Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Dearest Edith of Downton Abbey


Edith played her hand incorrectly, yet how could we have expected more
from her?  In matters of the heart, Edith has never come close to winning.
She has been the overlooked sister.  Mary, the eldest and prettiest and
most self assured, trampled over Edith at every opportunity.  Sybil, who
died far too soon, was the rebel, the standout, the girl who followed
her own drummer.  Edith was hard pressed to compete with her two
strong willed sisters and chose to silently slip into her family role
as the overlooked one.


When Edith met Bertie, she came face to face with the one person who
did not compare her to either Mary or Sybil.  He saw something in Edith
that no one else took the time to see.  Bertie the compassionate man.  He was
looking for a complement to his character and a partner in life.  There
was no talk of position or money or stature, just happiness, family,
a content country life.

Bertie was searching and he found his treasure in Edith.  He would
happily work side by side with her.  There were no games, no
pretenses, just a growing fondness that would evolve into love.
The kind of love that would last a lifetime through the trials and
joys that time brings.   All the potential for a perfect union.


Yes, there was Edith's secret.  Her Marigold, her beloved child.  We all
kept shouting ~ Tell Bertie, tell him now.  He will understand!

But poor, dear Edith expected the worst because that was what she
was accustomed to receiving.  She is like the girl who won't take the
last piece of pie because she is sure that someone deserves it more
than she does.  My heart just breaks for her.   She is not aware of
how truly special she is and allows happiness to slip away because
that has become her position in life.



Yet despite her heartache, she is capable of forgiveness and loving and
compassion.  She returns to Downton and attends the wedding of her
self-centered and compassionless sister Mary.  She extends a hand in
friendship and sisterhood that few would duplicate after being stabbed in
the back by her own sister.



Her sister Mary, looking quite amazed and speechless at Edith's
open hearted terms of endearment.

Beauty fades.  Nasty and heartless comments forever bruise
tender hearts.  It is goodness and compassion that live on through
the years and are most often remembered and cherished.

I am hoping that Edith will triumph.  Not a triumph over Mary,
because in my mind she already has.  Rather, I hope that it is
Edith who blazes a fresh trail in this new evolving world she
is stepping into.  Mary is the old guard, but Edith is the future.
I hope that she takes the publishing world by storm and
experiences true success for the first time in her life.
Edith and her Marigold traveling together through the gates
of Downton Abbey into a new world of their making.  It
would be romantic if Bertie were to join them, yet even
if he does not, they are going to be okay.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley




Monday, February 22, 2016

Vintage Goodies for the Potting Shed


I have been gathering up decorative and fun items for my potting shed.
I found a reprint of a vintage Burpee's poster on eBay.  On Saturday I
was in Hobby Lobby to pick up "just" glass beads for a vase when I 
stumbled upon two cute wooden signs.  There is one for Thyme and
another for Rosemary.  

I have to limit my visits to Hobby Lobby because they can so 
easily reel me in and I usually end of buying more than I planned ;-)




Some vintage gardening books will live on one of the shelves of
the armoire I am refinishing.  I have to repaint it and then beat it up
with some chains to distress it quite a bit.  It's going to be a wonderful
way to let out my anger about whatever is bugging me at the time.




I love this zinc mounting board with the distressed black frame.  I 
purchased this at that cute little shop called Smitten up in Fredericksburg
a couple of years ago.  I wasn't sure how I was going to use it when
I first bought it, so that is why I have not shown it to you until now.
Now I know it will be a fun way to post gardening articles and pictures.
I wish the shop had a website … no, come to think of it, it's probably
better for me if they don't.  I am totally smitten with Smitten and I
will spend less if I have to drive three hours to get there.  Do you
see how I am saving us all money all of the time???




I bought these cute little floral magnets there too.  

That's it for today.  I am preparing for a big post about last night's 
Downton Abbey.  So much to say about the sparing sisters on that
episode!  


I loved the scene from last night's episode where the new puppy 
was in his wicker dog bed chewing on the sides.  Bentley had
a wicker dog bed when he was a pup and he did the same thing!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley





Sunday, February 21, 2016

Two Years Ago Today My Mama Died


Two years ago today, I thought I would never breathe again.




I could not understand how my heart kept beating.




The pain was so intense and the loss so great.





I did survive.   It's been a tough journey, but I have made it along
the path without stumbling too many times.  I miss you Mama every day
as I miss Daddy too.  I have come to accept your losses and  I live on 
because your hearts live forever in my memory.  I'll do the best I
can to make you proud.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley


Friday, February 19, 2016

Paperwhites and Remembering Harper Lee


This post was meant to be a cheerful happy Friday good wishes
type of post.  I am however, saddened by the passing of 
Harper Lee.  She gave us the forever memorable and
timeless story To Kill a Mockingbird.

Harper was once quoted as saying ...

All I want to be is the Jane Austen of South Alabama.

She certainly accomplished her goal and left us with
a beautiful and classic tale that will live in the hearts
of all of us and also for generations to come.

Rest in peace dear Harper.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Decorative Touches in the Guest Room


There are some built in bookshelves in the guest room and I 
have started to decorate them.  I finished two of the shelves and
I have two more to go.  I shopped the house to find touches that
would compliment the decor of the room.   It took me a while,
but I am satisfied with what's going on right now.  I am 
thinking of lining the backs of the shelves with a soft turquoise
and white ticking.  I already have the fabric so that's a savings.



This room is a bit of a decorating departure from the other rooms
of the house which have more of a British country house look.
This room is the French room.  



I am having so much fun fixing up this guest room and the
guest bath too.  Once I finish the rooms, I am working on the
guest closet too, making it full of wood and satin hangers
and all the essentials to pamper any guests we have.  Maybe
I will wallpaper the inside of the closet.  Anyone want to 
help me?  I could probably use a bit of help with that ;-)


Bentley and I watched part two of the Westminster 
Dog Show last night.  Bentley is not convinced that
it would be fun to have a canine brother or sister ;-)

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

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