber, carrots, onion and tomatoes, topped with balsamic vinaigrette for T and Raspberry vinaigrette for me. I loved the way Charleen chose to serve the soup in a tea cup and the dressing in a punch cup…so clever!

Just when we thought we had died and gone to heaven, the waitress came out with a tray of the most delectable deserts on the planet! 

We chose the key lime cheese cake and because we were so full we decided to share it.

As usual the Italian Man’s piece was a little bigger than mine. 

Let me not forget to add that I did have a couple of servings of hot tea…English Afternoon Tea if I remember right.

After our meal, Charleen sat and visited with us for a while and shared her story. I was so inspired and encouraged by the journey she has been on. It is refreshing to hear how her dreams are coming true.

The visit would not have been complete without browsing through the gift shop with all of its unique items.

I admit that I picked up a few “Happies” to always remind me of the wonderful visit with Charleen in her lovely tea room!

Thank you again Charleen for your warm hospitality!

Making Memories,  

Fourth of JUlY !

I'm a little behind on my holiday post.
Here are a few shots of our Fourth of JULY celebration!
This is the material for a project that never got done so you can look forward to seeing it next year.

I did a little decorating just to get in the Patriotic mood.

We had a quiet celebration with lots of food. I'm posting pictures of our food so B, JR, and Rusky can see what they missed.

My Italian Man grilled some pork ribs on the grill along with chicken and sausage. He also did a rack of ribs in the roaster just to see which we preferred. Most of us liked the grilled.

We had quite a few sides: Potatoe salad, berry salad, green salad, stuffed eggs and bread.

We had chocolate cake for desert but none of us had room for it, so we saved it for the next day. I would have taken a picture but I was forbidden to do so. One of the girls made it and after we sliced off the burnt parts...let's just say it didn't look very appetizing.
NOTE: If you ever burn your chocolate cake you can cover up the burn by piling on lots of cool whip on top of the icing.
Stay tuned... I have quite a few happenings to share.
Making Memories,

Maggie Mae's Tea Room

Recently while in Missouri, my Italian Man and I visited a lovely quaint Tea Room and gift shop. This pleasant establishment was in the middle of the country in Miller, Mo.

Nature’s Corner & Maggie Mae’s Tea Room was opened in 1996 by owners Jack and Marsha Hill and is still going strong today. When the Tea Room first opened it served 14 people. Today after several rooms have been added, this absolutely adorable Tea Room has been expanded to accommodate 130 people.

In 1997 the Victorian and Library rooms were added.

In 1998 the Banquet Room


In 1999 the Garden and Coke rooms

In 2001 the Terrace Room


And the newest room “The Tuscany Room” was added in 2005

While visiting with owner Marsha Hill I found out that Marsha started out as a florist and continues to do some floral work even today but most of her time is spent as proprietor of the Tea Room. Marsha works in the kitchen and is known in surrounding communities for her delicious food.
Though the Tea Room is only open Monday thru Saturday from 11am till 2:pm, Marsha spends much of her time catering and hosting large groups in the evenings and weekends.
Her business offers an array of services for all your special events.

Marsha has been amazed by the growth and need for expansion through the years and is appreciative of those who continue to enjoy the specialties that Maggie Mae’s has to offer. She admitted that the support of her husband has been essential to her success.

All the remodeling and construction has been done by Jack and Marsha.


I can assure you that if you decide to join Marsha for lunch you will not be disappointed.
The menu is broad and filled with wonderful choices of some of the most delicious, hearty foods you will find for miles.


The Italian man chose the special of the day: a hearty serving of chicken breast stuffed with wild rice and a wonderful spinach salad topped with the dressing of his choice (I can’t remember what that was).

Notice the sweet little flower shaped bread...

I chose the scrumptious Rueben sandwich accompanied by a tasty Waldorf salad (consisted of raw apples, celery, grapes and walnuts, dressed in a special dressing).

We opted to not have desert but I enjoyed a couple of cups deliciously hot tea and a raspberry ice tea. 

Marsha, Thank you so much for your hospitality! We enjoyed visiting with you as well as the food, gift shop and overall ambiance of your most lovely establishment. I hope we will have the opportunity to visit again some day.
Making Memories,