Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Happy New Year From Susan and Bentley


Before we say goodbye to 2014 and celebrate the dawn of the
new year,  here are some of the highlights of 2014 at Ash Tree Cottage.











































We lost a loved one.  We went through some rough patches.
We made some new friends and we carried on.  
Ash Tree Cottage is our home and it is a state of mind.
We are so honored to share it with you.

Happy New Year!
May 2015 bring you health, happiness, friendship and
all of God's blessings.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Monday, December 29, 2014

Are Birthdays Celebrated in Heaven?


Today would have been my Mom's birthday.  If there is a heaven, I
know that she is there.  Yet, I am wondering, are birthdays
celebrated in heaven?  



Do all of the dearly departed gather around to celebrate
with you?  Daddy and my Grandparents?  Mom's sister Mary and
her brother John?



And with her sorority sisters?  That's Mom in the middle
of this group.  She was being honored for something and
that's why there is a flower in her lap.




So what do you think?  Do you think that one's earthly 
birthday is celebrated in heaven, or is the day one 
arrives to live in eternity celebrated?  I am thinking it is
the latter.  

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley





Saturday, December 27, 2014

A Difficult Christmas


I survived Christmas.  It was a tough one.  Not only was it the first one
without my Mom which made it tearful, but other things happened that
made the day especially tough for me.  My Aunt Susan, my Mom's sister
fell and broke her leg last year on the same day my Mom died.  My Aunt 
has been bed ridden ever since.  She is now becoming mentally
confused and I fear that I will be losing her soon too.  I was so sad that
we could not have a long chat together.  We have always been so close.



My Mom is wearing a sari in this picture.  It was a gift to her from one of my
Daddy's business associates who brought it to her from India.  I wonder
what Mom did with it?  I have yet to come across it.  



Monday the 29th would have been Mom's birthday.  I'll have to toughen up for
that day too.  But life goes on, and I will too.  

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.  

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas Eve Y'All


Welcome to Texas y'all where the prairies are wider and
the tales are taller.  So sit back and relax while I tell you
a Christmas Eve tale Texas style!


Twas the night before Christmas  in Texas you know.
Way out on the prairie without any snow.




Asleep in their cabin were Bentley and Sue.  A dreaming' of 
Christmas like me and like you.



Not stockings, but boots at the foot of their bed.  For this was
Texas, what more need be said.

When all of a sudden from out the still night, there came such a
ruckus, it gave me a fright.
And I saw 'cross the prairie like a shot from a gun,
A loaded up buckboard,  come at a run.
The driver was "Geein" and "Hawin" with a will,
The horses (not reindeer) he drove with such skill.

Come on there Buck, Poncho and Prince to the right,
There'll be "plenty of travelin' " for you all tonight.



The driver in Levi's and a shirt that was red,
Had a ten-gallon Stetson on top of his head.

As he stepped from the buckboard, he really was a sight,
With his beard and mustache so curly and white.
As he burst in the cabin, Bentley and Sue awoke,
And were so astonished that neither one spoke.




And he filled up their boots with such presents galore,
That neither could think of a single thing more.
When Bentley recovered the use of his jaws,
He barked in a whisper, "Are you really Santa Claus?"

"Am I the real Santa?  Well what do you think?"
And he smiled as he gave a mysterious wink.
Then he leaped in his buckboard and called back in 
a drawl

"To all children of Texas, Merry Christmas you-all".


Merry Christmas and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley










Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Christmastime Around the House


I moved the topiaries on the mantel to make way for the Christmas 
trees.  Now that I have moved them here I decided I like them on the
server in the dining room, so I guess I will be looking for another pair.



I just had to dress up the topiaries for the holiday.



The bar in the family room is dressed for the holiday too.



As is the little electric fireplace.  I really want to burn some logs in
the fireplace in the living room, but the temps have been like spring.




More Christmas in the breakfast room.



And on the kitchen counters too.



It's time for me to bake some more cookies to share with our 
neighbors.

Christmas has come alive in our house.  Christmas music is playing in
the kitchen and my in studio.  The movie Holiday Inn will be on in
the family room followed by Christmas in Connecticut.  Everything
is cheerful and I hope that it is in your house as well.


Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley









Monday, December 22, 2014

Boots Hung From the Mantel


The boots are now hung from the mantel with care.




I had some fun decorating the mantel last evening.  I decided to keep it
whimsical in this formal room.  A bit of Christmas magic.



Replaced the usual topiaries with some Christmas trees.


A frosted cottage has center stage.



Bentley is not forgotten of course!  This stocking has been used by all
of my dogs except for Martini when I lived in Bahrain.  He just wore a
big red bow and got toys and treats without a stocking.  But Bonnie
Heather MacGregor, two different Charlies, Bitterman, Binkie and now
Bentley have all used this same felt stocking shaped like a bone.  




Bentley has his own special stocking holder guarded by the Staffordshire
dogs wearing their tartan bows.



Here it is the mantel all decked out in it's Christmas finest.
Thanks for stopping by.

Merry Christmas Y'All!


By the way, it was Bentley's birthday yesterday.  
He is now nine years old and still full of energy.
We love him more and more each year!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

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