Great Laundry Room

This is a wonderful laundry room, isn't it? The cabinets are wonderful and I really like the white porcelain farm sink. I can only imagine how fabulous the rest of the room must be. via

Thanksgiving Defined

I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week. We are on the BRAT diet here at the cottage so my mother's intestinal tract can get back to normal. Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and (white) Toast. These are all binding foods. I got rice milk and rice cereal too and some saltine crackers and chicken broth. So far, so good. Webster thinks it's all delicious.

Webster was a good house sitter.

But he's so glad we are back. Being home alone was no fun and a huge responsibility. He is trying to understand what happened but can't quite grasp the hospital situation. Anyway, Webster is glad we are returning to normal and he can go back to being a pet instead of a security guard. 

Cozy reading nook

I like this room with the cubbies for books and the chair beside the fireplace and the stone floor. My mother said it was so good to be home and know that everything you touch is yours. We both slept like logs last night and woke up to bright sunshine. Webster slept with me and Nurse Tabitha slept with Anna. The pets are happy to have us back.  Mother had a good appetite for breakfast and she feels good.
See more reading nooks here and have a great weekend. 

My Mother Was Discharged -- Hooray

Home has never looked so good. The pets were happy to see my mom and now we can concentrate on getting back to normal. Anna says she feels surprisingly good! The staff at the hospital loved her. She was a model patient since she was a nurse herself at one time. Thanks for all of your wonderful notes and your prayers.

The curved tree on the far left is the one that came crashing down during Hurricane Sandy. That was one I never considered would be a potential problem. Luckily the damage was minimal...just some scraped shingles. It was definitely guided by angels.

It's SO good to be home again! Sigh.

Mother is Sitting up

Waiting for the two thumbs up to go home later today. I hope it will be during the daylight hours. See you later.

Thanks so much for your prayers and get well soon notes. xo, Rosemary and Anna

Lovely Interior Design

I love the window treatment in this room and everything else too...especially the lamp. via

I'm home for a short break to feed and walk Webster. He's been a doll during this hospital ordeal. Once a day is for feeding, walking and bathroom breaks is all he needs. He's really a dog you can trust to be home alone. The good news is that my mom will probably get to come home tomorrow afternoon. Cross your fingers for us. xo, Rosemary

Broadway in The Cotswolds UK

Don't you love the sculpted bushes? Broadway was the first town I visited in The Cotswolds in the 1970s. It's was love at first sight.

My mom finally got a hospital room around 6:30 tonight. After I got her settled in I dashed home to feed and walk Webster and Tabitha. I'm running a hot bath too. I'll go back later. I hope we get to the root of her problem tomorrow.

Thank you so much for your wishes for her speedy recovery. She's miserable being away from home as we all would be. I miss my bed too.

Goodnight. Now for a good long soak. xo

My Mom is in the Hospital

We went to the emergency room yesterday per doctor's orders and we are still waiting for a room. The inn is full because of the hurricane. We are at the top of the list. She is dehydrated and more. Updates to follow.

Pointer Puppy Love

Someone else loves him too and knitted his pillow/dog bed cover. Just look at the size of those paws!!! via

A Great White Kitchen

I really like wha I'm seeing here. I always like antiques in a kitchen and this flip top trestle table is great. I love all the white woodwork, the wooden countertops, the unpainted wooden knobs, the white sofa, the built-in oven and cooktop. The window is fabulous and I like not having any overhead cabinets. Two thumbs up. via

Sheep Family Portrait

Such a handsome family. ©laura l. wentz on flickr

Fat Chicken on A Stool

I love this big fat lazy chicken trying her best to cover the entire seat of a rusty stool. via

DIY Paper Orchids -- Just Beautiful

Fire up your printer and heat up your glue gun to make these beautiful paper orchids. Tutorial here.

Abbey House Gardens -- England

Have you ever seen anything lovelier than Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury, Wiltshire? via If this isn't eye candy, I don't know what is!

Beautiful Entrance

via

I love everything about this photo. What a wonderful door. Love the bittersweet color too.

Weathered Wheelbarrow Bench in England

Wheelbarrow bench, Abbey House Gardens, Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

I have blogged about rolling garden benches many times and have always wanted one. See my older posts here.

The Definition of Home

I hope everyone gets their querencia back soon. We've all been feeling displaced lately here on the east coast. I am one of the fortunate ones and my heart breaks for those who suffered the most. I think we will all have to adjust to a new normal. via

Fine Leather Bindings with Dog Bookends

I have to search pretty hard around the cottage to find something to photograph that does not look as if the hurricane hit inside the house. I really need to straighten things up and I will, eventually. I just need the strength!
This photo shows only one of my favorite dog bookends. The mate is at the other end of this 11-volume set of decorative bindings with hand-colored plates. [my iPhone photo]

Neighbors Through The Fence

HaHa. Where there's a will, there's a way. via

Post Sandy Snowstorm Before The Melt

The balcony and railing are perfectly clear now. It was beautiful but annoying too. I am usually a fan of snow when I have power but it wasn't a welcome sight this year. I hope to get some work done inside this weekend so I won't feel so bogged down. I took this photo from my living room looking through one of the french doors that opens to the balcony.

Why Cats Hate Snow

Need I say more? This was Tabitha's initial reaction when I made her go out in the snow for a bathroom break. It didn't last long thank goodness and we are slowly getting back to a somewhat normal routine. All of a sudden I am very tired but must soldier on. 

East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens Norfolk UK

via I think I'll plant a big hedge instead of more trees. East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens Norfolk UK

Evergreen Leaf Catcher

This is a photo I took before the storms after a walk with the wonder dog. This evergreen tree is still standing. I'm rather rushed because I have a real estate closing this morning. It has been delayed for one reason or another for almost a month. Thankfully the house and property suffered no storm damage and passed the re-inspection required by the lender. See you later!

Webster Has A Sheepskin

Here's the sheepskin I was telling you about on top of Webster's dog bed. He loves it. I put my head on it to test it out and it feels wonderful. Like sleeping on a warm cloud.

Interesting Tree Fungus

This tree was hollow at the bottom and the fungus had traveled up through the tree trunk. I stuck my hand into the hollow base and it was very hot underground.

The pattern the fungus made is very beautiful, isn't it? A talented woodworker could definitely make something beautiful from this wood. 

Nor'easter Morning

Maybe Mother Nature figured she'd better cover up all the evidence of Sandy but she's not fooling me! The snow on the railing melted soon after I snapped this iPhone photo. I had to get up early to let the Wonder Dog out. He's walking normally today -- hooray. I found a big brown New Zealand sheep skin in the garage that I had forgotten all about owning. I put it on his dog bed yesterday and I honestly think it helped him recover faster than he would have without it. His bed is behind the sofa next to a radiator. He seems very happy today and so am I. Electricity does wonders for my spirit. Thanks for all of your comments expressing concern for all of us in the cottage. Now you can relax because you know we are fine. My followers are the best!!!