Saturday, June 30, 2012

Favorite Vacation Spot



When it comes to vacations, there are always two things I need to keep in mind:


Source: ti.org via Clint on Pinterest

Golf for my husband
Scenic beauty and preferably a great beach for me.
Bandon by the Sea, Oregon ~ a perfect spot for quite walks along the beach.


While David is playing golf, Bentley and I can walk for miles along an 
unspoiled beach.  There is a tiny little person on that beach in the pic.  The
place is larger than life and is absolute heaven.




I am happy on the Oregon coast if the weather is sunny and mild or stormy.
For some reason, I really feel at peace here.

Although ...




There is also Carmel, California with it's storybook cottages and dog
friendly attitude.  You know that I never, ever go anywhere without
Bentley!  Lots of woofing always going on in Carmel.

And it is close by to the Mecca of Golf ~

Source: google.com via Bobby on Pinterest



Pebble Beach.

The list goes on ~ The Williamsburg Inn, Congressional in Bethesda MD, 
River Oaks in Houston and I have not even started on the best place on earth for
golf and for me ~ the United Kingdom.

Have you noticed a theme here?  Every vacation David and I take MUST
 include a golf destination.  I knew this going into our marriage and I 
entered into the bargain.  So far it's been working quite nicely for 23 years!
My best buddy Robin The Decorating Tennis Girl and I plan to go on 
vacation together with our hubbies one day.  You all know where the men will be.
But then, Robin will be playing tennis and I will be riding off into the
sunset on the back of a horse with Bentley as my saddle mate.

Joining

Favorites on the First (Alison and I both love the ponies)

Bentley ~ do you think your Daddy plays too much golf?  Should
you be riding in the cart the next time he plays???

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley








Friday, June 29, 2012

Looking Back


This past week was a busy one.  I had so many things I planned to
accomplish but did not.




The days all slipped by so fast.  Work projects, errands, finding products, 
chores around the house ...
etc, etc, etc.



While I am thankful it is Friday and looking forward to the weekend,
I am stopping to think how it has arrived so quickly.



Remember when life moved more slowly?  When summers seemed 
like endless days filled with wonderful memories?  




How I long for those days once again.



I plan to slow down a bit this weekend.  Sit on the porch with a glass
of iced tea.  Watch Bentley chase squirrels.  Enjoy the moment.


Be sure to sign up for my giveaway on the previous post.  I'll be
announcing the winner on July 5th.  Have a happy day!

Bentley ~ I promise to spend more time with you today.

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Come On To My House For Breakfast and a Giveaway


Come on over to my house.  I'll serve you breakfast on
the deck.





We are having the most beautiful weather.  It's sunny in the low 80's and
low humidity.  The kind of weather when I want to spend each and every
moment outside.




I just bought these egg cups.  It's really hard to tell, but they are milk glass
and shaped like a chicken.  You can see the little beak on one side and
the tail feathers on the other.

Oh and see the little yellow ceramic bird peeking out behind the tea pot?




I am giving him away!
Leave a comment if you would like a chance to win.  I would love it if
you would become a follower if you are not already.   Or if you would
like my Ash Tree Cottage Facebook Page.  

But ... You don't have to do either if you don't want to, just leave a
comment.

Easy peasy!




I'll announce the winner on Thursday July 5th.

Until then I am joining ~


Bentley ~ do you want me to make you a soft boiled egg too?
In an egg cup you say?   No I think it needs to go in your doggie dish.

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Monday, June 25, 2012

Engager La Conversation ~ Or Let's Chat


Let's chat ~ I'll go first.  My hubby is down in Houston picking
up some furniture he inherited from his mom.  I'm here at the cottage
in Idaho feeling a bit sorry for myself.  But I am keeping busy so I won't
be too lonely and of course I have all of you to chat with!




I am painting my kitchen cabinets and listening to French music.  
Somehow I always feel more inspired when I do.  Just another one
of my funny little quirks.  

I have decided to prepare Supremes de Volaille a Brun for dinner.
Translation:  Chicken Breasts sauteed in Butter.  It's Julia Child's recipe.
I do enjoy cooking even when it's only for one.   I think I will set up a
separate page on this blog to share my favorite recipes with you.

Anyway ~ let's get back to those kitchen cabinets.

Well ...



I decided to make my own chalk paint.  I mixed Plaster of Paris
(there goes that French reference again lol) into my paint.  It 
seems to be working fine but I am afraid the bottom of the plastic
pail I mixed it in is starting to set up.  I thought I did everything
right.  Maybe I just have a bad recipe.  The container gets heavier
every time I pick it up so something isn't quite right.  I am glad
I only mixed a small batch up.  I have plenty of Plaster of Paris left
over so if any of you need a home made cast or some walls patched
just leave me a message.




I could keep chatting all evening and it's time to let you 
chime in, so tell me ~ what have you been up to?

Joining


And Bentley how are you doing today?  Do you have anything
to add to la conversation???

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Sunday, June 24, 2012

From the Desk of Susan and Bentley ~ Garden Rooms


I was over at my Mom's house yesterday helping her create a new 
garden room.  We both love to decorate spaces outside the house to sit and
relax and reflect.  Mom likes an Asian influence, so we have been working
on this little spot off of her patio.




It's next to this pergola.  That crabapple tree was beautiful this spring.




This area is still a work in progress but we are having so much fun
putting this together.  Whether it's inside or outside ~ the two of us
just love to decorate!

While working on this area we are also working on an adjoining garden
living room.  Every day Mom keeps coming up with a new idea.  I'm 
having a hard time keeping up with her.  I was so tired last night I fell
asleep just after 8 pm.  Where does she get all of her energy?  She was
just diagnosed with congestive heart failure in April.  She has been 
following her doctor's orders and faithfully doing all of the exercises 
prescribed by the physical therapist and now she's just a whirlwind!  I do
wonder what she'll come up with next.


Right Bentley?  Your grandma keeps us busy doesn't she?

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley




Friday, June 22, 2012

Tiny Treasures


A couple of weeks ago I spotted these tiny little teapots and guess what ~ they
are S&P's!  How cute are they?





My new tiny treasures.  This is a tiny post too.  Busy Friday ~ lot's on 
my to do list today.  Have a happy day everyone!


Bentley ~ let's get busy on that list!   Number one priority,
picking up your toys.  They are everywhere!!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Beach Dreams


I am stuck in the city and the closest I will get to the beach is
dreaming beach dreams.  To say that I have cabin fever is an 
understatement.  I have not had a vacation out of the state in 
six years.  But I can dream can't I?



While I am setting up this seaside tablescape I am wondering what to make for
dinner and suddenly it dawns on me ...

ciopinno!




I went to the market and bought shrimp, clams, rock fish and
some scallops.  Ciopinno can be made with whatever fish is fresh,
but generally has some type of shellfish included.  It's the yummiest
seafood stew and is a meal in itself served with some French bread.




Some good wines to serve to continue with our beach theme would be
this Ocean Blue 2010 Vinho Verde from northern Portugal.

Or ...



How about a merlot from Barefoot Cellars in Napa, California?




Of course, if you are not a wine drinker ~ how about
a Nantucket Nectars lemonade?




Since I am just about to prepare the ciopinno, I will share that
with you for another post.  Maybe later I will re-read A Gift From the Sea.

Sail on over and visit ~


Bentley ~ maybe you and I will be able to fly to Chicago later this
summer or early this fall.  We need a break!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

My Feet Are Doing A Happy Dance!



I have been thinking about adding a skirt under my kitchen sink.
I pinned this to my Cottage Kitchen Board on Pinterest.  If you are
not already following me, check out my boards because I am always
pinning away.

Anyway ~
On Monday I went to one of our local thrift shops looking for a
Featherweight sewing machine because my friend has found two
of them there.  She is very lucky!  

I did not find a Featherweight, but I did find this ~


it's Waverly window pane fabric in red!  Love it and I think it will make
such a cute skirt.





It coordinates with some Frenchy pillows I brought home from a 
consignment shop.  I plan to use them on a Deacon's bench.



So that's it chickies.  I am doing a happy dance!!

Joining



Bentley had a nice long visit with our postman today.  Bentley
and the postman are great pals and Bentley is always so happy 
to see him.  Aren't you sweet pea?

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley



Monday, June 18, 2012

Don't Be Too Serious


Who says you can't grow flowers in a sugar bowl?





Or chives in an old perculator?
It's windy out and the chives are leaning way over!



Or basil in a cream pitcher?




Or flowers in a drawer?

Not me!

Please visit

Bentley ~ it's so windy outside we could get swept up and
land in the land of OZ!  If we do, I hope they only have
good witches.

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley



Sunday, June 17, 2012

A Tisket, A Tasket, My Yard Sale Basket


Several years ago I bought this vintage picnic basket at a yard sale.
I can't remember what I paid for it, but I know it was cheap.  The
top was stained despite my cleaning attempts.  The hinges and the 
metal handles were rusted.  I put it away thinking I would get around 
to fixing it up one day.  Well years went by ~
but ...



Finally I decided to paint it and enjoy it.




I set it out in the backyard while I am contemplating what to do with
the new annuals I bought.  I took my Mom to the garden shop and 
although the mission to buy more things for her garden was successful,
I just could not pass up a few more plants for my own garden.




Of course, now I have to plant them.



But not until I take a little break and look at my latest issue of
Romantic Homes magazine.




It's been a very lovely afternoon.  Hubby did not miss me one bit.
He's glued to the TV watching the US Open.  When he's not on the
golf course, he's watching golf on TV and texting his buddies and
critiquing every shot.  Oh well, such is the life of a 
golf widow!

By the way ~ I have to correct myself whenever I write the word
picnic.  I want to spell it picnik.  Sure do miss that site!

Joining ~


Bentley ~ have you deserted your Momma?  Are you watching
golf too or are you just begging for peanuts from your Daddy?

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley



Saturday, June 16, 2012

For All the Dads


The Treasure Valley Model A Club held a meeting today.
We were driving by and just had to stop and take a look.  It's Father's
Day weekend and yesterday I showed you pillows, but today it's antique cars
because cars are a guy thing.





I wish my Daddy was still here.  He would have enjoyed this collection of 
Model A's.

This one would have been just his style.  My Daddy was a tuxedo wearing,
martini drinking, golfing kind of guy.



Yes ~ this would have delighted him.  So elegant and stylish.




While I love the elegant and stylish too ~ I am also drawn to pick up trucks.
Maybe it has something to do with being married to a red blooded Texan!

This one is beautifully restored.  I could just imagine driving around and loading
up the bed with vintage furniture and more.




But then again, I loved this one too.  A funky junk kind of pickup.




Here's another restored beauty.

But take a look at this one ...



It's from the Boise-Payette Lumber Company.  The phone
number only had three digits.  Idaho is a pretty wild place, even today.
Can't imagine what it must have been like driving mountain roads
in this old truck.




Look at that rusty old saw on the back.  Love it!!




Must have been a bumpy ride up and down those mountains hauling lumber
back to build houses. I wonder if the lumber for my house was hauled
down by a truck like this.  Actually, it may have been hauled down by mule!

I am missing you Daddy!  Wish you could have come to the car show 
with me.

To all the Dads out there ~

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

For those of you who still have a Daddy ~ give him lots of 
hugs and kisses.


Now Bentley ~ promise me that you will let your Daddy sleep in
tomorrow morning!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

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