The Decorating Ghosts of Christmas Past

One of the wonderful things about having a blog is that you can look at old

seasonal photos from years gone by and remember what you liked about a 

holiday decorating scheme.  

These are a few of my favorites from last year.  This was my Sun Valley

Christmas cloche.  It was fun putting it together for one of Marty's

cloche parties.

This is another one of my favorites.  Love that Christmas card that looks

like a vintage postage stamp!

And this darling little bird is another favorite.  

Now that I have the Christmas boxes down from the attic, I wonder what

I will create this year?  

For more inspiration I am headed over to 

Seasonal Sundays

Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Amaze Me Monday
Masterpiece Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

and

Table Top Tuesday

Okay Bentley ~ let's gather up all of your Christmas themed

squeak toys and put them in a wagon for your display!

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Pink Sewing Cloche

I have been staying at home trying to recover from this latest bug

and am starting to get a little stir crazy. I created a cloche for Marty's

Spring Cloche Party and now just can't seem to stop at one.

So ...

Here is a little pink sewing cloche. I'm just loving pink more and more!

I wish I had some pink paint out in the garage because I am

itching to paint something pink too.

Since I don't have any pink paint, I'll just have to entertain myself

by visiting some of my favorite blog parties.

I am once again joining Marty's Spring Cloche Party

Beverly's Pink Saturday

and

Laurie's Favorite Things Saturday

Bentley ~ have you seen any pink paint around here? Bentley??

He's out hunting for squirrels ~ have to ask him later.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Mini Buffet

On one of the shelves of my hutch is my mini buffet. I love minis, but don't have a dollhouse yet ... so I love displaying them in mini vignettes within life sized hutches, in bookcases and on table tops. I think it adds a bit of whimsy to a room. Well, that's my excuse anyway!

Be sure to visit Marty to see what everyone else is displaying for this week's Table Top Tuesday.

Yes Bentley, you are exactly right! Sometimes you toss one of your little squeak toys on top of your Mum's tables and inside the hutch too for a bit of whimsy!!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Autumn Morning Rain

It's dark and gray outside. There is soft rain falling on the leaves shed by our big walnut trees. I am curled up in a vintage quilt with my cup of tea ~ enjoying a quiet start to my day.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely day and don't forget to visit our dear friend Marty for Table Top Tuesday!

Bentley is back inside under my quilt ~ he doesn't like the rain. Maybe it reminds him of a bath.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Postal Basket

Near the front door is a little shelf that I salvaged. I painted it white, added a vintage post card and painted a few little flowers on it. Now I am using it to store the postal basket and my favorite vintage train case.

We don't get quite as many letters as we once did, but I still love to put the mail we still do receive in one spot.

I'm joining Marty for Table Top Tuesday and Linda for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Bentley, you love the postman don't you? You always give him a big welcome and a kiss too when he stops by each day.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

On Top of My Little Desk

We have three desks in our cottage. One is a large trestle style desk that belongs to my husband. I have two desks. One in our office where I can be creative, and one that I call my little business center. Inside the drop down desk is where I store all of the household accounts. On top of the desk is my sweet vintage chalk dog and a vintage chalk scottie bookend.

This dear little bookend is holding up a few favorite books ~ Walden by Thoreau, A Tear and a Smile by Khalil Gibran, a book of French grammer, and a book of dog cartoons. Bookkeeping can be tedious and it's not my idea of fun, so these cheerful little touches keep me smiling!

Well, it's getting late. Time to turn out the light and call it a day. Before I do, I plan to head over to Marty's for a quick peek at some of the other participants for tomorrow's Table Top Tuesday. Sweet dreams everyone!

Sweet dreams to you too Bentley!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Memories of Virginia for Table Top Tuesday

When my husband and I were newlyweds, David was transferred to Virginia~Specifically Northern Virginia. We felt as though we were in heaven. Virginia is a beautiful state. Rolling hills and lots of history. Some of the best fall fairs I have ever attended are in that lovely and sweet state. We spent every spare hour exploring, but our favorite place was Williamsburg. Whenever I think of fall, I think of Williamsburg. Historic Willliamsburg where the harvest was so important and celebrated. Williamsburg, home of quilts and candles, cozy nooks and history. Home of William and Mary College.

While we were in Virginia, we had the advantage of traveling. We visited Williamsburg as often as we could. We went to brunch often at the historic Williamsburg Inn. We ate fabulous seafood at Christiana Campbells, actually met and sat by the fire with Roy Underwood of PBS fame. Roy and David discussed the size of the hearth and the draft of the chimney. It was a glorious time.

So tonight, as fall rapidly approaches, I am thinking of a time that was very special to me and to David. A time early in our nation's history. A time of simplicity, a time of thankfulness and a time of beauty. Today I am linking with Marty for Table Top Tuesday. I am thinking warm fuzzy thoughts. I hope that you are too. By the way, my dear Mother-in-Law hand stitched the lovely french style quilted table cloth beneath my vignette. Her own parents were native Virginians.

Bentley ~ I think we need to take you on a cross country trip back to Virginia. I know you will love it!!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo