Bird's Eye View

This is such a gorgeous photo. Don't you wonder what the bird is thinking? I hope he's not thinking anything, just soaking up the beauty of the view. via

OCD Wrens at My Cottage

This new Wren family in the penthouse apartment on my balcony have a bad case of OCD. Every morning the pile of nest debris under their house is in a different spot and it gets smaller every day too. This is not because of the wind, it's definitely the birds. See original pile of nest building supplies here. They are a very odd couple, not at all like the earlier inhabitants. She won't let him inside very often and he sits on the railing and sings his little heart out.

Singing and waiting.

I am thinking of changing my name to Wren Cottage. This one lives in a bird bottle under the eaves of my front bedroom/dressing room. I have 4 nesting wren families in total.

This is my Friday morning barn/garage, field, and sky view with thunderstorms in the weather forecast. Enjoy your long July 4th weekend. xo

Clouds Viewed from My Cottage

It has been a strange 27 hours. When I drove through a ferocious downpour and arrived home at a little after 5:00pm I heard my generator when I got out of my car. I am thankful I have it but I am always anxious for the power to be restored. It finally came back on at 4:00 this afternoon. This photo was snapped on Friday qt 8:30. It's the same sky as my previous photo but a different orientation. Click to enlarge.

Friday Night Eventide

I snapped this photo out back just before the end of the day. My lacecap hydrangea is to the right and it's more beautiful than ever this year. My field is looking very nice with some golden tall grasses mixed in with the weeds. The sky had some nice color too. I wish I could capture the fireflies that will be blinking after dark. They are absolutely amazing now that we are having hot summer nights. I finally went to the attic and put a new filter in my air exchanger and fired up my central air for the first time this season. 

Stay cool and have a lively weekend. xo

Beautiful Snow Scene

This unspoiled snow scene lis lovely but I am happy that it isn't my cottage. Once again, my area was spared the snow that is blanketing Virginia and points south. Is the weather shifting? I think it is. I got just a dusting on Sunday morning that melted when the clouds parted and the sun came up. More snow is predicted for this weekend. Fingers crossed. via

Tiny Kitten. Enormous Window.

This tiny black kitten looks extra small sitting in this enormous window. I guess he's having some huge daydreams in his favorite napping place. via

Tree in Winter

This tree is lovely in the winter landscape. I love the shape of it and the fence fascinates me. It appears to be a "forever" fence with sturdy wooden posts and rails made of connected metal pipes. via

Cat: Enjoying the View

Cats have a way of getting into the most unusual positions that appear uncomfortable but they end up staying in them for long periods. via

Terracing at its BEST

Lovely treatment of a hillside.

For Sale: This Gorgeous Landscape

I photographed this gorgeous landscape on Thursday at a Realtor Open House near me. This 18-acre offering has wonderful mature plantings and distant views. I arrived to tour the house and grounds after a morning of rain and a sky appeared with enough blue to patch a sailor's pants, one of my mother's favorite sayings. 

More Peonies and A Field Mowing

Here are my ruffled white peonies open. They are my favorites because of their beauty and because they don't droop since the heads are so light. They close up on cloudy days and at night to protect their delicate blossoms. Peony season is the best, isn't it?

My friend with a tractor showed up unannounced late yesterday afternoon to mow my field and he ended up mowing my lawn too. Everything will green up and be uniform in no time. I didn't come inside again until almost eight o'clock when I took this photo. I still have to do some handwork here and there and I had to use my leaf blower in the front but that was fun. I am so glad to have this task behind me to maintain my field so trees don't grow back there. An unmowed field will become a forest in no time. 

I took this photo today at noon so show how nice my front lawn and garden are looking.

Today, it feels more like fall with an overcast sky and 63° at ten o'clock on Sunday morning with rain coming tomorrow. Tuesday will be filled with nothing but sunshine though and that makes me happy. Enjoy your Sunday. xo

Photos Around My Cottage

Potted plants on my balcony. The pink geranium in the beautiful white ceramic pot with matching saucer has finally adapted to being outdoors again after a long winter inside. The blue flowers on either side are lobelias. I have never had them before but I'm looking forward to seeing them grow. The five pots in the fabulous galvanized tin planter from a rummage sale have nasturtium seeds that should be sprouting soon. Fingers crossed. The ones I planted in the front two weeks ago are already up.

The plant identification spike names this variety as "Heat Upright Dark Blue Lobelia" with improved heat resistance. They should be right at home on my hot balcony with no shade until mid afternoon. The flowers are self cleaning and need no dead heading. How great is that? 

These lamb's ears were transplanted to a back garden against my foundation and they are loving the support of a wall to their backs. They should be blooming soon and will be able to hold the weight of their heavy flower heads that the pollinators love. 

This amazingly beautiful sky with a moon was photographed from my balcony at dusk five days ago. In no time at all after I snapped this shot it was pouring rain. We have had more rainy days than sunny days and the upcoming first week of June from Friday to Friday shows nothing but dark days, most with rain. Oh well, what can you do?

I can't believe it's already in its last day so I'll say goodbye to May. Maybe her promised flowers will be more beautiful in June. xo

Modern Farmhouse: Anne Decker Architects

I like it.

Love the interior too.

You are in for a treat, click on this link to see much more, inside and out. Enjoy. 

Gordon Beall Photography

Oxfordshire Church and Wildflower Meadow

St. Nicholas’ parish church in Chadlington - Oxfordshire, England. I love this no-mow zone filled with lovely white wildflowers. via

Hammock Love on May Day

Imagine having this yard, so beautifully landscaped, with two perfectly spaced trees just begging for a hammock. This must be paradise. via Happy May Day.

The image above is from this book.

Charlotte Moss: Garden Inspirations Hardcover – April 14, 2015 by Charlotte Moss (Author), Barry Friedberg (Foreword), Barbara L. Dixon (Contributor)

Purchase information here.

Sunroom Windows

I have always liked these industrial windows. The roof overhang here is a nice detail for the patio.

photo found here

Walking in Derbyshire England

Could anything be more beautiful?

I think not.

via

Traditional Home with Greenhouse

This Baker Greenhouse backs up to a 100 acre nature preserve.

Front view of the gorgeous greenhouse with standard hydrangeas in pots. Read the article and see photos of the beautiful traditional home, inside and out, in Atlanta Homes. Enjoy!

Gorgeous Landscape with Sheep

It doesn't get much better than this, does it? A valley leading to the sea with sheep. The best! via

Beautiful Pond at Friends' House

I am sure they will miss this view after they move. Photographed this week when I stopped by to get a contract signed. It's a shame the resident blue heron wasn't fishing then.