Baby Bird Feeding Time

via

“I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

Our Mothers Worked So Hard

Doesn't this vintage photo found Google Images make you love your mother more? Mine only had two children three years apart but I still marvel at all she did with no help. She kept our homes beautifully, sewed her clothes and mine too and she even sewed for my brother and my father. She cooked delicious and sometimes complicated food and we ate healthy meals. She always looked beautiful and I don't think we gave her the credit she so deserved. I was so proud to be her daughter and she did know that. This photo just struck a cord of how hard it must have been to hold it all together back in the day. 

I wish I hadn't been so lazy all summer long because it is really hard now. I should have taken my grandmother's advice.

She really did say this, I'm not making it up. I am playing catch up and have the feeling I will never get to the point of having every room cleaned from top to bottom the way she did. I have told you before that she devoted one week to each room for spring and fall cleaning. I just seem to jump around and do the same task in each room instead. Right now it's still windows and I'm almost finished.

Have a great weekend. Thank you for giving me the will to continue blogging. I am enjoying it again and will continue. Thanks for clicking on the ads in my sidebar too. xo

Giving Equal Time to Cats

I decided I should give equal time to cats since posting several photos featuring dogs. The engraving above is from my 19th century Royal Book of Crests and I love it. It has been posted before here and on Instagram. The photo below is of a mother cat with her kitten. Their markings are very similar and the cute little kitten is going to grow up to look just like her mom. via

Have a great Sunday, the last day of September. Whereever did the month go?

xo

View this image with a quote by Charles Dickens about cats. I created it back in 2010 when my blog was only two years old.  Click here.

Video: Stars and Stripes Forever

Be prepared for foot tapping. I adore this family affair. These siblings are having such fun! If you cannot see the video below, here's the link.

Lilibet's Playhouse: Royal Birthday Gift

Princess Elizabeth’s little cottage at Royal Lodge, a gift from the people of Wales on her sixth birthday. Could anything be more wonderful? The estate is located three miles south of Windsor Castle in Windsor Great Park and has been the official residence of The Duke of York (Prince Andrew) since 2004. photo from Instagram

Since posting, I have more information. Click HERE for more perfectly delightful archival photos of the Royal Family and the history of "The Little House at Royal Lodge" called Y Bwthyn Bach.

Meghan's Bridal Bouquet Deconstructed

These named white flowers were handpicked by Prince Harry for the bride's bouquet from The Diana Garden at Kensington Palace. I am so happy to learn the meanings of the chosen specimens and this very touching way to include his mom in the ceremony. 

AP photo.

Cotswold Cottage: Burford UK

I shall be in England all day tomorrow for the Royal Wedding. I haven't been glued to the TV leading up to it but I got up early for Charles and Diana and will do the same for Harry and Megan. I started watching SUITS from the very beginning in 2011 and have seen every episode so I'm a long-time fan of the bride. I just heard on the news this morning that Charles is walking her down the isle and I think he is a fabulous choice. My dilemma is what channel to watch. BBC America might be the winner but I'll probably keep switching around until I find my favorite hosts. Maybe I'll even bake some scones today to have with my morning coffee, or should I switch to tea for this occasion? Nope. I'm a coffee girl. photo source

Happy Mother's Day 2018

Anna 1920-2012

Photo above on my first birthday September 1943.

It's true. Nobody loves you like your mother and I had a great one. This will be my 6th year without her but she lives forever in my heart. We had a long run together and I'm happy about that. She's still my guiding light. xo

I was looking through some old Mother's Day posts and you might enjoy some really wonderful home-made cards celebrating mothers here.

Images from My Cottage

Storm clouds over my balcony on Sunday at dusk. Moments after I took this photo, the heavens opened up and it started pouring.

The grape hyacinths are blooming and I adore the deep vivid blue color of this sweet spring flowering bulb.

This clump of jonquils is bigger than ever this year. I did everything in the book to them after they bloomed last season to ensure a splashy return and it worked. They are planted in a raised bed outside my mom's bedroom on the lower level of my cottage where she had her own quarters. She had to give up her condo in Charlotte after turning in her driver's license due to her diminishing eyesight. I actually bought my cottage with this living arrangement in mind. We had such fun furnishing the whole lower floor together with treasures from consignment shops and yard sales. She still missed her independence but adjusted to having me be her eyes. I can remember when she planted these bulbs that have numerous blooms in the clump to remind me of the 10 years we had here in my cottage.

The wild violets are back in my front yard. I love them and leave them alone by not mowing my grass for as long as I can hold off.

I have posted all of these photos on Instagram so many of you have already seen them. xo

Mother Flamingo with Her Chick

-- A long way to grow by Laurie A. Reuben --

I don't think I've ever seen a baby flamingo.

So Cute!!!

Young Princess Elizabeth with Her Father

Three year old Princess Elizabeth cuddling up to to her father George VI. I adore this photo. via

Wonderful Award-Winning Short Film

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If you cannot see the video above, click here. Enjoy.

William with George and Charlotte

The Duke of Cambridge with his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Soon there will be another baby. This photo is so charming. via

Mama Owl Showing Her Babies

Aren't they cute? I never knew owls had such big families. The juveniles look like they are wearig black eye masks. via

Stupendous Kitchen

What a wonderful kitchen! There are really no words. via

Have a wonderful Father's Day if you are one or if yours is still living.

Vintage Photo of My Mother with Me

It seems like yesterday, but this photo was taken sometime between 1973 and 1975 when I lived in Mendham, NJ with a Far Hills mailing address. I still have this hat and it's my favorite. Miss you, Anna. 

Thoughts on A Play Room Looking to the Future

Good idea. via I have a friend who can attest to this rule. The family put in a state of the art play room in the basement of their new home for their four young children and they never wanted to go down there to play. It was too far from the large country kitchen that was the real heart of the house. It wasn't until the children became teens and tweens that they ventured down there. When they were young, they wanted to be around the parents. As they got older, they wanted to get away from them. Smile. Such is life!

Little Houses Promote Love

I have always loved this quote and here it is! via

Crows Visit their Old Parents

I love knowing this about crows, don't you? via

A Tale of Two Whippets

I want to thank all of you for your constant thoughts about my dogless condition. I recently stumbled on a blog that will break your heart (in a good way). It's about a very talented florist in England who lost her shop dog.

You should probably get out your tissues before reading this saddest of sad blog posts.

Can you guess the happy news in this adorable photo?

Miss Pickering hasn't added any new posts to her blog in a long time but you can find her on Instagram. She is very busy and Instagram is fast and easy. Look for her there. Her pup has grown quite a bit and I wish she would post more photos of her shop helper. Hopefully she will read this and blog more about her new love. The new pup has his own Instagram account. @valentinewhippet