There Was Something About the Light ...

I was heading down the hallway to my studio this evening and I 

could see the last of the evening sun rays coming through the

French doors into the guest room.  It was a soft and dreamy kind

of light and I  just knew I wanted to capture it.

And I also knew that I wanted to share that special moment with you.

I have a new post up on my miniatures blog today.  If you are

interested, you can connect with it here.  Have a wonderful

evening and Bentley and I wish you sweet and happy dreams.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Housecleaning My Mind

I have been feeling so much happier lately and I am going to share with

you what I have done.  

I have been housecleaning my mind.  I am mentally sweeping away

all the negative self talk.

I am refusing to allow previous hurts to continue to take root.

I am pulling those nasty weeds out!

I am planting good thoughts in my mind in place of the weeds

that lived there before.  

If I have a problem that's too big for me to handle myself,

I just hand it over to God.  

I am keeping my mind filled with creative thoughts and ways

to improve my life and the lives of my loved ones.

I am forgetting about myself and focusing on other things.  

In the past I have spent too much time analyzing a situation and

playing it over and over in my mind.  Letting go of what is not 

useful is so freeing!

In the words of Henry Miller ....

Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature,

music ~ the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich

treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people.

Forget yourself.

Make today a good one!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Revisiting the Beach Cottage Idea

Tomorrow we are going to look at a little cottage just down the lane
from Aransas Bay.  No, not this one.  This is a cottage we rented for a
weekend last year.  It's a different little cottage that needs a lot of
work.  I have not been inside yet, and have only seen a few photos,
but my head is full of ideas.

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I want something small and sweet.  A little cottage full of bright and
happy colors filled with thrift store finds that are painted and given a
new life.

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The kind of place where one leaves the briefcase back at home.
Where flip flops are required.  No make-up, just sunscreen.
Naps in the hammock are mandatory.

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A place where memories are made.

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Of course, knowing me, you will know that I will just have to
include some vintage elements.

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And fun elements too.

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We will see what happens tomorrow.  If it is meant to be, it
will happen smoothly.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

The Night I Died and Went to Heaven

First of all, before we go any further, I did not really die

and consequently did not actually go to heaven.  The other

night I had a very vivid dream of dying and going to heaven

and the experience was very life changing.

I pray at night before I go to sleep.  Since my battle with

depression recently, I have been asking for guidance in all

that I do and in response to other's actions.  I ask for God's help

and lean on Him for support.  I ask Jesus to walk with me and 

to hold my hand and He strengthens me.  My life has improved

since then.  There are still bumps on the road, but I don't feel

overwhelmed when I confront them.  I just relax and let God

clear the path for me.

Two nights ago, I had a very vivid dream.  I was working

on a project with an unknown person.  I did not see this 

person's face or hear the voice, yet I communicated with

this man.  We were working on some type of community

service project and were very engrossed with our tasks when

suddenly we were both pulled out the room and pushed

towards a stairway.  

I could feel my body being pushed toward the stairway

by some invisible force and suddenly we were both in a

different place.  The best way to describe this place is that

it appeared to be very etherial, as though we were no longer

on an earthly realm.  Then a very bright light enveloped us.

Although it was the brightest light I had ever seen, I could

keep my eyes open and look into it without squinting or 

turning away.  Then I heard a loud bang and I asked my

co-worker what had just happened and he said ...

We both just died.

Of course, I did not want to believe I had just died.  I 

did not feel as though I had been through any physical 

trauma, and felt just as human as before.  Then I heard a

voice that said

You are in Heaven now.

When I looked around, this place where I found myself,

this Heaven, looked much like Earth.  And I asked 

What happens now?  What must I be doing?

And the answer was ....

You continue on as you were, but here there are no hardships, no pain

and no evil.  You live in peace with others.  You continue to serve.

I awoke very abruptly from this dream feeling renewed and aware that

this life we live is not forever.  We need to continue to work and to serve,

but not be concerned about the hurt that others may try to inflict.  We

just stay on the path and let our hearts be filled with hope and joy,

for that is what the future holds for those of us who believe.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Celebrating Our 27th Anniversary

The most beautiful flowers just arrived from my sweet and loving

husband of 27 years.  I love him even more than the day we were married.

I feel so blessed to be his wife.  He has applauded every success, dried

every tear, stood by me through the tough times and celebrated the good

ones.  He's my world ~ oh and Bentley loves him too!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley