How Would You Tweak This???

The covered patio in the back of our new house in Texas

has this nice outdoor sink, counter and cabinet.  When I 

first saw this I thought to myself ~ this would make a 

cute potting bench.  That was before I saw the potting shed

tucked away in another portion of the backyard.  So now I

am torn.  Potting bench or part of an outdoor serving area?

Source: countryliving.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Remember this fabulous potting bench from Country Living Magazine?

Love the shelves with the vintage brackets.  Now it just so happens that

I have two pairs of vintage wrought iron brackets very much like 

these and whatever I do, be it potting bench or serving area, I will

use these brackets to put two shelves over the sink.

Source: google.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Of course David wants an outdoor kitchen.  However, a potential
outdoor kitchen will have to move farther out on the patio because
beautiful long windows currently flank this sink area and I do
not want to cover them up.  I am thinking that I could put a small
refrigerator in the cabinet which would be easy to do because the
power is already there.  That would make a nice beverage serving
station.   I'm thinking this through and welcome your ideas.

Need to run, I am showing my Mom's house to another
prospective buyer this afternoon.  Wish me luck!

Happily Joining ~

Tweak It Tuesday
Inspire Me Tuesday

Bentley ~  I am getting so excited about our move to
Texas.  Are you?

Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

The Obit of Thelma the Chicken

It is with great sadness that I must inform you of Thelma's passing.

As some of you may recall, Thelma lived next door with her three sister

hens.  But Thelma decided to hop the fence one day and make her self

at home in the our garden, much to Bentley's ire.

Despite the fact that Bentley chased her, pulled out her tail feathers

and tried to kill her on several occasions, Thelma still preferred to

fly the coop for the greener garden of Ash Tree Cottage.  Here 

she is enjoying her favorite spot on our front porch.  Day after day

she would rock away in my Grandma's old rocking chair.

This free ranging chicken had the heart and soul of a free Spirit.

She was always trying to broaden her horizon and cultivated

a palate for the different herbs and flowers of our garden. 

Some days she would visit several times and she did it so 

quietly that I would not know she was back, but Bentley

always found her.  She came so close to her demise so many

times in our yard and I was always running to her rescue.

As a consequence, Thelma and I bonded.  I grew to love her

and I think she liked me too because she would always 

snuggle close when I had to pick her up.

Her other sisters were quite content in the safety and comfort of their own 

yard and coop.  They were three home bodies, but not Thelma.  She was

the adventurous kind.

These girls had quite the spread of their own.  My neighbor owns two houses

and the chickens have the run of the garden of the house that they use to house 

visiting professors to Boise State University.  They get to visit with and be fed by

some of the great minds of the academic world lol.

  Just look at these pretty girls!

Thelma is gone now.  Sadly she became dinner for a wandering raccoon.

But her spirit lives on in my heart.

And two of the other girls are gone now too due to the same tragic end.

Now Beatrice is all alone.  She is an old hen now and does not 

get out and about as much as she used to.  

I am chicken sitting for Beatrice for the next several days.

 I enticed her out of her coop for a few hours this afternoon and

 she had some exercise walking around and clucking in the garden.

 Then she went back to the safety and comfort of her coop.

  I wonder if she misses Thelma and her other sisters?

 I sure do!

Rest in peace dear Thelma.  You made a big impression

on me and my readers too.

Bentley ~ do you remember when Thelma laid an egg in our

backyard for you?  She did it more than once.  I think she

really liked you.

Big Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

3:00 am ~ Can't Sleep, Looking at Decorating Pics

Source: sugarandspicefurnishings.co.uk via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

I know that I posted earlier that I was taking some time off to relax after a
stressful day yesterday, however it's 3:00 am and I can't sleep so have
been looking at decorating pics.  I just came up with the idea that if I
look at pics of cozy bedrooms that maybe it will be an insomnia cure.

This bedroom is so charming and looks so cozy to me.  It reminds me of
a bedroom that I was lucky enough to stay in when I used to visit my
friend in London.  My friend lived in a three story townhouse and there
was a tiny little guest room on the third floor that was tucked under the
eaves much like this one.  It was heaven to be a guest in that room!

Source: marligrace.blogspot.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Now isn't this cozy?  I am imagining that I am going to climb into that
upper bunk and snuggle in for the night.  While I was in college my
roommate and I had the cutest room with bunk beds.  Mine was the top
bunk.  Oh how I remember late nights trying to keep my eyes open while
reading for a class while lounging on that top bunk.

Source: flickr.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

This bedroom in Tina's Cherry Hill Cottage is so cute.  I don't know about you,
but I always think that a twin bed looks more cozy and comfy than a larger
one.  Vintage chenille brings a sweet dreams touch to a bed too.
I could start talking about that darling plate collage on the wall, but
I am trying to keep on my insomnia cure mission.

Source: flickr.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

My grandmother had the sweetest wallpaper in her bedroom.  I loved it.
I don't think my grandma ever had insomnia.  Oh how I miss her!  She
was totally adorable and had the best sense of humor.  Maybe I should
try to find a wallpaper that reminds me of the one in grandma's bedroom.

Source: flickr.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Speaking of grandmas  ~ look at this sweet granny square afghan.
Perfection!  Paired with a stack of charming pillows and the room softly
lit by an adorable lamp with it's fabric shade on a cute little night stand.
I am starting to yawn and that's a good thing.

Source: julesfalkhunter.tumblr.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Dim lights and a teddy bear ....
I am starting to nod off.

Sweet Dreams Everyone!

Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Lesson Learned

Source: lowdensitylifestyle.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

I had a very stressed filled day today and I learned an important lesson.

I will be taking a few days off from blogging while I learn to 

put my priorities in perspective and to not allow others to waste

my time unnecessarily.

Bentley and I will return when we recover.

Big Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Pretty Little Things

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Source: ana-rosa.tumblr.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: rainbowwildfox.tumblr.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: hearthandmade.co.uk via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: ladylimoges.tumblr.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

Source: pinkcobweb.tumblr.com via Susan Freeman on Pinterest

It's no secret how much I love pretty little things.
Have a joy filled Friday everyone!


Happily Joining ~

Pink Saturday
A Favorite Thing

Let's get ready to have a fun weekend Bentley.

Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley