More Ginger Blooming in the Garden

Not all the ginger plants in my gardens bloom at the same time.  The ones

in the front yard and those by the potting shed bloom first, and this section

in the backyard always blooms last.  It this the most dramatic of the 

beds of ginger because they are not only very tall, but there are masses 

of them.    Here is the bistro set peeking out.  As you can see, the last of

the live oaks have just finished shedding their leaves.  Thankfully I

have Carlos to help me stay on top of this because it's a big job.

It really looks like a tropical jungle back here.   Lizards galore.

Frogs too.  Thankfully no snakes.

See that wire cable in the tree?  We have many of those to 

control the long, long limbs of the live oaks.

Thanks for stopping by.  Time to head back inside out of the 

heat and humidity.  Come on Bentley, lets cool off in the A/C.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Vintage Comfort Foods

I've been going through vintage cookbooks and recipe files looking for

old well loved recipes.   Some recipes are great as they are, and others

can use a bit of tweaking.

It's also fun to see what was popular years ago.  Gladys Taber 

instructed a generation with her cookbooks and magazine articles.  I 

can understand why some thought she was a model for Barbara Stanwyk's

character in the movie Christmas in Connecticut.  Gladys had a way

of bringing the joys of country living into everyone's home.

It will be fun trying some of these old recipes.  Just found a recipe card for

Welsh Rarebit or Rabbit ~ what is the correct name???  However it is

called, melted cheese over toast is always a winner for me.  After I 

finish going through some of these recipes, I will share them with you too.

Have a happy Wednesday y'all!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley 

Recipe For Happiness

Designing a dollhouse miniature cottage kitchen makes me happy!

I'm gathering things together to show you next week on my 

other blog Ash Tree Cottage Dollhouse Minis.  I am so 

excited about this new project and can hardly wait to show

it off.

Tablescape Thursday

Thoughts of Home

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Home Sweet Home

I have been doing some serious nesting lately.  I've just been letting my

whole house wrap it's walls around me and basking in it's ability to

make me feel safe, secure and cozy.

I love to travel, but when I am at home, I am a serious nester.

I can shut out the whole outside world and listen to the music I love,

 read favorite books and watch old movies.  

I've been going through old recipes.  Bringing back the joy of cooking and

adding some variety to the menu.  Yesterday afternoon I thought about

picking up a rotisserie chicken for dinner, but vetoed that idea because

I am getting sick of it.  Time to get creative in the kitchen again.

When Bentley is not napping, he is my official taste tester.  He is napping

right now as I am typing this.  Monday is always a big nap day for him

after all the excitement of the weekend.  He is so cute.  I just want to kiss

and hug and talk to him all day ~ and I do!

The weather was beautiful last week and now it is gray, super humid and

bugs everywhere.  See those light areas on the ginger?  Those are all

blossoms.  I will get out there and take some closeups tomorrow.  It's

just amazing how many there are!

I have to call the mosquito squad again.  We have lots of mosquitos and

millions of little no-serums and we get eaten alive the minute we step 

outside.  If you keep moving it's not so bad, but if you stand in one spot

for a minute or two you are left with a mass of welts.  I have to spray OFF

all over myself just to water the plants on the porch and terrace.  

We did find a mosquito catcher in the Frontgate catalog, so that will be

ordered.  I read good reviews about it, so I'll give it a try.  Anything to

be able to enjoy the terrace once in a while.  

It's a wonderful spot to be when the mosquitos are gone.

Well, that's all for today.  I have a long to~do list and I better get busy

if I want to get everything done before it's time to start dinner.  

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

I Love a Cozy Kitchen

source

Sometimes when I am watching a design show on television, or I open up a
magazine and see and ad for a very modern kitchen, I will think to myself ~ that's
attractive, sleek and modern, but just not me.  I love a kitchen that is clean of course,
but I also love aged and worn and well loved elements.  Copper and aged brick
and warm wood tones can do a lot to warm up today's modern stainless appliances.

source

I love a kitchen that doesn't look staged, but rather proudly displays its
sense of purpose and it's heart of the home sensibility.

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Love that copper!

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Of course, this Paris kitchen was staged by the set designers of the movie
Julie and Julia, but one gets the sense that something yummy and wonderful
is going to come from this space.  It's layered and cozy while being serious
at the same time.  I can just imagine the wonderful aromas, and perhaps
some lovely French tunes in the background and a glass of wine.

Oh well, just dreaming a bit and just wanted to share the thought
with you.  Have a great start to the weekend.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley