What's Happening Around the Cottage

Does it ever seem to you that there are just not enough hours in 

a day?  I often feel that way.  Now that I have overcome my 

intimidation of my new planner, I am making lists like crazy, and

there is nothing I like more than checking tasks off the list!  I

should do a whole blog post about how I am getting a bit carried

away with that planner.

I planted Violas and Pansies in the long planter box on

the patio.  It's so good to see their cheerful faces looking up

at me.  David likes them too!

Speaking of our backyard, I took Bentley outside for his

last of the night potty break.  I always carry him in my

arms at night because I never know what we might encounter

as we venture out.  Well, sure enough, I spotted a skunk!  

And he was not very far away at all and certainly we were in

his striking distance.  He didn't seem to notice us, but we still

backed away very, very slowly.  Didn't want to take any chances!

I am on my third Mitford book.  Oh how I am enjoying these!

This series is so charming and uplifting and the perfect escape

from the crazy world we live in.  I seem to be the last person to

read these books, but if by a slim chance you have not, start

them soon!

I love Mrs Meyer's candles and buy all the fragrances.  This one

I burned down to the bottom and since our trash service does not

recycle glass, I decided to clean and reuse it.  I Googled how to remove

wax from a votive, and read that one way was to put it in the

freezer overnight, and the wax would just pop out.  I tried it.

It didn't work.  After requesting suggestions on my Facebook

feed, I decided that the reason it didn't work is because the

candle is made from soy and not wax.  I waited for the glass

to reach room temperature, and then I put it in a bowl of hot

water.  The candle slipped out easily.

Here we are.  All empty and clean.  Ready for its next life.

Oh the possibilities!  We that's enough excitement for today's post.

I still have more tasks in my planner to check off.  See you again

soon, and thanks for stopping by!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Your Vote Was Counted ~ Vintage Style Farmhouse Won!

Y'all know me so well!  You pushed me in the direction of my heart, and

a vintage style farmhouse decor won out!  I'm so excited about this

path.  Thank you for a much needed nudge!!

I'm going through cupboards and digging out things I have been

collecting for years.  Often in the past, I would purchase things that

I had no immediate use for, but just because I loved them.  Here is a

set of four Homer Laughlin luncheon plates.  I loved the shape and

the vintage innocence when I first saw them.  Now they will have a 

home in the hutch that is already in the shed.

I chose the vintage style of farmhouse because I want it to be a

throwback to simpler times.  A little cottage that reminds me of a

grandmother who loves and nurtures her family.  She's the type of 

woman who can make her home charming and pretty out of 

almost anything.  It won't be a coordinated look, but rather the

look of beloved items collected and used over the years.

While I think the modern farmhouse look is attractive, and shows up

beautifully in photographs, it doesn't always draw me in and make me

feel cozy.  That's just me, and as y'all know, I decorate to suit myself.

I tend to think of myself as a director of a movie and want to set the

stage for the plot I am dreaming up in my head.  I envision a little

cottage in the country with lots of flowers and herbs scattered about

outside.  There is a laundry line with pretty little aprons and 

tablecloths hanging in the breeze.  Some chickens running around.

Okay, y'all know that David has repeatedly said no to the chickens,

but in my dream they are there.  Inside the shed are useful items that

are well worn and well loved.  A cottage where you can imagine 

that the wonderful aroma of a freshly baked pie is in the air.

This is heaven to me!  Stay tuned.  I have plans to make this

dream as real as possible.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

The Future of Sweet Tea Cottage, the She Shed

I need some help making a decision.  This is the year I finally finish my

She Shed.  The interior will be painted and new windows added.  I have

decided on the number and style of windows and the interior will be

painted white.  I still need to decide on the flooring, but I don't think 

that will be a tough decision.  

What I really need help with is the decor of the interior.  I don't need

any new furniture, but I do need a theme.  I have been vacillating

between farmhouse style, and vintage cottage.  I am leaning towards

farmhouse.  What do you think?

I already have the chickens, just not real ones ;-)

Please let me know your opinion!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Plans for the Patio and Veranda

After five and one half years living in South Texas, I have 

finally come to the realization that there are some things I 

just cannot accomplish in the garden.  Once summer comes,

and it comes early here, it never leaves until nearly November.

There are few flowering plants that can withstand the 

relentless heat.  

Last year I purchased a potted Hibiscus that did very well.

It continued to produce lovely and big flowers well into Fall.

I cut it back and am hoping it will return again.  Cala Lily

does well too, but again it needs to stay in a pot.

My goal for the patio and veranda is to keep it easy.

I will be on the hunt for more big pots and may want to

try a small potted lemon tree too.  

The old porch swing that we brought down from Idaho is

really looking shabby now.  I have been on the hunt for another

one, and may want to invest in all weather wicker this time.

Our squirrels pulled the stuffing out of two of my Pottery Barn

pillows, so I need to find replacements for those as well. 

Next month begins the yearly live oak tree leaf shed.  Then

the yard will be covered in tiny oak leaves.  That will keep me

busy for a while too.  I am anxious to see if this year I can have

the patio and veranda of my dreams.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Let's Pretend It's Spring

I know it's only January 21st, and we have many more days of winter

ahead, but I woke up this morning thinking about Spring.  I went inside

my closet and pulled out two dresses both in pinks and greens.  I tried

them on because I wanted to make sure they still fit after the holidays.

I tried to behave myself after all the fancy dinners and travel, and

fortunately my resolve paid off because they still fit.  However, it also

made me long to wear them.  Oh well, back into the closet they went.

Our winter down here so far has been pretty good.  Lot's of gray and

cloudy days, and lots of wind, but no freezes.  That makes me happy

because my ginger plants continue to get taller and fuller.

You might also be thinking ...  wasn't there a time last Fall when she was

longing for sweater weather?  Well, that's true, I was longing for scarves,

and cashmere, and corduroy.   I am still wearing them and enjoying them

especially on damp and chilly days, yet I am also longing for the warm 

sun on my face and seeing the new life in the garden that will one

day return.  What can I say ....  I'm fickle!

My houseplants are getting particularly special care because I am longing

to play in the dirt.  Spring tends to arrive early here in South Texas, but

it also is fleeting.  We mostly have two seasons, winter and summer, and

Spring is a true gift that we all savor.

In the meantime, I will amuse myself with gardening catalogs and

photos of patios and verandas on Pinterest.  It never hurts to be prepared!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Moving Things Around A Bit

Well, it's hard to get a good photo in this room.  It tends to be dark 

anyway, but the dark gray and rainy weather doesn't help one bit!

Right along with the rest of you, I have been moving things around a

bit now that the Christmas decorations are down and mostly, and I do

mean mostly, packed up and put away.  I paired down a bit for 

Christmas 2018, but I don't think I paired down quite enough.  As

a consequence, I have now created a donate pile that is growing

each day.  I had a very firm talk with myself and I have been told

by me, that I am NOT to walk into Hobby Lobby when they start

putting out their Christmas decor next Fall.  I wonder if it is possible

to alert the store and have them turn on an alarm when I walk in???

So here you have the farmhouse table in my breakfast room.  I will

never sell or give this away because I love it dearly and have owned it

since before I married David.  I have one problem with it though, I 

always feel a bit challenged to create a centerpiece for it.  Apparently

I did not inherit my Mama's exceptional ability to create them.  I 

seem especially challenged when the table is rectangular like this one.

So I went with the less is more approach and just put some green

apples in a vintage wood bowl.  I toyed with the idea of adding some

additional fruit, but I held back.  I don't know how long this arrangement

will have a home on this table, but it does for now.  

That's all for today folks.  I think I will have a hot dog.  I have not had

one for years and recently a childhood friend of mine started talking 

about Chicago dogs, and it got me started.  I don't eat mine the Chicago

way with the peppers and onions.  I like mine with yellow mustard and

pickle relish.  I also like the NYC style with sauerkraut.   I was careful

to buy the kind without nitrates.  I am careful that way.  So I must

close and get that dog because I am so hungry for one!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

A Trip to San Antonio and a New Lamp

David, Bentley and I took a trip to San Antonio over the weekend.  A 

friend of David's was in town from Dallas and invited us to dinner.

He made reservations at a restaurant in downtown San Antonio called

Bohanan's.  If you are in San Antonio and want a special dinner, this

is the place to go.  They serve Allen Brothers steaks from Chicago.  My

Aunt Susan used to send them to us.  I think she was always concerned 

that I might forget about my hometown.  We had a wonderful visit and

a memorable dinner too.

Our friend flew back to Dallas the next day, and we stayed on at

our favorite hotel, Omni La Mansion del Rio.  It is such a lovely

historic hotel and Bentley is always welcome there.  Our room had

a balcony over looking the river and even though it was chilly

outside, we took advantage of sitting out there, reading the paper,

and watching all the visitors and tour boats go by.  On Saturday night,

David was sitting out on the balcony smoking a cigar and having a

cocktail, while I finished dressing for dinner.  All of the tour boats

that sail by always mention La Mansion because of it's historic value,

and also because it was once the school for St Mary's Church next door.

However, this time the tour guide pointed up at David sitting on the

balcony and said,  "There he is ... Mr Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous."

Of course, David wasn't the least bit embarrassed, in fact he loved the

comment and waved to the folks on the boat.  He loves being the center

of attention ;-)

We were able to return the iPad to Apple.  Then we bought a storage

unit so I can download everything from my Mac and let a Mac expert

take a look at it and see what's going on.  That will be happening this

week, so I will be working off my old lap top.  As a consequence, posts

may be a bit sporadic.

Now about the lamp pictured above.  I have a friend here who is the wife

of one of my husband's dearest childhood friends.  She is a Facebook

friend of mine, and was looking at the picture I posted of our fireplace

mantel at Christmas.  She thought about a lamp she had up in her attic

that she was no longer using, and thought I might like to have it.  She sent

me a photo and then the lamp.  She was right, it matches my style and I

love it!

The plumber will be here again this week to fix a slow drain in the

master bath shower.   It's always something isn't it?  Our plumber knows

this house inside and out.  Good thing too because we always seem to

have some little glitch.

Wishing y'all a happy week, and we will chat again soon!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

In Computer World Hell

I can't seem to fix the problem I am now having with blogger.  I can no

longer post on my miniatures site, at least not from my Mac.  I now have

to work between my Mac and my laptop.  I am having problems uploading

photos too now.  I feel like I am in computer world hell.  

I could end up being stuck with a faulty iPad because I learned that it

must be returned in 14 days.  Well, the 14 days are over because it was

a Christmas gift and was ordered prior to Christmas.  Yikes.  I just want 

to cry!  Sorry for the emotional break down.

Susan and Bentley

Really Worried Now!

I have a problem.  I cannot sign into my blogger account.  I can open up my

Gmail, but I cannot sign into blogger.  As a consequence, I cannot comment

on anyone's blog, nor can I reply to comments on this blog.

Don't know what to do!!!  Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Susan and Bentley

What's In My Closet?

Over the weekend, I wrote a Facebook post about blogs, and whether

or not folks want to read them anymore.  I was prompted to ask this

question after reading a post by my friend Katie, who writes the blog

Let's Add Sprinkles.  Katie mentioned  several bloggers who have 

given up their blogs, or are thinking about doing so.  

The responses I received were mixed.  Some said they stopped

reading blogs and prefer Instagram.  Some said they stopped reading

certain blogs because of either annoying pop up adds, or the

feeling that blogs had become much less personal than they

were in the past.  Too commercial, and readers get the feeling

that it's all about "look at me, make me famous".  

I understand that feeling because there are blogs I have stopped

reading for those very same reasons.  

I want to keep my blog until I am too old and feeble to write it.

Quite honestly, my blog has become an extension of me.  I can't

quite find the time to write a post every day, but that doesn't mean 

I'm not thinking of it.  My husband suggests ideas for posts now

too.  It's too much a part of me and my little family.

I received many personal messages and responses to my

questions on Facebook, asking me not to quit, and offering

suggestions for topics.  One suggestion was that I divulge

more about myself.  So, in response to that topic, here is

a look into my clothes closet.

Our house was designed and built in 1948 by a woman and her

architect.  She quite obviously knew the value of closet and storage

space because it is generous.  In the master bedroom, there are four

closets, two walk-ins and one standard type and a very large linen

closet.  

My husband moved down here about two months before I did.  He

claimed the walk-in closet in the dressing room.  It is a good size space

with built in shoe racks and a built in four drawer dresser.  At first

I was a bit miffed that he took the larger of the two walk-ins, but

as he explained, he doesn't have to disturb me in the morning because

the dressing room is just off the bedroom on the way to the bath.

He was right, and I am now quite happy with the decision.

As you can see from the above photo, I like to store my shoes in

their original boxes.  I wipe them off after I wear them and I even

put the tissue paper back in the toes.  I have always loved shoes.  

I think I already told you the "paper loafer" story, didn't I?

I also love clothes.  Believe it or not, I still have some clothes from

the mid 1980's before I married David.  They still fit too!  I chalk that

up to good genes (both my parents were slim), and the constant talk

about waistlines with both my Mom and my Aunt Susan.  Aunt Susan

was a model in NYC in her younger days and never left that training

behind.  Every time we would have one of our lengthy gab sessions,

she would ask me "what size is your waist now"?   I keep a scale in

my closet because even though my Mom and Aunt Susan are both

gone, I feel like I need to keep up the family tradition.

I am very sentimental too, even about clothes and accessories.  Here

is a cap from my old Alma Mater in Lake Forest, Illinois.  

Here is something else about me .... I love my Jack's, and it's quite obvious.

It's so warm down in South Texas that I have winter sandals and summer ones

too.  As you can see, if you can read the tiny print, I have small feet.  I

wear a 5 1/2.  My Paternal Grandmother has really tiny feet, even smaller

than mine.  Having small feet is both a blessing and a curse.  Shoes look

good, but it's not always easy to find my size.  Jack Roger's always

seems to have them.  Thanks, Jack!

These are my Hunter boots.  Oh so necessary in South Texas because

when it rains it's not often a soft rain, but a gully washer.  Puddles

everywhere.  These keep me dry and stylish too.  By the way, if you

call customer service at Hunter, everyone has the most charming 

British accents!

I'm thinking of adding a fashion look book from time to time, 

so that you can see how I put my looks together from this closet.

See, I am not all about decorating the house, I like to decorate

me too!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Waking Up From a Five Year Coma

I have experienced a lot of change over the past five years,

some of it wanted, but most of it not.  During this time period

I have done a pretty good job of fooling myself that I am 

better.  As my husband will admit, I do a very good job at

hiding the things that bother me the most.  I will tell him that

I am fine, but he knows me well enough to recognize the

cover up.

I try to fool the outside world too, while keeping up my

personal charade.  There is one thing that I do not have

control over, and that is my physical health.  All this 

hiding and deception eats away at me until I end up

really suffering.  It's been the recurrent theme of my life,

and if I am not careful, it could one day prove to be deadly.

Over the past six months I have experienced my deterioration.

Exhaustion, low grade fevers, sleepless nights.  I have suffered

through these before, but never to this extent.  Yes, I have been

tested, and no, never a definitive answer.  I have been given a

different prognosis every time, but no solution.  The symptoms

always begin with some sort of heartache I seem unable to shake.

The symptoms worsen by the actions of others who seem to take some

sick kind of pleasure in stirring up drama to cause misery.  This evolves 

into a sensation of being kicked in the gut when I am already down.

In the past I have been fairly powerless to control this nasty intrusion in

my life, but things came to a head this past November.  I finally had

enough!  

While the heartache of losing several close family members in a five

year period is not a cakewalk, and takes longer than I would have ever

dreamed, the back stiffening required to eliminate the repeated emotional

assault from others has been accomplished at long last.  I have drawn my

line in the sand and there is no going back.  I have forgiven twice, but

never again.  What angered me this past November tuned out to be a

gift in disguise.  It finally opened my eyes to the fact that it doesn't 

matter one bit who the person, or persons are who are getting a kick

out of pushing my buttons, I don't have to take it, and the final straw

has been pulled and now there is no going back.

I am not totally sure how the change occurred, but one did.  I feel

so much stronger emotionally.  I woke up to the fact that there is

much I want to accomplish in this life and I don't need any road

blocks to keep me from fulfilling my dreams.  The coma I was

living through is a thing of the past.

  

If there is someone or something who has been holding you back,

stand tall and start walking away, even if it is only one step at a time.

Just like me, you too can start stepping over life's roadblocks.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Intimidated By My 2019 Personal Planner!

Here is is, my new personal planner.  I ordered it back in November and have

been so anxious to start using it.  Now that January has arrived, and it's time

for me to start recording my daily goals and plans and checking off the "To Do"

boxes, I suddenly feel intimidated!  

Isn't that the silliest thing?

Do I use the stickers I ordered?  

After my Christmas coma, I have to really think about what my 

personal goals are for this year.  

What about filling in those squares on each day?  Will my handwriting

be okay?  What if I make a mistake???

Suddenly, something as simple as a personal planner has such power

over me.  I need to step away and think about this for a bit.  Maybe

I should make a cup of tea and calm down, lol!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

PS:  Bentley is not troubled by such silliness.  He just stopped

listening to all of my questions and curled up to take a nap.