Yee Haw Crock Pot Brisket Recipe

Put on your cowgirl boots, I'm going to share my Crock Pot Brisket Recipe with you'all. As I have told you, my husband is a native Texan. He loves his Brisket. Of course the way to make a perfect Texas style brisket is to smoke it very slowly for hours. Well up here in Idaho in February I would just as soon cook inside. My solution? Slow cooked brisket in my Crock Pot. It couldn't be easier. Just make sure you get it going early in the morning because 8 - 10 hours is needed. I don't measure, so season to your taste. This brisket will not be as firm as if it were smoked, but it's still yummy and will also make wonderful sammies!

• A good sized brisket, but not too large to fit in the pot
• A rub of Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper and garlic powder
• One half cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
• Put the seasoned brisket in the crock pot and add the barbecue sauce
• One half hour before it's done you can add a splash of liquid smoke.

Demitasse Spoons

My Daddy spent his entire career in international business. Throughout his career he travelled to over 120 countries, some often more than once. Whenever he travelled, he would always remember to bring back something significant from his travels, both for my Mom and for me. For me, it was usually a doll dressed in native costume. For my Mom, it was often a sconce or a piece of artwork. Sometimes it was a demitasse spoon. Mom saved each spoon and displayed them in their home for years. One day she passed them on to me. Now I display a portion of these spoons on a vintage spoon rack in our dining room. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to recall some of the exotic and exciting places where my Daddy conducted business.

I am participating in Cindy's Show and Tell Friday at Cindy's Romantic Home. I hope that you will go to her site and visit all the other show and tell features.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Tea Time Tray for Tablescape Thursday

On a rainy afternoon it is nice to set up a tray with a cup of tea, some tea sandwiches and a good magazine to browse through. I chose Cottage Living, which unfortunately is no longer in print. The salad plate, used as a charger is Mason's of England the "Tamzin" pattern. I bought a complete set while on a trip to London with my Mom and Daddy. The bread and butter plate is Johnson Brothers "Blue Willow". The square tea pot is Royal Crownford "Calico", also from England. I purchased it years ago in a lovely little British shop in Houston. The napkin is vintage. Purchased at a sweet little antique shop here in my neighborhood, Boise's North End Historic District. Cottage Living wrote a very nice article about my neighborhood in one of their issues. I am so happy to participate in Susan's (yes another Susan) Tablescape Thursday. Please stop by and visit all of the other postings on her site Between Naps on the Porch. Isn't that a nice name for a blog? There is nothing better than a nap on the porch!

Got Me Some Red Cowgirl Boots!

I always rode English style, but I married a Texan. Nothing like a pair of red boots to bring out the cowgirl in me! I am joining "Rednesday" over at suelovescherries blog. Come join the fun!

Under The Weather

I woke up this morning with "no voice". I have been trying to avoid catching what everyone else seems to have. I'm trying the tea, vitamin C and Aspirin remedy. It is now 10:30 am, I need to feel better by 1:00 pm. What do you think Bentley, will I make the deadline? Bentley doesn't know.

The Heart of My Cottage

I love to cook. I like to have a stock pot on the stove filled with bits of this and that to create a wonderful aroma floating through the cottage. While I am not much of a recipe follower, I tend to just get creative, I did spend about two years working my way through Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", Volumes 1 & 2. Who knew one could write a blog about it and have it made into a movie staring Meryl Streep? Oh well ... Here is my cottage kitchen. I am participating in showing off my cottage at houseinroses.blogspot.com.

While I am cooking I always have some music on. What I listen to depends on my mood. Sometimes classical, often jazz, or big band. Of course there must be a cozy hutch filled with blue and white dishes and doll house vignettes. There is a bookshelf filled with cookbooks and recipe files both old and new for inspiration. And of course a touch of red. Love red! So there it is, my 97 year old kitchen with some new conveniences.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Longing for Spring

This is the back of my parent's house. When my parents first moved here to Idaho to be close to us, there was no sun room, nor pergola on the back. My father, always the amateur architect, designed the sun room to take advantage of the lovely pond behind the house. My husband built the sun room and later added the pergola. This shot was taken last spring when everything was so fresh and green. We are very proud of this room because it won a first place design award. I will be taking some interior shots and posting them soon.

Daddy now has Alzheimer's and is confined to the house most of the time. This room has been a blessing because he can enjoy the lovely pond while in the comfort of this cheerful room. When the weather warms up, he'll be able to go out and feed the ducks and geese again.

Bentley is Ready for Mardi Gras!

I'm not so sure that he is too crazy about the beads, he keeps tripping over them! Mommy will take them off after we take a picture.

Happy Valentine's Day

We are sending this vintage Valentine to you with love from Susan and Bentley xxoo

A Heart for Jack

Kim over at Daisy Cottage posted a very touching letter from a man who was recently widowed. Jack's wife Tabitha was a faithful follower of Kim's blog. Tabitha passed away after a two year battle with cancer. She was only 42 years old. Throughout her struggle, she read Kim's daily blogs and listened to her music. Jack told Kim that they even copied the music from Kim's blog and played it at the service for his wife.

Kim has asked her followers to make hearts to send to Jack. Here is a photo of the one I am sending. If you would like to make a heart, please email Kim and she will send you her address. She would like to receive the hearts and cards for Jack by March 31st.

Jack continues to read Kim's blog. Please keep him in your hearts and prayers. God Bless Kim for being such a sweet and thoughtful person, and Jack for being such a loving husband.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Currently on My Night Stand

I love to read and generally have about three books going at a time. While I am interested in the topic, I am having a hard time getting through this book. Brooke Astor, the impeccably dressed widow of the late Vincent Astor. Brooke Astor the philanthropist. Brooke Astor, the mother of Tony Marshall, the product of a troubled first marriage. For those of you who did not read the sensational headlines, Brooke's son Tony was sentenced to prison for coercing his mother to change her will while she was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Brooke Astor while being a generous benefactress to many worthwhile institutions and charities, was often remote and standoffish to her only child Tony. She detested his wife Charlene. It is easy to feel sympathy for Tony, yet did that entitle him to take advantage of his mother's mental decline?

As the daughter of a father who has suffered through Alzheimer's for several years, the idea of a child taking advantage of a parent in such a vulnerable state is abhorrent to me. Unfortunately, it happens often in our society. The probate courts of our country have dockets full of similar cases. It is very sad.

Mad for Plaid!

I have always loved plaid. Oh, and I also love oil cloth, especially in red. So cheerful.

Show and Tell Friday

Cindy at My Romantic Home is hosting a Show and Tell Friday. Since I decided to participate (with the nudging by my dear pal Brenda at Cozy Little House), I also had to decide what to show. Those who have been reading my blog for the past couple of weeks, know that I love dogs. I have posted twice about my canine collections. What you should also know about me is that I love horses. I fell in love with horses as a child and started riding lessons. I have always been happiest on the back of a horse either riding the trails or jumping over fences. Therefore, my show and tell item is a portrait of me commissioned by my Mom for my Daddy's birthday. I was 16 years old when I sat for this portrait.

Thankful Thursday

Dear Brenda at Cozy Little House and Rhondi over at Rhondis Rose Colored Glasses are hosting Thankful Thursday. I am thankful for two women who have been especially helpful and encouraging since I started this blog a couple of weeks ago. Rosemary at Content in a Cottage has helped me ever since I mentioned I wanted to jump into Blog Land. Please go visit her blog. Her postings are unique and refreshing every day. She never fails to interest me.

Brenda at the Cozy Little House has sent bloggers my way, and has helped me with so many questions about layout. She has offered constructive advice (which I have really needed) and has held my hand through all of my blogging bloopers. I can't thank her enough!

As a favor to me, please stop by and visit these great gals at their blogs. I will be thankful if you do, and you will enjoy their postings.

Love,

Susan and Bentley

xxoo

Is Anyone Out There?

Hi. What's new?