Another Fall Tablescape ~ I'm On a Roll

While I have been paying attention to the news, I refuse to discuss it 

here.  I have my opinions and I have chosen to keep them private.

So while the hearings are on in the background, I decided to play around

with some Fall decor to keep myself feeling uplifted and not

depressed.

I wish I had better light in my breakfast room, the dark clouds have

been in and out all day, and it's been hard to get the light I need and

want for these photos.   I know what's going to be on my Christmas

list this year ~ some big lights!

I wanted to show you this redware dish.  I have two of them and they were

given to me by a dear friend of my parents.  Jeanne had a lovely home filled

with many American antiques, and I was lucky enough to be on the receiving

end of some of her treasures.  

Redware Pottery is made with clay that has a high iron content that will

become reddish brown when it is fired in a kiln.  This type of pottery was

quite popular while our land was still under British rule.  As is typical

of many items from this time period and later, this pottery has a timeless

appeal, although it is not so common as it once was.  Like Shaker style

furniture, it has a simple and unique style that can easily blend in with

today's more modern looks.  It is earthy and can be a stunning accent for

simple pottery.

Of course, my personal style tends to lean toward the English county look,

I just had to mix in some red transferware too!

Enjoy these last days of September.  It's hard to believe that October is just

around the corner.  

Tablescape Thursday

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

My First Fall Table for 2018

It all started out with a dough bowl, some pinecones, apples, and

cinnamon.

Then I added a tartan throw.

The warm colors of Fall are so cozy and friendly.

Added some rustic bamboo flatware, and a sage green plate.

Willow placemats too.  Fall has taken over the breakfast room now!

Metamorphosis Monday

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

I Left My Heart in Virginia

Almost immediately after our wedding in Houston, the moving van

arrived and packed us up for our new home in Virginia.  I was so 

excited about moving to our new home in a state I loved so much.

Here I am behind the wheel of our Jeep Grand Wagoneer.  It was

one of those classics with the "wood" trim on the sides.   As I recall

when this photo was taken, I was driving through North Carolina, 

probably too fast, because I was so anxious to get home.

Fall always makes me nostalgic for this state.  The Fall festivals in

Northern Virginia were always fabulous, picture post card type 

events set in lovely little towns.  Oh how I long to be there right now.

My love affair with the state started in childhood.  My parents took many

trips to Virginia before I was born.  Then when I came along, the tradition

continued.  They took me to all the places they loved, seeing them all 

again through fresh new eyes.  I loved every minute of our trips through

Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville and Williamsburg.

I remember spending so much time in the pool at the Williamsburg Inn

that my skin shriveled.  It was heaven!

My home sweet home will always be the suburbs of Chicago's North

Shore.  I have lived in NYC and loved it,  the beautiful state of Idaho too,

and still own property up in the mountains there.  Now I am once again

back in Texas, but in my heart of hearts, I will always hold dear the

state of Virginia.  

I lived in horse country in the most beautiful and historic town

you can imagine.  Every day was magic there, like a village out

of a well loved fairy tale.  The cottage we lived in had views of

the Blue Ridge, a very old low stone wall around the property,

a little red barn out back where a fox made residence.  The drive

into town was seven miles of beautiful scenery through forest

and past beautiful horse farms and estates and over charming

one lane bridges.  Everything I dreamed about.  Enchanting!

Here I am in South Texas dreaming of a wonderful time of my life

back in Virginia where the season of Fall is displayed in all it's glory.

You will read much more about these glorious settings when the first book

of my mystery series is published.  

Thanks for spending time with me and sharing some wonderful memories.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Putting My Life Back In Order

Last week was a blur because I wasn't feeling well.   I was afraid it 

might be serious because of the quick onset of chills, a fever, and

congestion in my lungs.  I know all too well the symptoms and signs

of pneumonia and or bronchitis.  Thankfully, that all seems to be

gone now.

When I feel sick, my normal routine is tossed aside and I feel

out of touch.  I'm working on getting back on track today.

Sorry I have been missing in action.  

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Helpful Fall Decor Ideas

It's still in the 90's here and exceptionally humid.  This weather hardly

puts one in the Fall decorating mood.  I don't like to go Fall crazy

too soon, because it's not officially Fall just yet.  I am one of those

girls who like to ease into the season.  

Regardless of all this heel dragging and moaning, I probably

should start thinking about what I will do.  One thing I know 

for sure is that I don't want to go crazy creating Fall all over

the house.  It's fun putting it out, not so much fun putting

it all away.   That being said, I will just use Fall scented 

candles and some Mums inside and keep it all simple.

However ....

I am going to put all my focus on decorating the

She Shed, that beloved little spot that I have named

Sweet Tea Cottage.  I need a little nudge to

get me going, in other words ....

What Did I Do Last Year???

Thank goodness for archives.  I can refresh my 

little gray cells with ideas from the past.  

Are you that way too?  Do you forget some of your decorating

creations from the past, or are they always fresh in your

memory?

Earlier this past spring, I reorganized my seasonal decorating

storage and gave lots of things away.    I saved the absolute

favorites and that's it.  

Shortly I will bring out the boxes of Fall.  I am not exactly

sure of what I want to do, what my theme will be, but I 

am sure it will come to me as I start playing around.  It

is safe to say there will probably be a trip to Hobby Lobby

in my future ;-)

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Handling Daily Worries

My parents were perfectionists.  The house was always perfect.  Everything

in it's place all of the time.  In the morning, my Mama never hung around

in her bathrobe.  She would get up, make the bed and get dressed for the

day.  She fussed over her outfit and her hair.  She wore minimal make-up,

but she always looked polished and ready to face anything.  Daddy was

the same.  They also had perfect penmanship.  Every letter flawlessly

created to reflect their orderly lives.  They were also worriers, especially

my Mama.

I wonder if worrying is a genetic trait.  If it is, I have inherited the

tendency.  It's taken me a long time to realize that the things I 

have worried about over the years have never become a reality.

I have often heard the phrase let go and let God.  Knowing this to

be the wise choice, why have I often resisted to the temptation to

try to handle things without His help?  I start to believe that I

have some power on my own, when in reality I am barely a 

blip on the radar in this vast universe.  

Life becomes so much more peaceful when I hand over the reins.

I have to remind myself of this every single day.   

Years ago, while in college, I had a math professor that drew a 

square on the blackboard.  She asked us to imagine that this square

was a patch of grass and that each of us were walking from one 

corner to the other in a diagonal and creating a path.  The grass

under our feet would wear away, and the way to the corner became

ingrained in our minds.  That's what happened when math problems

were repeated.  Over time, we would automatically know the formulas

to solve any problem.

Each day I begin my own journey, from one corner to the other, not

solving math problems, but reminding myself that I must have faith

and not worry.  Hopefully one day the pathway will be so clear that

I won't even have to think about it.  It will be etched in my soul.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Happy 1st Day of September!

It's a three day holiday weekend!  Enjoy your Labor Day and

take some time out to relax.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley