Saturday, July 2, 2011

On The Beach | Literally

This is my favorite kind of place to stay. Teleport me there NOW.

Statue of Liberty Dedicated July 4, 1886

On July 4, 1886, the Statute of Liberty, a present from the people of France, is dedicated in New York Harbor, exactly two years after it was first presented as a gift from the French to the U.S. in Paris.

Life Magazine: It Happened on the Fourth of July.

Don't Forget The Sunscreen

 
We humans have to be extra careful when we take naps in the sun. Don't forget to wear your sunglasses and use lots of sunscreen this weekend.

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Jenny Wren and Wild Berries

Two of my favorite things about summer.

I have several families of house wrens that sing to me the whole day through. I don't have any blackberries but do have tons of raspberries. Original painting by Carl Whitfield

I hope you are enjoying your favorite things too. xo

Friday, July 1, 2011

Have a Charming Weekend


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" 'Tis the star-spangled banner,
Oh! long may it wave,
O'er the land of the free,
And the home of the brave. "

Perfect Symmetry in France

Aix-en-Provence, France
11 bedrooms, 8.5 baths, 6,450 sq. ft., $22 million

Pedigree: Situated amid a nature preserve just minutes from the city center, this stately vineyard château was constructed over the course of the 17th and 18th centuries for French nobility. Its historic interiors have yet to be restored, but the formal gardens are poised for leisurely promenades, thanks to the scenic axes, symmetrical boxwood parterres, and romantic fountains.

Property Values: An orangerie, chapel, stable turned garage, and caretaker’s house also occupy the 57-acre grounds, more than half of which are planted with government-certified vines with an annual 100,000-bottle yield of red and rosé.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Amazing Library Staircase and Balcony Surrounds

Round and round I go. Where I'll stop, nobody knows. Those pierced metal stairs look pretty tricky so I'll hold tight to the handrail. I have no idea where this library is located, but it's pretty amazing, isn't it? UPDATE: A reader identified this as the Law Library at the State Library of Iowa at the Des Moines, Iowa Capitol Building. Thank you!

Will You Summer in New England?

Vintage Travel Poster promoting The New Haven Railroad from the collection of the Boston Public Library. Great graphics.

Blue Door to A Secret Garden

I wish the arched blue door opening to a secret garden were open a little wider so I could see beyond the delphiniums. 

Pet Hammock | Webster Wants One

Have you ever seen a more comfortable looking animal? I think not. Are you going to order a Pet Lounge for your favorite animal? Webster would love this but I have no more floor space. Let me know if you place an order for your lucky dog.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Tea Towel Farmers Market Bags | DIY

Use tea towels and twine to make produce bags to take to the farmers market. Dirty vegetables? No problem. Just turn inside out, give them a shake or two and throw the bags in with the laundry. Such a great eco-friendly idea. via Green Wellies

Dancing With The Stars | Audrey Hepburn

Dancing Lesson. Date unknown. Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993). We still miss her.*

Cottage Love


I like them both for obvious reasons. The first one is probably more 'me' because of the style and location. All it needs is a flag flying from the pole on the balcony. I am a little discouraged today because of my jungle thanks to all the recent rain and would welcome a no-upkeep lawn. I am already way behind just looking at the second cottage.

American Flag on Weathered Gray Siding

I love patriotic holidays requiring lots of flags on houses. Doesn't old glory look grand hanging on the gable end of this charming old house? Nantucket? Martha's Vineyard? Cape Cod? Where?

I can't believe the year is almost half over and July 4th is right around the corner. It's nice that it falls on a Monday so everyone will have a long weekend. It is supposed to be the most popular vacation week of the whole year. Will you decorate your house? via

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Very Cute Puppy

I think this is an English Bulldog pup but I can't be sure. Whatever the breed, this little one looks adorable with the black bow tie around his neck. via

Mark Twain Forever

The United States Postal Service has released their new Mark Twain stamp. It lasts 'forever' so you needn't worry about a price increase for this first class stamp. I love it and think I'll buy a sheet even though I don't use many stamps these days thanks to online bill pay.

You will enjoy seeing the other authors that have been honored around the world with their images on commemorative stamps in this article: Mark Twain and Beyond: Literary Stamp Collecting

It's Not Easy Being Green

...unless you are a painted kitchen floor. I like it, don't you?
More painted floors here.

Only in Paris

...can you find gardens this amazing.

Beautiful Country Morning

Wishing you a beautiful country morning. A bowl of raspberries on the windowsill would just be the icing on the cake, wouldn't it? Especially if you picked them yourself. I can never manage to bring any home since I eat them on the spot at the edge of the woods. I can't wait until they begin to ripen.*

Monday, June 27, 2011

Interior Sliding Barn Door with 6 Lights

 
Here is yet another wonderful interior sliding barn door only this one has 6 glazed lights. I like that feature, especially for a dining room. I like the dark charcoal paint that matches the chairs and contrasts so nicely with the white walls.

William and Kate at Wimbledon


They look as if they enjoy each other's company, don't they? Everyone is happy for them too, especially me. They wanted to watch British player Andy Murray's match. Katherine is a big tennis fan.

She believes in wearing tennis whites too. Back view of her lovely dress here.

How to Build A Simple Garden Fence | DIY Video


I think this looks pretty simple, don't you? I got an email from Dave Huttons this morning asking me to add his blog to my blogroll. I was happy to do it. Check out Fence Fanatics when you have time.

Enchanted Cottage

Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to wake up here? I think it's an abandoned cottage because of the condition of the roof and the trees growing through it. I'll race you to claim it. Now if we can just figure out where it is. Ready, set, GO.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Man in the Moon | Goodnight

I've always been fascinated by the man in the moon, haven't you? This one is wonderful for my last post of the day. It's not dark yet and it was a great Sunday spent puttering around doing fun things that made me happy. xo

Nymans House and Garden West Sussex, UK

If you’re looking for a garden that is as grand as it is wild, as fascinating historically as it is forward-looking, and as well-designed as it is packed with rare plants, then you couldn’t do much better than visit Nymans in West Sussex.

Looking through branches towards the yew topiary and house at Nymans. The yew hedge separates the house and the Knot Garden from the Lawn. The house is a pastiche of a 14th century manor.

Looking over the small fountain to the decorated archway, in the Wall Garden. Colourful borders and topiary flank the path down the middle. Read more...

This Dog Gets Around [SoHo]

This dog named Sienna has posed for her owner at all the hot spots in SoHo. I'm assuming this crocheted bicycle cover is some sort of art installation, right?

View the slideshow on Flickr for more photos of this lucky New York City dog's travels.

Doorway to The Sea

Amazingly beautiful photograph 
By Erhard the hobbit©