Vintage Salad Days

We are eating lots of salads these days.  While I did not plant a veggie garden

this year, many of our friends did and they have been kind enough to

share some of their tasty harvest with us.

I'm pulling out a vintage salad cookbook, a vintage salad bowl and a 

sweet vintage salad dressing carafe for some retro tossing.

I love the radishes on this bowl and the rippled glass on the carafe.

Just add some vintage salad forks and we are ready to dive into a

big healthy salad ~ yum!

I am joining ~

Rednesday

Tablescape Thursday

and

Vintage Thingie Thursday

Bentley had lot's of fun visiting with the refrigerator delivery men yesterday.

But I don't think he understood why they could not stay and play with

him all day.

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

I Heart Vintage Linens

I love them all ~ 

Tablecloths, Bridge Sets, Napkins, Tea Towels.

Any time I find vintage linens I just swoon.

Here are a few on that old tea cart I painted recently.

(I love the tea cart too)

I think of the love that went into each cross stitch and each bit of embroidery.

Such treasures!

I feel like wearing a pretty dress, some pearls and an apron and

inviting you all over for tea!

I am headed to Marty's for

Table Top Tuesday

Come join me.

Bentley ~ Daddy and I bought a new home freezer for out in the 

garage.  Let's go fill it up with the frozen food in our old

refrigerator before the new one is delivered tomorrow.  After

that we can watch I Love Lucy and the Home Freezer episode!

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Feeling Blue

Do you ever have one of those days when you are just feeling blue?

I am feeling that way today.

My refrigerator died on Saturday.

I'll miss it.  My beautiful stainless refrigerator with it's clean lines 

and bottom freezer.  It was an anniversary gift from my parents.

The compressor died and so did the fan and the ice maker.

C'est dommage!

After work on Saturday I went to pick out a new one.

This time it will be a side by side with a water and ice dispenser in the door.
She's a beauty in stainless too.  She's all lit up inside with LED lights.
David is very excited about the water and ice dispenser in the door.

One would think I would be happy, but I'm really sad.

I know ~ it's silly of me, but I just can't help it.

Daddy bought me that fridge and he's gone now.  I hate to think of our anniversary
gift going to the dump.  Oh well, things change and I'll just have to accept it.

I still can't help feeling a little bit blue though.

I'm going to stop by and visit Sally.  She's out of the hospital, back home,
doing her physical therapy and getting better day by day.
Now that's something to feel happy about!

Please visit Sally

Bentley ~ your Mom is a sentimental fool sometimes.

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Make Mine Pink

I don't know if Beverly will post a Pink Saturday or not given the threat of

Hurricane Irene ... but here are a few pink pics to cheer everyone up

while we say Goodnight to Irene and send her off to sea away

from the coast.

I remember riding out Hurricane Alicia in Houston and it was not any

fun at all.

So let's say our prayers and send Irene away to keep all of our

friends on the east coast safe.

I do believe in prayer!

Pink Saturday

Bentley and I wish everyone a happy and SAFE weekend!

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

My Own Little World

Sometimes when the news of the day gets just too depressing ~

I like to escape to a little world of my own making.  I just finished

working on this miniature wing chair for my dollhouse.

It's a mock up ~ I will be making another and correcting the 

mistakes I made on this one.

A wonderful feeling is when you find yourself in that creative zone

where time seems suspended and you are lost in the moment.

I don't believe a pharmaceutical company has ever created a pill 

that mimics that wonderful feeling when you are creating something just

for the pleasure of it.  For me it is shear bliss!

What should we make next Bentley?

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

A Brutal Murder ~ A Tragic Loss

This morning we received some heart wrenching news.  A longtime client and dear friend

of my husband lost his only daughter.  She was murdered last night in her home.

Katy was a young woman full of promise.  A very talented musician, a loving daughter,

granddaughter and sister.  She was about to begin her graduate school studies in

psychology.  Her life was cut short last night by gunshot.  Apparently it was by

a man she knew.

This happened in the small idyllic college of town of Moscow, Idaho.  Home of 

the University of Idaho. 

There are no words to express the heartache I feel for the loss of this dear

young woman.  She was exemplary in so many ways.  It is a great loss for her family,

her friends and her community.  Her future was cut short.  The prime suspect

 took his own life following the murder.  He too was a talented young
man whose life was filled with promise.

So much unnecessary loss.

Rest in peace dear Katy.  We will remember and treasure your brief time with us.

To all women, both young and old ~ 

Should you feel threatened by anyone, please do not hesitate to

contact the police and ask for help.  You don't have to live in a big city to 

experience this type of violence.  

Susan and Bentley

Tea Cups and Violets

Tea cups, demitasse, cups and saucers in all sizes are treasures I love
to hunt for and to collect.

I found this darling cup and saucer at one of my favorite antique shops

the other day and since it was very inexpensive and I loved it ~

I could not pass it up.

Then I found this adorable miniature African Violet at my local

co-op and I thought ~ hmm, maybe it will fit inside the little cup and

saucer I just bought.  Well it does and I love the two together!

Joining ~

Marty
Linda
Terri
 Martha
and
Kathy

Bentley ~ this is the first week of school.  You will be very busy
greeting all the kids as they walk by our cottage on their way
to school!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Tea Cart Transformation

I found a tea cart that looked a bit sad ~ so I 

pulled out a can of heirloom white and transformed it to a 

newer brighter trolley.

At the moment I am using it for an summer evening cocktail party 

on the deck.

But ...

I can also imagine using it for tea parties and even for

a rolling potting cart in the garden.

Maybe even a sewing cart.  Lots of life left in this old thrift shop find!

I am joining ~

Masterpiece Monday
and
Metamorphosis Monday


Bentley ~ let's get you brushed and looking cute for the parties!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Good Morning Sleepyhead!

Good Morning Sunshine!

Are you ready for some breakfast out on the deck?

It's not too hot yet, just perfect for sleepyheads.

Would you like some steel cut oatmeal?

I love the flavor and texture of this long cooking oatmeal ~

yum!

How about a cup of coffee from this cute little vintage perculator?

How do you like your coffee ~ black, cream, cream and sugar?

I remember when I lived in NYC ~ a "regular coffee" was coffee

with cream, but I personally take mine black.

I love these blue transferware dishes.  It's Avondale by Royal

Staffordshire.  The pattern just makes me smile!

Enjoy your coffee while I get your oatmeal.  Bentley will entertain

you with some of his toy flinging tricks.

Joining ~

Seasonal Sundays

Stop back later this evening.  We will be serving summer 

cocktails.

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Hearts and Flowers

A heart and some flowers just for you!

Bentley and I just want you to know that we appreciate

your friendship soooo much!

We hope you all have a happy and rosy weekend!!!

Joining ~

Feathered Nest Friday

Home Sweet Home

Show and Tell Friday

and

Pink Saturday

Bentley ~ you are my heart!

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Teacher's Pet

School is starting next Monday in our area.

Wow ~ hard to believe isn't it?  So here is a little tablescape

to get everyone in the school days mood.

I am fondly remembering back to those happy school days

when I wanted to be teacher's pet.

Joining ~

Rednesday

Tablescape Thursday

and

Vintage Thingie Thursday

Bentley loves the kids in our neighborhood and will be out

at the front gate saying hi to them as they walk past our cottage

on their way to Longfellow Elementary.

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

It's the Little Things

Often it's the little things in life that bring us joy.

An email from an old friend.

Finding a perfect sea shell while walking along the beach.

The happy greeting you receive from your dog when you

walk through the door.

Finding some precious small pine cones while on a Sunday 

afternoon walk.

It's those simple sweet little things that bring such joy!

I am joining 

Table Top Tuesday

for some more simple pleasures.

Bentley ~ do you like your new tweety?  Do you want to play???

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Trash To Treasure Folding Table

Yes ~ I found another old TV tray.  

What to make from this one?

How about a mini ironing board to use when I make

mini quilts.  I painted it a soft green, added a layer of batting to

the top and covered it with a pink and green mini print cotton.

Pretty cute huh?

All set for the next quilt project and then ready to fold up and put 

away when I'm done.

Please visit Susan for more makeovers and a very special

Miracle Metamorphosis Monday.  Don't forget to leave a

comment on her site.  You comments help earn money for future

Miracle Makeovers.  Head on over to see her now!!

Metamorphosis Monday

Remember to count your blessing every day.

Bentley is thankful that I found him a new mini tweety bird 

squeek toy today!

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Summer is Almost Over

I took these pics last spring.  We had such a cool wet spring and

it seemed that summer would never come to Idaho.

But it did finally arrive.  Although we have had some hot temps,

it seemed cooler than the previous summer.  So much cooler that I never

felt the need to put the bikini top on my Jeep.

Now August is half over and there is only one more week of summer

vacation for the kids in my neighborhood.  Soon I'll be thinking of the 

glorious days of September and October.  Football games, sweaters, tail

gate parties at BSU.  Getting out the fall decorations and deciding on 

which pumpkins to purchase for the front porch.

Time goes by so fast!  Now when I look at this pic of a blossom

from my snowball bush, it seems like just yesterday I was longing for 

summer.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Stop by and visit ~ 

Seasonal Sundays

Okay Bentley ~ let's get ready to visit Grandma!

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Miracle Pink Saturday

I am so happy to participate in Miracle Week.

I have been blessed so many times in my life.

There have been some very rough patches in my past though.

I  have come close to death 3 times in my life.

Once as a small child when I had pneumonia.

Then another bout with pneumonia as a young adult.

And finally a third time when I contracted typhoid while living

in the Middle East.

I have lost everything I have owned to fire twice in my life.

Yet I have experienced great miracles and blessings and I am

hopeful and full of peace.

I am thankful for a loving husband. I am thankful that I still have my dear Mom.

I am thankful that my Aunt survived and is thriving after open heart surgery.

I am thankful for my sweet little cottage and all of my dear friends.

And of course, I am thankful for dear little Bentley who fills my

heart with joy each day.

And most importantly ~ I am thankful for my deep faith.

Never give up believing that good things can come your way.

I am proof of this.

Please join 

Pink Saturday

and please visit

Design Gives Back

for this very special day filled with miracles and blessings.

Bentley and I send you love, hope and peace.

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

A Heartfelt Message from Susan and Bentley

One of the things I love most about our country is our

generosity.  We are always ready to lend a hand to those in need.

In our blogging community we have a great opportunity to 

give back this week.  I hope that you will join me and Bentley too

as we visit the following bloggers in the week ahead for

Miracle Blog Week 

August 12 ~ 18

Between Naps on the Porch

Country Wings in Phoenix

Pink Saturday

and
Spiritual Sundays

Spread the word, join these parties and give back.
There is no better feeling than to reach out to others in need!

And don't forget to visit the organizers of this great event too

Design Gives Back

Be part of the miracle!  Bentley and I will see you tomorrow for
Pink Saturday!!  Right Bentley?

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Farm House Lunch

It's going to be a beautiful day today.

How about some lunch on the deck after we finish our chores?

Would you like a cheese souffle made with some farm fresh eggs?

And how about a salad with fresh lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers

from the garden?

Please remember to visit our friends ~

Rednesday

Shelia's Rooster Party

Wow Us Wednesday

Tablescape Thursday
Farmhouse Friday

Home Sweet Home

and

Show and Tell Friday

Thanks for stopping by and y'all come back!!

Right Bentley ~ you love visitors don't you?

Hugs,

Susan and Bentley