Have a fun and safe Halloween!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Monday, October 30, 2017
Not All Minis Live in Dollhouses
Just because you don't have a dollhouse, doesn't mean you cannot start a
miniature collection. I still ~ yes still, have not completed my dollhouse.
In fact, just the other day my hubby suggested that perhaps I start with an
easier model to get started on dollhouse construction. I think he made a
very good point. I seem to be mini builder challenged.
This little Bar Harbor chair and side table used to be in the shabby
chic mini living room. However, I recently purchased a new chair for
that room, so I decided to put the sweet rocker on one of the shelves
on my little sewing supply cabinet.
Do you see it there on the second shelf? The table has a porcelain basket
full of tiny spools of thread, so it's quite happy in it's new spot I think :-)
(Refer to the first pic)
I found this little desk on eBay and instantly fell in love with the color.
It's a vintage piece, and as is so often the case with vintage minis, it is
not truly 1:12 scale and is a tad smaller. No matter. I love it on it's own ....
and on this shelf in the guest room. I think it adds a bit of whimsey to an otherwise
sophisticated space.
The Bar Harbor rocker was replaced by this new pink gingham wing chair.
I have a new coffee table and a new puppy named McDuff too.
I am crazy about that little thatched cottage tea pot!
Check out McDuff. The little ham wants to be in all the pics :-)
So, as you can see, the miniatures have a couple of shelves in this
bookcase. Miniatures are addictive, and you don't have to own a
dollhouse to enjoy them!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Charming Miniature Windsor Chairs
For as long as I can remember, I have loved Colonial style furniture.
I have four Windsor chairs in my breakfast room, and now I have two
of them in one of my dollhouse kitchens as well. I think they are so
charming!
I purchased them from Matthew of Weston Miniature on Etsy. Matthew
is such a talented artist and creates with so much attention to detail.
He created the ceramic rooster on the little hutch too and he gifted me with this
adorable Life is Sweet sign. Stop by his Etsy shop to see his other creations. Here is
the Link.
Bentley and I are enjoying the cooler weather and we are so thankful that it
is beginning to feel like Fall here in South Texas!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Monday, October 23, 2017
A New Puppy in the Dollhouse
Since I believe that every home needs a dog, I also think that every
dollhouse needs one too. Meet McDuff ~ who is now happily
calling the Texas Rosebud Cottage home. That's what I call my
dollhouse which is not really a dollhouse, but a miniature room on
a bookshelf in my office. Y'all know I live in a fantasy world ;-)
I also purchased a new chair and pillow that now sits right next to the
fireplace. Isn't it cute?
I bought some new wallpaper too. I originally thought I would re-paper the
living room, but now I think that I will re-paper the nursery with it. I have been
thinking of changing the nursery into a young girl's room. This paper reminds
me of the wallpaper I had in my own bedroom when I was a young girl. I loved
that paper so much and this one is really sweet too. I will let you know what
I decide. Have a fun day!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Friday, October 20, 2017
Feeling Grounded Once More
Going back to my childhood home and visiting with family and friends
has been the best thing I have done for myself in a very long time. It has
given me a sense of connection and peace that has been lacking for me.
Whoever said that you can't go home again was wrong. If one expects to
find home exactly as it once was, you will no doubt be disappointed. Things
change and people are not the same or perhaps are no longer there, that is
true. What I did discover though, is that some things do indeed remain the
same and old friends still share precious moments in common. It's just
so therapeutic to reach out to dear family and friends and to keep those
connections close to your heart.
It's comforting to tend to your roots. It's made me feel stronger and
more balanced once again.
If you are lucky enough to grow where you were once planted, I
envy you. If you are like me and have been scattered to the winds
for much of your life ~ go home again and dig those roots in once
again. It will give you the strength to carry on.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
A Mini Fall Festival
Sorry I have been gone so long. I was not feeling very well all last
week. Whatever I had seems to be gone now, and I am bursting
with ideas to share with you.
Welcome to our mini fall festival. There will be pie and other
goodies and lots of Fall spirit.
It just isn't fall without a basket of freshly picked apples and a crate
full of pumpkins!
Getting those pumpkin pies ready for the oven!
Come on in and enjoy yourself! Mini Bentley is here too.
So glad you stopped by!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
My Fall Home Tour 2017
Hey y'all ~ it's my turn to show off my home for the Fall in Love with Texas
home tour for 2017. I always get excited about these home tours. I just
love the decorating and inviting everyone in to see what we have created
for the season. Just ask my husband, lol! All I have to do is mention
blog tour and he already knows the drill ;-)
If I have a theme for this Fall, it's to use what I already have and not
buy new. When I go into my stash of holiday decorations, I realize
over and over again that I already have lots of seasonal decor and unless
I am willing to part with some of it, nothing new better pass through
our door. Well, guess what, I was able to keep that promise to myself
and I only purchased one new item and 2 yards of fabric.
So let's take a look. I created the vignette above with little hearts I made
for fun several months ago. I just added a few berries an apple and a
pine cone. Nothing to it at all.
These aprons and the oven mitt are hung by my stove. The big deep
pocket is just begging for a bit of decorating each season, so I just
dropped some berries inside to keep company with the spoon
and the old rolling pin.
Just one little Fall touch added some seasonal flair to this
pre-existing vignette. Easy peasy!
Here was my "big splurge" ~ I found this apple cider tin at Hobby Lobby.
Y'all know me well enough to know that I just cannot stay out of that
store for too long ;-) This tin is the perfect display for flowers, and apples,
and pine cones.
Oops ~ I fibbed, I bought a new candle too. It's apple/cinnamon, my
favorite!
This vignette is not Fall, exactly, but it's cozy and welcoming for
a Fall day even if the temps outside are still hot and steamy, we
can pretend can't we?
These short bread Scotties are so cute and I consider them decor too!
A vintage book tied up with twine. No rocket scientist needed here :-)
I am calling this vignette Country Hearts because I love little hearts
and toss them around everywhere. Please notice the little heart on the
left, that is new Fall fabric and and plaid fabric beneath is new too.
This is a corner of our bedroom on a rainy October afternoon.
And there it is ~ our home all dressed up for Fall!
This is the final day of the Fall in Love With Texas blog tour.
Be sure to stop by and visit these gals for some great decorating tips.
Thanks for stopping by to see all of our friends!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
What I Saw at Round Top
Saturday morning was lovely. It started out with somewhat cooler temps
and clear skies, but by the afternoon the temps rose once again. It did
not however, curtail my hunt through the tents up in Round Top.
After being up here many times now, I have my favorite haunts and
one of them is Marburger Farm. Because there is a fee to enter the farm,
it is a bit less crowded than many of the other venues and tends to
attract the best dealers. The wares have not varied too much over the
past few years, and I am not interested in everything that is offered,
but I was drawn in by this booth.
For those of you who know me well, you are very familiar with my
fondness for all things tartan. Although it's still a bit early to
be thinking of Christmas, I am still open to decorating ideas.
Here is what caught my eye in this scene, I like the gate leg table. I
have one at home in my front entry, and while I like the idea of painting
the table gray, I won't be painting mine. Isn't it charming though?
I also like that red tole tin on the mantel. My Mama loved tole and
I have lots of it in my home and feel that it never goes out of style.
The ironstone tureen is great too.
I love this French Christmas pillow on the tartan chair!
This is what I am still kicking myself about ~ I did not buy this black
tole candlestick lamp. I certainly don't need it, and don't know where I
would put it because I already have so many lamps. Those facts don't
stop me from loving it though, but I walked away when my common
sense won the battle over temptation. Darn old common sense!
I love the skis. I have a pair up in a storage facility in Idaho.
Certainly won't be using them down here, but a pair of wood ones
would be great for a winter and Christmas decorating scene.
I have not seen one of these before. A portable record player in a
tartan case. How cute is this???
If my Mama were still alive, I am quite sure that we would have been
packing up that wrought iron console table and stowing it in the
back of the Suburban for the trip home! That was so her style!!
This wicker sofa caught my eye. It's a sofa bed! It would be awesome
in a beach house, or one could paint the wicker a dark green, cover the
cushions in a red and black buffalo check fabric and use it in a cabin.
What a great piece!
The Garden Company has been setting up a booth at Marburger for a
few years now. They are located down in Schulenburg, about a 45
minute drive south of Round Top. They also have a great restaurant
where we have enjoyed lunch or dinner in the past. The plan is to
open a restaurant in Round Top, but I don't know where that stands.
You won't believe this, but I did not purchase one thing! I know,
very shocking. The only thing I can contribute this to is that since
Hurricane Harvey, I feel like I have been suffering a brain fog.
I should have purchased that little Tole lamp. What was I
thinking???
More Fall home tours today!
I hope you enjoy these tours, I sure am!
See you tomorrow when y'all will see my home decorated
for Fall.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Monday, October 2, 2017
Follow Me to Fall Home Tours
Bentley and I are busy doing some decorating for Fall with some
dollhouse miniatures today. While we are working on our own
projects, we are inviting you to tour some lovely homes today
on the Fall in Love With Texas blog tour.
Enjoy these tours!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Wonderful First Day in October!
I hope y'all are enjoying this beautiful first Sunday in October!
No, it's still pretty warm here, but I don't mind. I am polishing my
copper pots, making beef stew for dinner, and dancing around the kitchen
to my favorite Broadway show tunes. Life is good!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley