Random Views Around My Cottage Today

A geranium in front of one of my living room's newly washed windows looking out across the street at my neighbor's red garage/barn and some lovely fall foliage.

A bloom on a Limelight hydrange in the front.

My newly painted picket fence that houses my gas and electric meters and my air conditioning unit. I love the artichoke finial on the corner post.

Big long pinecones gathered from one of my Norway Spruce Trees.

This photo is right out of my camera phone and the sky really was this exact color. The deer in silhouette looks as if he's leaping over my kitchen wing's roof. I am so enjoying looking out on him.

Enjoy your evening or your Friday morning dependending when you open my blog. xo

 

Such A Lovely Day

Look carefully for the stump on the right. Click to enlarge. You can see the leaping stag very clearly. I watched him spin today when there was a little wind. 

Pam wanted to see more of the iron bird that was in yesterday's photo with my beautiful dahlia. Here it is in the birdbath showing the shallow oak leaf and a cluster of acorns. Little birds like this a lot. 

xo

Purple Ornamental Kale: Replacing my Geraniums Outside

I put three of these in planters in my front garden after digging up and replanting my red geraniums to overwinter in front of the sliding glass door downstairs. When the long curtains are closed, that area becomes a greenhouse and the geraniums love it. I have always preferred ornamental kale to mums outside in the fall because they are cold tolerant and are still going strong long after the first hard frost zaps the mums. 

xo

Final Photo Showing Chairs at My Front Door

I promise this is the last photo!

I bought these chairs last winter on the first day I was able to get out of my driveway after a blizzard. The patina of the heavy metal matches my lighting fixtures. They are so much better than the old shutters were flanking my front door. I gave them a good coat of lemon oil for protection from the upcoming winter weather. The seats are basket weave woven.

Enjoy your Sunday. xo

Rainbow Over My Cottage + A Project

This rainbow appeared Tuesday evening after my handyman left after doing rotten wood repairs. I was still outside cleaning up when it started to rain very gently and this beautiful rainbow appeared over my cottage. I was so happy to be outdoors to see it and luckily I had my phone in my pocket. The rainbow seems to be pointing to my roof so maybe it approves of the repair. I think it's blessin my cottage and all of my workers.♡🌈♡ The painters got here a little after 7am this morning to get an early start before it gets too hot. I did my wood repair with the product I ordered and now it has to harden until it can be sanded tomorrow. I was going to document the process with photos but my fingers were covered in the stuff and I could barely open my door let alone take a photo. xo

Am I the only one who always does projects at the kitchen table no matter how messy? I have always considered setting up a flat working space in my basement but knew in my heart of hearts I would probably end up at the kitchen table anyway. http://www.abatron.com/

Peony Fever

All of my peonies are opening at once. Usually my white ones are first followed by red and pinks are always last. My white ones are getting squeezed out and I might have to move them. I tried doing it last year but they seem to be cemented in. Will try again when I cut them back.

These are my favorites.

I mowed the front today in this COOL weather (66° at 5pm). I can hardly believe I had my central air on all day yesterday. I guess the peonies are confused too. I'm not complaining about nice weather for working outside. xo

New Antique Chair in My Living Room

This Gothic Revival chair between my TV and a sofa (not shown) to the right has a mate that lives in my entrance vestibule. It's perfect there when I need to sit and put on my boots or put down a parcel. I bought the pair several weeks ago at a local garage sale. This morning I put a blooming geranium on this one for a Sunday morning photo shoot. It's a dreary day having rained all night and that's fine with me. 

I have had a young handyman working off and on for weeks doing odd jobs I cannot do myself (like sheetrock removal and replacement for a soffit in a bathroom). Water damage is the worst and I had two episodes over the years in my cottage. One was when the pan under attic central air conditioning unit overflowed and found a path all the way to my mother's quarters in my walk-out lower level, too nice to be called a basement. The other time I had water was due to a roof leak. The ceiling in the hallway near my first floor bedroom needed scraping, spackling, and painting. I found other places in both bedrooms that had peeling plaster that needed repair too. So there was sanding in those rooms too before painting. The first floor repairs were finished a week or two ago and everything's back in order after two deep vacuuming sessions.

The soffit had to be totally replaced in a full bath downstairs and some other ceiling repairs down there too requiring spackling, sanding, and painting. He did a great job and I am very pleased. The paint matches perfectly too. I got everything back in order in the kitchen and hallway down there and today I will do the bedroom and sitting room. I just need to put all the drop cloths back where they belong and do a deep vacuum cleaning and I will be all set. My laundry list is getting shorter but there are still things to do. There is an old saying, "Life is 90% maintenance" and that sounds about right, doesn't it? Those who aren't homeowners spend it on self care. DIY homeowners ask themselves whether they should get a manicure or weed the garden? I have never had a manicure and have no plans to get one😂

Enjoy your Sunday. xo

Here is a closeup of the back of the chair. A small piece of moulding is missing from the center column. The companion chair in my vestibule is missing all three little pieces at the columns' bases. I might try carving the replacement one of these days. xo

My First Large Screen TV

I took this photo this morning while The Donna Reed Show was playing on the Decades channel. The program was in an old square format and didn't even take up the full screen. The two wide black bands on either side of Mary's face are actually part of the 43" screen.

I worked for days getting the new arrangement just right. I have had only two fires in two years so I decided to hide the fireplace entirely and let my new 43" TV have center stage. I tried several ways of having both but it wasn't possible. I had an old  storm shutter in original blue paint in the garage that covered the opening with more space on either side. I had an antique rectangular heavy wire basket that I used for firewood and I flipped it over to make a TV stand. The two wooden slat feet were perfect for keeping the TV upright and nice and tight and the set looks like it is floating. Two feet came with the set but I didn't have anything wide enough to use as a base and I think my basket looks better anyway. The fireplace fender looks nice in front too. I moved my old pot rack that was next to my desk and I like it nearby for my books and magazines. I always swore I would never have a TV that was the focal point of a room but I don't think this is too overwhelming and I'm enjoying it a lot. The remote has Voice Control. The setup was very easy; the hardest part was getting the back off the remote to insert the included batteries.😂 It has Chromecast built in and Apple Play too. It works with my air antenna by clicking on INPUT. 

 The remote is very simple and easy to use. 

Right now I am watching a really good legal series

on Tubi called THE JURY.

https://tubitv.com/series/300005047/the-jury

My local Walmart had this Vizio TV in stock and the rest is history. I bought it a week ago Friday and the past 10 or 11 days have been spent moving things around so it looks as if it belongs here and now I think it does.

xo

 

My Living Room Slightly Rearranged

This is the corner next to my left French door this Monday morning, the first full day of Daylight Savings Time. I feel a little groggy this morning, still getting used to the new time. There is a big melt going outside as the bright sun works its magic. I moved the floor lamp closer to the desk and put my teddy bear and antique child's chair next to the small bookcase. I had to put it on a slight slant so it wouldn't look so crowded and I like it! March is marching along very fast and I need to buckle down and start working on my taxes. Happy Monday. Have a good week. xo

The Big Reveal: Roman Shades Are Hung

Daytime view when partially raised.

 

I had to do a little adjusting of the length of certain cords on the back to make them hang straight. It took me quite a while to figure this out but Rome wasn't built in a day and neither were these Roman Shades. 😂

This photo was taken on the first morning after I lowered them the night before. The room was warmer than it would have been otherwise. It was 10° outside but the skies were clear and the sunrise was bright. Did you notice I have "draft dodgers" below each door?

I really wasn't fond of the feel of the room.

It felt like a hotel room.

I am still getting used to them in the fully extended length. Having a warmer room is a big plus and it will be much cooler in the summer to block the blinding sun. I much prefer them raised and if I were willing to sacrifice warmth and coolness they could easily stay in this position all the time. 

When raised to conceal the top two rows of glass, the sun glare that has always bothered me is eliminated. I found a label on the back of the cornices with the name of the factory that made these shades that were constructed in 2006. Anderson Fabrics, Inc. Blackduck, MN 565630

I'm glad I didn't have to choose the fabric and the design of these window treatments. I am much better at restoring and repurposing something that already exists. I'm that way with houses too. I can work with one with good bones but have never wanted to build from scratch.

This exercise has made me give new admiration for the work professional designers do for their clients. Window treatments have to be one of the hardest tasks and the installation is another nightmare. Getting the completed projects to hang perfectly is no easy task and listening to the customers complain is another. It must take a lot of hand holding. Anyway, I have nobody to blame but myself when something I do doesn't turn out as expected and that almost never happens. I research everything to death and work out projects in my head before I start anything. So far, so good and I am basically thrilled with this project. Sigh of relief. xo

Inside My Cottage

Just a random shot inside my cottage on my way to the kitchen for more coffee and an English muffin. I can't even watch any more weather reports. My phone says we are having rain all day Thursday and Friday starting after midnight tonight. Maybe all the snow will melt before it gets cold again and turns to ice over the weekend. If the dreadful winter storm is in your area, be safe. Just stay inside if you can. I am extremely fortunate to be able to do so and I can always find something to do. xo

Small Brown Transferware Dish + A Shell

I was rummaging through a large storage bin in my attic looking for something I could not find but discovered this display stand instead. I remember finding it at an estate sale thinking I could find a use for it and I finally did. It was designed for displaying a cup and saucer and this shell fit in the cup holder very nicely. My shallow transferware shallow bowl/dish with an Aesthetic Movement design fits nicely in the saucer holder. 

I found a link describing this pattern called Beatrice.

Larger view on my small bookcase.

Have a great Sunday.

xo

SNOW DAY TODAY: Random Photos

I woke up to snow this morning and it was/is so beautiful but not too much to deal with. There was a webinar I had to sit through for a couple of hours for continuing education credits on my real estate license. I jumped up from time to time to snap some photos and the best ones are shown above. I still haven't put one toe outside and it's already noon. I must now go out and shovel my front walk and clean off my car and the sun can do the rest. Yesterday I filled up my gas tank and stopped at Whole Foods for some sweet potatoes, celery, almond flour, apples, carrots and a few other things to tide me over until the complete melt. I don't have to drive anywhere in the next few days so I am all set to shovel a little or a lot. Hope your snow was manageable too. xo

Christmas Decor at My Cottage

The wire carrier that is usually loaded with fruit makes a cute Christmas tree on my coffee table filled with shiny vintage balls and bells. The sun is just rising so the light is dim. I have been on a mad metal polishing marathon and all of my silver trophies and brass candlesticks are shining bright.

I had completely forgotton about this mercury glass tree stored in my attic. It looks perfect with the tall thin Santa that was a gift from friends years back. Little gift box ornaments complete my desk decor. The "tree" looks gold in the early morning light but it's actually silver. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.🎄 xo

🐾Missy's Last Evening Walk🐾

Missy and I walked to the way back yesterdat at 4:00 to beat the darkness of a 4:35 sundown. I had to turn on the lights in the front and the floodlights in the back for our bedtime walk. I am always to walk very far from the house because of all the bear🐻sightings I read about in local alerts. She's going home today and so this is her goodbye post.🐾🐾

I must have jiggled the camera while holding the leash and the camera at the same time. Her right rear leg looks very odd but I don't have another shot of her looking back. She lives close by so I get to see her often and she's always glad when I pop in. I have a lot to do today after she goes home, mostly housework. I don't miss the dog hair associated with dog ownership so a dogsitter I shall remain.

First Peek: Beds on My Lower Level

Yesterday, I put my vintage flannel fish sheets on the twin beds and covered the box springs too. The hooked rugs are companions. Long ago (2003) I bought these WOOLRICH items that are now discontinued and I am loving the look of a fishing lodge downstairs. The bed on the left is one small step down to the sitting room area opposite a large sliding glass door. The door you see in the hallway leads to the laundry room. I am still sorting linens and odds and ends in the part of this room you can't see quite yet. I am not planning on bedspreads, just blankets at the foot of the bed; I love the sheets too much to hid them. I have two pillows with matching fish pillow cases to pull out for guests. The large pillows there now are almost as wide as the mattresses and don't hide the headboards so they are out for the everyday look. My mother and I bought these painted iron beds from a farmhouse garage sale in Oldwick, NJ for a whopping $6.00 for the pair. She always brought me luck when we shopped together.♡

My Living Room Rearranged: More Views

I was standing between my attic door and front window for this view. My TV and fireplace are to the right, shown below.

The promised view of the fireplace wall and my TV viewing area. Notice my "rabbit ears" on the mantle, the only negative of cutting the cord with cable, but otherwise so worth it.

I am concentrating on outside work for the rest of the week while the weather is still nice. I always give my grass a close cutting before the leaves start to fall so the wind will blow away and make any raking I might do easier. xo

Small Collection Atop My Miniature Chest

Just finished a new arrangement in my second bedroom that doubles as a dressing room / laundry sorting room / and a place for things in transition to the attic, the basement, or the trunk of my car for donating. It is never ending, but fun. xo

Brown & White Staffordshire Platter

This Staffordshire already had the plate hanging hardware attached so it was on my wall within minutes of bringing it home.

It's right at home in my kitchen nook.

My Entrance Vestibule

I worked indoors today to I tackled my linen closet. I donated some household items on Tuesday and noticed the section with bedding was very sparce. I have linens I haven't used in ages because the fitted sheets don't fit my thick mattress. I honestly don't remember whether or not I have shown you this new arrangement in my entrance vestibule. Little by little I am beginning to see real progress with my endless organizing, donating, and rearranging. My hard work is paying off but I can't stop until old man winter makes me. xo