As always, my friend, Julia over at Hooked on Houses, hosts "Hooked on Fridays," during which we can blog about whatever we're hooked on. For quite a while now, my family and I have been hooked on Coke Zero. If you want to give up sugary soft drinks but can't quite bring yourself to drink diet anything, you must check out Coke Zero. Admittedly, it's not exactly the same taste as Coca Cola Classic, but it's a pretty darn good facsimile.
And now for today's cocktail... Pat Green is an icon in Texas country music. Not only is he a great singer and songwriter, but he went to my alma mater, Texas Tech, so that's another plus for the guy. Oh, and I've met him, and he's super nice and very down to earth.
For the last few years, he's kind of wavered between Texas country and Nashville. Texas country music die-hards would call him a sell-out. I'm not a purist either way; I just like good music. Last summer, Pat came out with a song called "Let Me." It received modest airplay on mainstream country stations. I'm surprised it didn't do even better. Take a listen and see if you don't think this should've been a big hit for this nice Red Raider.
When I ran across this home, I was convinced that it was built sometime in the 90's. The style is overwhelming French country with lots of wallpaper. Now, I'm not a wallpaper bigot. In fact, I quite like wallpaper, but this house has it in nearly every room. I was very surprised to see that the home was built just last year.
I can't decide if this home was built for a young family or an older couple. Some of the details in the kitchen are throwing me off. I hate the designs on the front of the farmhouse sink, and I'm not a big fan of the elaborate fruit/vegetable tiles on the backsplash, the mantel scarf or all those figurines above the TV in the living room.
The home has a lot of architectural detail that is especially apparent in the master bedroom. Take a look at that ceiling! With a little more attention to detail and the addition of more furniture and accessories, this home could be a real showplace.
The home has just over 3,900 square feet with four bedrooms, four baths, two living areas, and two dining areas. It also has a carriage house, which is where that small kitchen would be. This home can be yours for $2.2 million.
Much of the country is in a deep freeze right now, and though where I live isn't too cold, it's just nice to have a beautiful bedroom to snuggle up in this time of year. How about a little bedroom inspiration to get you all warm and fuzzy?(All photos from CountryLiving.com). Which one is your favorite?
My friend, Julia, over at Hooked on Houses hosts Hooked on Fridays during which we can blog about whatever we're hooked on. I'm hooked on music. I grew up singing, and as a Texan, my dream was to be a country singer though I had an appreciation for almost all genres of music. I loved Olivia Newton-John, Rita Coolidge and Tanya Tucker.
Once I got to college, I sang in a contemporary Christian group with two other co-eds. We probably could've made a career out of our music if life hadn't intervened. After college, I continued to sing in weddings and church and wherever anyone would have me. As I got older, more life intervened, I had a family and delved more into my career as a nonprofit professional. I sang less and less, but music was, and still is, very much a part of my life.
Not only do I listen to music all the time in my car, but I also have a little radio at work that is always on with the volume down low. At home, if we're not on the sunporch playing gin and listening to the stereo, the TV's set on the adult alternative station on Music Choice. I first learned about Marc Broussard in 2005. It was the night Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. I was so anxious about what was going to happen, I couldn't sleep. As I was channel-surfing, I landed on Vh1 where a new singer's video was just coming on. Marc Broussard is from a small town outside New Orleans. The song is called, "Home." Listen to the words and then think about New Orleans getting hammered by Hurricane Katrina. Pretty powerful.
Since then, I've seen Broussard perform on The Rock Boat and at Antone's, here in Austin. He puts on one of the best live shows I've ever seen, and I highly recommend you check him out if he comes to your city.
As far as I'm concerned, the best place to live in the Texas Hill Country is close enough to the city (San Antonio or Austin) to enjoy urban amenities and far enough away to savor a little piece of Heaven. Our home sits on .60 acre, so that works for us. Some people, however, prefer a larger spread.
This week's home anchors a sprawling Texas Hill Country ranch just outside Austin. The bones of the main house are amazing. Just imagine what Brooke or Joni could do with the decorating.
The main house has 5,828 square feet with three bedrooms, two full baths, two half baths, a living room, formal study, office, and studio. The guest quarters are above the barn and include two bedrooms, one bathroom, and one living area. Oh, there's a pool cabana, too. That space has a living area, bar & kitchenette and full bath. If you have to ask how much, you probably can't afford it. Honestly, the real estate listing says, "Price Upon Request." Needless to say, I won't be requesting.
