Road Trip to Brenham, Texas

This past Saturday, David and I were getting tired of sitting around

the house.  We had a serious case of cabin fever.  Our little town has been

stuck in one weather mode ~ cold, windy and rainy.  Too miserable to

do anything outside.  

We decided to take a little one day vacation and head north up the 

road to Round Top and then on to Brenham.  It really didn't seem like

a very good day for a road trip to Brenham because the weather was the

same as here, but sometimes just a change of scenery is uplifting.  So,

David, Bentley and I climbed into the SUV and headed up north.

Once you get to the outskirts of Victoria, you are in the country all

the way up route 77 to Round Top.  No bluebonnets yet, too cold,

but still the rolling ranch land I so enjoy seeing.  It was fairly foggy, but

that seemed to make the landscape all the prettier.

In a few weeks the towns of Warrenton and Round Top will be 

filled with tents and shoppers.  We decided it would be a good time

to take advantage of the lull, and stop at Royer's for some pie!

After collecting our pie for later in the evening, we headed on to 

Brenham.  I will warn you, this next portion of the blog post is photo

heavy, so I will stop chatting so much, and just let you enjoy.

We stopped at Hermann Furniture.  This is a wonderful store that has

been in business since 1876, and continuously run by the same family!

This store sells furniture, and fabulous accessories.  I just wanted everything!

Beautiful tablescapes.

Special bunnies for Easter.

Darling artwork.

Just look at this adorable watering can painting.

Lots of items in the blue willow motif.  Y'all know I love that!

Wonderful trays and accessories for entertaining.

A great selection of Caspari paper plates and napkins.

Cute tray.  I was tempted, but I am loaded with trays right now.

Check out this darling wrought iron cart.  Perfect for serving 

cocktails and wine on the veranda.

Adorable lamps, and well priced too.

Bed and table linens.

Love this wreath!

Look at these cute carrots!

Easter table accents and place cards.

What a fun store!  It was my first visit, but sure will not be my last.

If you want to learn more about this historic treasure, here is

the LINK.

Thanks for stopping by.  I will be back tomorrow to share a

Mardi Gras recipe with you.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Happy First Day of March!

It's been very cool and very wet.  The kind of weather that drives us all

inside into our cozy homes.  Yet, Spring is on the way and is starting to

give us little glimpses of it's glory.  My azalea bushes around the patio

are beginning to slowly open their blossoms.

What a glorious sight!

Happy March 1st everyone!  Let spring be renewing and hopeful for

each of us.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

And The Project For Today Is ....

In my living room, over the sofa, are a pair of sconces that my Daddy

purchased at an estate sale in Rome back in the 1960's.  They are an

antiqued brass, and yes, they do need to be polished.  Daddy traveled 

internationally extensively for his job, and whenever he did, he always

looked for something special to bring home for Mama and for me.

These sconces really are lovely and I have wanted to find candles for

them for some time.  Mama did have candles for them once, but they

are long gone.  Tapered candles are not as popular as they once were,

and the options for sizes are more limited.  I found six candles that I think

will work, but the diameter of their bases is too wide.

By the way, the wall is really a pale yellow, but is not showing up

that way in the photo.  It looks more beige than cheery.

So the project for today is to whittle down the bases of these candles to

fit the sconces.  I also have some sticky wax to help secure them in 

place.  It's another gray and rainy day here, so this is a good time to get

this done.  Once the weather clears up, it's on to outdoor projects and

especially work on the She Shed.

Thank you for all your kind words about my illness.  I have really

started to feel better and I am truly relieved.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Me? Asthma?

I shared with my Facebook friends how I have been struggling

physically for the last several months.  My allergies have become

much worse.  The sneezing has increased dramatically.  The stuffy

head has been with me all of the time.  I don't sleep well at night.

Then my bronchial tubes started to tighten, especially in the evening

after 5 PM.  It was hard for me to utter more than a few words out loud

before the coughing would begin.  

I've never run a fever, just overwhelming allergy symptoms.

I really felt like I was at the end of my rope and about to give in and

head for the doctor when I began to turn a corner this weekend.  For

two straight nights I have been able to breathe easily and to carry on a

conversation without coughing.  Today I have more energy than I have

had for weeks.  I feel so relieved.  I am getting my old life back.  

The old adage is true ~ if you don't have your health, you don't have

anything!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Family Feuds

I suppose it has happened in every family.  I know that I have experienced

it too.  Family grudges carried on for years.  It's such a waste of precious

moments.  Hurtful words that can never be taken back.  The older we

become, the fewer opportunities we have to mend fences.

I am always saddened to hear of someone's family blow up.  I think to

myself, was this really necessary?  Why turn what is to supposed to

be a joyous occasion into one where family members are brought to

tears?

None of us want to regret the things we say.  

Just a thought for today.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley