Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Round Top is Coming!


In just a little over two weeks, the tents and other venues will
be opening up at Round Top!  Last year at the fall show, I told 
myself that I would skip the next fall, and go to the spring show
because the weather was still so very hot in September.  But
sadly, I missed the show this past spring because I was too sick to
go.  So even though I am still recovering from yet another relapse,
and the weather is still hot, one way or another I will be there!

Unless you have actually been to one of the shows, it is hard to
fully express the excitement it generates.  Miles of tents and 
thousands of visitors.  Music, food, libations and antiques all
join together to make the event spectacular.   I have lived here
for six years now, and it just seems to get bigger and better
each year!  I am going throught my photos of years past just 
to prime the pump.  The days have extended a bit, no longer
just a one week event.  This year's dates are September 19 to
October 6th.  























Treasures tucked away everywhere!  I hope you enjoyed these bits
of inspiration.  If I can make it to the this fall show, I will be happily
taking photos of all the things I love!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley


















Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Rethinking My Patio and Veranda



This has been a long, hot summer, and it's been a tough one for me too.
Last year I battled a virus that kept me housebound for weeks at a time.  I 
finally turned the corner this past May and started to feel like myself once
again.  Then we went on vacation up in Austin for the 4th of July, and by
the time I returned home, I had relapsed.  Today, thankfully, I finally feel
like I am back on the road to recovery.



One thing I learned during this relapse, is that I need to keep things simple.
I had worked so hard on the garden around the potting shed, and for a while
it was really lovely and I was so happy.  Once the South Texas heat blew in,
the garden began to suffer.  No matter how much water I gave it, everything
eventually started to look ragged and tired.


At some point durning my garden glory days, and prior to my garden fatigue,
I found a woman named Linda Vater on YouTube.  She is an Oklahoma City
gardener with a great love of potager gardens, and topiaries.  She understands
the battle with relentless heat and was getting frustrated at the same time as I
was.


Her suggestion is not to allow annuals to dominate, but to work with more
perennials.  When I look at what is still working in the garden around my
She Shed, it's the perennials that still look fairly good.  


She also suggests filling more big pots.  This idea has been perfect at the 
edge of my veranda.  I can move them as needed, and care is not a hardship.
So, more big pots filled with plants will be on the patio.  I can even grow 
little cherry tomatoes in a pot. 




I am also very excited about trying my hand at creating boxwood topiaries.
Linda has many in her garden rooms, and they are so attractive.  I also 
learned about Southern Living Plants.  I have a lovely big rosemary from 
Southern Living which I purchased locally, but did not know that I could
order online for home delivery too!  I am in zone 9a, so it's helpful to have
a resource that has may heat resistant options.

The link for these plants is Southern Living Plants




Here is a tour of Linda's backyard.  There are many great videos on this
channel.

Here is a link to her Instagram account:

So there you have it.  I am feeling better and more enthusiastic about 
my garden.  I'm itching to get going, so stay tuned!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley









Friday, August 9, 2019

Playing House With My Stash



It's way, way, too hot to go anywhere, so we are hanging around the 
house this weekend.  The pantry is full, and we have no plans.  David 
will be glued to the golf channel as he always is when we don't need to
be anywhere on a Saturday of Sunday.  I doubt very much that he will
play at the club on Sunday afternoon.  He did that a couple of weeks ago
and came home feeling very poorly.  Heat stroke is real and it can be
dangerous.  


I will be doing what I have been doing all day today.  A few light chores 
here and there, but mostly just fluffing the pillows and moving things 
around ever so slightly.  I find the whole experience so gratifying.  Since
I am not in the midst of redecorating, I don't look at things very closely.
I just walk through one room and on to the next one without much
thought.  Fluffing a room brings everything into perspective.



It's a good thing that I am a homebody because if I wasn't I would be
miserable.  I keep looking out the windows and wishing I could be outside
working, but what's the point.  It's miserable.  All we can do right now
is to keep everything watered.


Of course, there is always something to dust around here, lol.




David just came home.  I am thinking we will have pizza for dinner tonight
and just settle in and watch TV or read.  In my straightening up efforts today,
I found two pool tile books.  The idea for a pool is being tossed around again.
Hope the weather is kinder where you are and that your weekend is
enjoyable!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley





Thursday, August 1, 2019

Personalized Touches for Your Home


Those of you who have read my blog for a long time know that I march to
my own drum beat and don't follow trends.  If I like something, if it
resonates with me, that's what I gravitate to, and that is what I do.
My home reflects my personality.  You won't find any signs that say
"Gather", etc.  There is nothing wrong with them, but they just don't 
appeal to me.  When I see something I truly love, I have a little chat
with myself.  Do I need it (most likely no).  Does it have a practical
function (probably not).  Is everyone in the "hood" doing this or using 
this?  Well the answer to that one is NO!  I don't do anything that others
are doing just to fit in.  

Here is a little stool I recently purchased from Nancy and her fabuous
transferware shop.   Here is a link if you would like to browse:


When I saw it I ran through my usual check list.  The one overriding
response was "I love it!"  The needlepoint top is so attractive and in 
excellent condition.  The wicker base really adds to it's charm.  In
other words it was screaming "Order Me Please!"

So, here it is in our family room and of course I loved it right away.
The final affirmation came from my hubby who liked it and thought
it was a perfect addition.  I didn't really need his approval, but it sure
was great to receive!



Here we have another expression of my personality.  At the far end of our
family area, rests a cozy seating area we lovingly refer to as our "library".
You will often find me in the evening lounging in one of the leather 
chairs, reading a book, and seeing Bentley cuddled up next to me.  Well one
day I decided it would be magical to have a miniature "library" within the 
big one.  I wanted it to have the same look as the big one, and I wanted it
to look like a "little person" could be enjoying the space.  I already had the
globe and the lamp and phone.  Now I just needed to find the perfect chair.
This is a Reutter "leather" wing back chair.  It's detailing is perfect.  I ordered
 three vintage looking books from a woman in Lithuania, and the whole
spot just came alive. 

My style suits me and reflects the little girl soul who lives within the adult
I have become.  I believe our homes can be far more than just for shelter and
efficiency.  They can remind us of who we are and shows others just
how unique and special we can be.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley




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