Tuesday, May 28, 2019

It Was A Great Weekend


As usual, the day following a long weekend usually moves a bit more
slowly.  Saturday afternoon, we drove down to Rockport to see how the
rebuilding is coming along, and to have dinner at one of our favorite
restaurants that just recently re-opened.  Rockport is a tiny coastal
village that was really hit hard by Hurricane Harvey.  Massive 
destruction was everywhere.  It will be two years since the hurricane
struck in August and it's taken a long time to get things back to
a new normal.  While there are still many homes, condos and apartments
boarded up, many restaurants have re-opened and were very happy to
see the crowds of people returning to kick off the Summer of 2019.

Our favorite little restaurant is Bellino's.  It's a charming little Italian
restaurant that serves great food in a very charming and cosy
atmosphere.  The place had to be gutted after the hurricane, but the
owners were determined to re-open and their patrons are very happy
about it.  



David and I have always preferred to dine at independently owned
restaurants.  We avoid the big commercial chains unless we are 
on the road and there is no other choice.  One thing we noticed on
Saturday night was that no one was on their cell and that couples were
actually speaking to one another.  I don't think anyone wanted to 
leave, the atmosphere was just that pleasant.

I'm always sad when a holiday weekend comes to an end.  It's so
nice to see more of David and just hang out together.   I hope your
weekend was a nice as ours.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Friday, May 24, 2019

More Changes at the She Shed


My She Shed sits off by itself in a more remote and fenced in area of
the backyard.  While I have a sink and a place to pot plants on the 
veranda, it's not so convenient as having a designated place to store
everything I need for working in the She Shed garden.  So I went on
a hunt for a potting bench.  I wanted one that will fill my needs and yet
not be too expensive.  

I found this one produced by Better Homes and Gardens and sold 
through Walmart. The price was right, it suited my needs and there
was a two day free delivery to my home.  Sold!



One of the features I love about this potting bench is that it has a 
plastic pan underneath a removable lid.  This is handy for adding soil to
pots and can be rinsed out later.  





So, I am very. happy with this new purchase and it is already getting
a lot of use!  BTW, as I was walking around the corner, I happened to
glance at one of my tomato plants and noticed that I already have two
small tomatoes just hanging on the vine waiting to ripen.  There is one
one my other tomato plant too.  On top of that exciting news, I also
stopped to check on my new rose bush and noticed that I have three
new buds.  What a great afternoon it's been.

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!  Have fun and stay safe.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley







Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Daily She Shed ~ Interior Finishes


The weather here has not been very conducive for gardening, so I have
been focusing my She Shed thoughts on the interior.  As in all standard sheds,
the walls are plywood, and really need to be covered in a finish of some 
kind.  I am leaning towards bead board because of it's ease of installation,
and it's cottage charm.  I may consider shiplap too, but not sure.  I am
not a big trend follower as you know.

It's hard to tell from this photo because of the stacked pictures in the
way, but that black square between the two chairs is an electric stove. 
Looks like an old fashioned wood stove.  Yesterday it occurred to me
how much I would love stone in those two areas marked above.  Faux
stone of course, which appears to be readily available in all types of
styles.  The faux stone would run ceiling to floor.  I think it would 
really draw the eye to this end of the room.  Everything else will be
painted white, walls, beams, and ceiling, so the stone would really
pop!  We also will be installing longer arch top windows on 
either side of the stone.

The other reason I like stone so much is that many of my favorite
movies from the 1940's utilized it in their interpretation of cottage
and farmhouse interiors.  This is true of Christmas in Connecticut,
Bringing Up Baby, Dear Ruth, Skylark and more.   All of these homes
use lots of interior stone with detailed trim work and beams, all in
white.  This has always been an ideal look to me.  One that
exudes country charm.

I am excited about all of this coming interior work and plan to
get some samples this weekend.

A weather update.  We have been fortunate to have escaped the
nasty weather that was headed for our area.  It just stayed above
us and headed east.  We only had light rain, while from Fredericksburg
to Austin, and on to Houston, there were high winds, and large hail,
and many lightning strikes along with the heavy rain.  Poor
Sugar Land, a large town west of Houston has flooded once again.
It was flooded after Hurricane Harvey and many,  including our
friends, had to evacuate their homes.  David checked in with our 
friends last night and they were getting very nervous.  Please 
keep everyone in these paths in your prayers.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley




Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Daily She Shed ~ Rain Day, Working Inside


I had hopes of doing some gardening around the She Shed today, but 
the weather is so threatening.  One minute the skies turn dark gray, and
the next they are clearing up.  The weather channel is predicting a lot of
rain for us, so we shall see. 




I have been going through closets and hutches looking for things to
add to the interior.  I am amazed at just how much I have squirreled away!

I am going for all white for the walls and exposed beams.  I am not 
certain what kind of treatment I want on the walls.  I still love the cottage
appeal of bead board.  I am not sure if I want to go to the trouble of 
putting up shiplap or not.  



At the far end of the shed is an electric copy of a wood stove.  I just
had an idea of putting up faux stone around the back of it.  I hadn't thought
of that before.  I'll be doing some research for sure!  More about that later.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley



Monday, May 6, 2019

Daily She Shed ~ Windows Installed


The new windows, shutters and window boxes arrived last week.
David installed them for me on Saturday.  I'll tell you what ....
I am loving them!  They even have little screens.  Honestly, I feel 
like a little girl with a play house.  Can't remember when I have had
quite this much fun.

It's raining now and will be for days and days and I had to remember to
run out and shut the windows!   This may be the last outdoor shot I will
be able to post for a bit.




After the windows were finished, I went inside and decorated one of the
window sills.  I know it's premature, but that's my playful nature.  I just
want to be inspired to get busy with all the inside work too.   I have
also decided to add two more windows at the far end of the shed.
These windows will be longer and have arched tops.   They are from the
same company, and I wanted to make sure that I liked their products 
before I went hog wild ;-).   Still so much more to do, but it is truly a
labor of love!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley


Friday, May 3, 2019

Daily She Shed ~ New Use For Old Teapot



I was going through the hutch in my breakfast room and discovered this vintage
electric kettle.  I found it at a thrift shop long ago, and have never used it.  In
fact, I was afraid to even try it out.  It is the kind that has a small electric
heating element at the bottom and plugs into an electrical outlet.   I
remember buying it just because I thought it was cute, and I still think it
is in that thrift shop cute kind of way.  Since I knew I would never
use it the way it was meant to be used, I thought I would put it out in the
herb garden and add a spot of color with a vinca plant.  It seems right at
home in this spot.  You will have to wait a bit to see what else is happening
in this garden pot, because I have plans!

Have a great weekend y'all!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Daily She Shed ~ New Windows, Shutters, Flower Boxes


The new windows, shutters and window boxes have arrived!  Hopefully
these will be installed this weekend.  The wicker edging for the herb
and tomato garden is scheduled to arrive on this coming Monday.
Progress is being made.


These mums are from last fall.  I planted then in a galvanized container
and never transplanted them.  Now they are blooming once again
this spring.   

I am thinking about what kind of flooring I want inside the shed.
Let me know if you have any suggestions.  Slate, or a slate look 
might be nice.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley




Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Daily She Shed ~ Happy May Day Flowers


To the right side of the She Shed there is a stand of ginger plants.  
They are quite thick and getting tall once again.  This past winter we
did not have a hard freeze, so the ginger did not have to be cut back 
down to the ground as it did for the past couple of years.  When we
don't have a hard freeze, the ginger will flower, and that's what is
happening right now.  Large clusters of buds.



This morning these buds began to open up.  Aren't they beautiful!


Vinca in pots hanging just above the herb garden.




At the end of the herb garden, a lovely plant with the sweetest clusters of
blossoms.



Yet more in pink.

The garden around the shed is coming along nicely, although never quite fast
enough.  I get so much enjoyment from this garden.  I had to move the bird
feeders because the tree man trimmed our crepe myrtles, and it took the
birds a full day to rediscover them.  Now they are back singing in the background
while I work in my little garden.  This is truly my happy spot!

Happy first day of May y'all!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley 

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