In The Path Of a Hurricane

It's not a porch swing day by any stretch of the imagination.  The South Texas 

Gulf Coast and my little town of Victoria is boarding up and gathering 

supplies to brace ourselves for Hurricane Harvey.  The latest reports are 

that the storm is now between a category 3 and 4 ~ in other words, a

massive storm.  They are predicting up to 24 inches of rain over the 

next few days.

We are about 25 miles from the coast, so, we won't be badly harmed

by the storm surge, which is expected to be huge.  We will however,

be prone to flooding during the storm and any storm that hits to the north

of us because all the water runs downstream through the Guadalupe

River and all the many, many streams headed to the Gulf.

Please keep us in your prayers.  It is going to be a very scary time for us.

Thank you,

Susan and Bentley

A Chaotic and Frightening Week

From the threat of a nuclear war, to terrorist attacks in Barcelona, to

bloodshed on our own soil, and now stabbings in Finland, this has been

one heartache and worry filled week.  I have done my best to limit the 

news I watch and listen to, but it's hard to keep one's head in the sand

every minute of every day when each day seems to bring another 

nightmare.  I try to stay upbeat and happy both for my own mental

health, but also for the sake of my family and friends.  It's not an easy

task in today's world.  

When I consider this world of today, I have to wonder why it is that

some seem to be so intent on tearing apart it's very fabric.  There have

been so many advancements in science and medicine that have eliminated

deadly disease and prolonged life.  Technology has streamlined our lives

and increased the opportunity of an education for many.  There are 

chances for many who were left behind in the past.

Are we perfect?  No, we are not, and there is always room for advancement.

I wonder why we can't focus on the goodness and the ability to help

one another and to strive against suffering.  That's where we should be

putting our energy to use ~ building up and not tearing down.  

Whatever happened in the past, is just that, the past.  We can't go back

and change it, as much as we would like.  We can learn from the past and

strive not to make the same mistakes.  

Forgiveness is not always easy.  I have experience with forgiveness and it

is something I have struggled to embrace.  However, if I were to remain in

a state of anger and resentment, it would be as though I was constantly

removing the scab on an old wound, and I could never heal.  I believe this 

is true for society as well.  At some point, we have to chose to accept the 

past and to realize that we need to make changes so that we all can have

a bright future.

Isn't that what we all want for ourselves, our families and our fellow

man?  A brighter future where we do our best to serve one another?

The choice is ours.  Do we move ahead and plan for better days, or do

we hang on to century old resentments and preclude any chance for

the advancement of growth?  

It's easy to hide our heads in the sand and ignore the problems of our

world, and I certainly could happily hang out in my cozy corner and

ignore the what is happening just outside my door.  I can't really do that,

nor can anyone else.  We could all use some time out to cool off and

put things in perspective.  The choice is always ours to spread goodness

or to spread hate.  It is my hope that we can focus on the positive and

scrap the negative.  Lets work together as a nation, and stop

pointing fingers of blame that only tears apart the fabric that holds

this great nation together.   We are blessed that our nation represents

every color and creed of humanity.  A house that is divided will not 

stand.  I pray that we can hold our house together for the benefit of all.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Tutus and Cowgirl Boots

My friend, Kathie Truitt, wore a pink tutu to a formal event up in Dallas

a couple of weeks ago.  She looked so great and her outfit was a big success.

I have not worn a tutu since I was a young girl, but can we ever be too old 

to wear one?  I think not.  Inside all of us women is the spirit of a young girl

who just longs to come out and play once in a while.  So ...

I ordered my own tutu.  I found it on an etsy shop and it arrived in the mail

this morning.  I love it!!!

I put an outfit together of my favorite boots, pearls, turquoise beaded

bracelets and cami.

I have owned this little cami forever.  I love it because it has tiny little

pleats in the fabric that give it great texture.  The pearls give it that

Southern flair and the bracelets accent the boots.

These are my favorite boots.  My sweet husband bought these for me

the first Christmas we were back in Texas.  I dream up reasons to wear

them because I love them so much!

If you want your own tut, or one for a daughter or grand, check out 

this etsy shop!  https://www.etsy.com/shop/SparklesandSunbeams

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Eggs and Soldiers

I have always loved soft boiled eggs, and especially when they are served

in an egg cup.  I like the whites to be firm, but the yolks runny.  Here is the

easiest method to cook the egg so that it turns out just the way I like it.

First I bring water in a saucepan to a full boil, then I turn the heat down

so that the water to a simmering boil.  Then I carefully slip the 

egg into the water and set my timer for anywhere between 5 and 7 minutes.

The perfect egg for me is cooked 6 minutes by this method.

Then I take a serrated knife and tap it firmly at the top of the egg and

I can easily remove the top with the knife, leaving the exposed white

and a runny yolk.  

I cut my toast into long strips that can then be easily dipped into the yolk.

In England, these strips are called soldiers.  Isn't that cute?  I love the

charming names that the British give to things in every day life.  They

are so whimsical!

I am having a cup of Earl Grey tea with cream and I store my tea in this

little red phone booth tin. 

Cheers to eggs and soldiers!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley 

Stop By For a Minute ~ I Have Cake

Hey y'all ~ thanks for taking some time away from your busy Friday

schedule to stop by.  As promised, I have cake.   I made a couple of 

tiny changes in the miniature kitchen and I want to share them

with you.

I moved the little oval hooked rug that used to be in the living area 

and moved it in front of the hutch.  Looks cozier don't you agree?

I have a larger rectangular rug that is identical in pattern and I moved

it into the living area.  I have some more changes going on in there,

so I will show that to you later.  In the meantime, I just received a

sweet mini thatched roof cottage tea pot and want to give y'all a

closer look ....

Isn't this cute?  I love it so much I want to marry it!

Have a fun Friday everyone!!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Comfort in Troubled Times

When the world gets too crazy and the news is too distressing,  I retreat

into the comfort and security of my home.  It's as though I have 

created my own little fortress where only happiness is permitted to enter

our door.   That's not always an easy thing to do.  

I try not to read too much of the news these days.  I don't watch any of

it on television and I have drastically curtailed my online and newsprint

reading too.  For one thing, it's hard to know what is real news and what

is fake.  Who is a dependable source?  What newsman will be accused of

sexting or harassing women next?  Is everyone in the media an over

paid scum bag?  I apologize, this is not my usual tone, but I have less and

less respect for the media in general.

I was raised to look at a problem from all perspectives.  Both my parents

and my teachers taught me to read and to discern.  That premise is fine

as long as what one is reading is based on some degree of truth.  Today

I just feel manipulated.  Which brings me to my topic for this post ....

comfort.

There is not much I can do to change the world around me, so I will do

what I can to make my nest a cozy and safe place to be.  If some lunatic

from across the Pacific figures out a way to launch a nuclear bomb to

our shores and annihilate all of us, I don't want to spend my last days in

fear and worry.  I will control what I can, and that means making our

little environment as happy as possible.  

I'll spend my time poofing the pillows ....

And cooking our favorite meals ....

Being kind to all I meet, and living in the moment, because in actuality, that

is all any of us really can do.  

A quick update on Bentley ~ he is adjusting to his vision problems and will

be going back to see the vet in a few weeks.  He's not crazy about the eye

drops I give him several times per day, but he is accepting it.  He is a 

true example of living in the moment and he's teaching me to be just

like him.  Thank you to all who have asked for an update and have 

shown your concern.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Longing for Cooler Days!

The oppressive heat and humidity here in South Texas is seemingly

endless!  Every day the heat index is between 105 and 109 degrees and 

the nights are not much cooler.   I feel completely trapped indoors and

step outside as little as possible.  

Thank goodness for air conditioning.  I'm tired of people saying ....

stay hydrated.  I don't believe I could possibly consume more water 

than I already have.  

It probably won't cool off until October.  I hope I don't melt before that!

Big Texas Hugs,  no wait, too hot to hug,  so I will just sign off this 

way ...

Love, 

Susan and Bentley

My New Skincare Guru

Let's face it, we are all looking for the fountain of youth when it comes

to anti-aging skin care, and I am no different.  Right after my Mom

passed away, and I was in the depths of my mourning, I started watching

YouTube videos about anti-aging skin care and make-up tips.  There are

lots of them out there.  Some of them are better than others, but basically

they are created by women who are at battle with the inevitable.

While watching these YouTubers, I was numbing the pain from my loss,

but I was also being indoctrinated with a lot of products that promised

me that I would have better looking skin, fewer wrinkles and smaller

pores.  Who doesn't want that???

I started filling my anti-aging arsenal with lotions and potions.  I 

believe I tried them all from vitamin C serums to "medical grade"

skincare which is another way of saying, "over priced and 

ineffective" despite it sounding so scientific.  

At one point, my poor abused skin was screaming out ....

"NO!!!" and it was peeling and itchy and super sensitive.  This

was not at all what I had envisioned.  But, thankfully, that

was all about to change.  Read on.

A couple of months ago, David, Bentley and I were at our 

favorite resort up in Austin, Barton Creek Resort.

We were all having fun at the pool and on the golf course and just

having a relaxing time away from home.  One afternoon, David and

Bentley were napping and I pulled out my laptop and started 

watching some of my favorite YouTubers.  One of them began to

talk about a dermatologist's channel she enjoyed, and so I tuned in.

Enter ~ Dr. Dray!

Dr. Dray is a no frills, no nonsense, dermatologist practicing in

Houston, TX.  She is young, brilliant, very funny, and straight 

forward.  I watched one video and then another.  I was hooked.  For  

the remainder of the time I was in Austin, I stopped using all the

overpriced, skin assaulting products I had been using and never

looked back.  It's been a couple of months now since I have been

following Dr. Dray's simple skin care routine and my skin has been

so happy, comfortable and hydrated.  My wallet is a lot fatter and

I am not spending hours at the bathroom sink applying stuff I do

not need.  She cuts through the marketing hype and focuses on

what is helpful.  Here is a video from about a week ago where she

brings us along on a trip to the drugstore to look at skin care 

options:

Andrea (that's her name) produces a video each day.

She tries out products that her viewers suggest.  She 

has a Q and A program each Friday where she answers

viewer's questions.  She is vegan, I am not, but I like

lots of her salad and veggie suggestions because I do

eat and enjoy lots of veggies.  Her mom lives in Houston

too and she films a video with her mom at least once a 

week.  I love the close relationship the two of them have.

Here is her most recent video with her mom.

I hope that you learn some helpful tips and have some fun

in the process too.  

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Appetizer Saturday Night

Our weekly tradition of Appetizer Saturday Night continues.  Last night

I had an Italian theme and I served bruschetta, Italian meatballs, fried

mozzarella, and Italian yellow fin tuna with capers on sea salt Melba toast.

I had a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, which was not memorable.

However, the yellow fin tuna toasts were delicious.  I just mixed a can

of Italian yellow fin tuna, mixed with a small amount of Duke's mayo,

capers, and lemon juice.  Now that I think of it, I should have grated

some lemon rind on top for more flavor and better presentation.  Maybe

next time.  Bruschetta is one of our favorites by the way.  

So that's the update on last night's dinner.  Hmm .... I wonder what I

will make for dinner tonight?

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

PS:  Bentley had some of the tuna.  He loved it!.  I added a bit of

it to his scrambled egg for his dinner.

Freshly Baked Biscuits and Strawberry Jam

I  have some hot biscuits on the table and some strawberry jam too.

Let's just slip away from the worries of the world and have a nice

long chat over a pot of tea.

Wouldn't that be fun?

Pull up a chair.  I have reserved one just for you!

Pink Saturday

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

A Lovely Rainy Day

Finally ~ a nice long soaking rain.  It rained most of the night and

all morning.  

It's a blessing after the seemingly endless days of blazing sun and high

temps.  It's still hot and humid, but the trees and grass and all of nature

are enjoying this nice long drink of water.  

So lovely to hear the soft rain on the roof and see the little drops of

water clinging to the windows.   Bentley and I are snug inside.  We

hope you are having a wonderful day too!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley 

Channeling My Inner Autumn

It's another scorching hot day!  Last night I took Bentley for a walk at

sunset.  It was hot then.  About an hour later I went outside with him

in our backyard and it was even hotter than it was earlier.  Yikes!!!

I am staying inside our nice, cool house and making little tiny fall

leaves for a garland for my dollhouse.  

I am channeling my inner autumn;-)

Stay cool y'all!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

An Adorable Blue Desk

I found this adorable vintage dollhouse miniature desk in blue and I just 

could not pass it up!  I wasn't sure what I would do with it, and then 

I thought to put it on one of the bookcase shelves in the guest room.

So much fun to accessorize!

Can you tell just how much I like to play?  I have given myself 

permission to never grow up!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley