Sunday, February 27, 2011

Cottage Elements


More wonderful thrifty finds from my favorite
consignment store. Great little cottage pieces.



This sweet little tea cup has no manufacturers markings
so it was pretty cheap and I just could not pass it up.



It is decorated with the sweetest little blue flowers and I just love
the shape of the cup.



Here is a very cute little covered dish.
And ...



A little white vase that I hope soon will be holding some
spring wildflowers.

Thanks for stopping by to visit us and be sure to visit




Bentley ~ I have some very yummy peanut butter biscuits
for you because you have been such a good boy!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Saturday, February 26, 2011

The Doctors Are In!


Our doctors are in to provide therapy.
Meet Molly



And Toby. They can give you the prescription you need.



Are you feeling tense?



Do you need to learn to relax?



Are you looking for new opportunities?




Are you ready to retire?




Or do you just need a little bit of medicine?

Our doctors are here to meet your needs!

Thank you to Certified Therapy Dogs
Molly
and
Toby

And thank you to the Boise Public Library for
the opportunity to be the hostess for this week's
Read to Me Program!
It's a wonderful program for young children to practice their
reading skills to therapy dogs. These sweet dogs never tire of hearing
the same story and welcome and encourage young readers.

Congratulations to Toby who turns 10 on Tuesday March 1.
He has provided many, many hours of comfort and compassion
and therapy. Happy Birthday Toby and may you enjoy
your retirement. Thank you sweet boy!

Bentley ~ what do you think? Would you like to train to
be a therapy dog??

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo


Friday, February 25, 2011

Shabby Frames and Fabric



I knew it was time to cut short my blogging break when I
started to miss my blog! A break, even a very short one helps to
stir up those creative juices.

So ...
I took a couple of thrift shop frames, painted them white, shabbied them up
a bit and
filled each with a favorite fabric.
Easy peasy and fun.





You could add a fabric ~ like I did. Or ...
You could take swatches of fabric from a few children's dresses and
make a collage, or
whatever you like. Of course you could do this with a
favorite piece of wallpaper too.

I am joining these fun parties ~

and

Bentley ~ Did you have fun with Momma when
she had a bit more time to spoil you???

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

My Break Update


Here is what I have been doing ~
Exercise



Reading



Fluffing the Cottage



Relaxing
and ...
Rambling on

I'll be back soon and until then
don't forget daily plies!

Bentley likes ballet too!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Monday, February 21, 2011

Cleaning Away The Cobwebs


I have been feeling a bit restless lately, so I am going
to take a break for a while. I'll be cleaning out the cobwebs and
focusing on some new directions.



A bit of an early spring break.
Bentley and I will be back after a while ~
Until then ...

Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Bentley is Guest Blogging


Hi ~ It's me, Bentley.
Momma is making miniature pillows and lamps over at
her other blog


She may be busy working, but I get to cuddle up
next to her on her chair and she has promised to play
with me whenever she takes a break.

Not only that ~ but I get to chat with YOU!!
I have some great toys, do you want to play with me?

Love,
Bentley
xxoo

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sunday Suppers


I grew up in a "Leave It To Beaver" kind of family.
Mom has always been a June Cleaver type of Mom.
One of my favorite memories from my childhood is
Sunday Supper.



The Sunday meal at our house was always special.
Flowers on the table, candles were lit, the good china, silver and crystal
were on the table and soft music was in the background.

Mom served the meal early in the afternoon. There was always
an appetizer, followed by a roast of some sort, vegetable and a salad.





Mom always served a special dessert too which of
course was the highlight of the meal.

It was a time for us to sit down as a family and share our lives.
Mom insisted on only happy discussions.



Spending time with family and friends and enjoying a meal
together is important and it's a way to create
treasured memories.

Right Bentley??

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Friday, February 18, 2011

Thank You ~ Each and Every One of You!


Thank you bloggers!!!
I want to take a moment to compliment all of the fabulous
bloggers out there. You have provided hours of pleasure not only to me
but to countless others.

I am continually amazed by your creativity, ingenuity, kindness, humor
and compassion.

Where can anyone go for FREE and be entertained, enlightened, informed
and amused???

Anyone with internet access can find comfort, get recipes, be uplifted and
have a giggle with the many, many talented bloggers out there.

Thank You!

You have filled my heart with your sweet stories, lovely pics of your
kids, grandkids and your pets.

Give yourselves a pat on the back ~ you all deserve it!

A special thanks to Brenda for spending her time
to help me and many others with her knowledge and
"Good Old Girl Texan" sensibility!!

Okay now ~ You all Go Girls!!!

Lots of love and admiration,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Pink Dotted Swiss



The other day I went to my favorite consignment shop and
discovered four panels of pink dotted swiss. One pair is an 84" long, lined
and weighted drape. The other pair are sheer. Both have lovely
scalloped edges. I have always love dotted swiss fabric and was
thrilled to find them especially at very a reasonable price or let's say cheap.
I am not quite sure how I will use them yet. I'm thinking about using
the sheers as cafe curtains on a white rod with white rings.
What do you think?


I just love consignment shops ~ don't you?

I am joining ~

and

Bentley ~ the manager of the consignment shop has a very cute
little female Boston Terrier named Dot. I think you two
would make a very cute couple!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo


In Praise of American Women


This post is in response to the blogger who wrote the very ugly comment on
yesterday's post about wicker to vent his anger about American
women in general.

First of all, let me say that I don't know who you are but I can tell
from your angry words that you are a pathetic individual. Perhaps you
were hurt by some woman in the past, but to blame all American
women for your discontent is ridiculous to say the least.

The American women I associate with are unselfish, loving women who
put their family, their country, their friends and their faith first! We care for
our homes and our communities. We reach out and volunteer to those in
need. You don't know us at all, nor have you ever associated with any
women like us.

Don't assume that I am some naive, fluffy little housewife who does not
know what she is talking about. I am a highly educated woman who
has been exposed to various cultures and nationalities from an early age.
I have travelled the globe extensively and spent three years living
in a middle eastern country where I taught First Primary at a local
school. My students and their parents came from various faiths
and nationalities. From my own experience I can tell you this ~
there are good and bad people everywhere. I would never lump everyone
into one category because of a personal grudge. I have met wonderful, kind
individuals everywhere and I have met some rather unpleasant ones as well.
That, unfortunately is human nature. Sadly, those unpleasant ones who are
greedy and unkind are the ones who start arguments and the ones who
start wars. They are found in every corner of the globe.

I for one am proud to be an American Woman. I am proud to know
other American Women who are good, kind souls who love their husbands
and their families with all their heart and will do whatever needs to be
done to preserve the sanctity of their homes!!!

I hope that other American Women Bloggers will stand with me
in praise of Women from every state in this Union!

Proudly,
Susan



Thursday, February 17, 2011

Wacky About Wicker


My husband always jokes that we have a basket for
everything in our cottage!



And you know what ...
He's right!!

We have vintage ones and new ones too.



I just love the texture, the shapes,
the organic nature of anything woven.



And ~ I just might need a tiny basket for a
tiny bear!!

It's Party Time Friday!
and ...

Bentley used to have a wicker bed, but he chewed up
the sides when he was a puppy, so now he has
an upholstered one. He only naps in it because
he really likes to sleep in our bed.
Right Bentley?

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Vintage Silver and Crystal


My sweet hubby lives in a very feminine little cottage.
Lots of flowers and lots of pillows.
So ...



He has an area that is a bit more masculine ...
The Bar.
Vintage crystal decanters, an antique silver tray, deep
Balmoral red from Ralph Lauren on the walls
above the wainscoting.



When it's time for the cocktail hour, he is ready to fill the
vintage ice bucket and ask you ...
What's your pleasure??

I am joining

Bentley ~ would you like your Daddy to put an ice cube in
your water dish?? What's that? You want a vintage
silver dog bowl now???

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Shabby, Chippy Treasures


I love to browse through old book shops. The ones filled
with well loved copies of out of print books and
favorite classics.




I love to go to consignment shops, thrift shops and
estate sales. I'm always on the hunt for some
special little treasure.

Or ...



The sale table at one of my favorite shops.
Because ...
You never know what wonderful treasure you may find!

I am joining ~
and

Bentley ~ You Wow me every day of the week!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Bentley's Valentine to You



Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Breakfast in Bed


We are having a lazy morning and celebrating
Valentine's Day a bit early
So ...
I am serving my hubby breakfast in bed.



I am serving hot coffee, fresh strawberries and
chocolate almond croissants.

Yum!!!



Have a wonderful Sunday with the ones you love!

Be sure to visit

Come over and sit with us Bentley ~
Momma and Daddy love you too!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Friday, February 11, 2011

I'm in the Mood For Love


I'm always in the mood for love with David.
We have been married for 21+ years now
and he still floats my boat!



Lets turn up the romance and go visit

and

Bentley ~ You float my boat too!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Red Hot and Vintage


I have a bucket of red hot hearts



and a Vintage Valentine for you.



This vintage Valentine was sent to my Mother-in-Law when she was
only 11 years old. Without giving away her age, I will tell
you that it is very vintage.

I am joining
and

Bentley ~ I have a Valentine for you too!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo


Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Chicken Fever


Ever since Thelma started coming over to visit us,
I have been crazy about chickens!
If I see something that has chickens on it ~ it's probably
coming home with me.
I think I have ...
Chicken Fever!!!



I know that Chicken Fever is highly contagious because
my best friend Robin aka The Decorating Tennis Girl has caught it from me.
So be careful or you may be catching it too.
I'm getting nervous about Easter. It's going to be a lot of
temptation for me when I see all of those cute Peeps!!

After you go visit Robin, be sure to visit our friend Sue for
and Kim for

Bentley ~ should Momma get you a little fleece blanket with
chickens on it??
No ~ are you sure???

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Monday, February 7, 2011

Spreading A Little Love


I'm just spreading a little ...



Valentine Love!



Here are some chocolate hearts
for you!

I am joining
and

And Bentley ~ here is a treaty for you!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo