Accessorizing Kitchen Counters

I spent some time decorating a counter in my kitchen  today.  It's an area

where I don't do any prep work, so I just had fun with it.

This miniature armoire is something I found in a thrift shop. 

I painted it and then I found little miniature fruits and veggies to

tuck inside and on top.

I often use a bit of sherry in cooking so I tucked a bottle in a wine basket

and set it along side a couple of demi johns.

That tiny tea pot was a gift from a friend.  It is shaped like a little radish

and has always been a favorite of mine.

Metamorphosis Monday

Mod Mix Monday

Make It Pretty Monday
Amaze Me Monday
Tweak It Tuesday
Inspire Me


Bentley is on high alert ~ the squirrels have been crazy
busy lately.


Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Our Cottage Life

It has taken a little while for me to start to think of this new house in

Texas as home.  Each day that has gone by has made me grow more

attached to my new surroundings.  

Old treasures are finding their place.  And some new ones are filling

in the gaps.  

Each morning when I take my walk I look forward to passing by

what have now become familiar and welcoming sights.

A routine is being established.  A comfortable and satisfying routine.

One of the goals that I set for myself when we moved was to 

set aside more time for writing.  I have so many stories to tell and

now for the first time in my life I will have the time to tell them.

Bentley has goals too.  Of course his goals always include playing

with his toys and often doing his best to entice me to join him in his

games.

Like when he flings his "Tweetie" up in the air and barks at me ~

hoping I will applaud his accomplishment.  

Yes ~ life has settled into a happy routine in our new home.

It's a good feeling.

Seasonal Sundays

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

The Dollhouse Builder

This is my second dollhouse kit.  I have yet to put the first one together, but when 

I saw this kit on sale I knew I wanted to snatch it up.  The finished kit for this 

house is smaller than my other kit, so I thought it might be easier to start with

this floor plan before I go onto the bigger one.  Don't you just love my logic???

My kit arrived today and I could hardly wait to open the box.  It comes with a

detailed set of instructions which often use the words DO NOT and DON'T.

I think I will sit down in the area of our family room we fondly refer to as 

"the library" and have a cup of tea while I read these ominous sounding

instructions ;-)

As I start reading the first words I notice in large bold letters are

DON'T PANIC

Perhaps I should bake some cookies for David to butter him up

and sweet talk him into helping me construct this little cottage.  

And maybe I should have something a bit stronger than tea!

I hope you will follow me along with this construction process.

I promise to keep all expletives clean ;-)

And note to Bentley, if mama gets good at this I will build

you a mini dog house!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

A New Potting Shed Dressed for Fall

When I first learned that David and I were moving to Texas I was

sad to be leaving my cottage in Idaho and especially sad about

leaving my potting shed.  But when we looked at this house in 

Texas I was so surprised to see this little cottage tucked behind the

garage.  My heart skipped a beat!

And immediately I knew that this shed could be transformed into a 

magical spot.  We will be installing windows and painting the inside.

I have BIG plans!

Now that things are getting under control inside the house and the

weather is cooling a bit, I am so excited about making this a 

special place for Mom and me to focus on gardening.

Until that happens I will just have to be satisfied with decorating 

the outside of the shed for fall.

Happily Joining ~

Home and Garden Thursday

Open House Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

Home Sweet Home

Feathered Nest Friday

Be Inspired

Bentley ~ your friend Toby is outside waiting for you.

He's at the back fence wagging his tail!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Foxy and Sassy

Those of you who know me know that I love horses.

My favorite aroma is that of a tack room.

And when it comes to decorating, I love to add a bit of

whimsy.  No need to be too serious.

That being said, I added a touch of fun to our equestrian

theme foyer when I found this fellow ...

The master of the hounds.  Quite spiffy don't you think?

Very foxy too.

With a touch of British elegance ;-)

Did we make you smile?  We hope so!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

PS:  Bentley spent some time today enjoy his reflection

in my dressing room mirror.  He is a bit taken with himself!

First Glimpses of My New Studio

I don't know if you remember the mess this room was in last week.

I posted about how my office/studio was the room that was packed to

the ceiling with boxes filled with things we did not know what to do

with yet.  Well, I worked hard to get this room straightened around

so that I would have an inspiring place to work.

So welcome to the not quite complete studio.  So far I have a

comfy chair for reading and dreaming up vignettes and blog

posts and etc.

I created a "window seat" for Bentley so he can be nearby while

I work yet still having a good spot for viewing the many squirrels

in our yard while also looking for cats.

I cleared off the big trestle table I use for a desk.  Believe me, it

took quite a while for me to get this cleared off.  

You might remember my little hutch.  It now has a new home

down here in Texas and seems quite happy about it.

This was my Daddy's French country desk chair.  It was stained

a dark walnut, but I painted it to make it look more feminine.

I love the rush seat.

Of course I have committed the ultimate HGTV decorating 

"faux pas" and have included this sweet four poster bed in the 

room.  I can just here someone saying "is it a bedroom or a studio????"

I don't care what they think.  It's my studio and I just love this 

little bed.  Besides, what if I need to take a nap?

As you can see, Bentley is already using his window seat.

Bentley always seeks out the comfy places!

He inherited the comfy gene.

That's it for today.  I have some more changes to show you and

you will see those soon.  

We are Happily Joining ~

Metamorphosis Monday
Make It Pretty Monday
Amaze Me Monday

Tweak It Tuesday

Inspire Me

Wow Us Wednesday

What's It Wednesday

Bentley just loves all of the many windows in this house.

Lots of them almost touch the floor and are the perfect

height for him!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

New Kitchen Island

One thing I knew for sure when I moved into this house was

that I wanted a new kitchen island.  There are quite a few changes

that will be made to this kitchen to make it truly "mine" and

many of those are decorative.

But ...

I am also practical and know that extra counter and storage space

no matter how large or small a kitchen is always appreciated.

I thought a lot about the style I might want and considered different

options, but when I saw this one I decided it was a good choice

for me.  It is rustic and has a cozy farmhouse feel to it.

Just my style!

It will be fun staging and also setting out cookie trays on it.

And it will be a great compliment to the farmhouse sink that

David bought me for my birthday last year.  I am so looking 

forward to getting that installed.

Well, I am off to do more staging in my office.  I hope to

show you some of that tomorrow.  Have a wonderful

Sunday everyone and Bentley says hi too!

Seasonal Sunday

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Our Little Cottage in Idaho Has Sold

Our dear little cottage in Idaho has a new owner.  It's sale is

bittersweet.  We loved it and it housed so many happy memories 

for us.  But there is a very happy ending to this tale.

My neighbor Amy has a father who was widowed a few years ago.

He had been living in the home where he and his wife raised their

three daughters.  Their children grew up and moved away.

His wife passed away and Don was living all alone in a big house

in Illinois filled with memories but far from family.

Don was retiring from his lifelong calling as a Lutheran Pastor.

It was time for a change.  

When we told Amy that we were moving to Texas, she

knew that our sweet cottage would be the perfect spot for

her dad's new beginning.

And her dad agreed.  

So today it became official.  Don became it's new owner.

I am happy because it's the perfect solution for us all.

So the tears I shed today are ones of joy.  Our dear little cottage

will be loved by someone new and our friend Amy will have her

dad living close by.

Sometimes tales do have happy endings.

Right Bentley?

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Bought A Vintage Desk Today

Mom and I took time out today to order this walnut

Chippendale serpentine front desk today from a wonderful 

antique shop in Augusta, Georgia.  It will take about four to

six weeks for it to arrive.  Can you spell:

IMPATIENT ???

I am not one to wish for time to move faster, but in this

case I may.

What do you think Bentley?  Do you like it?

Bentley ~ are you too busy keeping up with the

squirrels to care???   He doesn't care about

Chippendale desks, but he is bothered by squirrels.

Big Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Where I Have Been and What I Have Been Doing

The last room to be unpacked and staged, yet a most important

room for me ~ my office

This room has been the "catch all" lots of boxes full of things we did 

yet have a home for.  When we moved in and the movers asked me 

where to go with a box, I often said "to the office."  Needless to say,

the end result was a modge podge of stuff.  However, being the

stubborn and determined person I am, I did not let it overwhelm

me for long.

So I have spent the last couple of days sorting through boxes and

moving furniture and letting the room speak to me.  Very soon I

will be able to show you the result.  I will just tell you that I 

am having lots of fun creating a cozy spot to share with you.

Bentley ~ did you find the extra toys that mama just unpacked

for you?  Did you miss them and are you happy to see

them once again?

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley