Saturday, April 7, 2012

Henry and Webster


Webster has another babysitting job this weekend. I'm so proud of how well he gets along with other dogs. He's so gentle and is an absolute prince in every way. Henry, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel adores him. He has been here since Thursday. He came with a picky appetite but that has changed since coming to the cottage. Now he eats with gusto just like Webster does. No between meal snacks and some people food mixed with his kibble was all it took. That's the toe of my sock foot in the foreground. The colored thing leaning up against the sofa in the background is my weighted hula hoop. We just got back from a walk to the way back and I took my hoop down there to get some exercise and I was able to do 191 continuous revolutions before I hit a snag. That is the most so far. I usually pick up and continue until I do 300 at each session several times a day. I had to take one week off when I hurt my back shoveling gravel. I started up again this past Monday.
Have a wonderful Easter. Mother and I are going to brunch at a the home of friends tomorrow. 

Healthy Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins, Mexican Style

 

Surprised Hen

 
Jenni Oliver

Friday, April 6, 2012

Too Much Caffeine | Sleepless Owl


Don't stay up too late tonight. You need to be fresh for this busy holiday weekend. via

A Chilly Bunny and Some Egg People

 
Here's hoping you have nice Easter weather. Don't you love this silly drawing by Franco MatticchioI'm still wearing my blue down jacket too.


 
These egg people are so cute. Download and print here.

Cheerful Kitchen


It looks like a small, compact, charming, cheerful kitchen all decked out for spring. Love it! via

Log Cabin Kitchen


I like it very much, don't you? via

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Divine Window Seat


This one is for adults only. It would be nice to sit here and read or soak in the beautiful view. A nap might be nice too. via

Bunny Shirts and Easter Buckets


The wonderful galvanized pails are painted with chalkboard paint and decorated with chalk. These handsome boys are lucky to have a talented mom who handpainted their tee shirts with a great bunny head. She says they will wear last year's Easter outfits to church. These clothes are perfect for a serious Easter Egg Hunt. Story here.

Remarkable Indian Stone Carvings with Elephants


Carving detail from Arjuna’s Penance
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India.
 
©http://www.flickr.com/photos/maheshguild/5336091437/in/photostream/

Cottage Office


Garden cottage office of designer Michael Trapp.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Printable Bunny Silhouettes


The graphics fairy has a whole sheet (8 per page) of these wonderful running rabbits in two sizes you can print for your Easter Place Cards or other Easter projects. Download and print here. She made something much more complicated.

Great Sleeping Alcove


It doesn't get much better than this, does it? What could two children possibly find to fight about in this wonderful sleeping alcove overlooking the water? via

Fairfield Connecticut

 
 
Fairfield Residence. Spectacular seamless New England renovation/addition to an 8,000 s.f. house overlooking golf course and harbor. Allan Greenberg Architect - Connecticut

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Sleep Solves Everything


I agree. I haven't been getting enough lately either. I stay up too late and get up too early. Yawn. via Goodnight. (I love this font!)

Family Rules for All


What a great sign with a wonderful message and instructions for family life. via

Easter Cupcakes


These are very sweet, aren't they? via

Gorgeous Kitchen


It really is gorgeous, isn't it? I think it's a serious cook's kitchen for sure. I love the cabinet fronts, the hardware, the subway tile, the light, the bar to hold shelves and utensils, the open shelving. The stove, the island, the hood. I think I love it all! I've never understood pot fillers so I left that out. via

Monday, April 2, 2012

Anything you can do, I can do better.



First Bluebird Spotting at My Cottage


I was afraid I would scare my first spring bluebird away if I opened the door to go out on the balcony to photograph him. Instead I had to do it through the window and the screen from my bathroom. These birds never fail to thrill me!

What?


Is this the ugly ducking of the owl world? I'm sure he looks a lot better when his feathers are dry. Is this a newborn? Not sure but I loved the photo and hope you do too. via Pixdaus

Grape Hyacinths

 
Grape Hyacinth, otherwise known as Muscari, are actually not Hyacinths at all. They are members of the Lily family, and are native to the Mediterranean area and Asia Minor. These are growing against my brick wall here at the cottage.



The wild violets are coming up all over the front lawn and are another sure sign that spring has sprung. 

Sunday, April 1, 2012

The Wonder Dog After the Big Birthday Dinner

 

Webster had a perfect day for his 10th birthday. He had all of his favorite foods and we just got in from an after-dinner walk where I took these iPhone photos. We barely got home before it started raining. He's on his bed behind the sofa in a food coma now. 

French Cats Playing Pattycake


At first I thought this was one cat playing on a mirror. It's great, isn't it? Especially considering these two cats understand French. Click here if you can't see this wonderful video.

[Almost] Ready to Fly


The one on the right is looking at his sibling and thinking...you must be nuts. via Pixdaus

Today is Webster's Birthday -- He's 10 Years Old


If you calculate his age in people years (10x7) he is 70 years old today. This is a recent photo taken outside on one of those nice days when he was watching helping me work. I cooked him a huge sweet potato in the oven last night along with the ones we had for supper and that will be one of his special treats today. They are one of his favorite foods along with cornbread. I think I'll make a big iron skillet of that later today as well. It sort of breaks my heart to look back on older photos of him and see how he has aged. But he still acts like a pup and is very healthy and I can't complain -- especially since we are the same age this year [smile]. If only that were an April Fool joke :(
http://contentinacottage.blogspot.com/2009/04/birthday-boy-hes-no-april-fool.html

http://contentinacottage.blogspot.com/2010/04/websters-birthday-8-x-7-56-in-people.html

http://contentinacottage.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-dog-is-worried.html

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Paperwhites and Lilies of the Valley


The paperwhites I started forcing just before Christmas have their own internal clocks. These just came into bloom this week. I thought they looked nice photographed with my iPad against the guest room draperies with a Lily of the Valley motif.