Monday, June 30, 2014

My 18th Century House Listing

The owners bought a reproduction of a New Jersey fireback from the same period as the house. It is perfect behind the stove. I never even thought of using a cast iron piece instead of tile as a backsplast but it's very appropriate.

The right wing was built in 1763 and the main body of the house was added in 1793. The home inspection was today and I think it went well. "It's not good because it's old, it's old because it's good." This quote is so true. You can't beat 18th century post and beam construction.

Side view looking at the 1763 side facing east. Wish me luck getting through these inspections.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Wait For Me.

Cutest puppy ever. This photo is pure joy! via

PBS Masterpiece - ENDEAVOUR Season 2 tonight

Sunday night Summer TV is slowly coming back. Tonight is the premier episode of Endeavour, Season 2. Didn't watch Season 1? You can watch online here. It's the story of solitary Detective Constable Morse in his youth. Season 2 returns with four riveting new mysteries written by Inspector Lewis creator and Inspector Morse writer Russell Lewis. I think I might try to watch Season 1 again next week. Set your DVRs tonight and enjoy!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Cat in England who rides the bus

This elderly English cat named Artful Dodger recently moved to a house that backs up to a bus stop. Being very friendly, he started hanging around the passengers waiting for the bus and they eventually started bring scraps of food for him. It wasn't long before he started boarding the bus and sitting on their laps. He sometimes makes 10 mile round trips and never gets lost because everyone knows where to let him off. If nobody is waiting for the bus and he wants to take a ride, he sits in the middle of the road and waits for one to pick him up. Full story here.

South Carolina Tea Plantation

I must confess, I honestly did not know tea was grown anywhere in the states.
Charleston Tea Plantation
 ~ Wadmalaw Island, SC via

Friday, June 27, 2014

Kitty Cat Cake

Cutest Cat Cake

Or would you prefer a bunny? via

Restored Farmhouse Bathroom

I love this "new" bathroom in an old house. The smallish sink with the large marble surround and backsplash looks perfect. The old wide-board floors were saved and will enjoy a new life in this wonderful bath. Wish we could see the rest of the room, don't you?
Kate Johns AIA, Architects and Designers


More photos of this 19th Century Farmhouse renovation here.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Busy Bees

I love this animated gif, don't you? It made me sad to mow my clover field last week but the blossoms came right back, almost overnight. via

Wonderful Walled Garden

One can only imagine the home that goes with this wonderful walled garden with reflecting pool. Another great photo by J. Paul Moore.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Road Trip

Do you have plans to get away this summer? This car appears to be packed for camping. I hope they don't run into the killer mosquitoes I talked about yesterday. They aren't so bad today because there's a strong breeze. via

Rolling in Happiness

Webster's lucky and he knows it. I love to see him rolling in the grass. I'm not sure if he's happy or trying to get some bug relief. A google search tells me that New York and New Jersey are being bombarded by Asian Tiger Mosquitos. The bite during the day too, not just at dawn and dusk and they are beyond annoying. They are swat proof too. You cannot "get" them no matter how hard you try. They don't actually bite me because for some reason bugs don't like my blood. They never have. These flying tigers just annoy me no end buzzing in my ears, landing on my body, and getting in my hair. The article I read said they can breed in a capful of water. It's very dry here but thunder showers are in the weather forecast. Just what they need so they can multiply and annoy me even more! Do you have them too?

Monday, June 23, 2014

Beautiful, Bountiful Yellow Roses

These roses are breathtaking, aren't they? via

Artist at work

I love seeing this painting in clear focus in the foreground and blurred in the background. It appears to be very accurate, doesn't it? via Happy Monday, hope you have a great week! xo

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Walk, walk and hop, hop

Two friends out for a walk.

Boy, that's a big rabbit. I love how the cat slows down her pace without ever actually stopping. via Enjoy your Sunday evening! xo

Tabitha Has Changed Her Bed

     The hand-painted bird tiles were purchased in England in 1975. Each one is different and perfect for cat cooling on a hot summer day. I designed this custom tray for the tiles and had it built by a talented craftsman years ago. It's perfect as a topper for my bedside table and doubles as a cat nest lately.
     I'm happy to report that I have finally mowed the front yard and surrounds! I finished last night about 8:00 pm -- I call it moonlight mowing as I never mow in bright sun. At the end of the day all of the moisture from the morning dew has dried out and I actually enjoy the task at hand when the sun is on its way down.
     Everything looks so nice after a mowing marathon. I still have to mow over some thick grass clippings in the back. This method is easier than raking in my opinion. So far, it has been a lazy Sunday here at the cottage. Hope you can say the same.
     I marked the 18th century blue cottage "Under Contract" yesterday. I'll be glad when the inspections are over and I can get back to normal.
        xo

Saturday, June 21, 2014

So Serenely Beautiful

Isn't this a lovely spot? It is very soothing, isn't it?

The Escape Artist: Sunday on PBS

I watched Episode 1 last night and I'm so happy I did. It was riveting. I recorded it last Sunday. The finale (Episode 2) is tomorrow night. Can't wait. David Tennant is wonderful. 

Lucky for you, PBS is repeating Episode 1 tomorrow (Sunday) night from 8:00-9:30 pm and the new and final Episode 2 from 9:30-11:00 pm. You will be able to watch it straight through. I might watch Episode 1 again. Here is the PBS link for The Escape Artist on Masterpiece Mystery.

NOTE: DUE TO RIGHTS RESTRICTIONS, THIS PROGRAM WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE STREAMING. You will have to watch it live or record it. Don't miss it. You are welcome!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Gibson Island MD -- Skippers Row

This Gibson Island property was designed and built by noted architect, Edward Palmer as his personal residence. It affords panoramic views of both the harbor and the Chesapeake Bay. This French Normandy beach house is wonderful, isn't it? via
I have real estate on the brain. It's been all I could do lately to keep up with the showings of my new listing and keep my head above water around my own cottage. I mowed the back yesterday and the day before. I still have to do the front---it looks like a jungle and I don't even care. It all gets done in due time. Plus it's hot again and the air conditioning feels very good! I'm off to watch an episode of Father Brown I recorded last night. xo

Monday, June 16, 2014

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Nighty Night

This owl makes me sleepy so off to bed I go. Webster is already tucked in and I have to grab Tabitha from outside. I honestly think she would spend all night out there if I would let her. Hope you have a nice weekend. I certainly did! xo

Rye and Marmalade Pinwheel Cookies

I just loved looking at these moving animations and thought you would too.
Once in a while you need a treat.
I think a clever cook could put something savory in the center with herbed cheese instead of sugar and marmalade. Cheese and rye are such a good combination. Or you could do half savory and half sweet. Let me know if you try.



Spinning Pinwheels.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Sunroom / Potting Room in a Craftsman Bungalow

Morningside bungalow potting/sunroom, Minneapolis. Meriwether Inc.
This 1919 bungalow was lovingly taken care of but just needed a few things to make it complete. The owner, an avid gardener wanted someplace to bring in plants during the winter months. This small addition accomplishes many things in one small footprint. This potting room, just off the dining room, doubles as a mudroom. Design by Meriwether Felt, Photo by Susan Gilmore
More photos of this delightful bungalow HERE.


Friday, June 13, 2014

Butter + Unrefined Carbs = Perfect Together

image source and another great article about good fats HERE (the article also contains a link to the recent article about good fats in the Wall Street Journal).

I watched a video on NBC related to the EAT BUTTER cover on Time Magazine. The doctor said to put butter on unrefined carbohydrates and you'll be fine. The danger of butter she said was putting it on unrefined carbohydrates like white bread. She said eating butter and other saturated fats like coconuts and coconut oil, butter, marbled meat, and chicken skin (yuk) will actually raise the good HDL (Good) Cholesterol but the opposite happens when those fats are combined with refined carbs. Then the LDL (bad) Cholesterol goes up.

If you put butter on a baked potato, this is a good thing.
If you put butter on a biscuit, that is a bad thing.

I was very happy to find T H E  L I S T below. Now I know the butter I love to put on my morning oatmeal is a good thing. Popcorn too. I am so happy!!! There's nothing better than a baked potato with butter either.

*************************
Un-refined Carbohydrates

Fresh veggies
Fresh fruits
Sweet potatoes/yams/potatoes
Beans and legumes
Whole grains
Oatmeal
Buckwheat
Amaranth
Quinoa
Brown or wild rice
Basmati rice
Popcorn
Raw milk and yogurt (unsweetened)
**********************************

Refined (Processed) Carbohydrates

White sugar
Foods containing corn syrup, HFCS
Sodas
Sugary drinks
(this includes sweetened fruit juice and tea)
Alcohol (beer and wine)
Canned fruits / veggies containing added sugar
Sweetened applesauce
White flour and anything made with white flour; bread, muffins, bagels, cakes, cookies, pasta, biscuits, donuts, etc.
Cereals
Fries/chips
Potato chips/pretzels
Pizza
Desserts
White rice
Boxed puddings
Candy/toffee/sweets
Store bought cooked meats/cold cuts (when they have added sugars and additives)
Sausages/hot dog frankfurters (when they contain carb fillers, additives, or sugar)
Jams/jelly
Jell-O

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Time Magazine Cover: Eat Butter

Wow. I can't wait to read this article. Scientists labeled fat the enemy. Why they were wrong.
This is a screen shot I took with my iPhone on Instagram from Time Magazine's feed. Don't you love one of the 561 comments? REJOICE. 
Tucking in now. Good night. xo

A Delightful Spot

I love this corner bookcase, the table and chairs and the window seat. Such a cozy corner. Found on Pinterest. Have a great day. xo

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Miss Fat

Here is another place Tabitha likes sit and watch the world go by. It's beside one of my cast iron roosters on top of a brick wall. The flagstones get nice and hot and she loves to bake. We are all getting ready to tuck in. Have a good evening. Good night. xo

Wild Daisy Here At My Cottage

This is my very first daisy this year. I took this photo yesterday when walking the Wonder Dog in the afternoon. There will be raindrops to capture on this dark, dreary day. It's very cool too and I'm happy about that part of the weather forecast. There has been tremendous interest in the old house I listed one week ago.

Click for a copy of the listingm MLS # 3146998


Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Monday, June 9, 2014

Seaside Light

Isn't the light beautiful shining on this lovely shingle-style house. Nantucket? Martha's Vineyard? The Hamptons? Wherever it it, it's lovely. via

Taking the Day to Regroup

Ever since I got up this morning, I've been putting things back in their proper places. My kitchen table was starting to like the photo above. I'm making progress and am almost ready to vacuum. It's a dark and dreary rainy Monday, perfect for regrouping. My new real estate listing has taken all of my time lately with an Open House yesterday. It was great and hopefully we'll have a contract soon. See you later. xo

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Saturday, June 7, 2014

The Wonder Dog

Here is a new photo of Webster, the wonder dog taken out back after his evening meal. He loves going out after dinner when the sun is going down. It won't be completely dark for an hour and a half and we'll probably take another walk when the stars come out. We have wonderful night skies here at the cottage. Enjoy your Saturday night and the rest of the weekend. xo

Best Photo Ever

Isn't this wonderful? What a perfect way to spend a weekend at the beach with a friend! Read more about Sandy the elephant and Zoot the dog here.