Saturday, September 8, 2012

Potatoes for Saturday Supper

 
This is all we had for supper tonight. I left the skins on, cut them in half, and roasted these potatoes on top of the stove instead of baking them in the oven. They were delicious. We had a healthy quinoa salad with black beans and corn for lunch so these potatoes served with a little butter and sour cream were all we needed for the evening meal. 
I can't begin count the number of times I opened and closed the windows today and wiped off the window sills. We had so many short but heavy showers. It's a lot cooler too.
Goodnight everyone. See you tomorrow.

Outbuilding with Ivy and Without


I blogged about my friend's delightful outbuilding earlier in the spring (here's the post) and everyone wanted to see it again when the ivy had leaves. 

You can view the excellent bones of the building with the bare vines; that's one of my favorite things about late fall and winter when all the leaves are off the trees.
my photos

Lighthouse in Norway

An amazing tiny lighthouse on the island of Tjøme, Norway via

White on White Traditional Exterior

Traditional Exterior design by New York Architect Beinfield Architecture PC. I don't think I've ever seen white shutters on a white exterior but I think it looks beautiful here, don't you? via

Dachshund Bootscraper


Late afternoon shadow photographed with my iPhone at the home of a friend day before yesterday. We have gray skies here at the cottage and reports of thunder showers to come but it's not going to be as hot as it was yesterday.
Have a pleasant weekend!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Fine Art in The Kitchen


This is spectacular. I love everything I see in this kitchen detail. via

JOCKUM NORDSTRÖM in his studio

 
 
 

I'm always interested in seeing any successful artist's studio/workshop. I love the art table in this one. Look at it closely -- I think this could become a DIY project. Photos from here. More information about Swedish artist Jockum Nordström here. I think he needs a few more horizontal surfaces, don't you?

Trees


my photo

Log Cabin Gate


Nothing could be more perfect! via

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Gandhi's Top 10


Great poster found here.

Lovely Reflection


I've always been fond of picture-in-a-picture photography. This is a very lovely reflection. via

Wild Grape Vines


It won't be long before these vines lose their leaves. There is a lot to be done outside to put everything to bed for a long winter's nap and I had better get started!!! I love the vein patterns on the back of these wild grape leaves. See you later.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

A Bed of Impatiens


I photographed a bed of impatiens outside a store in a depressing strip mall recently. They were trying their hardest to beautify the place and they did. I took this photo with my iPhone and made it into an etching to tone it down a bit. That's the thing about annuals -- they aren't at all bashful about being all they can be!

Wow, What A Reading Room


Wow! This room has almost everything I require except for a small TV. Maybe one is tucked in the corner. It even has a black rotary phone. via

Transferware Plate - Three Views


I've always liked this brown and white transferware plate.


Here it is in as old etching.


I think it looks nice as a stamp too, don't you?

Pouring Rain

one minute, sun shining the next. We are getting the remnants of Isaac. The sun is now shining brightly on my deck minutes after taking this photo with my iPhone.

The Beautiful Cotswolds

A beautiful day in The Cotswolds (by darren-johnson) via

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Charming Country Kitchen

Renovated 1890s cottage, Ohio. The Workshops of David T. Smith. I love the bucket bench island.

Wonderful Hallway with Stenciled Floor

Designer Karen Blake via
This is too beautiful for words. I hope this is a dry area and there is never a waterfall of rain coming down those steps. I adore the triple hoop back windsor bench and the old sign above it.

The Site of The Yellow Jacket Attack


Webster and I are avoiding this part of the woods in the "way back" from now on. We got lucky with our first attack of the killer yellow jackets but might not fare so well a second time.
my iPhone photo

Two Silhouettes


I slept late this morning and decided you all needed to see this again. It's from Masterpiece Silhouette Theatre.

Webster wanted me to post this one for him. See you later.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Webster and The Bees

When I was walking Webster after dinner yesterday at dusk he must have disturbed an underground bee's nest because he came out of the edge of the woods absolutely covered with these tiny bees or yellow jackets. Luckily I had on a long sleeved shirt and I immediately started knocking them off with my bare hands and then with a broken off tall weed covered with lots of small leaves; it was almost like a broom. One bee fell inside my tall Wellies and stung me on the ankle. I succeeded in getting almost all of the insects off of poor Webster and we headed home where I gave him two antihistamine tablets just in case he had a reaction. I have no idea how many stings he got but he must have been on fire. He panted heavily for hours and finally found the coolest spot in the house under my bed. By the time I turned off the light hours later his breathing had returned to normal and I was sure he was okay. Today he is fine. He was so brave...he never made a sound throughout the ordeal...not even a whimper.

I Love LEMON Anything . . .

And this Meyer Lemon Pudding Cake is no exception.
INGREDIENTS:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 large eggs, at room temperature, separated
1/3 cup Meyer lemon juice
(or 1/4 cup regular lemon juice)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar, for dusting
read directions here

Such A Perfect Porch

It won't be long now before we can sit on the porch and look at the fall foliage. This would be the perfect porch to sit and look and rock, wouldn't it? It has the most beautiful visual corridor. via

The History of Labor Day

Young Mill Worker in Alabama

In 2008 I put together a great History of Labor Day and I still like reading it and watching the video with historic footage. In case you missed it or want to refresh your memory, click here
We have a gloomy rainy day at my cottage. I hope your weather is better if you are going to a parade or having a picnic.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Natural Wood Kitchen

I think all of this natural wood is refreshing. I like the soapstone sink and counter tops too. They look nice with the stainless steel appliances. Two thumbs up! via

My 1922 Bronze Dog Medal


Below is a circa 1930 photo of Admiral Byrd receiving the "Bide-A-Wee" Medal in recognition of his humane treatment of animals.


Top photo is mine; bronze Bide-A-Wee medal circa 1922 from my personal collection. Read the history of Bide-A-Wee, founded in 1906 here.
Named for the Scottish expression “Stay a While,” the organization maintains facilities for rescue, adoption, training of pet owners in proper care of animals and even operates pet cemeteries.