Wednesday, April 11, 2012

One Rooster and Five Hens


These fowl friends were the best part of the open house tour yesterday. They were very excited to see me.

I photographed the rooster inside the barn last fall before this delightful property went on the market. It wasn't that long ago that the whole town looked like this with gardens and barns and farm animals ... but no more :(

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Patio with Vine Covered Fireplace


As I inch myself towards daring to even think about moving outside again this year I'm stopped dead in my tracks by this photo. You would never want to go inside if you had such a beautiful patio, would you? I love the table and hanging lantern too. It's a wonderful outdoor room! Found here scroll up when the page loads.

Fashion Advice for Dog Lovers

I had a great time at one particular realtor open house tour today. This little stoneware plaque made me laugh. Isn't it great?


There were two cute real dogs running around inside and outside but they wouldn't be still long enough for a photo so I snapped these Staffordshire poodles instead.

Beatrix Potter Mouse House in The Spring

Beatrix Potter. Don't you just love her illustrations? I don't care for mice in person ... just in storybooks. My violets are running wild all over the lawn and the scale in this artwork is just about perfect for a well-dressed mouse woman locking up her tree house to go shopping. Have a wonderful spring day. I hope I will see a house half this wonderful on realtor house tours today but I doubt that I will :) via

Pillow Talk

I photographed this needlepoint pillow at a recent open house. It's really good advice, isn't it?

Monday, April 9, 2012

You Are My Sunshine

My iPhone photo of a sign on a kitchen wall in a house that was filled with sunshine.

The Skunk Cabbage is Spreading


The woods are being overtaken by the spreading skunk cabbage in the wetlands to the rear of my cottage.

Henry's Last Day at My Cottage

Today is Henry's last full day with us. I taught him how to get on the sofa by himself and today he did it with no assistance. His owner won't even know he's the same pup she dropped off 5 days ago. This is another kaleidoscope photo taken with my iPad and edited with the Infinicam app that was a free download over the weekend. I just checked and it's still free so grab it. It's normally $1.99 so it's a bargain right now. It's so much fun to play around with all the different borders. Have a great week and I'll see you later.
Here is another camera app that is free today only. It's usually $1.99. I downloaded it too. Will test it later. Grab it while it's free!!!!!!!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Baby Blue Bird

I had a great Easter and hope you did too. I love this photo of a baby blue bird -- found here. I can't wait to jump in bed and watch Mad Men. See you tomorrow.

Serving the Easter Eggs

 
Happy Easter everyone. I always look for vintage images and this is an old Easter postcard I've never seen before. It's a beautiful day here at the cottage and hopefully at your house too. via

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.