What To Do With My Old Dresser

When we moved into our house the master bedroom was just kind of 

thrown together.  Ever since I decided to have a slipcover made for my

vintage love seat and place it at the end of our four poster bed, I have

been focusing on the other changes I want to make in this room.  

Here is the dresser that has been mine since I was a little girl.  It is 

solid cherry.  This poor thing has moved all over the country.  It is

the second time that it has moved to Texas.  I could never even think

about painting it while my Mom was still alive.  Now I am thinking 

I might give it a new look.  

So many of the things in this room came from grandparents and parents.

While I love the sentimental value of being surrounded by things that

belonged to those I have loved, I am starting to feel like I need to put

my own stamp on them.  What would you do?

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

The Kitchen Junk Drawer and What To Do About It

Every kitchen has one.  The drawer where all kinds of essentials and

non essentials hang out ~ the kitchen junk drawer.  If you have a faint

heart, please don't look because what is inside is not pretty.

When I moved into this house last August I made a vow to myself that I would 

keep all the drawers in this house neat and tidy.  I have kept that vow with one

exception ~ this kitchen junk drawer.  Actually there are two of them side by

side, but I only have the nerve to show you one.  I need some inspiration to 

make this drawer work for our household because I am tired of rummaging

through a lot of stuff trying to find stamps, scissors, and whatever else I need.

Sadly, I did not inherit the master organizational skills of my Mom so I have

to resort to inspirational pictures to motivate me to get the job done.

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This well organized drawer puts me in a zen space.  Neat, tidy, everything

mine is not.  

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Here's an idea ~ labels so no one has to ask "where does this go?"

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This is a fun idea.  This person took cereal boxes, cut them to the desired height

and covered them with pretty paper.  Cute!

Well whatever organizing system I decide to use, anything will be better than

this mess!  

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

PS:  Why is there a glow stick in this drawer?  Because we always have one.

Never know when we might need one!

Memorial Day 2014

I hope y'all had a great Memorial Day weekend.  It was a laid back one for

us.  It has been raining very hard on and off all day today.  I am not

complaining.  We need the rain and it's a blessing.  David had to go into the

office for a few hours this morning, but we have been able to spend a few

hours together this afternoon.  In all of the years we have been married, I 

think there have only been one or two- times that we have been able to

celebrate a three day weekend.  One or the other of us has always been

working.  

Poor little Bentley has been running between the raindrops today.  He hops

off the back porch, runs out very quickly and takes care of business.  At one

point this afternoon he just gave in and ran out into the middle of the yard,
got quite wet, ran onto the back porch and just shook himself off for a while.
Then he was smiling and happy as ever.  He's such a jolly little fellow.

I picked up this big premier issue of coast to coast style 

Beach Cottages at my HEB Plus.  This cover shot was styled by

our friend the fabulous Fifi O'Neill.  She is always an inspiration.  I will

be dreaming for weeks about the charming cottages inside this issue.

So that's a weekend update.  Nothing too exciting to report.  Too dark

and cloudy to take any pics inside and frankly I am too lazy to even

attempt any.  So I will put the kettle on, make a cup of tea and get

cozy in a comfy chair with Bentley.  Thinking of y'all and hoping

that everyone had a fun weekend.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Not Your Typical Blog Post

While my Mom was in the hospital and I would sit by her bedside

each day, I started doing the Sudoku puzzle.  Now I am hooked!

Do any of you have this addiction and if so, is there a support group

I can join???

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Miniatures in Pink

Construction on the Texas Rosebud Cottage is moving along despite

glitches in the construction schedule.  My construction manager aka

David ~ my hubby, had to go out of town on business.

I have a lot of furniture that is just waiting to for it's new home.  In fact,

I have to hold off on any new additions until the move in date arrives.

I don't want to have too much furniture and accessories because although

there is another dollhouse kit waiting in the wings, who knows when it

will be completed.

But I did want to take a few minutes to show you how the color pink plays

a big role in the cottage dollhouse and especially to congratulate Beverly for

six years of Pink Saturday!  That is quite a bit of pink, but then for many of

us there is no such thing as too much pink.

And my hubby thinks I have too many full size dishes!

Pink is such an ideal color for a dollhouse.  Everything looks so sweet

in pink.

Thank you Beverly.  Pink Saturday has always provided me with so much

"pinkspiration".  Congratulations on six years and hoping that you will

keep this party going for many years to come!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Master of the Hounds

There used to be a golf lamp here, but David decided he wanted to put it

in his office.  That meant that I would not have a lamp for what I 

lovingly call our library corner.  So I went hunting for a new lamp and

here is what I found...

This lamp combines my love of all things equestrian and canine.

Isn't he cute?

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Dogs Are Welcome

Come on into the living room.  I have a new addition to show you.

It's no secret how much I love dogs and it is also no secret that our

Bentley is allowed on the furniture.  Can you tell what the new 

addition is?

In case you are not sure ~ it's this pillow.  When I spotted it I knew it

would be perfect for our house.  I always tell Bentley that one day

his mama will take him to Paris.  Why ~ because dogs are welcome

there.  And of course you know I can never leave Bentley out of 

anything.

So here it is on the sofa.  Bentley has not seen it yet.  He is

napping.  When he does discover the pillow it will be moved

because that's what he does with the pillows his mama

places on the furniture.  He always jumps up on the sofas

and gives all the pillows a good tweaking.  Bentley is just

like my husband, he just doesn't get his mama's obsession.

If you like this pillow (and they have many others) go to

Agatha and Louise.

Home and Garden Thursday

Home Sweet Home

Share Your Cup Thursday

Show and Tell

Feathered Nest Friday

David smoked beef ribs on Sunday and Bentley is

going to get one tonight ~ but not on the sofa!

That's my one rule.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

A Before and After Lamp

I am so busy that I only have time for two pics, so I made a 

collage so that you can see the changes I made to this lamp.

It is going in my Mom's old bedroom that y'all know I

have been working on.  I painted the shade and added

some color and gold highlights to the base.  

Here is a bit bigger view.  I wanted the color to work with

the colors in the room.  And I wanted it to  have more of

an antique old world feel to it.  Things are moving along bit by 

bit.  More changes and tweaks to come.

Metamorphosis Monday

Amaze Me Monday

Tweak It Tuesday

Inspire Me

Bentley really enjoyed hearing your comments on his

post on Saturday.  I read every one of them to him.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

All About Bentley

I love that little rascal more than words can say.  He's a ray of sunshine.

He is sweet and gentle.

He celebrates Mardi Gras with me every year.

He likes to take sunbaths.

And afternoon naps on the sofa.

He will sit calmly in my bicycle basket.

And look for vermin in the garden.

He likes to help me plant flowers.

And he's a safe driver.

He hates baths.

And when it's time to be groomed he will run off  with his brush.

But he listens intently to everything I say.

And he always welcomes visitors.

And waits and …

he waits until his mama is finished shopping.

He is the sweetest little guy I know.

And we love him so very much.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

PS:  He always helps me write blog posts.

A New Found Treasure

Since my Mom passed away, I have been going through boxes of 

things that belonged to her.  I found a few things that were marked 

for me that came from my grandmother and great grandmother.

One of the items was this little vase.  I don't believe it would have

much value to anyone else, but it does for me.  It is meaningful

not just because it is part of a family history, but also because of

what I discovered inside.

A tiny piece of yellowed newsprint folded up so carefully.  

Something that was meaningful to her.

This is especially meaningful to me now as well.  The house we live in

is fairly new to us and I think that it is fitting that this little vase was 

passed on to us and that we dedicate our house to the glory of God.

That's what makes this vase and the little bit of newsprint found 

inside so special.  A family treasure.

Vintage Thingie Thursday

Home Sweet Home

Share Your Cup Thursday

Show and Tell

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Favorite Kitchens From Movies

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I know that I am just like you.  I study the rooms of homes in the movies I watch.
I know you do too.  I am always drawn to the kitchens.  All the details.  All the
charm.  This is the French kitchen from the movie Julie & Julia.  

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This spot just makes me want to whip up an omelet.  I am never inspired by
sleek, modern kitchens.  I always gravitate to the old and cluttered.

Bowls of fruit.  Old wooden spoons and hanging utensils.  Staged by a set

designer yet so seeming real.  Diane Lane's kitchen in Under the Tuscan Sun.

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I remember when I saw Sleepless in Seattle and fell in love with this girly

pink kitchen.  

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And who could forget Iris' kitchen in Holiday.  So many cozy and friendly

elements in this kitchen.  I adore that little stove too.

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The kitchen from the movie Baby Boom reminds me of my kitchen in 

Middleburg, VA.  We lived in an old farmhouse and the kitchen had been

updated but had rustic beams on the ceiling and blue painted cabinets

and the same ceramic tile on the counter tops.  Loved that kitchen.

I can't tell you how many tears I shed moving away from that old

farmhouse out in the country.

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Here is another shot of that kitchen.  So homey.

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Remember Father of the Bride?  I still love this kitchen.

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Here is another view.  Too bad set designers don't design the kitchens

in homes.  

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley