So long farewell...

This blog was created to promote a neighborhood and area. Originally started by Teresa Harvey in 2009.

The Harvey's moved and a friend has updated sporadically the blog. It's not a priority since she did not live in the neighborhood but was part of the area. The blog has mostly become dormant.

We will leave this here for those who stumble upon or value any content here within. If someone in the neighborhood or community would like to take the blog over and promote it then please contact honeysuckletx@gmail.com. Due to this being a public reflection on the neighbors and neighborhood any editors will be checked out and references needed before turning the blog over.

It was fun providing information and getting to know Honeysuckle Estates and Midlothian.

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2017!

May Days...

Crazy weather but I am loving the progress around our little neighborhood, aren't you? My flowers and trees are budding and blooming despite the ups and downs.

Honeysuckle Estates *Porch Inspriation

Have you been watching the new house being built? Looks like it is coming along well AND we will have another one soon. Another lot on Evening Lane sold and the sand and porta potty is in place. HA. Exciting times. It also looks like the Pastors former house will be enjoying a pool this summer. So fun!

Honeysuckle Estates *Pool Inspriation

What are you doing to get ready for summer? New plants, patio cover, pool? Fighting the rock pile is always a challenge out here. Hang in there and stay frosty.

Honeysuckle Estates *Garden Inspirations

 

 

 

Honeysuckle Estates

Honeysuckle Estates is now just a memory. We loved our home there but it's amazing at the doors that open and the beautiful home we now have. Loving the space! Didn't realize how much we missed surround sound and whole house intercom systems! Loving turning on music and enjoying it from anywhere in the house or yard. All ready putting to use the outdoor kitchen and outdoor tv - this home defines the word outdoor living! The yard is lush, green and private. Love that! They started on the outdoor fireplace today and it's coming along beautifully - it was the only thing missing to make this yard complete. Truly a house was made for entertaining and it's something we enjoy. Sometimes you have to let go to embrace new and better things for your life. Truly enjoying a grocery store and terrific shopping only 2 1/2 miles from the front door. Missed that.

A big shout out and thank you for our first guests! Received the best surprise visits from friends who flew out to help unpack and get us settled. Now that is friendship! Have the best BFF's ever. Looking forward to the crew that is coming for the 4th...love that we will be able to enjoy fireworks again in our own backyard! They sell them on the street corners here. :) Very cool.

Also, thank you again & again! What a wonderful send off from our friends in Texas - we celebrated Memorial Day weekend with 73 people at our home. Want to thank everyone again for the sweet gifts for our new home that was so unexpected! We are blessed with the greatest friends. Put the gift cards to use all ready. :) And the wine gift basket that was at the front door was a great way to celebrate our first night here. What a great last hurrah!

Not sure what this Blog will become. Our yahoo, FB & Google sites have new caregivers so they will become their vision...I will enjoy seeing how my blog evolves into something new with a new vision.

If you live in Honeysuckle stop by and see the new neighbors. Great family. They will need love and support getting settled!

"Keep Texas Beautiful" is hard to do with all that rock in Midlo.

Good luck Honeysuckle....

Spring...

Spring is right around the corner...I love this time of year. I start ordering seeds and planning a small kitchen garden and a few new flowers for our flower beds. Clear out all the dead plants from winter and start watching for new life!

It's also a great time of year to think about reorganizing and rearranging rooms in your home. I always do a complete deep clean. Everything is moved and dusted, swept and vacuumed.  All the "big" pieces of furniture are moved out of place so that everything is sparkling clean and is fresh for the spring and summer entertaining season.

I then take that opportunity to move things around or rethink a room. Maybe reorganize a linen closet or pantry, etc...I like to start now by collecting ideas. Making household wish lists and looking for inspiration and ideas to keep my home current, beautiful and workable for day to day life.

Here are a few of my inspirations for this year.........hope they help inspire you!

Loving your kids enough to discipline...

We have to be responsible for our children. No, I don't condone using guns or destroying a computer. I do condone parenting. Set limits and rules for your children with clear consequences. Follow through.

Be involved. Monitor your kids activities. Supervise computer, iphones, ipods, kindles, and other electronic devices that your children are using. Set an example. BE involved. Your children will learn the most about behavior and life from you.

Investing your time in your children and loving them enough to discipline them is the best investment you can make.

Behavior matters. Ignoring disrespect, poor attitudes and language from our children is ignoring the hopes for our future.

January 2012!

It's hard to believe it's the end of January! We've been blessed so far with a very mild winter. It makes you wander out doors and dream of spring. In doing so be sure to check those flower beds for weeds. They are sneaking in early this year. Also, mulch, mulch, mulch. Early blooms due to our mild weather could prove disasterous if we get a late freeze.

You might also start to plan now where to put in a new flower bed and how to incorporate more privacy and shade in your yard. Being in the county we have space, space and more space.  Break it up and create outdoor rooms and play spaces.  Here are a few pictures of inspiration.

Get out and enjoy the great outdoors!

Cars 2!

Family movie night was a hit.  We chose Cars 2 unanimously ages 9 to 45 all in agreement. Yes, the reviews were in and they were not favorable.  Yes, the story line is a little disjointed and weak.  However, we laughed, there was no profanity, action and fun. All the great qualities for a successful movie night!!!

We all love To' Mater, enjoyed sassy Miss Shiftwell and were riveted by the sophisticated spy Finn McMissile. Not to mention the fun and humurous Lightining McQueen! So, our families vote is in, if you need a night out to have a little fun, laugh, enjoy and share a few more laughs afterward take the time to go see Cars 2! We did. Not even our picky 15 year old was disatisfied with the choice.

Earth Day!

We are hearing more and more a big push to go green. To live with less, to bring balance back to our lives and world after the past decade of excess & living in a disposable society.

OK, I'm game. Now what? Think baby steps to a bigger change in your life and the world around you.

Learning the three R's of the millennium. No, I'm not talking reading, 'riting, and 'rethmetic. The three R's for the new millennium are Reduce, Recycle, Reuse!

Take a look at your space and armed with your three R's think of ways to make simple everyday changes that you can live with.


Tips you can use now:

1. Stainless steel water bottles - ditch the plastic. You will save money and lessen the burden on landfills.

2. Electric Shavers - Using an electric shaver again saves money & reduces our landfills.

3. Reusable shopping bags - Most of us have at least one now in our closets or pantries - now we need to think ahead & take them with us!

4. Donate - Take stock of your out of date, too small or unworn clothing and donate it! Take the tax write off and give to a good cause. It's a win, win situation. Don't overlook other household items that can be put to good use by others. Toys, kitchenware, small appliances that still work but you may have updated can all be donated and reused by someone else.

5. Use washable kitchen towels - when wiping the counters and table tops use kitchen cloths - not paper towels. There will be times when you need a paper towel but with a conscious effort you can cut the use of paper towels by 50%!

6. Compost - yes, most of those table scraps can be used in your flower beds or kitchen garden instead of added to the landfill. You will save money on store bought compost and have a nutrient rich alternative for your gardens.

7. Recycle - if you don't have a recycle spot it is as easy as setting up a plastic bin or a heavy cardboard box. Let the family know what goes where - plastic, glass and/or paper.  Some companies will pick up all items together and separate after pick up. Find out what services you have in your area.

8. Light bulbs - replace your light bulbs as they burn out with compact florescent. They will last longer & use less energy!

9. Re-purpose/Re-define - No longer use that dining room - take your table and re-purpose it into a family desk or sell it and re-define the space into a family game room.  Look at your home and figure out how to get the most use out of each room so that it works for your lifestyle today.

10. Adjust - by adjusting your thermostat by 2 degrees you will save a lot of money on your energy bill. Turning a fan on when a room is in use will keep things comfortable and still give your electric bill a break.


These are a few tips we try to incorporate in our home - baby steps by each person will make a huge impact on our earth!

Are you pink?

Time: Friday, October 22 at 7:30pm - October 23 @ 12:00am    Location: Western Kountry Klub      5728 Lakeview Dr.      Midlothian, TX Created By City of Midlothian   More Info Texans Against Breast Cancer benefit dance. Proceeds go to Susan G. Komen - Passionately Pink for the Cure. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Children under 13 are free. Live bands, silent auction and a raffle (autographed Jason Witten jersey).

Fall?!

The last few summer days are fading fast! With school starting and everyone getting back into a more structured routine comes the thought of fall.  Well maybe not on our lingering 95+ days but little signs of it like our enjoyable 75degree nights.


Things to help around your home now....

Change your Central Air/Heat air filters - Keeping those filters clean will really make a difference in your units efficiency.

Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Move the Furniture - Allergies for most people are seasonal and many of us take the time to move things around for deep cleaning in the spring but don't think about it in the fall.  Fall allergies can be reduced by cleaning under those beds, couches, tables, etc...get the dust & spiders cleared out and make your home easier to breathe in!

Caulk around doors & windows - Most homes windows and doors are caulked when they are installed to help improved energy efficiency.  However, over time weather and age shrink and crack caulking.  So checking and refreshing it in the fall is a good way to keep your home as energy efficient as possible. 

Clean your outdoor/indoor windows - Spring cleaning is a natural time to do this but doing it at the beginning of fall will make the windows easier to clean in the spring and clear out any spider eggs or bug nest that might be hiding in the corners!

Compost & Mulch - Adding a fresh layer of compost will help feed you perennials and shrubs during the winter months and adding a fresh layer of mulch will protect the roots as the colder months approach. Prepare a spot in your garage or shed for any potted plants that you will need to overwinter.  Having a spot ready will make it easier to move them when the lower temps dip to near freezing temperatures.

Reset those Sprinklers - The cooler temps mean you don't need to water as often.  Reset your timers and consider turning off unneeded zones.  It's a good time to go ahead and wrap any exposed or free standing water pipes, you might also consider a thermal wrap on your hot water heater. Disconnect the water hose and get it ready to store.  You may still need it but disconnecting it from the faucet will let you know how much you are still using it.

Clean, Clear Out & Cover -  Now is the time to dry brush all your outdoor furniture, clean the furniture with a mild soapy solution and check for any paint or rust repair that may be needed.  After everything is looking clean and ready cover the furniture with an outdoor cover with sturdy tabs to ensure a snug fit.  Spot clean cushions and take a shop vac to vacuum them well.  You can either store the cushions on the furniture under the cover or put them in their own box in your garage, attic or shed.  An indoor space will keep the fabric more conditioned and help the life of the cushion last longer. When covering a table that is not under a covered space put a bucket upside down on the table so that water or snow will easily slide off.  Clean and check all outdoor toys.  Wash all toys with a detergent and bleach solution and dry well.  Any broken or damaged toys can be tossed.  Any outgrown toys can be donated. Summer balls can be cleaned and deflated for storage.  Pack away the remaining summer toys in a plastic storage container with secure lid.  Now everything is in good shape and you will know where it is when the warmer outdoor days return!

Energy Rates - http://www.powertochoose.com/ Make sure you have the best rate for your family to ensure the biggest savings for your fall/winter power usage!


Veggie Garden - Consider planting lettuce, greens, squash, and beans for veggies that will thrive in the cooler temps.

Arbor Day

Arbor Day is April 30th, it's a lovely time to plant a tree or a bush or even a plant to celebrate!

Driving through town and around our lovely country roads there are many lovely plants, trees & bushes in bloom!  What a beautiful Spring we are having.

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!

Save the date!

Several things happening in and around the neighborhood over the next few weeks.  Mark your calendars & make your plans to get out and be involved!

February 2010:

Feb. 21 @ 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Neighborhood Watch Meeting for Honeysuckle Estates...check the Neighborhood Yahoo group for location and details.
Neighbors at Honeysuckle Estates Group

Feb. 22 @ 6:30 - 8:30 Drug Awarness Meeting for parents and anyone who wants to keep informed to the current drug trends that plague and target our children and teens.  Location Midlothian High School / LA Mills Administration building.  Check the Midlothian ISD website for more details.
Midlothian ISD

March 2010:

March 7 - Neighbors at Honeysuckle Estates - Easter Egg Hunt & Neighborhood Garage Sale planning meeting. Please check the Neighborhood Yahoo Group for more details.