Thursday, March 31, 2016

The Compound in Round Top, Texas


Last Saturday I stopped at The Compound, which is an event venue with 
several barns.  


We drove past this wonderfully restored 1946 Dodge pick-up on the way
in to the center.  The passengers have already gone inside, but there was
a man, a woman and a Yorkie.  More about that later.




  That truck looks so perfect parked out front.  The owners of The Compound
should lease it out during the show ;-)


There are all sorts of wonderful decorating accents inside.  Not old, but
rather new made to look old.  Still wonderful though.







If you look very closely ~ do you see a little Yorkie peeking around the 
basket to watch what I am doing?  That's Gidget!  And that's Gidget's
mama in the straw hat.  I had a nice little chat with both of them.  They
get to ride off in that old 1946 Dodge.  I envy them :-)

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley






Wednesday, March 30, 2016

The Perfect Vintage Tole Tray


When I spotted this vintage tole tray at Round Top, I knew it would be
perfect for the guest room, and it is.  One of the reasons I love 
hunting for vintage treasures, is that I never know what I will find.
Very seldom do I look for a specific piece for a particular room.
I seem to have better luck when I just wander around and discover
things I like.  



I do have a fondness for tole trays, so they always catch my eye.
Yet my passions are not just limited to tole.  I like to find items
that make my home completely my own and not particularly trendy.



At the moment, I am playing around with this new piece to see how
I might use it.  For example, just placing it on top of that tiny table
gives it a one of a kind look.



However I decide to use it, I am so happy I found it and already love it
here in it's new home!


Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley



Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Spring Antique Week 2016 Part One


This past Saturday, David and I drove up to Warrenton and Round Top
to catch the first weekend of Antique Week.  It was very crowded despite
being Easter weekend.  It almost seems like the crowds get bigger every
time we drive up there.  

I will say that not everything is antique.  There are many tents filled with
decorative items that are new but made to look old.  That's fine with me,
because there are some great finds.  I love those Pony Express cases!



I saw lots of things that would look great in my potting shed, but I 
am holding off for a bit.  It's already getting crowded in there ;-)




I love this stand and cloche!




I looked long and hard at this little chest.  I am thinking that it would look
great in the guest room on one side of the bed.  I did not buy it, but I
did buy this ….




Large wicker bee skep.  I don't think it was ever really used for that
purpose, and I am not going to use it for that, but I love the look and
off to the potting shed it goes.




I also purchased this round tole tray.  That is going into the guest room because
the color is perfect.  I'll show you later how I plan to use it.




I saw quite a few strollers with cute pups being strolled around.  These two sweet girls
were nice enough to pose for me.  They are so cute!  I don't know how happy
my Bentley would be in a stroller.  I can envision him starting to whine and
wanting to either be held or to walk on the leash.   I can't say for sure that he
would not like it, just guessing.  Maybe I will have to try it out sometime.



If you need a bracket of any style and are close to Round Top, for goodness
sake stop at this booth!  



Or how about a dough bowl?  Stacks and stacks of all sizes, shapes 
and colors.  

Well, that's part one.  I have more to share with you later this week.
I am hoping to go back up this Saturday to stop at Marburger Farm
and the Big Red Barn.  Those are my two favorite stops.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley






Monday, March 28, 2016

Join Me on the Terrace


It is a beautiful day in South Texas!  The kind of day I wish I could bottle
up and keep forever.  I had coffee out on the terrace this morning.  It was
so relaxing to listen to the birds and here the fountain in the background.
Shear bliss.

I added some new cushions to our vintage wrought iron furniture.
I kept the colors in the cool greens to give the illusion of a cool and
serene spot under our hot Texas sun.




The everblooming azaleas are in the background.  I thank our previous
home owners for planting them.  They were thoughtful to see that something
is flowering or bearing pretty berries in virtually every season.




Notice that Bentley is no where to be found.  Normally, he is right
out here with me.  However, he had a very busy weekend and is 
inside doing some very serious napping.  He often naps quite
soundly on Mondays ;-)  Not to worry though, he will be rested
and ready in no time.




I have cleaned up the porch and patio three times in the past couple
of days.  At the moment it is pollen free, but don't know how long
that will last.

Did you notice my ferns?  Love them.  As long as they are kept
evenly moist they should thrive through next fall.




I do need to give the wicker a coat of paint.  That's another 
project. 




I put this bowl of succulents on the coffee table in front of the settee.
I love them!  Succulents are my new planting passion.

So now that the cushions are on the wrought iron furniture, the 
ferns are hung and pollen swept away, we can enjoy it while we
can before the hot humid South Texas summer arrives.


I just checked on Bentley.  Still napping and dreaming too :-)

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley




Sunday, March 27, 2016

Happy Easter 2016


Wishing all of you a very Blessed Easter!

David and Bentley and I were up in Round Top yesterday and
I had a very fun time hunting for treasures and taking pictures
that I will share with you this coming week.  The show just gets
bigger and better every year and the fun and excitement is 
felt everywhere in the little towns of Warrenton and Round Top.
More later, and until then ….

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Easter Garden Tea


I finished painting the little bistro set out in the garden and it's
the perfect spot for a springtime garden tea.




A couple of years ago I found this bunny teapot at a consignment
shop and bring it out every year for Easter.




The scalloped and embossed bunny and butterfly plates came
from Hobby Lobby.



Wishing everyone a very Happy and Blessed Easter.


Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley


Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Easter in My Studio


I decided to add some Easter decorations to my studio.  I am in here
for so many hours a day and thought it would be fun to have bunnies
and chicks and colored eggs surrounding my days.



The little cottage gained an Easter topiary and some chicks.




Chicks and colored eggs moved into the tool box.




The pillow pocket on one of the pillows on the bed gained a bunny bookmark,
an Easter card and a copy of the Velveteen Rabbit.




The little dresser added more bunnies and colored eggs.



And the basket on the door to the studio was decorated too.

Have a blessed Wednesday everyone!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Dollhouse Miniature Baby Nursery



I have been thinking for a while about my next miniature project.  I thought
about an adult bedroom, then a little girl's room, but finally decided on a
nursery.  Once I made the decision, I could hardly wait to get started. 
Here is what I have so far.  

The canopy crib arrived first.  I need a baby blanket and perhaps an itty
bitty mini quilt too.  



Here's the rocking chair and I found this adorable Raggedy Ann and
Andy pillow too.



But I think my favorite is the rocking horse.  No surprise there ;-)




I am so addicted to miniatures.  Makes me feel that I am a little girl 
again and that all is right with the world.  I have more ideas for 
the nursery and will keep you posted on it's progress

On a sad note, prayers for those killed and injured in Brussels.  
We all need to be thankful for each and every precious moment
of life.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley


Monday, March 21, 2016

Creating Our Backyard Oasis


Hi y'all!  David and I have begun our backyard oasis projects.
I am painting chairs at the moment.  I have a little bistro set that is
tucked back into the ginger along with a garden statue.  The bistro
set was white,  but I have started to paint the set a soft sage green
so that it blends in a bit more with all the greenery that surrounds it.



Here it is now with the first coat.  Much more subtle and I know I am 
going to like the pieces better now.





We bought new cushions for the patio furniture.  We have an inherited
wrought iron set that includes a settee, two lounge chairs, a coffee table
and two end tables as well as this chaise lounge.  I would show it all to
you right now, but I have to clean off all the pollen that is covering 
the patio.  My yard man came last Thursday and spent over four
hours mowing and raking and fertilizing.  Everything looked so pretty.
Then a big storm blew through that night and once again the patio was
covered with leaves and pollen.  The live oak trees are still shedding,
almost done but not quite.  So I will be hosing everything off.  I
would have done it before today, but we have been having very high
winds up until now.  That's what it's like when you live on the
Gulf Coast.  




We purchased a wall mounted water fountain for a little niche on the patio.
I need to get some big tropicals for either side that will help to cover the electrical
cord.  We hung up those little patio lights that you see at Costco, and Pottery
Barn and Lowes ~ just about everywhere.  They follow the eaves and it
looks really pretty at night.  I also picked up three big Boston ferns to hang
from the porch.  I'll be showing you everything once we get it all put 
together.  We are planning a lot of garden parties at our house this
spring and summer.  The first one will be in a few weeks for our neighbors
who, sadly, will be moving to Houston for a job transfer.  Our 
immediate next door neighbors and David and I will be really sad to
see Chrissie and Raul leave our street.  We have had so many fun
times together.  They will be greatly missed, so we are planning a big
send off.  Houston is only two hours away, and we will still get
together, but it won't be nearly every weekend like it's been for the
last couple of years.  Isn't it sad when you have a great group of
neighbors who really like one another, and someone gets transferred?
That's life I guess.

My headaches are disappearing and my eczema is improving, so 
y'all will be hearing from me more often this week.  Antique Week
up in Round Top will be starting soon, so I'll be covering that
for you too!

PS:  Bentley is losing his girl friend Bella when she moves
to Houston with her family.  I know he will be sad too :(
I have not broken the news to him yet.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Thursday, March 17, 2016

My Tiny Shamrock Cottage


Come share a pot of chocolate in the garden to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.


.  

At center stage, is the tiny Shamrock Cottage.  It started out as one of
those little cardboard cottages you can buy at a craft store.  I painted it and
covered the roof with moss.  Next I added little green felt shamrocks
for shutters.  Little gold "coins" line the path to the door.  
Perhaps if we peek inside we will find a tiny leprechaun ;-)




Happy St. Patrick's Day to y'all!


Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

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