1809 Invitation to a Pleasure Ball

"While we live, let us LIVE."
I love this quote.

Oh, the excitement of receiving this invitation to a PLEASURE BALL. Miss Lydia Goulet's heart must have been racing at the prospect of an early afternoon dance until an undetermined hour. Would Mr. Darcy be there? I wonder if Jane Austen was invited too? I looked it up and May 30, 1809 was on a Tuesday. How odd, that doesn't sound very exciting at all now. But maybe it was. I can hear Maggie Smith's voice in my head saying...WHAT is a weekend? I guess everyday was a Saturday to a certain class. via

Cranky, Sleepy Cat | Tabitha + Webster

After the shower yesterday around supper time Tabitha wanted to take a nap so she hissed at poor Webster who wasn't doing a single thing to annoy her except being on the same planet. Notice the placement of the puddles.

Same position. Head in puddle. Sound asleep.

Nice cool wet deck wood = sweet kitty dreams.

Here's Webster

He's as handsome as ever, isn't he? We had a quick thunder shower right after supper that cooled things off a little and Webster was glad. We have been running the central air plus our vintage circular ottoman fan and Webster all but wraps his body around it. When we go out in the heat of the day he can't wait to get back in the house. 

The Line Up | Cats Seeking Shade

Cats are so smart. Are you this good at finding a patch of shade? Keep cool and I hope you have power. via

Gooey Chocolate Skillet Cake Ice Cream Sundae Recipe

This recipe for Gooey Chocolate Skillet Cake Ice Cream Sundae is the best use for my iron skillet yet!!! I just died. Click here for the recipe. It's all the way at the end after all the drool worthy photos.

Remember the Birds

In all this heat, it's a full-time job keeping all of the birdbaths filled with fresh water for my fine feathered friends. My iPhone Photo

Delights From and For The Garden

It's a very nice composition, isn't it?

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Architect's Own Dream Beach House

I'm only showing the bedroom of this fabulous house in Northern California's Stinson Beach designed by and for Architect Lewis W. Butler. I can't wait for your comments after you see the rest of the tour. I promise you'll be blown away just as I was! Use the arrows side center in each photo to navigate the tour.
butlerarmsden.com/portfolio/stinson-beach-house

first discovered here

Geometric Floor w/ Mariner's Compass

This hallway floor is very well thought out with full diamonds on either side of the mariner's compass within an oval. This design uses the natural floor with stained diamonds and focal motif. I like the outside border too. I toured this house recently. Have a great weekend!

Deformed Sheep Gets Custom Wheel Chair

NEW FLEECE OF LIFE...Buster can now spend time in the fields with the rest of the flock at Clough Farm Animal Sanctuary in Stockport UK. Vets recommended that he be put down as a deformed leg meant he could barely walk but volunteers at the sanctuary were determined to find another solution. Instead they raised enough money to give Buster his own custom-made wheelchair. Now isn't that a great story to start your weekend? I'm so happy for this beautiful animal!

©HotSot Media

Lacecap Hydrangea - No Border

Here is my previous photo with no border. Now you can decide which you like better. 

Lacecap Hydrangea at My Cottage

We had a heavy shower overnight but by morning it had stopped. I took this photo with my iPhone while the raindrops were still on the blossoms of my lacecap hydrangea. I'm having fun with that free iPad app from Martha Stewart called CraftStudio. It's fun adding decorative borders. Or do you think it's too much?

Things To Do -- Every Single Day

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White Country Kitchen to Love!

I like the layout of this kitchen with its open shelves for displaying special collections and its clean country lines. There is even a Chippendale mirror on the wall above the built-in microwave. I could be very happy here. via

Where Will You Be for July 4th Weekend?

Try for some scenery with distant views this weekend even if that means a trip in the car. Pack a picnic lunch and get out of town! The week of July 4th is supposed to be the most popular week of the year for vacations. Sunday is July 1st, so start packing now!!! via

A Slug Visits My Cottage

 

I was glad I had my iPhone in my back pocket early this morning when I took the cat and the dog outside. This slug was much longer than the photo. I cropped it because the front of this large slimy invertebrate was the focal point. 

Hoglets to Brush, "Are You Our Mum?"

Perhaps mistaking the brush for their mum, three orphaned hedgehogs find comfort inside a dustpan after being rescued from certain death. Staff at HART Wildlife Rescue Centre are being inundated with calls from people finding baby hoglets in their gardens due to the unseasonal wet weather.
Picture: Rod Kirkpatrick/F Stop Press

Do You Cook with Your Pets?

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Red, White and Blue Porch

Are you gearing up for July 4th yet? via

Beautiful Duckling

Isn't this the sweetest baby duck you've ever seen? I hope he brings a ray of sunshine into your day.

photo by Bob Garas