Saturday, July 14, 2012

We go everywhere together.


The little dog is the leader. Thank goodness for mud rooms! via

1908 Children's Book Illustrations


A step back in time with a wonderful illustration by Margaretta S. Hinchman.


When children learned the names of flowers from their stories. Verse by Edith Barnes Sturgis. There is no mention of the garden fairy that is in the picture above.


Book Cover. Published in 1908. Large folio Children's book from my collection. 


All photos in this post are mine.

Porchside Weekend


I wonder if these people wish they had made the porch a tiny bit wider? What a pain it would be to have to move so people could scooch by when you were all comfy...as in a movie theater. I'm not complaining though. I would just dash for the last seat instead of the first one. via

Good Advice


I got up early this morning, so I'm off to a good start. Have a great weekend. via

Friday, July 13, 2012

Cat on the Kitchen Counter


I love this sleek modern kitchen with the blackboard wall behind the sink. ©recent settlers

4 in 1 iPhone Photo of the Day


Just playing around with a new app again today. Please yell if you want me to stop. This one is free today (normally $.99) and is called Diptic. I like it because it maintains a high resolution if you want to print which I almost never do.

A Library to Envy


Oh.My.What a wonderful library! Antiquarian books are my passion and this looks like a very nice collection. I wish I could see the head on the portrait. This room is not staged and the bookshelves were designed specifically for the volumes....large to small (in three sections) from the floor up. I would love to see the rest of the room. Are you fond of fine bindings too?

Update on Mr. Toad


Mr. Toad never returned after the heat and dry spell set in. He had a big fan club there for a while though. I hope he found a puddle of water somewhere in the wetlands since there isn't a drop to be found here at the cottage except in the cat dish and the birdbath. How dry it is!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Garage Addition w/ Breezeway, Balcony and Terrace


It's lovely, isn't it? So elegantly simple and in such good taste! See the rest of the 1930s center hall colonial via Atelier and Co.

Out on A Limb


We'll all jump on the count of three. One, Two.....

Flowers from My Cottage Free Download


I found an app called PolyFrame and downloaded it. It has lots of pre-set shapes for making collages.
It's easy too. These are spring flowers from my iPhone camera roll. Get it. 

Sweet Little Smiling Lamb


I've had one cup of coffee so far this morning but the caffeine has not yet reached my brain so I'm posting a lamb to start your day and mine too. via

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Goodnight from Webster


He's having a very hard time keeping his eyes open so it's Goodnight from Webster.

M. Night Shyamalan's Philadelphia Home


The filmmaker enlivens a storied 1930s Georgian Revival home near Philadelphia with a romantic array of English architectural styles. The new gatehouse frames a view of the original 1937 Georgian Revival residence on 125 acres. View the 18-photo Architectural Digest slideshow here. Read the article too.

Perfect Reading Spot


I would turn the chair around and put it where the table is located so the lamp would shine on my book. I would replace the table with an ottoman. I would reserve the middle shelf cubby for placing my coffee or tea cup and then this arrangement would be perfect. What changes would you make? via

Curved Bench Window Seat


Isn't this a nice architectural detail? The cutouts on either end of this bay window seat make it look like a settle bench! via

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Listen to Ralph


This sounds like very good advice from Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Be silly, be honest, be kind." via

Wonderful Outdoor Entertaining Space


The house looks wonderful and so does the tiered patio with lovely plantings and beautiful garden furniture. It's fabulous, isn't it? via

This happens every year. I start to see leaves turning color in July. This bright yellow one was floating in the birdbath. I was glad I had my iPhone in my pocket. It's still hot and dry but not as humid here at the cottage.

Red and White Checks


I love them on this kitchen floor. *

They are perfect on these bunk beds too. *

Monday, July 9, 2012

London Olympic Games 1948 and 2012

South Carolina Farmhouse

Belk Farm inspired by an old ice house on the shore of Cumberland Island Georgia. Love the double roofline with clerestory windows. Ken Pursley Architect. Read article and view more pictures here.

Perfect Vacation--Surfing with Books


This image certainly speaks volumes, doesn't it? A woody piled high with books ending up at the beach certainly looks like a perfect vacation to me. via The illustrator/author is Chris Gall and this poster was for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in 2007. See the license plate---LA2007. He also illustrated a picture book entitled America The Beautiful. I love his talent!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Brownie Batter Cheesecakes [No Bake]


These look easy, delicious, and fast to assemble. It's too hot to turn on the oven so why not whip up some for dessert one day this coming week? Recipe here with step by step instructions in pictures... very little reading required [smile]. I love ice box pies and cheesecakes, don't you?

Photo Fun - MarbleCam [free download]


This free app was featured in today's New York Times. You can use it with any existing photos in your camera roll or with the iPhone or iPad camera opened in the app.

This is the photo I used from my camera roll for the 'marble' effect above. This is going to be fun!

Best Outdoor Room Ever!


There are no words for this timber frame shelter with fireplace by the pool. It's a wonderful outdoor room, isn't it? via

Yes, please. I'll have my virtual hand-squeezed orange juice on the virtual porch this lovely Sunday morning. You'll join me, right? Sigh. via

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Wild Raspberries at My Cottage


I usually eat a big handful of wild raspberries every time I take the dogs for a walk. They are so good. As you can see by the shriveled leaves we badly need a good soaking rain. The heat wave will be ending tomorrow and that's a good thing. Enjoy your Saturday night.

Dining Room overlooks Great Kitchen


This is such a visually pleasing photo to me. I love the neatness of it all and the low backs on the dining room chairs. The dark gray paint is perfect, even on the ceiling in the pantry. Very nice indeed. via

How Do You Count Your Days?


I know it's psychological but when it's hot outside I find it difficult to get anything very productive done inside even though the central air is running. Is this normal? How do you cope with the heat? Even the dogs are lying around like dishrags. Today I shall try to make the day count!! I found the quote in the white box here and I expanded it myself using the Martha Stewart app that's only 'free' for one more day. 

Do You Wander?


I would love to be wandering in the snow too! Stay cool if you are in the heatwave zone and have a good weekend. via

Friday, July 6, 2012

French Bulldog says Goodnight


Piggy is in the most uncomfortable looking position with his head propped up against the sofa arm but he's snoring away in the coolness of the a/c. I'm off to bed myself and Webster tucked in ages ago. We had a pretty exhausting day. I vacuumed and Piggy chased and barked after the beast. His humans don't have an upright. Cleaning wore us both out. Have a good weekend and stay cool.

Wonderful Airstream Campsite

This is a wonderful image, isn't it? Do these people camp at the same spot every year, thus the hollyhocks? I love the awnings. I've always thought this would be the perfect way to travel...with your bed always with you. Have you ever camped or vacationed in an airstream? via

Piggy Enjoys The Morning Sun


We are having a very nice morning here at the cottage. Piggy is stretched out watching me work in the kitchen and he doesn't know I sneaked up on him from behind. It's supposed to be another scorcher but so far the morning is very pleasant. The forecast is for 91 today and 100 tomorrow. Oh dear, I'd better turn the A/C on again.

Beautiful Symmetry


I would love to be standing on the other side of this door looking out. This is a lovely entrance, isn't it?  via

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Old-Fashioned Summer Fun: Diving Dock


Goodness. I would have loved something like this as a kid. Have you ever seen anything more dangerous looking? Or more fun? Unfortunately, those carefree days of summer are gone forever. This must be a very old photograph because the men's suits have tops.  via

Library Art Gift Wrapping Craft Room


Every home should have one of these! via

Multi-Purpose Bedroom | Nice!

 

It's charming. I love the red accessories, the blue and white painted floor, and the paneled walls and ceiling. It's very cheerful and filled with natural light. Very nice indeed. This would be the perfect guest suite, wouldn't it? via

Piggy Sleeps with an Elephant

I can't find the tiger stuffed toy that Piggy normally sleeps with when he comes to visit. He seems just as pleased with this elephant because it has a squeaker inside, and that's a good thing! I took this iPhone photo last night to send to his humans. How could they NOT be missing this cutie pie?

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Are you enjoying July 4th so far?

 
 
 

I'm sure I have already posted these images---maybe last year. I found them saved to my computer with no information on the original sources....sorry. Pretty soon it will be dark and the fireworks will begin. Enjoy the display in your town. I've had a great holiday so far and hope you have too.