Let's Fast Forward to Spring

I really can't complain.  We have not had a very cold winter, and

although the snow is covering the mountains just up the street from my

cottage, it has not snowed much down here in the valley.

That being said ...

I am itching to fast forward to spring.  This is the time of the year

when I am tired of down filled coats and wrapping up in scarves and

hunting for my mittens.  I want to be fluffing up my front porch and

leaving the doors wide open to allow Bentley to run freely in and out

of the house.  I want to plant pansies and start working in my garden beds.

But ...

I know it will be a few weeks before that can happen, so you will have

to indulge me as I play with a few things that remind me of spring.  I love

this rusty old trowel.  It is so much more handsome than a new one ~

don't you agree?

Show and Tell Friday

Pink Saturday

Bentley found his "Busy Bee" that he left out in the yard.  It is

almost like a new toy for him now because I think he forgot about it.

Apparently he's not too bummed that a Yorkie did not win the dog show.

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

How to Avoid Weight Gain Over the Holidays

Zero calories ~ 100% fun!

Cheers!!

I know I showed you this last year, but who can stop at one?

I am joining ~

Show and Tell Friday

Bentley ~ where is your Christmas stocking?

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Hearts and Flowers

A heart and some flowers just for you!

Bentley and I just want you to know that we appreciate

your friendship soooo much!

We hope you all have a happy and rosy weekend!!!

Joining ~

Feathered Nest Friday

Home Sweet Home

Show and Tell Friday

and

Pink Saturday

Bentley ~ you are my heart!

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Playing in the Garden

Vacation at last!  

I am on vacation for the next week and Bentley

and I are having fun in the garden.  We'll be creating

new displays outside and working inside too on some

much longed for re-decorating and fluffing of the cottage.

It's a happy time for us.

Come join me in visiting ~

Cottage Flora Thursday

and

Show and Tell Friday

It may rain today Bentley, so don't leave your stuffed animals

outside!

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

What To Wear in the Garden

Lot's of rain, but not much chance to work in the garden.

But ...

when I do get a chance, I know just what to wear!

An old Ralph Lauren pink t-shirt that's too worn to wear

anywhere else, but still makes me feel stylish.

Some green garden clogs

because ...

I love to dress in pink and green!

Some new pink gardening gloves because I managed to

lose one glove from my old pink pair.

A pink ball cap and some new pink and green floral

shades to keep the sun out of my eyes.

Now ...

All I need now is a day without rain!!

While I wait for gardening weather I am joining ~

Show and Tell Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

Home Sweet Home

Pinkalicious

Show and Share Day

and

Pink Saturday

Bentley is very busy chasing a cat out of our yard!

I can't even coax him inside with a treat!!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Cottage Design Part 1 ~ Architectural Elements

As I have mentioned recently, I am planning some

major redecorating projects in my cottage this year.

My husband is a contractor, so I am going through photos

of his work to get ideas of what sort of architectural elements

I want to add to our cottage.

This ceiling has beams and bead board. Would be cute in the

kitchen ~ don't you think?

Love the idea of bookcases on either side of a fireplace.

I think I would like a bit deeper mantel though.

Here's a close up of the shadow boxing.

Love this look! Charming for a cottage.

I like this too ~ though it's a bit more formal.

Columns add interest

As do arched hallways.

Architectural elements can add so much charm to a cottage ...

and they can be functional too like this back hall storage center.

I am gathering ideas for my own projects. I have lots of ideas. Once I settle

on the trim work, I will decide on color. Stay tuned!

I am joining Show and Tell Friday at Cindy's

Bentley ~ go tell your Daddy that he has a lot of work to

do in our cottage!

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

PS: David ~ I gave you a plug so does that give me some advantage?

Holidays on Ice

Tonight I went to an open house.

The hostess, my friend Juli

is an ice skater, so ...

I found these cute ice skates for her

Christmas tree.

I could not resist showing them off

for

Show and Tell Friday!

Aren't they cute Bentley???

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Bentley's Inside Day

Bentley, I know you want to go outside and play in your yard

but the snow is still quite deep. You have to stay on the path

and I know that's not much fun.

How about a story?

I could read to you from this book.

The title is "Jingle Bell Bark". It's a mystery ...

what do you think?

I have some of your favorite Christmas toys in a comfy chair.

Shall I read to you??

Okay Momma ~ I'm ready!

While I read to Bentley, be sure to stop by and visit Cindy

for Show and Tell Friday.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Shabby, Thrifty and Pink

I love to rearrange and add new elements to my cottage, but that can get very pricey ...

So, I am always visiting estate sales, thrift shops and garage sales for interesting one of a kind items that don't break the budget. Anything decorated with soft pink flowers always catches my eye!! I am linking up with the following parties:

Show and Tell Friday

Debbiedoo's Garage Salen

Pink Saturday

Bentley remember the cute little stuffed bear Momma found for you at a garage sale? You do and you want to play with it now!! Okay, let's do it.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Some Romantic Evening

I just love being a girl. I love vintage train cases and boudoir lamps. Silks, vintage pearls and ballerina music boxes.

Silver dancing slippers and French perfume. Photos of my Yorkies in vintage silver frames. I especially love this antique ballerina music box that my Daddy brought back from Switzerland.

Thanks for letting me indulge in my romantic dreams of things that are vintage, pink and vignette. I am participating in these fabulous parties:

Vintage Thingie Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

Vignette Friday

Pink Saturday

Simple Pleasures

Bentley ~ let's give you a bath and get you all fixed up for this evening. Bentley?? Are you hiding Bentley??

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Vintage Lamp Love

I have an on going love affair with vintage lamps. While we have many of them in our little cottage, whenever I find one while I am out at a garage sale, a thrift store or an antique shop, it's hard for me to pass it up. To me, they look so sweet. They represent another era when life was a bit more simple and easy.

Of course my husband likes to tease me that we should notify the power company of a power surge when we turn off all of the lamps in the cottage for the night. So ... to celebrate this 1 year anniversary of Show and Tell Friday, here I am to light the way. Happy Anniversary Cindy!!

Do you want to help your Mum turn off some lights before we go to bed??

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Vintage and Pink Evening

We have been having some very lovely weather here in Idaho. Our evenings are especially lovely. So tonight we are having a romantic dinner on the deck.

We are dining on vintage Limoges soup bowls and plates in the palest of pink patterns.

Enjoying some ice water and a bit of wine from vintage stemware.

Complimented by some lovely vintage silver flatware.

Thank you for visiting us. I am linking to:

Vintage Thingie Thursday

Tablescape Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

Pink Saturday

Bentley ~ would you like to say anything? What about dinner? Don't worry Bentley, I have a lovely dinner for you too.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Barn Chick Friday!

Howdy all you barn chicks! Come onto my back porch. Grab a sunflower to put in your hair and an apple to snack on. Let's go visit my neighbor's chickens. Amy doesn't have a barn, but she has a coop.

We'll just go in through the back gate to visit the "girls". Don't worry, they won't peck you. They are sweet girls who love to have visitors.

There is Aretha and Beatrice and I can't remember the name of Aretha's twin. Notice the oars on the other side of the fence. The girls "Dad" Billy is an expert kayaker!

Here is Thelma. You all remember Thelma! She likes to hop the fence and come over to visit Bentley. Unfortunately, Bentley does not welcome her visits!!

Hi girls! Are you coming over to say hi??

Show us around your free range territory ...

You have lots of treats to snack on and you have ....

Your own drinking fountain too!!

These girls are so happy in their backyard!!

Bye girls! Thanks for a lovely visit!! Now the rest of you girls be sure to stop by and visit Barn Chick Karen at Brayton Homestead Interiors. Hopefully Hurricane Earl decides to leave her corner of Massachusetts alone. Please stop by and visit Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday too!

Hi Bentley. I just visited Thelma and I think she would love to visit with you again. Do you think that you could welcome her and not chase her??? Bentley??? He is ignoring me.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo