Friday, December 31, 2010

2010 at Ash Tree Cottage


It's been busy around Ash Tree Cottage in 2010 ...
We went camping in the backyard ...




We showed off our reds ...



And our pinks!



We had fun with chickens ...
especially Thelma!



We pulled out our Vintage Thingies ...



And worked in the garden.



We went green to help the environment ...
so we hung the laundry out to dry.



And we had lots of fun with Bentley!

Most importantly ~ Bentley and I met some of the
sweetest people in the world ...
You!

Happy New Year
and thanks for
the memories!

Love and Best Wishes
for a
Happy and Healthy New Year!

Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Mom's Birthday Tea


Today is my Mom's Birthday!
I am having a Tea Party
for her and several of her friends.

Bentley, we will be busy this morning with all of the preparations!
Be a good boy and don't fling your toys onto
the cake!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Merry Christmas!


Merry Christmas to all!
Your friendship means so much to me.
May you all have a Blessed Christmas
and the
Happiest and Healthiest
New Year!

Lots of Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Vintage Minis for Christmas


A little vintage scene from a miniature vignette in my cottage.
All decorated for Christmas.

I am joining Suzanne The Colorado Lady for

Bentley ~ this vignette is way up in the Welsh Dresser ~
Shall I pick you up for a closer look?

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Christmas Moments


Can't you just feel the excitement!

Bentley can, and so can I.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas Reds Around the Cottage


Whether it's Christmas or not ...
You'll find reds all over my cottage.



A red chalkboard with a Christmas cookie wreath
hanging above it in the kitchen
and ...



A cowboy Santa pillow ...
Y'all know my husband is from Texas
(well, if you didn't you do now!)

I am joining Sue for this Rednesday

Bentley ~ did you have fun on your birthday?
He's not answering. He had so much fun
he had to go to bed early!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo


Cheers!


Life can get hectic at this time of year so ...
come join me in a special
Holiday Cocktail.
Zero Calories
Zero Alcohol ...

100% Holiday Cheer!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

PS: Bentley is sitting next to me enjoying a
peanut butter dog biscuit ~ yum!

Bentley's 5th Birthday!


Happy Birthday Bentley!
You bring happiness, fun, joy and
love
into every day!!!

Love,
Momma
xxoo

Monday, December 20, 2010

Christmas Tea Break


Life gets so busy during the Christmas Season ...
Sometimes we just need to take a
moment to relax.
Come join me for a cup of tea!

I am visiting Marty for Table Top Tuesday
and
Terri and Martha for Tea Cup Tuesday
and

Bentley ~ Are you excited about your Birthday?
It's tomorrow!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Christmas Cottage Kitchen


The Welsh Dresser in my cottage kitchen
is all decorated for Christmas.

Today I am joining Mary for

Bentley ~ Tomorrow is a very special day ...
Tomorrow is your Birthday!!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Christmas Cheer!


Just a little Christmas Cheer ...
to brighten up your day!

And a woof from Bentley too!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Friday, December 17, 2010

My Favorite Christmas Carol


Every year when I unpack the boxes of Christmas Decorations
I am happy to see my favorites once again.



I love everything about the Christmas holiday ...
Buying and wrapping gifts for family and friends,
Decorating the house,
Baking cookies, and especially ...



Christmas music!
On my blog this season you will hear lots of my favorites ...
But my very favorite Christmas Carol is O Holy Night.
I cannot sing nor listen to that beautiful Carol without
getting tears in my eyes!
I'm linking up to:

This version of O Holy Night is performed by Charlotte Church.
Doesn't she have a beautiful voice Bentley?

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Holidays on Ice


Tonight I went to an open house.
The hostess, my friend Juli
is an ice skater, so ...




I found these cute ice skates for her
Christmas tree.



I could not resist showing them off
for

Aren't they cute Bentley???

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

A Vintage Holiday Picnic


If you are planning a holiday picnic,
bring along some vintage elements like ...



A vintage plaid thermos for some hot cocoa or
hot coffee ...



A bottle of vintage wine ...



With a fun snow globe cork!



Some candles and some matches in a
reproduction vintage box. Those little birds are
so sweet!



Some cookies in a vintage plaid tin
and some vintage style napkins too!

I am joining:
and
Be sure to visit these fun parties!

Don't worry Bentley ~ Momma won't forget a tin of
dog biscuits for you!!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Santa's Sweet Shop


Some sweet reds for this
And ...

No Bentley ~ those are pretend cookies, you
can't eat them.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo


Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Merry Mini Christmas Tea


Bentley and I are over visiting our miniature blog today.
You will find us here for the day:

Yes Bentley, we have a little mini version of you over at
Ash Tree Cottage Minis too!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Busy Christmas Season


It's early morning, a busy day ahead!
Shopping ...
More Shopping!!!
Wrapping ...
Stockings to fill ...



Grab a Santa hat off the rack ...
Look for the keys ...
Where did I put them ???...




Check the mail ...
Greetings from friends and family far away!!!
What a wonderful season it is!

Maybe you'll get some cards and packages too Bentley!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Thursday, December 9, 2010

It Happens in Sun Valley Cloche


We love our winter sports in Idaho ...
so here is a Sun Valley theme cloche in honor of the 1941 movie ...
Sun Valley Serenade.



Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, building snowmen ...
We love it all!



I used a Pottery Barn lantern for a cloche
a good place to tuck in a snowman,
a pair of skis and a winter sweater.



Can't wait to get out the real Susan size skis!!
In the meantime I am linking up to:

Bentley you can come sledding with us and
we can take you for a sleigh ride too!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Ho, Ho, Ho ~ Retro!


Ho, Ho, Ho ~ Let's go retro!
Think of a way cool Christmas ~
Atomic Ranch style ...



Mid century modern furniture in turquoise ...
and a silver tree.
Listen to the way cool Mel Torme on the
hi-fi!
Then go visit Suzanne in Colorado
for some more retro.

What do you think Bentley ~ is this cool or what???

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo


Wednesday, December 8, 2010

How Santa Got His Job!


If you are looking for a fun book to read
to little ones this Christmas ...



Try ~ How Santa Got His Job
by Stephen Krensky!
It's great fun for kids and I had several giggles too!



So brew up a cup of herbal tea or some cocoa ...
and snuggle up with a loved one
for some holiday fun!
Don't forget Rednesday!!

What's that Bentley? You like the part about how
Santa once worked in an all-night diner! It makes you
think about a midnight snack!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

A Jolly Shelf


Just a jolly little shelf ...



Full of things that make me smile!



Here's hoping that ...



They make you smile too!

Have a wonderful day and be sure to stop by and
visit Marty for Table Top Tuesday!

Bentley ~ are you still curled up under Momma's down filled
comforter???

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo