Breakfast Room with A View

The view from this breakfast room window looks like a painting, doesn't it? The house by TruexCullins Architecture is in Charlotte, Vermont. I love the blue checked club chair with ottoman too!

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

xo

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

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

RBG MOVIE -- TONIGHT ON CNN 9PM

If you cannot see the YouTube video above click here.
I missed this movie when it played for a very short time near me. Several people who saw it said it was wonderful and I am excited about seeing it tonight on CNN at 9PM. Check your tv guide for times in your area.

Kalman visits with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

"I think, move over Jane Austen as my imaginary best friend forever. Make room for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who would have gone to my high school for music, if her parents had let her. Whose favorite artist is Matisse. (I rest my case.) Who went on to study law because she wanted to combat the forces of injustice (McCarthyism) and graduated tied for first in her class at Columbia Law School, but could not get hired as a lawyer."

Maira Kalman loves Ruth. She wrote an article in the NYTimes called "And the Pursuit of Happiness" - The three illustrations above are from MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT.

H A P P Y   L A B O R   D A Y !

UPDATE: This movie is being repeated on Sunday 9/9/18 on CNN. Check your guide for times in your area. In my area (New York Metropolitan) it is being rebroadcast twice. At 8PM and 10PM. This information comes from Vickie H and it's on in her area at 9PM.

Yay. So many of you missed it and will have another opportunity to see it. Free is good. You will love. Thanks again Vickie ! ! !

Labor Day 2017

I like this graphic because it puts the symbols of manual labor in Labor Day.

In the early 1900s, Lewis Hine left his job as a schoolteacher to work as a photographer for the National Child Labor Committee, investigating and documenting child labor in the United States. As a sociologist, Hine was an early believer in the power of photography to document work conditions and help bring about change. He traveled the country, going to fields, factories, and mines -- sometimes working undercover -- to take pictures of kids as young as four years old being put to work. Be prepared to see some very powerful archival photos.

The Photos That Helped End Child Labor in the United States

My Sunday started out cold and rainy but it is bright, sunny, and very pleasant as I write this post at 5:00 in the afternoon. Enjoy the rest of this long Labor Day weekend. xo

Welcome to the Lewis Hine Project ™, an amazing journey through 100 years of American history. From 1908 until 1924, Lewis Hine took over 5,000 photographs of American child laborers. His compelling pictures helped to persuade legislators and the general public to support laws prohibiting child labor. All the photos, with Mr. Hine’s captions, are posted on the Library of Congress website. Since 2005, I have been identifying the children, tracking down and interviewing living descendants, and writing stories about how the lives of these children turned out. 

You can see all those stories on this website.

The History of LABOR DAY

This is a reblog from both 2008 and 2009 for new followers who haven't seen it.

A young sweeper in Central Mills; Sylacauga, Alabama

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In between eating that hot dog or hamburger at your barbecue, you might want to learn more about the history of this holiday.

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The holiday originated in 1882 as the Central Labor Union in NYC sought to create "a day off for the working citizens".

Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894. All fifty states have made Labor Day a state holiday. In European countries, China and other parts of the world, May Day, the first day in May, is a holiday to celebrate workers and labor unions. Before it became an international workers holiday, May Day was a celebration of spring and the promise of summer.

My Kitchen Pantry, Newly Organized

My Labor Day Cottage Project included real labor to clean and reorganized the shelves of my kitchen pantry.

I must confess that this is the first time I have ever cleaned the top shelf and I was amazed that it really wasn't that bad. I'm still not finished but this is a good start. I find that I do better when I do a major project in dribs and drabs rather than all at once. I started by cleaning and reorganizing the first shelf last week. Then when the spirit moved me, I did the middle shelf. I was putting off the top shelf because I thought it would be dreadful but it wasn't after not being touched since 2004. I thought 11 years of dust would be much worse than it was and I was pleasantly surprised. 

I need to reorganize my cookbooks by size so they will look neater. I did get rid of some for donating to the annual firehouse auction this month. I hardly ever use them anyway. I always grab my few favorites or use a recipe I've discovered online anyway.

Are there any labor plans in your Labor Day? Have a good one. xo

A few Cottage photos

Tabitha sends best wishes for a Happy Labor Day.

A Tiger Swallowtail feasting on wildflowers.

The wild raspberry leaves are turning colors.

Here's a close view of the back of my cottage showing the shingles. It looks so different from the front because I get the harsh morning sun back there. Most of my original semi-transparent Cabot stain has washed off too. It looks like a haunted house, doesn't it? The painter dropped off my new paint over the weekend. Of course, it's raining today for Labor Day. Hope you have a better forecast wherever you are. I want the rainy season to be over before my exterior decorating begins. See you later.

Myrna Loy Chooses Paint Colors for Dream House

One of my thoughtful blog readers sent me this clip from Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. It has always been my favorite scene from that delightful movie and I can really appreciate it after my recent "adventures in paint and stain". Enjoy.

Click here if you can't see video above.
Have a great long Labor Day weekend.

French Bulldog Pup

Here's a puppy for this morning's cuteness to brighten your whole day. He's adorable, isn't he? I saw my friend Piggy, the little white Frenchie earlier this week and he was glad to see me. Today is called the gateway to the Labor Day weekend. Get an early start if you will be driving and be safe. 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.

Early Morning Light on My Fireplace

Happy Friday everyone. Webster is still in bed and I'm having my morning quiet time with my first cup of coffee. It's cool and crisp with nice sunshine and the feeling of fall in the air. Enjoy the last day of August and, for some, the beginning of the long Labor Day weekend. I took this photo with my iPhone. The new model is coming out next month but I'm still thrilled with the one I have (the 4S) so I won't be rushing to get a replacement. It's time for my second cup of java now -- see you later.

Beach cabana in Biarritz, France

Enjoy the last weekend of summer. Have a great Labor Day weekend. photo by Fabrice RINGARD