Cat's Eyes

I love this photo. I'm pretty sure I've posted it before but here it is again. I love this cat's golden eyes. via

18thC Shingled Cottage

This shingled cottage is in the Hamptons. It is simple and understated with all green landscaping and a curved stepping stone walkway. So nice! via

New Kitchen in an Old House

I love the old-fashioned feel to this remodeled kitchen, especially the wooden countertop and sink surround. It's beautifully done. via

Bathroom with Blue Willow Wallpaper

The exposed brass pipes let more of the wallpaper show and the glass lets are a nice touch. The gold faucet and light fixture carry out the theme. Not sure how the hot and cold water works. Maybe that knob on top of the faucet regulates the temperature. I love the marble counter and high backsplash. All this works very nicely in a small space. I love looking at other people's choices for decorating their homes. via

My Friend's Beautiful Dahlias

I took these photos at a friend's house late this afternoon and once again fell in love with dahlias. I have never tried growing them and every year I admire them and wish I had them too. Next year for sure! I know you have to dig up the tubers and store them somehow to be replanted the next spring. I love that they are so tall and straight proudly flaunting their beauty. I love that they are late bloomers providing such beauty in the fall. xo

Morning Dove Nesting

I'm so happy to see what a Mourning Dove nest looks like. Look closely, there are two youngsters in the nest with the mom. I have these birds in my spruce grove and I love them. I cleaned out their favorite watering container today and they will be happy tomorrow. Flickr photo by Taggartjm

Bees Coming Home

Worker bees lining up to deposit today's pollen collection for the hive. I love this slow motion photo. via

Window Shade Love

The natural light in this photo is amazing. Bring back the roller shade. I have always loved them. via

Edward Gorey Decorated Envelopes

The publication, Floating Worlds: The Letters of Edward Gorey and Peter F. Neumeyer, reproduces the never-before-seen, typewriter-transcribed personal correspondence and illustrated envelopes between Gorey and Neumeyer as they collaborated on several children's books, between 1968 and 1969. via The mail carrier must have loved delivering this mail with the cleverly illustrated envelopes. LOVE!

Porch Envy

Happy Friday everyone. This enviable porch has so many things to love. Double doors, double dogs, double benches, and a painted floor to name just a few. I love the charcoal paint on the door and shutters against the light gray diamonds on the floor. Perfection! via

House Surrounded by A Fenced Garden

I like it. A house sitting all alone with a deck around it, surrounded by gardens. The "lawn" is outside the fenced garden area. It's the opposite of "Don't Fence Me In". via

Current Obsession: LOVEJOY on AcornTV

As I have discussed many times, I cut the cord with cable last fall and haven't looked back. I have an inexpensive indoor antenna and I get plenty of channels free of charge on my Air Antenna from Walmart. I bought a used Apple TV, 3rd Generation for $45 for my living room TV. I bought it on the NEXTDOOR APP from a neighbor. It is fine for me since I don't have a smart TV and don't mind searching for something to watch on my iPad. I just got a Chromecast 3rd Generation for my bedroom TV from Target for $29.99. My bedroom TV set is not connected to anything but the electric plug. It doesn't have the rabbit ears antenna my living room set has. I hooked up the Chromecast and now I can stream 2000+ Apps from my iPad. I am in heaven. Lately I have been watching all the old LOVEJOY programs I used to enjoy on PBS. It is a very old series that I discovered very late before PBS canceled the show in my area. It is all about an antiques dealer in England and his two sidekicks and each episode involves a mystery of some sort. The character who plays interior designer Lady Jane is Mrs. Hughes on Downton Abbey when she was young. You will recognize her voice immediately. Read more about this delightful 6-Season program here. I just finished Season 3 and have three more seasons to go. I watch at least one episode every night in my bedroom. I think Acorn TV is the best streaming service to have and the most reasonably priced. If you sign up for one year it's only $5 per month. LOVEJOY is so old you can only find it in a search on Acorn. The cell phones from this time period are are HUGE! Let me know if you are already a fan. If you are not, let me know when you become one. xo

Along Came a Spider

I was greeted by this large spider at my front door recently. I am not afraid of them and this one let me take his portrait. xo

Pumpkin (Spice) Chocolate Chip Cookies

I am a fan of all the spices related to pumpkin pie spices and I know I would love these cookies. You could probably spread the dough and cut into squares. This recipe might be a keeper.

I have been really busy with real estate. That house I recently showed you with my staging in the bedroom is Under Contract and I am dealing with home inspections now. Fingers crossed for smooth sailing. xo

Tree Removal at My Cottage

I was up early on Friday morning having my coffee when I saw County trucks arriving to deal with the fallen tree on my property that came down during Hurricane Isaias a while back. I live on a county road and the Shade Tree Commission came to my rescue. It was a big job, done quickly and cheerfully by skilled workers. I worked for two days straight mowing and raking to get my streetscape back in order and today I shall rest. xo

Antique Door Hardware

It is lovely to see such an exquisitely beautiful doorknob and lock set on interior double doors. One only hopes the original key is still available. Love this! via

Mugwort (Artemesia Vulgaris) Roadside Weed in NJ

Meet Mugwort!

Mugwort is also called wild chrysanthemum because of the shape of the lower leaves. The plant is a perennial that spreads rapidly by rhizomes. It is one of the most severe weeds of the nursery and landscape plantings. It, along with Japanese knotweed (bamboo), is rapidly becoming one of our worst roadside weeds because people dig it out of their plantings and drop it alongside the road. CASORON should be used to control it wherever possible. The white wooly underside of the leaf is a good ID characteristic and is visible even in the winter. It is a relative of dusty miller.
Photo and Information courtesy of RUTGERS 

It looks like goldenrod without the yellow flowers. It is the most aggressive weed and the bane of my existence. It came out of nowhere and can pop up after the earth is disturbed. I suppose mine came after I put in my septic system. It is impossible to get eradicate so I have just tried to embrace it since I don't like chemicals, but I am tempted. I have hired my tractor friend to come and mow two or three times next year with his brush hog. When it first appeared on the hillside to the left of my expansive back property, I hired weedwhackers with metal blades. It is VERY woody and the stalks can be very thick. I have tried pulling it too. Someone suggested a flame thrower and that might take care of what's above ground but not the roots and rhizomes. Down below it would continue to spread like "wildfire". If you have this weed too, you have my sincere sympathy. The best we can do is keep it cut back. xo

Today is a very somber day in the history of our country since the Twin Towers tragedy in NYC on 9/11/2001.

Nice Resting Spot and A Mowing

This actually looks quite comfortable and the bottom board makes a perfect Corgi chin rest. via

I had a much needed field mowing yesterday. My friend brought his big blue tractor dragging a brush hog and chopped down a three year growth of those woody weeds called Mugwort. I am on his list for regular mowings next year to keep them under control. I love having my far view back again. It rained almost all night and all morning and started back again in the early evening. 

New Watercolor by Beatrix Potter

At Evening’s Close by Helen Beatrix Potter circa 1902. I am always thrilled to find another charming watercolor by Beatrix Potter and this one is delightful! It is evening's close at my cottage so this is  very fitting. xo via

Window Seats with Library Bookcase

This is such a great idea; twin window seats flanked by a bookcase that touches the ceiling! via

Bathroom with an Amazing View

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I don't see any tub filler and  that confuses me but this view is absolutely amazing.

Manners by Emily Post

I am looking forward to the time we can practice good manners again. via

Beautiful Bathroom

I love it all. The paint colors of the walls and  cabinetry with painted knobs, the upholstery fabric on the seat, the cafe curtains and the checked fabric, the framed mirror. the penny tile floor and the large shower with marble walls and a window. If I missed anything, I like that too. via

Gardening Tips for September

Several weeks ago after my Lacecap Hydrangea blooms were on their way out, I cut them all off and tidied up the overgrowth and now I am pleased to say there is a lot of new growth. If you wait until spring to do this you will have no flowers because this confusing plant blooms on last year's growth. I much prefer plantings that bloom on THIS year's growth as the Limelight Hydrangeas do. But you do what you have to do. 

I found this handy list of things to do in the garden in September. Happy Labor Day. xo

PATIO DINING AT ITS BEST

Delightful cottage, delightful patio, delightful furniture. This photo checks all the boxes for outside dining over the Labor Day weekend or anytime. Keep it small for enjoyment by all. via

P E R F E C T P O R C H

I wouldn't change one single thing. This entry porch is perfect in every way. via I hope you have a wonderful long Labor Day Weekend marking the end of summer and the beginning of a new normal in the school year. xo