Monday, April 18, 2016

Ash Tree Cottage Memories


The skies have been so dark here the past couple of days and
even darker this morning.  I decided there was very little chance 
for taking any good pictures in such low light, so I decided to 
raid my albums for some photos from the past instead.

Before I start bringing up memories, I just want to thank
God for sparing our little city from the violent and scary storms
that were originally meant for us.  We had so many warnings of 
severe thunderstorms and heavy rains, but we were spared when
those storms went to the north of us and headed into Houston.
Poor Houston is suffering from severe flooding today with more
rain on the way, so please pray for those in the metro Houston
area.  We are not out of the woods yet, as the skies are getting
darker and darker here as I type, but  I am on my laptop, so we can
proceed with the memories without the worry of having my
desktop Mac receiving a power surge.



So many things have changed in my life since I first began
this blog.  I was still living in Idaho.  My parents, my aunt,
and my mother-in-law, were still alive.  My husband's cousin
Jim was still alive before he was brutally murdered in his
own home.  For those who don't know, or remember this
tragic murder, you can read about it here.  The very last thing
anyone ever suspects is for a man of the cloth, a servant of
God and a loving family man to be murdered in his own home
by an intruder.  Life was so different for us before all the losses.




My new blog gave me another way to display my creative nature.
It was fun to create new posts each week and the lives of my husband
and Bentley changed with all the new activity around our cottage.



My camera was always in my pocket or my purse, ready to capture
any shot that seemed blog worthy.  Of course, Bentley was always
the perfect little model :-)




He's always been a big ham!



I set up vignettes and took photos in the garden, in the house,
in antique and consignment shops.  The world is a stage and I took
advantage of every prop.


And throughout this journey I met other bloggers, and blog readers
from all over this country and around the globe.



Most importantly ~ I made great friends!  Friends
who have helped me get through the deaths of five
family members.  Took the time to listen and keep me
company on our long move from Idaho to Texas.
Friends who watched my unpack and get settled in our
new home.  Friends who kept me grounded during all
the upheavals.  For that, I will be forever grateful.


Blogging has encouraged me to be creative.



It has pushed me to not only be more observant of the world around
me, but to also dig into the depths of my soul.  It's been a wonderful
journey and I appreciate all of you who have taken this path with me.
I am looking forward to the future and let's see where this little
cottage blog takes us next.  Right Bentley?

Thunder is in the distance,  the skies are dark and laden with
rain, but I see a sunny road ahead.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

10 comments:

  1. I enjoyed hearing a bit of your background as I just started following you last year! All your posts are so beautifully done! I look forward to each and every one!

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  2. I so enjoyed this post Susan. I am so very sorry for the loved ones you have lost.

    Your posts are always so well done and your photos are great. That Bentley, he sure is a little ham. What a darling dog he is and i can tell you each love each other very much.

    I am so sorry about the storms you are having. We sure could use some rain. We have only gotten about 6 inches, so it looks like another drought year unless by some miracle we get more. don't know what happened to El Nino here in So CA, but it went right past us.

    Prayers are being sent to Texas for everyone to be safe. Take care of yourself's and have a wonderful sunny week.

    Mary

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  3. I'm glad the last bad storms missed you, Susan! Praying for better weather for all of you.
    When you take a look back, it is always amazing how much of life is happening all the time. You have been through a season of loss, which has to be the hardest. Glad you have your husband, Bentley, and good friends...xoxo

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  4. Sweet post, Susan. I feel for those in Houston, and thankful my Houston family and friends are safe. Yes thunder in the distance, but sunny roads ahead.

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  5. I'm glad to read that you are safe, Susan. Texas gets such extremes of weather!
    I enjoyed your little retrospective, and remembered with sadness that post about your husband's cousin - so tragic.

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  6. Susan - So glad you weren't affected by the horrible flooding that is in your area. I was going to call you but couldn't find your phone number- I'm still hunting stuff that was packed. I am so grateful for all the help I had packing but still can't find stuff. LOL Email me your # when you get a chance.

    That Bentley is just a photographer's dream! He's always ready to pose!

    We all have dark and dreary days but we definitely have to look forward to the sunny ones!

    Thinking of you.

    Judy

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  7. I know exactly how you feel.
    Blogging is something I return to time after time, because I know it is good for me.
    Everyone is so kind.
    Isn't it wonderful?

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  8. Hi Susan! This was such a lovely, sweet and thought provoking post. It's always interesting to look back to see where we have been...the good, bad and sometimes sad. Love that cutie Bentley - his photo ops always make me smile. Here's to sunnier skies! Jane

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  9. Just a short note..I wanted to tell you "I love your blog"

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  10. Susan, In the last few years I have really gotten into reading several blogs. You are so much a part of my day, I can get lost in your blog for hours and wonder where on earth has the time gone! I love you and Bentley and your husband, too. Thank you for sharing your life through your pictures and stories.

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Oliver and I LOVE and read every comment.

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