Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Changes at Ash Tree Cottage



I was inspired to write this post after reading and
contemplating Brenda's post yesterday.
Her question was "Should We Tell It Like Is?"



For me the answer is yes.
I am bored with my own blog posts.



I'm so bored with my own material that I have 
been hanging around Pinterest a lot creating my own
inspiration boards. 



But it's more than just being bored with the party themes
and feeling the need to spray paint everything  white.

What's happened to my soul?
Where is the passion?



So I am contemplating some changes
and
I hope you will stop by to see what they are.
In the meantime ...
I'll be spending more time visiting all of you!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Monday, June 27, 2011

Will She Ever Finish It?


I have been working on this quilt for years.
I get very enthusiastic and can't put it down.  Then I
put it down and don't get back to it for weeks and weeks.

Do you think I will ever finish it?
I hope so.

Joining ~


Bentley ~ at the rate I'm going you will get a new quilt 
before I finish this one.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo


Sunday, June 26, 2011

Ahoy Garage Salers


Found:
1 old lamp shade
1 old nautical lamp base

Add ...




Some rope from Home Depot
Some canvas from a drop cloth
(left over from a slipcover project)
Some craft paint

And it's ~




Ahoy garage salers!

Joining ~
and

Yes Bentley ~ Mama knows that sailors is the correct 
spelling, but we bloggers sometimes take liberties!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Who Can Answer This Question?


To the left of the walnut tree trunk and behind the
deep ground cover ~ is a type of rose that grows up and
over the fence between my garden and the garden
next door where Amy's chickens live (ie Thelma and 
the girls)

Here is my question ~ what type of rose is it?  I did not
plant it, it was here when we moved in years ago.  It only 
blooms at this time of year and for a short time.  My yard is in
deep shade, so it's not a sun lover at all.  I'm quite sure it's a 
type of rose because the bush has thorns and the buds look like
rose buds.  

Neither Amy nor I do anything special for it.  It is just
happy to be.  It lives between two big black walnut trees
and I have been told that nothing likes to grow near black
walnuts, but the ground cover in the foreground and the rose bush
are quite content.

Any guesses?

Bentley is completely hidden in that ground cover and 
is chasing cats through it daily.  It's a full time job!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Summer At Last


It finally feels like summer!
A new to me vintage mini rocker is on the front porch.



Some sweet little pink posies are on the wicker table.
And ...



A glass of ice cold pink lemonade is waiting for you!
Come and join me!!

Let's Party ~
Shabby Summer Cottage
Show and Tell Friday
Pinkalicious Thursday
Pink Saturday
and
Seasonal Sundays

How about an ice cube for your water dish Bentley?

Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo



Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Yee Haw Patio Fun!


Summer is finally here after a very cool, very wet spring.
It's going to be in the upper 90's today ~ so it's
out to the shady deck for a casual supper tonight!



We'll have something easy and cool like chicken salad
with almonds and dried cranberries over a bed of mixed greens.

And after dinner???



Watch out for some water gun action!
Y'all know this is the wild west after all.

Bentley and I are joining ~


I think it's time to get out your swimming pool Bentley!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Red and White Kitchen Remodel



After months of anticipation, I am finally starting my
kitchen remodel.  I have been collecting items for the color
scheme that is going from blue to red and white.



Just found these cute chicken prints.
Yes ~ chickens are invading the kitchen.

My Mom is stable right now and feeling better.
Thanks for your well wishes.

I am off to join Sue for Rednesday

Don't worry Bentley ~ the real chickens live
next door.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Mountains Embrace Me


There are rough patches in life.
Events that touch us and change everything.



Whenever I feel that the burdens of life become
too great  ~  I go to one of two places ...
the ocean or the mountains.



The big shoulders of the Rockies embrace me
and make me feel safe.  They provide a place of 
comfort where I regain a sense of peace.

My Mom had a TIA ~ a Transcient Ischemic Attack
She is fine for now, but it is a warning that she
could have a stroke.  

I plan to spend as much time with her as I can, so
I won't be posting as often as I have in the past.



I am just taking life day by day.
I'll be back when I can and until then
Bentley and I wish you peace.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Monday, June 13, 2011

Remembering My Dad

Photo by Fabian Bachrach

I will be taking several days off.  It will be one year since
my Daddy's passing this coming Saturday.  It's been a tough
year for both me and for my Mom.  Bentley and I will be back
sometime next week.  Thank you to all who follow us and are
kind enough to leave sweet comments.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

PS: For those of you who don't know, Fabian Bachrach was 
the photographer who took the famous photo of JFK when he was a
young Senator from the state on Massachusetts.  It was the photo that was used
as the official presidential photo.  Daddy was lucky enough to sit for
a portrait by this iconic photographer.  It is my Mom's favorite
photo of him. Mr Bachrach died in February of 2010.

Candlesticks A La Palm Beach


I found these candlesticks the other day at one of my
favorite consignment shops.  Cute, but a bit drab.




I pulled out my craft paints and gave them the Palm Beach treatment.



They will look cute as part of a summer tablescape ~ especially
if I am wearing a cute little Lilly Pulitzer dress while I am
setting it up!

Joining ~

and

Bentley ~ let's give you some Palm Beach style too.
How about a pink and green collar?

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Who Wants Pie?



A homemade blueberry pie sounds good.




I found this cute flour sack towel with a pic of 
a peach and blackberry pie imprinted on it.
Yum!

But I only have blueberries in the cottage ~
so a blueberry pie is what we will have.




I better get busy!

Stop by and visit 


Bentley is back outside on patrol.
He's busy too!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo


Friday, June 10, 2011

Bentley the Hunter


Here's Bentley
Look at that sweet face,
But ...



Don't let that sweet face fool you!
He is always on the lookout ...



Even while on a bicycle ride with his Mama,
He is busy looking for invaders to his territory.




He's looking in the garden to the left and to the right.



Even while wearing Mardi Gras beads ~ he is on the lookout.
Sadly, Bentley caught his first squirrel today. The squirrel had
a broken leg and Bentley caught him as he was sliding down a tree
in our yard.  In a way, it was a blessing because the squirrel would
have died a long painful death.  

But I still felt sad, so I read 
 "Squirrel Nutkin" by Beatrix Potter to 
Bentley and explained that the sweet little squirrel
is now in squirrel heaven.  

When his Daddy came home from work he said ~
"Good boy".  Then gave him a treat.

I just don't get that macho mystique!



And I think that Bentley feels very proud of himself!

How can I undo years of terrier breeding??

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Pink Inspirations



Pink inspires me to be creative

So ...




I am sharing some of my inspirations
with you!




Happy Pink Saturday
and thank you to Beverly for inspiring us 
each week!


Here is a posting tip ~ place a treat in a treatie ball.
Bentley has been busy for the past half hour and
has not been begging for my attention.
Okay Bentley ~ I'm finished, lets play!
Oh oh ~ he's too busy now!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Simplify


Everyone I talk to has been hit by our economic downturn.
Will there be an end in sight?
As one who believes in the strength, spirit, talent and
creativity of our fellow countrymen I say
Yes We Will turn our economy around!

Until then we will stand tall, have faith, love our friends
and family and take joy in the simple pleasures of life.

We will reuse and repurpose.  We will plant Victory Gardens like our
country did in the past.  We will support our community.

We will blog on and share tips.

And we will laugh and have fun!

Right Bentley?

Let's get this party started ~

and 

By the way ~ I still have music on my site for those of you
who enjoy it.  Just go to the sidebar to turn it on.  Playlist
unfortunately no longer turns on upon opening the page.
For a music lover like me, this is regrettable.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo



Wednesday, June 8, 2011

A Little Garden Tea



Care to join me for a little afternoon tea in the garden?



I am serving it on my vintage child's size wicker rocker.



I have some sweet petits fours.



No Bentley ~ too much sugar for you!
Mama has some sugar free peanut butter cookies 
just for you!

Bentley and I (with his peanut butter treat)
are joining ~

and

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Garden Sweet Garden


In between the raindrops ...



I ran out to take a couple of pics ...



of the last of the blossoms on my Snowball Bush.

Time to party ~

and

I know Bentley ~ it's raining again!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo


Sunday, June 5, 2011

French Grain Sack Inspired Snack Tray


One boring, run of the mill snack tray.



A bit of French vintage inspiration, some paint,
And ...



Voila!
My Vintage French Grain Sack Snack Tray!
For those of you who are wondering why the number
1913 ...
That's the year our cottage was built.



Thrifty and fun!

I am joining ~

and

That was fun Bentley ~ what should we
transform next?

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

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