My Midlothian Texas

Midlothian has a new magazine. It's "green", user friendly and informative. It is an online magazine filled with beautiful images, local information and resources and it highlights people and places in our community. A must read if you enjoy Midlothian!

This month their are several community members featured, our own Honeysuckle Estates neighborhood graces the pages, and several yummy and easy summer recipe's.

http://www.mymidlothiantexas.com/

Looking for a new home?!

Homes for sale!


A couple of great opportunities in the neighborhood of Honeysuckle Estates!

There are two homes for sale by owner. Save the realator fees and negotiate directly with the seller. The homes are:

4670 Sunrise Lane $335,000.00, 4/3/3 car garage, 4073 sq. ft on 1 1/3 acre of land. Custom home with several must have ammenities!


5410 Morning Light $268,000.00, 3/2.5/3 car garage, 2586 sq. ft. 1 acre of land built by Peachtree Homes. Energy Effecient Rated, wood burning fireplace. Custom home with a lot of unique custom features.


Honeysuckle Estates is a great neighborhood with every lot being an acre to an acre and a half, with custom homes built for todays lifestyles. The neighborhood was recently featured in the Midlothian and Waxahachie Daily Light newspaper. The neighborhood is made up of families and empty nesters and is surrounded by scenic views! Drive on out to this serene country setting and see if this neighborhood is a good fit for you!

Part II

And the moment of fame for our little neighborhood continues.  The Midlothian paper has the article and pictures of a few of our lovely neighbors on the front page! 

If your out and about pick up your own copy of the local Midlothian paper.

Honeysuckle Estates is getting more positive press!

A neighborhood that was taken from ghost town to a vibrant oasis!  That is part of what staff writer Rebecca Hertz wrote in yesterday's edition of the Waxahachie Daily Light, Sunday, Jan. 17th copy of the paper.  The article features three of our neighbors and highlights the beginning, middle and latest homes purchased during the course of all the fraud, squatters and scams that originally plauged this upscale neighborhood.  The article goes on to highlight the changes and work that has gone into our great neighborhood to turn it into a really great neighborhood and the vision of what it should have been from the beginning!

Take time to get a copy of the paper and read up on the good things happening here!
http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2010/01/18/news/doc4b529a355b8d1523291772.txt



***Other news around town:

Baseball signups & registration begins for the Waxahachie Youth Baseball leagues.

ECMG Scholarship (Ellis County Master Gardeners) is offering a scholarship fund available in 2010 for
students pursuing studies in horticulture.

Chili Cook-Off - Ellis County Expo Center Feb 5th-7th, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (972) 937-1870 for info

COMMUNITY MEETING SCHEDULED The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), at the request of Midlothian area residents, will conduct an informational meeting about ATSDR's approach to looking at environmental health concerns related to air quality in the Midlothian area. The community meeting will be held Thursday, January 21, 2010 at the Midlothian Conference Center, Bluebonnet Room 1 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Welcome 2010!

Welcome 2010, I hope it is a wonderful year for each of you!  As each of you make resolutions or just skip the process and pray for change remember to look for the good that exist in your life each day and ways that you can find value and happiness with where you are. 

A few things going on in Midlothian in January are:

Siren Test


Date: January 6, 2010
Description: Test of the outdoor emergency warning sirens by the Fire Department.
Address: Midlothian, TX 76065

Midlothian Area Historical Society Meeting

Date: January 7, 2010
Address: Midlothian, TX 76065
Location: A. H. Meadows Library
923 South 9th Street
Midlothian, TX
Hours: 7:00 p.m.
Contact: 972-775-3469
Email: MAHS E-Mail

Midlothian Band Booster Golf Tournament

Date: January 7, 2010
Description: 18 hole scramble - Golf tournament benefiting the Midlothian Band Booster organization.
Address: 3502 Country Club Drive
Grand Prairie, TX
Location: Grand Oaks Golf Club
Hours: Registration at 10:30 am / Start at 12:00 pm
Contact: 214-334-5352
Email: Justin Wood
Cost: $100 per player or $350 per 4 member team

Also, if you look on the Midlothian City website you will see several volunteer opportunities for various board positions that need filling in 2010.  If you have the time or are interested in becoming more active in your city this might be a great place to start.

Merry Christmas!

The countdown is here and the elves are busy checking list, checking them twice & making everything beautiful & nice!

It is looking like a Christmas wonderland in our own little corner of the world. Driving through the neighborhood all the pretty wreaths & lights make everything warm and cheery during these cold gray days. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the season.

Please continue to uplift the Kendall family, 5610 Evening Ln., in your thoughts and prayers. When your doing your Christmas cards a quick note letting them know they are thought about would be a great way to embrace these neighbors during their time of loss. The first holiday without a loved one can be a very difficult time.

Remember we are our first step of defense out here! Keep an eye for any strange cars or trucks that are making random drive through without purpose, if possible jot down license plates. We have had a few thefts in the neighborhood and being so far out I'm sure makes us a bit of a target. Would still like to have a meeting to discuss a neighborhood watch. We have a Dallas police officer that owns a home in the neighborhood and I'm sure he could give us some great tips and advice on how to make our homes and neighborhoods more secure.

Things that can be done in the mean time are....network with the neighbors closest to you. Seek a neighbors help if your going out of town to help with mail & to take the trash cans out on trash day & put them away. Consider timers for lamps to light up various rooms in your home when your away. You want to make it look like members of the home are coming and going so that the house doesn't appear empty.

It also seems we are a prime location for pet drop off! There have been several pets, so far dogs, found in the neighborhood that are obviously house pets that have been abandoned. The Midlothian animal control is great at working to find the owners and/or find new homes for these pets. If you call them they will come and pick them up. We have had two show up in our yard and just a small bowl of water was enough to keep them here long enough to be picked up.

The cold weather has hit so wrapping exposed pipes will save a few headaches come warmer weather and running sprinklers on warmer days will help prevent unneeded repairs. Watering your plants before any hard freezes will help protect the root systems and salvage the loss of any new perennial plants.

On a personal note the Harvey household would like to say that we are truly enjoying our new neighbors and our first Christmas here. May each and every one of you enjoy time with your family and loved ones and enjoy the wonders of Christmas and the blessings to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving is around the corner! Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, etc...a day for good food, family & fun. I hope each of you has a wonderful time enjoying a little down time & fun with your families.

A few things going on around the Metroplex are:

The Ft. Worth Turkey Trot!
http://www.fwtrot.org/

Fun Holiday Plays:

At the Nasher Sculpture Center, check out a "Masterpiece Holiday" through Dec. 31st at 2001 Flora Street in Dallas. For the prim and proper go to afternoon teas and savor classic coffee and tea service, finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts on Fridays from 2-4 p.m. Festive Family

Masterpiece Holiday
Neighborhood: Nasher Sculpture CenterDallas, TX 75218
Saturdays include children's art activities, carriage rides, ice-sculpture demonstrations, and music on Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Late sleepers can take in holiday brunches with a traditional fare and gourmet coffee on Sundays from 11-3. For the young dancer in the family take her to Breakfast With A Ballerina which includes a brunch menu, opportunities for children to meet "Nutcracker" characters, and a reading Dec. 9th and 23rd from 9-11 a.m. For more information, call 214-242-5152 or go to nashersculpturecenter.org

This site also has a list of holiday parades all around Texas!
http://gotexas.about.com/od/festivals/tp/05HolidayParade.htm

Train rides & light shows!

GRAPEVINE: North Pole Express – The Grapevine Vintage Railroad hourlong holiday trip includes carols, stories and an encounter with Santa Claus. Before or after the trip, enjoy the Christmas lights, bounce house and photos with Santa. At the ornament factory, make a decoration for free. Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Nov. 28 through Dec. 21. Departure times vary. Tickets: $16. Children under 2 are free. Remote parking and free shuttles.
817-410-3123 ; http://www.gvrr.com/ (click on "Special Events").


PALESTINE: The Polar Express Train Ride – Journey to the North Pole on the Texas State Railroad's hourlong holiday runs on which riders meet Santa while enjoying caroling, hot chocolate and a treat. Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7, 12-15, 17-22, 24 and 26-27. Friday, Saturday and weekday departures are at 5:10, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. Sunday trips at 5:10 p.m. Reservations are required. Tickets: adults, from $28; ages 2 to 11, $18 or $19. First Class Car service includes cookies served on silver trays and hot chocolate in a collectible mug. Adults, $49.95; ages 2 through 11, $24.95. 1-888-987-2461

Light displays:

FORT WORTH: Chesapeak Energy Parade of Lights – Fort Worth's holiday season starts with a parade of more than 100 illuminated, decorated floats, horses, carriages and marching bands topped off with the lighting of the 56-foot-tall official Fort Worth Christmas tree on Main Street between 3rd and 4th streets. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or two to be collected for needy children. Sundance Square, Nov. 28. Kids' activities begin at 2 p.m.; parade from 6 to 8 p.m. 817-336-2787 ; http://www.fortworthparadeoflights.org/.

Holiday Home Tour:

FORT WORTH: Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place Holiday Home Tour – Includes five Ryan Place homes built in the early 1900s and listed on the National Register, decorated for the holidays, plus historic St. John's Episcopal Church. Light snacks and refreshments at the church. $20 per person. Dec. 5, 6 to 9 p.m.; Dec. 6, 2 to 10 p.m.; Dec. 7, 2 to 6 p.m. http://www.historicryanplace.org/.

Through Dec. 21st experience Victorian Christmas at the Heard-Craig House that are set to reflect what the mansion, built in 1900, might have looked like when the family was getting ready for the holidays at 205 W. Hunt Street in McKinney. Tours of the home started Nov. 24th and will continue Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m., Saturdays at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. For more details, call 972-569-6909
Holiday Shopping:

CANTON: First Monday Trade Days – This is your last chance before the holidays to shop Texas' foremost flea market for antiques, home decor, arts and crafts, tools, plants and more. Nov. 27-30. 903-567-6556

The Holiday Urban Bazaar at the Market will showcase Dallas Farmers Market Friends and Make Crafting Studio and sale items such as home accessories, furniture, jewelry, clothing, handbags, art, and photography Dec. 9, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Dec. 10th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Dallas Farmers Market, 1010 S. Pearl Street in Dallas. For information, call 214-256-3061

The McKinney Avenue Contemporary presents "The Blue Yule," its annual fundraiser featuring unique handmade holiday ornaments designed by various artists Dec. 9th from 5-7:30 p.m. at 3120 McKinney Avenue in Dallas. For details, call 214-953-1212



And for a lot of free & fun holiday activities you might want to check out

North Park Mall
8687 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, TX.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!!

♦VOTE♦ November 3, 2009

Local Vote Date November 3, 2009

You can still participate in early voting until Friday, October 30, 2009.

Information on the constitutional changes can be found at the following:

http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=965

♦♦ Be involved in your community. Know what is going on in your town. Exercise your right to vote! ♦♦

Break in the rain!!

Is everyone as excited about the break in rain as I am?!

The break in rain and the nice temps have everyone venturing back outdoors. It's time to start thinking fall & fall plantings. Yes, you can pretty up your landscape in the fall.

Things to think about....now is the time to do a final weed & feed on your yard or if that is done to put a dusting of pre-emergence on the lawn to get a head start against those weeds before Spring. You can also give your shrubs a good fall trim and they will look great till the spring growing begins!

Beautiful plants that are hardy & tolerate our weather well this time of year are:

Ornamental cabbage
Mums
Violas
Pansies (with a little care they can last until May!)
Snap dragons (will last another few months)
Fall Asters
Salvia
Fall Crocous
There are also several grasses and shrubs you can still incorporate if you want.

Planting bulbs now will give you that first fun peak of color in the Spring....so enjoy your time outdoors!

Questions for the neighbors...

Is there any interst in having a group garage sale?

Have you found a good pediatrician?

Who are you using as your septic service?

Favorite landscape ideas for fall?

Is there interest for an annual or semi annual block party?

Let me know your thoughts & please feel free to share your questions.