I love making mini quilts and mini beds. Puts me in another world.
Lots to do today Bentley so lets get busy!
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
I Will Miss My Laundry Room
One of the many things I will miss about my cottage here in Idaho is my laundry room/
pantry. This room was converted from an old back porch and has windows all around
making it always bright and cheerful. Of course you know me, and it received a few
decorative touches because that's just what I do.
David added open shelves above the washer and dryer that not only store
laundry soap, etc, but baskets filled with extra towels and a
picnic basket or two. This old thermometer was in the house when we
bought it. I hope whoever buys our house loves this vintage piece too.
The shelves go right up to the ceiling. So handy.
At the other end of the back porch is room for baskets. I can only imagine
what the movers will say when they see all of my baskets! Oh and of course
the pantry shelves that David built for me.
I try to keep them neat and organized, but they don't always stay that way.
Did I ever tell you that I do not own a microwave? Yes it's true. I had one years ago
but did not use it much. That's why we have one of these old fashioned hand crank
popcorn poppers. Easy to use and it makes yummy popcorn. Popcorn is one of the
very few things that David prepares and trust me, he has turned it into an art form!
I always walk down to our local co-op, so these totes come in handy.
And I have one of these French market baskets too.
I don't know if I will be able to get our milk in glass bottles in Victoria. I sure
have enjoyed buying it this way. The milk tastes better and it's so eco friendly to
recycle the bottles.
My cute vintage laundry bag. Don't use it, but I love to look at it.
Some extra quilt storage in a primitive jelly cabinet.
This vintage clothes pin apron is one of my treasures. I really do hang laundry
out on the line too.
Seems silly to get all weepy and sentimental about a laundry room/pantry,
but hey ~ that's just me.
Happily Joining ~
Bentley ~ we should show your treatie jar one of these days.
It's very important to you and we won't forget to bring it down
to Texas!
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Don't Tell David, But I Have A Crush On Mario Buatta
I have always loved chintz.
Every time I see a room decorated with chintz ~ my heart skips a beat.
So it's no wonder that I have a little crush on the "King of Chintz" the one and
only Mario Buatta.
What can I say? Mario just has a way with chintz!
Not to worry ~ David and I will be celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary
this Saturday. I may love Mario's way with chintz, but David still has the
key to my heart!
Oh and Bentley does too ~ don't you Bentley?
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Every time I see a room decorated with chintz ~ my heart skips a beat.
So it's no wonder that I have a little crush on the "King of Chintz" the one and
only Mario Buatta.
What can I say? Mario just has a way with chintz!
Not to worry ~ David and I will be celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary
this Saturday. I may love Mario's way with chintz, but David still has the
key to my heart!
Oh and Bentley does too ~ don't you Bentley?
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Monday, May 27, 2013
Thank You
To all the service men and women both past and present ~
THANK YOU!
Memorial Day 2013
Susan and Bentley
Sunday, May 26, 2013
The Wisdom of Cowgirls (And Cowboys Too)
I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed because of everything I need
to do to get ready for the move down to Texas. Now is just the time
for a little cowgirl wisdom.
Bentley and I will get through this ~ he's my little buddy, just
like Scruffy is this little cowgirl's buddy.
And I should know by now that somedays are a bit more trying
than others.
Cowgirls know that cooking is a good stress reliever too.
So I'm not going to cry about it, I am just going to
Cowgirl Up!
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Saturday, May 25, 2013
So Excited ~ Take a Look at This!
Remember when I told you that I was trying to decide what to
do with the outdoor sink on the back porch of our new house in
Texas? Well I was searching through Houzz for pics to add to
my idea books when I found this!
I love this idea!!!
So I will add a new hutch top and change the faucet
to an oil-rubbed bronze one something like this ~
And it would be great if I could add a copper sink ~
to an oil-rubbed bronze one something like this ~
And it would be great if I could add a copper sink ~
But that would mean that I would have to change
the top too. Soapstone perhaps?
Of course if I did this I would create an integrated sink and counter
top like this and eliminate the copper sink. Wow ~ this is starting
to get pricey, so unless I want David to tease me forever about our
"million dollar" outdoor sink (he's prone to exaggeration) I will have to
figure out how I can do this in a thrifty way and still get the look I want.
If you want to see more of my Houzz idea books look here.
Now back to work. On this holiday weekend I am going through
closets and weeding out clothes we no longer wear and giving them
to charitable donation sites. I would love to sit and chat with you all day
sharing decorating ideas and recipes etc, but I can't. So while you all
are having fun gardening and grilling outside or going to picnics,
think of me purging excess stuff from our cottage!
Oh and an update on the sale of Mom's house ~
We have an offer!!! I'll keep you posted about our decision.
Happily Joining ~
Bentley ~ I am looking at your overflowing toy basket ...
can you part with any of these???
Have a Fun and Safe Weekend Everyone!
Susan and Bentley
Friday, May 24, 2013
Favorite Things I Can't Leave Behind
I am a very sentimental person. There are things that I have
collected that may not have much value to anyone else but are
dearly loved by me. When I saw this little bird in an antique
shop, I fell in love with him. He's so sweet and dear and he
is coming with me to Texas. Just can't bear to leave him behind!
Tiny little salt and pepper shakers that just managed to find their
way into my dear little cottage.
A vintage toast rack, a tea cart a favorite tea pot.
Various mismatched plates and linens and vintage silver spoons
from my grandmother.
Pillows of all shapes and sizes.
Serving dishes.
A favorite book tucked away for safe keeping.
Sure do wish I could wave a magic wand to safely and
instantly move all these favorite things!
Bentley is exhausted just thinking about having to follow me from room
to room packing up all of these favorite things!
We are Happily Joining ~
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Thursday, May 23, 2013
How Do You Know When You Have Too Many Dishes?
When it's time to start thinking about packing them all up to move
to Texas! Yikes!!!
Bentley ~ your mama is a confessed dishaholic!
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Beyond the Destruction and Loss ~ Glimmers of Hope
Growing up in the suburbs just north of Chicago, I remember many,
many tornado watches and warnings. When I first saw the Wizard of Oz
as a young girl, I fantasized about what it would be like to be swept up
by that funnel with my little dog Bonnie Heather MacGregor just like
Dorothy did with her Toto.
But life is not fantasy as we all grow to learn. There are times when
loss and devastation seem to be more than the heart can bear.
There are not adequate words to express the sadness I feel for those
who have lost everything ~ most especially their loved ones.
For parents hanging on to hope that their children will be found
alive.
Please keep these suffering souls in your hearts and in your
prayers.
Yet despite the heartache there are glimmers of hope.
Stories of thankful parents finding missing children, like the one of Miguel and Veronica Macias. They found their 8 year old daughter Ruby safe
after the tornado hit, but their 6 year old son Angel was missing. With the
help of the pastor and members of their church, little Angel was
found with minor injuries 5 hours later.
And heartwarming stories of those re united with their
beloved pets.
And for those who tirelessly help bringing aid and comfort
to those in need.
It is at a time like this when we realize we must pray,
do what we can to help and to remember that despite the
terrible loss and heartache there are glimmers of hope
that keep our spirit alive.
God Bless all of the residents in Oklahoma
who have endured this terrible storm.
No parties today.
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley