Plans for the Patio and Veranda

After five and one half years living in South Texas, I have 

finally come to the realization that there are some things I 

just cannot accomplish in the garden.  Once summer comes,

and it comes early here, it never leaves until nearly November.

There are few flowering plants that can withstand the 

relentless heat.  

Last year I purchased a potted Hibiscus that did very well.

It continued to produce lovely and big flowers well into Fall.

I cut it back and am hoping it will return again.  Cala Lily

does well too, but again it needs to stay in a pot.

My goal for the patio and veranda is to keep it easy.

I will be on the hunt for more big pots and may want to

try a small potted lemon tree too.  

The old porch swing that we brought down from Idaho is

really looking shabby now.  I have been on the hunt for another

one, and may want to invest in all weather wicker this time.

Our squirrels pulled the stuffing out of two of my Pottery Barn

pillows, so I need to find replacements for those as well. 

Next month begins the yearly live oak tree leaf shed.  Then

the yard will be covered in tiny oak leaves.  That will keep me

busy for a while too.  I am anxious to see if this year I can have

the patio and veranda of my dreams.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Let's Pretend It's Spring

I know it's only January 21st, and we have many more days of winter

ahead, but I woke up this morning thinking about Spring.  I went inside

my closet and pulled out two dresses both in pinks and greens.  I tried

them on because I wanted to make sure they still fit after the holidays.

I tried to behave myself after all the fancy dinners and travel, and

fortunately my resolve paid off because they still fit.  However, it also

made me long to wear them.  Oh well, back into the closet they went.

Our winter down here so far has been pretty good.  Lot's of gray and

cloudy days, and lots of wind, but no freezes.  That makes me happy

because my ginger plants continue to get taller and fuller.

You might also be thinking ...  wasn't there a time last Fall when she was

longing for sweater weather?  Well, that's true, I was longing for scarves,

and cashmere, and corduroy.   I am still wearing them and enjoying them

especially on damp and chilly days, yet I am also longing for the warm 

sun on my face and seeing the new life in the garden that will one

day return.  What can I say ....  I'm fickle!

My houseplants are getting particularly special care because I am longing

to play in the dirt.  Spring tends to arrive early here in South Texas, but

it also is fleeting.  We mostly have two seasons, winter and summer, and

Spring is a true gift that we all savor.

In the meantime, I will amuse myself with gardening catalogs and

photos of patios and verandas on Pinterest.  It never hurts to be prepared!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Moving Things Around A Bit

Well, it's hard to get a good photo in this room.  It tends to be dark 

anyway, but the dark gray and rainy weather doesn't help one bit!

Right along with the rest of you, I have been moving things around a

bit now that the Christmas decorations are down and mostly, and I do

mean mostly, packed up and put away.  I paired down a bit for 

Christmas 2018, but I don't think I paired down quite enough.  As

a consequence, I have now created a donate pile that is growing

each day.  I had a very firm talk with myself and I have been told

by me, that I am NOT to walk into Hobby Lobby when they start

putting out their Christmas decor next Fall.  I wonder if it is possible

to alert the store and have them turn on an alarm when I walk in???

So here you have the farmhouse table in my breakfast room.  I will

never sell or give this away because I love it dearly and have owned it

since before I married David.  I have one problem with it though, I 

always feel a bit challenged to create a centerpiece for it.  Apparently

I did not inherit my Mama's exceptional ability to create them.  I 

seem especially challenged when the table is rectangular like this one.

So I went with the less is more approach and just put some green

apples in a vintage wood bowl.  I toyed with the idea of adding some

additional fruit, but I held back.  I don't know how long this arrangement

will have a home on this table, but it does for now.  

That's all for today folks.  I think I will have a hot dog.  I have not had

one for years and recently a childhood friend of mine started talking 

about Chicago dogs, and it got me started.  I don't eat mine the Chicago

way with the peppers and onions.  I like mine with yellow mustard and

pickle relish.  I also like the NYC style with sauerkraut.   I was careful

to buy the kind without nitrates.  I am careful that way.  So I must

close and get that dog because I am so hungry for one!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

A Trip to San Antonio and a New Lamp

David, Bentley and I took a trip to San Antonio over the weekend.  A 

friend of David's was in town from Dallas and invited us to dinner.

He made reservations at a restaurant in downtown San Antonio called

Bohanan's.  If you are in San Antonio and want a special dinner, this

is the place to go.  They serve Allen Brothers steaks from Chicago.  My

Aunt Susan used to send them to us.  I think she was always concerned 

that I might forget about my hometown.  We had a wonderful visit and

a memorable dinner too.

Our friend flew back to Dallas the next day, and we stayed on at

our favorite hotel, Omni La Mansion del Rio.  It is such a lovely

historic hotel and Bentley is always welcome there.  Our room had

a balcony over looking the river and even though it was chilly

outside, we took advantage of sitting out there, reading the paper,

and watching all the visitors and tour boats go by.  On Saturday night,

David was sitting out on the balcony smoking a cigar and having a

cocktail, while I finished dressing for dinner.  All of the tour boats

that sail by always mention La Mansion because of it's historic value,

and also because it was once the school for St Mary's Church next door.

However, this time the tour guide pointed up at David sitting on the

balcony and said,  "There he is ... Mr Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous."

Of course, David wasn't the least bit embarrassed, in fact he loved the

comment and waved to the folks on the boat.  He loves being the center

of attention ;-)

We were able to return the iPad to Apple.  Then we bought a storage

unit so I can download everything from my Mac and let a Mac expert

take a look at it and see what's going on.  That will be happening this

week, so I will be working off my old lap top.  As a consequence, posts

may be a bit sporadic.

Now about the lamp pictured above.  I have a friend here who is the wife

of one of my husband's dearest childhood friends.  She is a Facebook

friend of mine, and was looking at the picture I posted of our fireplace

mantel at Christmas.  She thought about a lamp she had up in her attic

that she was no longer using, and thought I might like to have it.  She sent

me a photo and then the lamp.  She was right, it matches my style and I

love it!

The plumber will be here again this week to fix a slow drain in the

master bath shower.   It's always something isn't it?  Our plumber knows

this house inside and out.  Good thing too because we always seem to

have some little glitch.

Wishing y'all a happy week, and we will chat again soon!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

In Computer World Hell

I can't seem to fix the problem I am now having with blogger.  I can no

longer post on my miniatures site, at least not from my Mac.  I now have

to work between my Mac and my laptop.  I am having problems uploading

photos too now.  I feel like I am in computer world hell.  

I could end up being stuck with a faulty iPad because I learned that it

must be returned in 14 days.  Well, the 14 days are over because it was

a Christmas gift and was ordered prior to Christmas.  Yikes.  I just want 

to cry!  Sorry for the emotional break down.

Susan and Bentley