Bentley's Vacation House Tour Part 1

Here we are at the entrance to the house of our friends in

Victoria, Texas.  It's a long way up the drive to the house,

but follow me and I will show you the way.

And here we are.  My friends Lila, Lacey and Maxie live here.

Three cats live outside, but they are not my friends.  Mama may show

you some inside pics, but my favorite places are all outdoors.

Here is the front door, but lets go around back to the 

pool and outdoor kitchen.  The other dogs and I like

that area the best.

This is where my moma and daddy sit and talk, talk, talk

with their friends.  How do they do it?  Don't the ever get

bored???

If you are not going to cook us something yummy to

eat in the outdoor kitchen, well then the least you can

do is take us all for a swim in the pool.

Lila, Lacey and Maxie and I am all waiting patiently!

Let's all put on some floaties and dive in!

Mama ~ stop gabbing on the back porch and take us pups for

a swim!

Hey mama look ~ I just saw some deer on the other side of the fence

around the pool.  That didn't get her attention either.  Come on guys,

let's just jump in without them.

Mama said I could join ~

Wow Us Wednesday
The Charm Of Home


I will be sure to have my mama take pics of my
pup friends too.

Big Hugs and Kisses,
Bentley

Another Bentley Vacation Update

We stopped in Roswell, New Mexico.  We looked up in 

the sky at 4:30 in the morning hoping to spot a UFO.

Nothing ~ no luck.   But we did spot some aliens 

in the parking lot of the motel across the street.

Even the MacDonald's looks like a flying saucer.

And a space mural.

And after Roswell we drove to the Texas border.

Boise, Idaho to the Texas border is a long, long drive.

I slept most of the way but I woke up from time to time 

so momma could take me for walkies and a water and 

treatie break.  I know that I am a just a little bit spoiled.

I can't help it if I am cute.

And then we went to visit our friends in Victoria, Texas.

They have three dogs ~ Lila, Maxie and another Yorkie like me

named Lacey.  

But ~ they also have three CATS ~ yes CATS, my enemy who live

outside.  I got in trouble for chasing the cats around the pool and 

cornered one behind a bush and my momma scolded me.

But ~ I got the upper paw when I got to go inside for dinner but

the three cats had to stay outside.

See here they are looking inside.  

Ha ha kitties!

Maxie does not care.  She's cool with both cats and dogs.

More tomorrow.  It rained today so we did not spend

much time by the pool, but maybe tomorrow I will

get to go swimming.

Big Hugs and Kisses,

Bentley

Bentley's Update #2 ~ The Middle of No Where

Hi Everyone ~ Bentley here with an update.

Well our first rest stop was here.

Where is here you ask?

Well we asked too and found out we were in 

The Middle of No Where!

What is this I asked momma.

An Alpaca.

Pretty cute don't you think? 

I think so.

Well now this sign on the door is not very warm

and welcoming so we drove on down the road to

another rest stop.  We don't think that baby rattlers

are very cute.

Seasonal Sundays

More later.

Big Hugs and Kisses,

Bentley

Bentley's Road Trip Update #1

Daddy and I have one question for my momma ~

Just how many pairs of shoes, purses and stuff do you

need anyway momma???  I love my momma, but she

sure does not know how to travel light!

On our way to Moab, Utah.  We will post from there.

Bye for now ~ I have to keep my eyes on the road!

Big Hugs and Kisses,

Bentley

Bring Your Boots Darlin' We're Going to Texas!

Source: ocdtrumpet.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

My husband and I met in Houston, Texas and that's where we
were married.  Although I am not a native Texan like my hubby,
my Texas roots run deep.

So we are headed down to Texas for a little RandR.

We will be visiting friends.  

By the way, our friends have a female Yorkie

so Bentley may fall in love!

Hanging out by the pool and heading to the beach.

Throwing steaks on the grill and eating some Tex~Mex too.

And I have my eye on a little spread down there with

room for a couple of horses.  We'll see ...

The Ash Tree Cottage gang will be on the road.

We will be sharing our trip with you of the beautiful 

scenery on route and maybe an antique shop or two.

Happily Joining ~

Tablescape Thursday

Home and Garden Thursday

Open House Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

Home Sweet Home

Feathered Nest Friday

Be Inspired

Bentley ~ it's a good thing that Tina your groomer is

coming tomorrow to get you all prettied up for your trip!

Big Texas Size Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Decorating the Cottage Garden

I love to decorate outside in the garden just as much as I do inside.

Every year I tweak my garden rooms and add new touches

or totally redecorate. This is my potting bench from last

year.   Sadly this year I have not done much yet this year but I 

am always looking for inspiration.   Here are some ideas I have

saved.  I hope they inspire you as much as they do me.

 Places to Sit and Relax ...

Source: thevintagefurniturestore.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: picasaweb.google.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: glamarellajunk.blogspot.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: meeganrose.tumblr.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Darling sheds where you can store your pots, etc ...

Source: a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: blomsterverkstad.blogspot.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: sheddiy.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Ideas for flower boxes and containers ...

Source: bhg.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: facebook.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: cindydole.blogspot.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Last year I added thrift shop plates to one of my flower boxes.

Don't forget the birds ...

Source: birdsandblooms.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: facebook.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

And the bling ...

(adding solar powered lights to outdoor chandy)

Source: leahglass.blogspot.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

But most of all don't forget a swing ...

Source: gypsypurplehome.tumblr.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

I hope that I have inspired you to have fun decorating your garden.

Happily Joining ~

Tweak It Tuesday

Inspire Me Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesday

Bentley ~ are you getting excited about the little trip you and 

your momma are going to take?  Shall we tell everyone

about it soon???

Big Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Wild Alaskan Salmon Burgers

In my quest to be healthy, I try to include fish in my diet as often

I can.  This is always a bit of a challenge for me as my dear

hubby does not like fish.  What to do?  I  eat fish for lunch or on

 the nights he now has golf league.  

Here I am having a wild Alaska salmon burger on a bed of 

mixed spring greens.  This version is high protein and low carb.

Source: ethicurean.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

I am very fortunate that my local co-op just blocks from my home

sells these burgers in their butcher shop.   While I don't have their recipe,

I can tell you that from what I can taste and see, the burger is just

fresh salmon chunks with some scallions held together with an egg

I presume.  Fresh, simple and yummy because the full flavor of

the salmon comes through without a lot of bread crumbs.

When I figure out how to make these burgers taste just like

the co-op's I will let you know.

I added my own home made tartar sauce.  And here it is:

1/4 cup of mayo

good squeeze of fresh lemon juice

some pickle relish (your call on how much)

some capers (without their juice)

sprinkle of Kosher salt

freshly ground pepper

Now you can also add some grated lemon rind to

give the sauce a bit more lemon zing if you like.

I did not use all of the sauce on my burger as I try

to keep fats to a minimun, but we do have to enjoy life

too so I just use moderation.  

Happily Joining ~

On The Menu Monday

Blue Monday

Bentley is busy cuddling with David and getting his

Sunday time with him.  We must adhere to Bentley's 

routine you know ;-)

Big Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Cottage Gardens Part One ~ Gates, Pathways, Fences

Source: weheartit.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

It's been cold and windy here lately.  Now it is cold, windy and rainy.

Certainly not gardening weather.  However, we can always dream

can't we?  So get a cup of coffee or tea and make yourself cozy.

I am going to share some of my favorite garden pics from

Ash Tree Cottage on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Every cottage garden needs a welcoming gate and walkway.
 Pathways to enchantment.

Source: threedogsinagarden.blogspot.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

And getting creative with gates ...

Source: dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: designsponge.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: plowhearth.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Or simple charm ...

Source: thegoodstuffguide.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

And fences with flowers peeking through ...

Source: ashtreecottage.blogspot.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: traditionalhome.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: sciencephoto.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: oldhouseonline.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: finegardening.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

So while the weather may keep us indoors, we can always
keep the images of cottage gardens in our hearts.
Cottage Gardens Part Two coming soon!


Happily Joining ~

Seasonal Sundays
Sunny Simple Sundays
Cottage Style Party
Homemaking Party


Bentley is not spending too much time outside today,
but he keeps checking the entire yard every 30 minutes or so.
He just wants to let all of the potential invading critters know
exactly who is in charge!

Big Weekend Hugs,
Susan and Bentley