Wednesday, May 28, 2014

What To Do With My Old Dresser


When we moved into our house the master bedroom was just kind of 
thrown together.  Ever since I decided to have a slipcover made for my
vintage love seat and place it at the end of our four poster bed, I have
been focusing on the other changes I want to make in this room.  

Here is the dresser that has been mine since I was a little girl.  It is 
solid cherry.  This poor thing has moved all over the country.  It is
the second time that it has moved to Texas.  I could never even think
about painting it while my Mom was still alive.  Now I am thinking 
I might give it a new look.  





So many of the things in this room came from grandparents and parents.
While I love the sentimental value of being surrounded by things that
belonged to those I have loved, I am starting to feel like I need to put
my own stamp on them.  What would you do?

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Kitchen Junk Drawer and What To Do About It


Every kitchen has one.  The drawer where all kinds of essentials and
non essentials hang out ~ the kitchen junk drawer.  If you have a faint
heart, please don't look because what is inside is not pretty.



When I moved into this house last August I made a vow to myself that I would 
keep all the drawers in this house neat and tidy.  I have kept that vow with one
exception ~ this kitchen junk drawer.  Actually there are two of them side by
side, but I only have the nerve to show you one.  I need some inspiration to 
make this drawer work for our household because I am tired of rummaging
through a lot of stuff trying to find stamps, scissors, and whatever else I need.
Sadly, I did not inherit the master organizational skills of my Mom so I have
to resort to inspirational pictures to motivate me to get the job done.




This well organized drawer puts me in a zen space.  Neat, tidy, everything
mine is not.  




Here's an idea ~ labels so no one has to ask "where does this go?"




This is a fun idea.  This person took cereal boxes, cut them to the desired height
and covered them with pretty paper.  Cute!



Well whatever organizing system I decide to use, anything will be better than
this mess!  


Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

PS:  Why is there a glow stick in this drawer?  Because we always have one.
Never know when we might need one!













Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day 2014


I hope y'all had a great Memorial Day weekend.  It was a laid back one for
us.  It has been raining very hard on and off all day today.  I am not
complaining.  We need the rain and it's a blessing.  David had to go into the
office for a few hours this morning, but we have been able to spend a few
hours together this afternoon.  In all of the years we have been married, I 
think there have only been one or two- times that we have been able to
celebrate a three day weekend.  One or the other of us has always been
working.  




Poor little Bentley has been running between the raindrops today.  He hops
off the back porch, runs out very quickly and takes care of business.  At one
point this afternoon he just gave in and ran out into the middle of the yard,
got quite wet, ran onto the back porch and just shook himself off for a while.
Then he was smiling and happy as ever.  He's such a jolly little fellow.



I picked up this big premier issue of coast to coast style 
Beach Cottages at my HEB Plus.  This cover shot was styled by
our friend the fabulous Fifi O'Neill.  She is always an inspiration.  I will
be dreaming for weeks about the charming cottages inside this issue.
So that's a weekend update.  Nothing too exciting to report.  Too dark
and cloudy to take any pics inside and frankly I am too lazy to even
attempt any.  So I will put the kettle on, make a cup of tea and get
cozy in a comfy chair with Bentley.  Thinking of y'all and hoping
that everyone had a fun weekend.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley


Saturday, May 24, 2014

Not Your Typical Blog Post


While my Mom was in the hospital and I would sit by her bedside
each day, I started doing the Sudoku puzzle.  Now I am hooked!
Do any of you have this addiction and if so, is there a support group
I can join???

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Friday, May 23, 2014

Miniatures in Pink



Construction on the Texas Rosebud Cottage is moving along despite
glitches in the construction schedule.  My construction manager aka
David ~ my hubby, had to go out of town on business.



I have a lot of furniture that is just waiting to for it's new home.  In fact,
I have to hold off on any new additions until the move in date arrives.
I don't want to have too much furniture and accessories because although
there is another dollhouse kit waiting in the wings, who knows when it
will be completed.



But I did want to take a few minutes to show you how the color pink plays
a big role in the cottage dollhouse and especially to congratulate Beverly for
six years of Pink Saturday!  That is quite a bit of pink, but then for many of
us there is no such thing as too much pink.



And my hubby thinks I have too many full size dishes!



Pink is such an ideal color for a dollhouse.  Everything looks so sweet
in pink.






Thank you Beverly.  Pink Saturday has always provided me with so much
"pinkspiration".  Congratulations on six years and hoping that you will
keep this party going for many years to come!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley






Thursday, May 22, 2014

Master of the Hounds


There used to be a golf lamp here, but David decided he wanted to put it
in his office.  That meant that I would not have a lamp for what I 
lovingly call our library corner.  So I went hunting for a new lamp and
here is what I found...




This lamp combines my love of all things equestrian and canine.
Isn't he cute?


Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Dogs Are Welcome


Come on into the living room.  I have a new addition to show you.



It's no secret how much I love dogs and it is also no secret that our
Bentley is allowed on the furniture.  Can you tell what the new 
addition is?



In case you are not sure ~ it's this pillow.  When I spotted it I knew it
would be perfect for our house.  I always tell Bentley that one day
his mama will take him to Paris.  Why ~ because dogs are welcome
there.  And of course you know I can never leave Bentley out of 
anything.




So here it is on the sofa.  Bentley has not seen it yet.  He is
napping.  When he does discover the pillow it will be moved
because that's what he does with the pillows his mama
places on the furniture.  He always jumps up on the sofas
and gives all the pillows a good tweaking.  Bentley is just
like my husband, he just doesn't get his mama's obsession.
If you like this pillow (and they have many others) go to




David smoked beef ribs on Sunday and Bentley is
going to get one tonight ~ but not on the sofa!
That's my one rule.


Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley




Monday, May 19, 2014

A Before and After Lamp



I am so busy that I only have time for two pics, so I made a 
collage so that you can see the changes I made to this lamp.
It is going in my Mom's old bedroom that y'all know I
have been working on.  I painted the shade and added
some color and gold highlights to the base.  




Here is a bit bigger view.  I wanted the color to work with
the colors in the room.  And I wanted it to  have more of
an antique old world feel to it.  Things are moving along bit by 
bit.  More changes and tweaks to come.



Bentley really enjoyed hearing your comments on his
post on Saturday.  I read every one of them to him.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley


Saturday, May 17, 2014

All About Bentley


I love that little rascal more than words can say.  He's a ray of sunshine.



He is sweet and gentle.



He celebrates Mardi Gras with me every year.





He likes to take sunbaths.





And afternoon naps on the sofa.



He will sit calmly in my bicycle basket.




And look for vermin in the garden.



He likes to help me plant flowers.





And he's a safe driver.




He hates baths.




And when it's time to be groomed he will run off  with his brush.



But he listens intently to everything I say.



And he always welcomes visitors.



And waits and …






he waits until his mama is finished shopping.
He is the sweetest little guy I know.
And we love him so very much.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

PS:  He always helps me write blog posts.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

A New Found Treasure



Since my Mom passed away, I have been going through boxes of 
things that belonged to her.  I found a few things that were marked 
for me that came from my grandmother and great grandmother.
One of the items was this little vase.  I don't believe it would have
much value to anyone else, but it does for me.  It is meaningful
not just because it is part of a family history, but also because of
what I discovered inside.



A tiny piece of yellowed newsprint folded up so carefully.  
Something that was meaningful to her.




This is especially meaningful to me now as well.  The house we live in
is fairly new to us and I think that it is fitting that this little vase was 
passed on to us and that we dedicate our house to the glory of God.
That's what makes this vase and the little bit of newsprint found 
inside so special.  A family treasure.




Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Favorite Kitchens From Movies

source

I know that I am just like you.  I study the rooms of homes in the movies I watch.
I know you do too.  I am always drawn to the kitchens.  All the details.  All the
charm.  This is the French kitchen from the movie Julie & Julia.  



source

This spot just makes me want to whip up an omelet.  I am never inspired by
sleek, modern kitchens.  I always gravitate to the old and cluttered.





Bowls of fruit.  Old wooden spoons and hanging utensils.  Staged by a set
designer yet so seeming real.  Diane Lane's kitchen in Under the Tuscan Sun.




I remember when I saw Sleepless in Seattle and fell in love with this girly
pink kitchen.  





And who could forget Iris' kitchen in Holiday.  So many cozy and friendly
elements in this kitchen.  I adore that little stove too.




The kitchen from the movie Baby Boom reminds me of my kitchen in 
Middleburg, VA.  We lived in an old farmhouse and the kitchen had been
updated but had rustic beams on the ceiling and blue painted cabinets
and the same ceramic tile on the counter tops.  Loved that kitchen.
I can't tell you how many tears I shed moving away from that old
farmhouse out in the country.



Here is another shot of that kitchen.  So homey.




Remember Father of the Bride?  I still love this kitchen.



Here is another view.  Too bad set designers don't design the kitchens
in homes.  

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley








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