Monday, April 30, 2012

Tucking in Now

Webster and I are both tuckered out from all of our hard work outside. See you tomorrow. Sleep tight.

Webster Helps with The Yardwork

 

Webster thinks as long as he's outside with me, he's helping. It does make a beautiful lawn ornament, doesn't he? I got out the electric weed whacker that I never mastered yesterday and I finally learned how to use it. My front lawn was way out of control with uneven tufts of tall grass all over the place. Now I'm almost ready for my first mowing. Little trees have started sprouting everywhere too. The only way to have a lawn or a meadow is to keep mowing over them. My poor arms had the shakes after I finished. Now I have to do the back. I'm somewhat encouraged about having to take care of the great outdoors for another season. How about you?

Nice Cupboard in a [New] Classic Bathroom


This free-standing cupboard is very nice in this vintage inspired bathroom, isn't it? via

Moonrise Kingdom looks like my kind of movie!

“Moonrise Kingdom” is the new movie directed by two-time Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Wes Anderson (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Rushmore”). Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, “Moonrise Kingdom” tells the story of two 12-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore – and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in every which way. Bruce Willis plays the local sheriff, Captain Sharp. Edward Norton is a Khaki Scout troop leader, Scout Master Ward. Bill Murray and Frances McDormand portray the young girl’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bishop. The cast also includes Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Bob Balaban; and introduces Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as the boy and girl.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Handmade Gardening Tiles

 

I photographed these delightful handmade gardening tiles at the home of a real hands-on gardener.

Hydrangeas on a Weathered Fence


It won't belong before we'll be seeing the hydrangeas! via

Where's Webster?


He's an expert at putting his head inside any snack bag to get the crumbs out of the corners.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

A beautiful landscape


Photographed with my iPhone recently. Don't you love the effect of lace the dogwood trees provide when they first start to flower? This border is called torn canvas using that free app I told you about this morning.

Have an outdoorsy weekend if you can. That is a personal request from the Wonder Dog for today and tomorrow.

A Daffodil + Another Free App


I found another great free app for selective color called Color Blast. You convert a photo to black and white and then put some color back. So much fun! Download it here.

Wonderful Potting Shed and A Free App


I photographed this delightful potting shed several weeks ago on a beautiful day. I edited the photo just a tiny bit and added a torn paper border with a free app I just found called PhotoToaster Jr. I think it's going to be a favorite!!! Download here
I am such a child aren't I, getting so excited about an app? Believe me you should get it because if I like it, it's great. And I am very hard to please (smile). Enjoy the weekend.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Have a Love-ly Weekend


Beautiful


Garden Photography by Clive Nichols ~ La Louve, the private garden of Nicole de Vésian in Bonnieux, Provence, France.
Have a great weekend!

A Late-Morning Nap


Webster had a busy morning supervising the off-loading of the riding mower from the delivery truck. He remembered just how to do it since he studied the process very carefully several weeks ago when it was picked up for its yearly checkup. He got back in bed afterwards and is still down for a long nap.

Then and Now.

 
Still crazy [about each other] after all these years! See HIGHLIGHTS FROM QUEEN ELIZABETH II'S WEDDING November 20, 1947 image via

Thursday, April 26, 2012

FARM SINKS IN BATHROOM

 
Isn't this the greatest idea? I love a farm table almost anywhere but never thought about using one in the bathroom. via

Wisteria at My Cottage Yesterday

 

My wisteria is in full bloom and this area smells like a perfume factory. I always prune very severely in the fall and I've almost turned them into standards. 

I like this 'Keep Calm' Hand-Made Art Poster


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Fritillaria Watercolor: Charles Rennie Mackintosh


"Fritillaria" 1915 watercolour and pencil
Charles 
Rennie Mackintosh; (Scottish; 1868-1928)
The drawings of wild flowers which Mackintosh produced in 1915 are probably the most elegant and delicate of all. Fritillaria is a flower with such obvious appeal for Mackintosh that it seems odd he had not drawn it before. The chequer-work on its petals is much like many of his decorative stencils, and he acknowledges his debt by repeating the dicing in the signature box. In Southern Britain, as an indigenous plant, Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) is a rarity of ancient damp pasture. However, it is commonly grown in gardens. source

New Vintage Bathroom


There is a matching sink in the corner on the other side of the window. All of the bathrooms in this house I recently toured were new vintage twenties-style that have and will remain timeless. How smart. Classic is always in fashion.  

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Today's Animal Encounters


I had another pre-closing inspection today at the house I sold. I visited with the neighbors who have a donkey and a goat. I slipped behind the fence to photograph them up close. We will be fast friends before long. The goat is somewhat shy. The owner was pulling all of the flower stems from her rhubarb as they are inedible. She has a wonderful garden and grows everything she and her husband eat in the summer. I want to be their neighbor too.

Two Spring Lambs and An Idea



Monday, April 23, 2012

Romantic English Country Renaissance Garden


It's absolute perfection, isn't it? via house to home

A Royal Family Picnic


"September 8, 1960 - Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK - Baby Prince Andrew perches on Prince Philip's lap during a picnic on the grounds of Balmoral Castle. Also pictured are Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne." Image by ©Bettmann/CORBIS
Where's the picnic basket? Why is there no mention of the dog? I can't believe this picture is over half a century old and it seems like yesterday, doesn't it? 

Kitchen Entrance


Do you have anything growing in pots outside? I have moved the geraniums that I've wintered over to decorate either side of my front door and they look so nice. I have pansies too. In past years, I've put them outside on the balcony in the back. I like my new arrangement better. I took this photo at an open house recently.

An Otter Giving Thanks


You know I love otters and I thought this would be a great photo for starting the week.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Cranberry Bread Fresh Out of The Oven


I baked Cranberry Bread today using fresh cranberries. It was a chilly rainy day and I wanted to bake something using the ingredients I had on hand. I didn't have an egg so I searched online for a substitute and ended up using 2 Tablespoons flaxseed meal, 1/8 teaspoon baking powder and 3 Tablespoons of water. It worked. I didn't have any orange juice so I used soy milk and a little crushed pineapple and a hit of lemon flavoring. I didn't have any nuts so I left them out. I used coconut oil as the shortening and to grease the pan. It was still very good even though I improvised quite a bit. 

I have such admiration for food bloggers who take detailed photos of the cooking/baking process. I am a very messy cook and for one little loaf I filled up one whole side of my double kitchen sink. 

Fritillary Meadow ~ Cricklade, Wiltshire UK


Teleport me there ~ NOW! I have been advised that these are not tulips at all but snake head fritillaries. The dark ones actually have checkered skirts. via

Snake Head Fritillary photo ©Macs Cream of the Crop

Have a Happy Earth Day


Saturday, April 21, 2012

Who Do You Think Should Die on Downton Abbey?


My friend Stacey at Stacey Snacks says her mother-in-law read in the NYTimes that Maggie Smith is staying on and that makes us all happy. We are told however that “Somebody will be born, and somebody will die, somebody pretty key in the cast, unfortunately, [is] not going to make it.” Which character are you willing to give up? This article might help you choose after reviewing comments about each member of the upstairs family and their downstairs staff. 

Nice White Country Kitchen


It's a sweet white kitchen. I don't care for the purple/lavender accessories but that's just me. via

A Lonesome Horse


I was being watched yesterday while I was waiting for an inspection at a house I have under contract. Wouldn't you be thrilled to have this beautiful horse as a neighbor? There is a donkey and a white goat on the other side. I want to move there!!!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Waiting for The Wind

 
My dandelions are in full puff mode. The dark clouds have just rolled in but the sun is peeking through. We should be getting that much-needed rain over the weekend. Have a great one!

Pink Dogwood


I don't have any flowering trees on my property. There are a few in the neighboring parkland that are 'visually' mine. I never even think about them until this time of year. I photographed this beautiful pink dogwood yesterday when I stopped to check one of my listings. There is a white one right beside it. Sorry I didn't photograph it for this beautiful quote below.
"After all, I don't see why I am always asking for private, individual, selfish miracles when every year there are miracles like white dogwood." ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Thursday, April 19, 2012


Nothing monumental here. Just a nicely tied length of saved rope inside an old garage constructed from salvaged wood. I love this form of recycling. There is no more old-growth lumber and the only way you can get some is to hang around a site where something old is being torn down! Waste not, want not.

Plant Quality Seeds


Photographed from the April 2012 edition of Country Living Magazine

Tiny Back Porch

 
A small back porch is better than no porch at all. Everything old is new again. Architectural firm's website. More views of this cottage by the sea.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Waiting for Easter Brunch


My mother always looks as if she just stepped out of a band box polished shoes and all. I wear most of my clothes rough dried :)

We were waiting for the phone to ring on Easter Sunday. Our friends invited us to their lovely Easter brunch and it was delicious. My mom is legally blind but still manages to look great. She is an inspiration at 91 years of age. She doesn't dye her hair either. I think she looks amazing!

A Nice Story about Getting Chickens


Here is a nice little post about a family in the UK and their 'girls' - they don't want their dog to know they are chickens. Read story here.

A Kitchen Garden in Full Swing


Photographed from the second floor.

A closer look.

To the left of the sundial.
Here are more pictures from a realtor open house a couple of weeks ago. The one with the dog hair plaque and the chickens. The upstairs master bedroom overlooks this wonderful herb and kitchen garden and the barn with chicken coop and potting shed too. That's where the owners' interests lie. I know they will miss this place when they move and I am also quite sure they will do this again at their next place. That's just the kind of people they are! Change is good and so is downsizing.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Newborn Lamb Sleeping with Boy


March 16, 1940 A newly-born lamb snuggles up to a sleeping boy. Photo by Williams/Fox Photos/Getty Images -- Goodnight. Sleep Tight! via