What to Wear at Round Top

There are three things I consider when putting together my outfit

for my trek up to Round Top.  I want to look cute, keep the sun off

my face and be comfortable.  

While we don't get the cool crisp days of early Fall here in Texas,

it is in fact Fall, and I want to look the part.  Enter a plaid scarf.  This

one is made from a light weight and crinkly fabric that will satisfy my

need for a hint of Autumn.  I bought this scarf years ago and I do

believe that it is my favorite accessory.   I am adding a chunky gold

necklace that will dress up my white cotton polo just a bit without

being over the top.

I am also wearing my Barton Creek bucket hat made with SPF 50 fibers.

I like to keep the sun off my face with a hat despite the layers of sunscreen

I now wear.  Fun shades are important too :-)

I am bringing my big plaid tote along as well.  Like my scarf, it's an oldie

but a goodie.  It's roomy and I can fill it with a water bottle and all other

essentials, and still have room for small packages.

If you have ever been to Round Top, you are very familiar with it's size

and scope.  I never wear cute flats or sandals.  This is a day full of 

walking and walking and walking.  

I think this is my seventh trip to Round Top.  I never tire of visiting.

It's so delightful to be out in the country, driving past pastures filled

with long horns and other cattle breeds.  The crowds don't bother me

because they are filled with principally women on a mission to find

just the perfect something for their own homes or for gifts.  They 

are women just like me who are enthralled by the variety of 

antique treasures.  Women who feel like they are wondering through

the pages of a decorating magazine as they enjoy the beautifully

styled stalls in the tents at Marburger Farm.

I promise to take lots of photos to share with you and hope that

one day you too have the chance to visit this fabulous show.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Little Hutch Dressed for Fall

In my efforts to keep things simple this Fall, I just added a few touches

to the little hutch in my breakfast room.  

The warm colors of Fall add just the right pop to these shelves.

Thanks for stopping by and I wish you all a happy Thursday!

Tablescape Thursday

Home Sweet Home

Feather Your Nest

A quick update on Bentley.  He is adjusting so well to his blindness.

He gets around the inside and outside of the house and is so 

cheerful and playful once again.  Seeing him happy and enjoying

life is the best gift of all.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Pan Seared Pork Tenderloin

Fall is always the time of year when I have a renewed interest in cooking.

The long, hot summer is filled with salad days.  As much as I love them,

by the time September rolls around, I am ready for a change.  

Now that October is just days away, I am ready to make the kitchen the

heart of the home once again.  One of my favorite recipes to welcome the

season is a pan seared pork tenderloin.  It's easy, delicious, full of flavor.

This dish always makes my hubby believe that I am indeed a good cook.

He seems to believe that it takes special skill to create, but in truth is

really simple.  I'll share my secret with you.

Start with a nice pork tenderloin.  There is not much prep work.  Just trim

off any excess fat and or silver skin.  I like to let the meat rest a bit before

cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.  This is when I sprinkle

it generously with garlic powder, and a bit of sea salt and pepper.

Coat the bottom of a skillet with olive oil.  Turn the heat up to medium

high and let the oil get hot.  Add the tenderloin and brown the meat 

on all sides.  You want some color on the pork, without burning or

cooking it through.  The time this takes can vary depending upon your

stovetop, I generously allow about 10 minutes to brown the meat on

all sides.  

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees while prepping and browning the 

meat.   You will be finishing the pork in the oven.  Make sure your

skillet has an oven friendly handle so that you can place the 

browned pork directly in the oven for 15 minutes.

After removing the pork from the oven, place it on a cutting board, 

cover loosely with foil, and allow to sit while making the pan sauce.

When the pork comes out of the oven, you will be left with the 

delicious brown bits at the bottom of the pan.  This is when I pour in

1/2 cup of chicken broth and crank up the heat under the pan.  This 

heat will dislodge those bits.  Keep stirring and scraping the bottom of 

the pan and allow this liquid to reduce by one third.  This is when I add

a bit of Dijon mustard and a pat of butter.  The addition of these two

ingredients will add to the flavor and richness of the sauce.  This is not

a gravy, but a pan sauce, so it will not be thick, but it will be delicious.

Slice the pork and plate it with a bit of the sauce drizzled over the top.

I served this dinner with oven roasted tiny red skin potatoes and 

some green bean casserole.  I will share my green bean casserole with

you in a later post.  It's not the traditional recipe, but I have jazzed it

up a bit.

I hope that you try this pork tenderloin recipe, and if you do, I hope

that you and your family will enjoy it.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Fried Chicken Dinner Date Night

Well, I was going to wear this outfit tonight for Fried Chicken dinner night

at the club, but I was stood up ;-)  Let me explain, David tries to get in a few

 holes of golf after work every Tuesday evening.  He also plays golf on Sunday

afternoons, but he can never play too much golf.  Of course this comes into

conflict with Fried Chicken Dinner night.  Once a month, our club serves

this dinner.  It is met with great anticipation for two reasons.  One, this

is South Texas and we love our fried chicken.  We take this meal very

seriously and don't want to miss it.  Secondly, it is because Sheila makes

the most delicious fried chicken I have ever tasted.  Hands down the

very best, I kid you not!

The days are getting shorter and it won't be long before the Tuesday night rounds of 

golf are over until spring.  I really don't want to deny David the pleasure he gets from

chasing the ball around the course, so we are compromising.  

I will put these clothes, shoes, jewelry, and bag back into the closet to wear

another time.  David will get the dinner all boxed up and bring it home for

us to eat later.  It works for me.  I'll be in my comfy clothes and I won't 

have to cook!

I'll do a big long aerobics session so that I can freely indulge.  Not only is

the fried chicken delicious, but the macaroni and cheese is fabulous, the 

green beans too, and the best biscuits ever.  Mmm, mmm good!  Of

course y'all know that Bentley will have some chicken too :-)

Wow Us Wednesday

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Let the Fall Decor Begin!

Yesterday was a lazy Sunday at home with Bentley while David was

out on the golf course.  Although the weather here in Texas does little to

recognize that Fall has arrived, I am ready for the season to begin.

I started with my breakfast room table and changed out the centerpiece.  

I found this apple cider tin at Hobby Lobby.  I am holding back on lots

of decorations this year because although I love adding the touches, I

really hate putting everything away.  Is this just me, or do you feel that

way too?

When I was in Lake Forest last weekend, I was so impressed with all

the pumpkins and gourds and natural touches of fall.  We don't see 

much of that here, or at least not here in Victoria.  As much as I love

Texas, there are times when I wish I was back home again.  That is 

especially true at this time of the year.  I suppose that I will just have to

start racking up my frequent flier miles so that I can get home more often.

For me, the best way to create a feeling of Fall in my home is to 

start in the kitchen.  A scented Fall candle, this one is cinnamon/apple,

and a cup of Constant Comment tea sets the mood for me.  Oh, and music too.

I have the sound track from the movie Little Women, the version produced

in the 1990's.  Every time I put that CD on to play, I immediately think

of apple picking, and brightly colored leaves, and cozy sweaters.

This is what I have for right now.  I think I will decorate the front

porch and maybe the back porch too.   We'll see how it goes ~ perhaps

I will be able to stick to a more minimalistic approach this year ;-)

Metamorphosis Monday

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley