Rednesday September School Days

Wow ~ it's September 1st already!! Autumn is a favorite season of mine. Sweater weather. Warm sunny afternoons. Leaves beginning to turn color and the start of a new school year. So for this Rednesday I have a little vignette consisting of a red framed blackboard, a plaid covered box and a cute little red school bag. This red bag was made for the American Girl Doll, Molly McIntire. Her era is the 1940's. Love that time period!!

So many great movies were filmed in the 1940's. Lot's of great big band music and lots of red accessories too. This is the cutest little red school bag. It even has a mini 3 ring binder, school ruled paper, a pencil case with 2 red pencils and an little pink eraser. There is a language book. It's a miniature textbook reproduction of a book copyrighted 1941. Molly's report card is in the bag and there are some flash cards too. Too cute!!

I hope that everyone has a great first day of September. Don't forget to go visit Sue for some more reds on this Rednesday!!

Bentley wants you to know that one of his favorite toys is a little red fire truck. Of course half of it has been chewed off, but he loves it just the same. Isn't that right Bentley?

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Mini Blogging Break

Arf!! Bentley here. Mama and I are taking a short blogging break. We'll be back in a day or two. In the meantime, I am not supposed to chase Thelma if she shows up in the garden again!! I think I'll just take a nap snuggled in my cozy quilt. I wonder if it's okay if I just dream about chasing chickens???

Love and arfs,

Bentley and Susan

xxoo

Pink Angels for a Miracle Pink Saturday

Today I am participating in a very special Miracle Pink Saturday Party to celebrate Colette Gauthier's miracle. I am linking up with Kelee at Katillac Shack , Beverly at How Sweet the Sound and Sherry at Country Wings in Phoenix. Please go to their sites and read about Colette's story of healing. Here are some vintage angels in gowns with pink ruffled edges. They are a reminder to us all that angels watch over each of us.

As a young child, I became very ill. I was suffering from pneumonia and although I was given large doses of antibiotic, my body was not responding. The doctors told my parents to prepare to lose me. I drifted out of my body and remember seeing my parents and the doctors below me. I tried to let them know that I was fine, but they could not hear me. My little body was just a shell.

Our souls are what matters. There is so much more to our Lord's Kingdom than what we can see from our bodies. We are here to love one another and to love and honor Him. When we do, miracles occur. Colette's story is a reminder of the power we have when we work for others in His name. Please visit another angel, my dear friend Erin of The Painted Garden. She donated a one of her lovely paintings for Colette's room planned by Kelee and her design crew. You can have a chance to win one of Erin's paintings when you visit Kelee at the Katillac Shack. By the way, Erin has a dog named Bentley too!!

With Love and God's Blessings,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Horsewoman

I have always loved horses. From my very first ride as a young girl I was hooked. I spent years jumping over fences, practicing for horse shows and polishing my boots. I loved everything about the sport and still do. All over our little cottage you will find ...

Prints of horses, lamp bases with hunting scenes, horse and fox figurines, books and...

Old velvet helmets and spurs too. Needless to say, I love Ralph Lauren's designs. So there's a little bit about me and one of my passions in life. Go over to Cindy's Romantic Home and find out what others are passionate about.

Do I love horses more than you Bentley ~ no I love you much, much more!!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Way Way Back to School Lunch

Those old school lunch boxes sure were cute!! It's my first week of school item for Vintage Thingie Thursday. I hope that Suzanne is having a fun and relaxing break!

Hey Bentley ... let's go shopping for some more vintage thingies today!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo,

Chick Magnet

I bought this cute little rooster lamp at a thrift shop last week. Do you think he's a "chick magnet"?? Is that the reason why Thelma just can't stay away?

What do you think Bentley?

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Chemex ~ Perfection

The Chemex coffee maker ... just perfection! It was designed by a German Chemist, Dr Peter Schlumbohm. He was a member of the Bauhaus Art Movement. You can find Chemex at the Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian ....

And ... Mary Richard's fabulous apartment in Minneapolis on the Mary Tyler Moore Show! I am dedicating this post to my pal Robin the Decorating Tennis Girl and I am participating in my other friend Marty's Table Top Tuesday. I wish that Marty and Robin and all the rest of you could come over and have a cup of coffee with me out of this stylish pot!!

Bentley ~ Do you think that you and Thelma could be friends? She comes over to visit you every day now. Don't you think you could do your best to make her feel welcome??

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

School Days

The first day of school!

A lifetime of learning that never ends!!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Pink Saturday Intrigue

She's cool, she's mysterious, she's ... Pink Teddy! Don't let that sweet basket of pink flowers and cute pink gingham dress fool you ... she's a capable girl who can solve any crime! Now, slip back those shades and go visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for another cool Pink Saturday!

Do doggles come in pink? I don't know Bentley, let's find out!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Barn Chick in Training ~ or The Return of Thelma

Here I am in my red cowgirl boots. I am a "Barn Chick in Training". I am getting some real "hands on" experience today. My mission: Return Thelma to her coop next door.

Yes, that's right, Thelma and Bentley had another altercation on our front porch this morning. Apparently she has decided she would like to live permanently at Ash Tree Cottage. Bentley has said no!!

Now that Bentley is safe inside, or should I say that Thelma is safe from him, I will fulfill my mission. I have filled up a little bowl with pumpkin seeds. Since I am only a "Barn Chick in Training", I'm not sure if chickens eat pumpkin seeds or not, but it's all I have. Off I go on the hunt for Thelma who is somewhere in the garden ...

There she is ~ under the wisteria arbor. Hi Thelma! Look what I have for you!!

That's a good girl! Okay, I'm going to pick you up and put you back in your own garden! Okay gals, that's Lesson No. 1 in Barn Chick Training. Approach the chicken slowly, wearing red cowgirl boots and bearing gifts. Hey Karen, I hope that this qualifies me as a real "Barn Chick"!!

Okay Bentley ~ your cottage garden is all yours once again!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Summer Evening on the Deck

After an exciting morning of chicken removal from the front porch (see prior post), I am ready for a relaxing evening on the deck. A refreshing drink served from a vintage tray. I know ... it says Oregon and we live in Idaho, but I have not found an Idaho tray yet.

Help yourself to guacamole and chips and some crackers with chive and bacon spread.

We are grilling up some chicken to serve with corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes and sugar snap peas on these cute vintage picnic dishes. Hey ... where's the flatware??

Isn't this a cute vintage butter dish that looks like an ear of corn? I found this set at a garage sale. It came with little corn salt and pepper shakers and little husks to serve the corn.

While I go inside to get some flatware, please stop by to visit The Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingie Thursday. Suzanne is on a bit of a vacation, but her VTT post is up. I am also linking up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday.

A chicken update ... Thelma has been safely returned home after a delightful afternoon of free ranging in our yard. Bentley, however, is on patrol making sure that no more chickens hop the fence into HIS yard this evening! There he goes now, checking the fence line!!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

*** Chicken Newsflash!!!***

I am interrupting this White and Wordless Wednesday for a Special Report!!! One of my neighbor's chickens has hopped the fence and is sitting on the arm of the rocking chair on the front porch (she can't sit in the seat because yet another phone book has been delivered and is assuming that coveted spot)!! Needless to say, Bentley is inside looking at her and is very aggravated about the whole situation!

Further updates as they happen. Thanks for tuning in for this brief interruption. Back to our regularly scheduled post!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

A White and Wordless Wednesday

White Wednesday ... Wordless Wednesday.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Knitting and Tea

Before we know it, September will be here. I'm already thinking ahead to fall. It's the season for sweaters and a hot cup of tea. The other day I found this cute book "Knits for Pets On the Go" from Vogue Knitting. I have been browsing through it while relaxing with a cup of tea.

Maybe I could make a cute new sweater for Bentley!

I did not make these cute tiny sweaters, but wish that I did. So that's what is on my table top this Tuesday. I wonder what Marty has on her table top? I'm headed over to visit her 26th Table Top Tuesday. Then I am headed over to visit Terri and Martha for the 24th Tea Cup Tuesday. All three of these sweet ladies provide lots of inspiration!

Wouldn't you like me to knit you a sweater Bentley??

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Bentley to the Rescue!

Momma found another "trash to treasure" project, she was dumpster diving again. Here I am checking it out. What's that Momma?? We need to make a quick trip to Home Depot?? Can I drive??

Oh these Sunday drivers!!

And another red light! By the way ... I am completely ignoring you about needing a good brushing and a bath.

Maybe we can make a stop at Grandma's on the way home. She always has treaties for me!!

Love,

Bentley and Susan

xxoo

Pink Ladies and a Gentleman

These figurines belonged to my Grandmother. They are not important pieces, but to me they are treasures because Grandma loved them!

Be sure to visit Beverly for her Pink Saturday to see what other pink things bloggers love!!

Pink dog bones? I don't think so Bentley!!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Let's Go Shopping!!

Just a few short blocks away from Ash Tree Cottage is a sweet little antiques shop named Forget Me Not. I have been a fan of this shop for many years! Trust me ...

It's all cute, cute, cute!!

Sweet little baby's bed with a darling red toile screen behind it. Oh how I love red toile!!

I have always wanted one of these vintage tool totes. How charming is it???

A lovely round table and some sweet signs ...

Charming shelf and vintage bracket ...

A vintage oil lamp ... And yes please, Piper, Pipe that Song Again!

Some sweet little pillows and a charming vintage frame. Thank you Deidie at Forget Me Not antiques. Now let's keep visiting fun places like Cindy's My Romantic Home, Debbie at Debbie Doos for Garage-Salen Friday, and my friend Connie's 2nd Frou Frou Friday!

Bentley, do you want to announce your presence for Monday's post? You do??? Okay it's a date. Bentley has officially announced his presence this for this coming Monday's post!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Vintage Mixing Bowls

I seem to be on a kitchen kick this week. So .... here are a few of my favorite vintage mixing bowls. I love this soft yellow one with the blue stripe. I purchased it from a wonderful antiques dealer in New Hampshire just shortly after David and I were married.

This iron stone mixing bowl belonged to my great grandmother. It shows lots of wear, but that makes me love it all the more!! Isn't that a great vintage wicker covered jug? A friend of mine gave it to me. Thank you Kathy!!

Did you see these beautiful free range eggs? They are from my neighbor's chickens. Thank you Amy!! Oh how I long to live on a farm!! While I am searching for acreage, please go visit Suzanne for Vintage Thingie Thursday affectionally known as VTT.

How would you like it if we got our own chickens? Don't worry Bentley, they will sleep in the chicken coop at night.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Cute Little Red Box

Way back when my Daddy was in high school, he made a cute little red box with a lid that fits perfectly. Knowing my Daddy, he measured twice and cut once so that the lid would fit snugly in the box ... and it does!!! Thank you Daddy! I am enjoying this sweet box. However, I have added a few girly things like ...

Some sweet crocheted pot holders and a precious vintage heart shaped cookie cutter! Cute huh?? If Daddy were still alive he would humor me and say something like "Yes dear, very cute". Now it's my husband who humors me. Thanks David!! You are a sweetie pie too! Enough sentiment ... while I get out my hankie, go and visit Sue for her Rednesday at It's a Very Cherry World.

Yes I know Bentley ... your Daddy loves you very, very much!!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

LeCruset and Descoware on My Table Top

I'm joining Marty's Table Top Tuesday and on my table top is part of my collection of Le Cruset and Descoware. It's also on my stove top, on my granite counter top and on my butcher block too! It cooks like a dream and looks lovely on the table. I love, love, love it!!

I think that Descoware came first. It was a favorite of Julia Child and as you know by now, Julia Child will always be a favorite of mine! I have been collecting pieces of both Le Cruset and Descoware since before I was married. I taught myself how to cook using The Joy of Cooking and Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking Volumes I & II. I have a Le Cruset cookbook and I have made all of the recipes in it too.

My Le Cruset dutch ovens have been used often and are well loved. My first attempt at Boeuf Bourguignon was made in that big dutch oven.

Descoware has some very cute oval casseroles. I don't think that Descoware has been made for a very long time, but I don't care, I still love it!!

This little one is my favorite. It's sitting on top of my treasured Julia cookbooks. Cheers dear Julia! Bon Appetit!!

All of this talk about food is making me hungry! How about you Bentley???

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo