Peony Garden | From Last Week's Tour

Here is another photo from last week's tour sponsored by the Garden Club of Somerset Hills. I tend to think peonies are poorly engineered plants with flowers too big and heavy to be supported by their spindly stems, at least that has been my experience. These beautiful specimens don't seem to have that problem. Maybe mine aren't mature enough since I just transplanted them less than a month ago. I'll let you know if I change my mind next year. I did find a great site dedicated to Peonies. Posting it here will help me bookmark it for myself.

We are having San Francisco weather here today. Reminds me of this famous quote: "The coldest winter I ever spent was one summer in San Francisco." Mark Twain




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Wonderful Room

I love this room filled with natural light for reading, writing, listening to music, and blogging. I'm sure the one comfortable chair, ottoman and floor lamp I would require are just out of sight. Image and quote.

"Books are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. What I wonder is why everybody doesn’t carry a book around for those inevitable dead spots in life."




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Quote from my Grandmother, "It's easier to keep up than to catch up."

My grandmother used to say this all the time. She was a fabulous homemaker and never got behind in anything. My grandfather had one of these little wisk brooms hanging on a hook in the hall closet. He always brushed off his coat before going out.

I was so happy when I found this small vintage broom at a tag sale. It hangs in my entry and helps me recall a valuable lesson from my early years.



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Photo Sharing To End The Year

Wonderful reading room.

Inspiring stairs.

Beech tree with human face.

Wonderful quote by Thomas Moore.

Some things that inspired me today while reading the blogs of others. Click on photo to see the source. Have a great last day of 2009. Later, Rosemary




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Mark Twain Food Quote . . .

Mark Twain (1835-1910), American Author and Humorist.
This sounds like an excellent idea to me, especially at Christmas with food everywhere.

photo: Time Magazine Cover July 14, 2008 (cropped)




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Illustrated Quote | Prince Charles and the Monkey

Image scanned from one of my antique prints.

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Boys, Dogs, and Mothers

images




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Use it up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without

 I grew up hearing these words from my grandparents who were adults during the first depression.

 I was reminded of them while I was busy designing today's quote.

 Webster's coat was ripped on one side and I patched it for him over the weekend. Now he will be wearing it for years to come. Aren't you impressed that I am following my own advice?

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have a great Saturday. The ground is completely covered with a thick frost that is sparkling as the sun hits it. I think Mother Nature is finally bringing on the colder weather. Enjoy your day. ♥Rosemary

Kansas City Library Parking Garage :: Community Bookshelf . . .

"I found a picture of this the other day while searching for photos from Kansas City and I knew I had to go photograph it myself. This is probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I live here and I've never heard of it before—it makes me wonder what other secrets my hometown might be hiding." Jonathan Moreau

What secrets are hiding in your hometown?

Some info from the kclibrary.org website about the books, an art piece called "Community Bookshelf"

"The Community Bookshelf is a striking feature of Kansas City's downtown. It runs along the south wall of the Central Library's parking garage on 10th Street between Wyandotte Street and Baltimore Avenue. The book spines, which measure approximately 25 feet by 9 feet, are made of signboard mylar. The shelf showcases 22 titles reflecting a wide variety of reading interests as suggested by Kansas City readers and then selected by The Kansas City Public Library Board of Trustees." See more photos in the following article: Read more about the features of this architectural wonder here.

Thanks for stopping by the cottage for a repeat performance. I published this post over a year ago and it remains popular. Those of you who haven't seen it should enjoy it. Make the most of the long weekend...I know I will. ♥Rosemary

Saturday around the cottage on Columbus Day Weekend . . .

It was too wet to paint my new fence yesterday. Today looks much better according to the weather report. We'll see how it shapes up after the morning mist burns off. I'm looking forward to opening that brand new can of white paint! This is my balcony earlier this summer.

It's Columbus Day Weekend and I hope you are going to spend some time in the country. The fall color is just beginning to pop at my house but it is in full swing as you drive farther north.

I love this open porch with the painted floor and the beautiful view. The benches are very special on either side of the farm table. The whole setting is very nice.

I've always loved this Picasso quote. I made this illustrated quote and published it on my blog earlier this year. Yesterday I helped put up a hand rail going up to the loft above my garage. I learned something new by helping the carpenter.

I took this photo of a maple leaf in full fall color with a black fleece blanket as the background. It's more fun to photograph the leaves that it is to rake them!

Wooden blocks with words of wisdom stamped on all sides. These would be fun to make out of scrap lumber.

"Do something everyday that you don’t want to do; this is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain."

Have a great holiday weekend. Thanks for stopping by the cottage. ♥Rosemary

Sotheby's Selling Exhibition of Monumental Sculpture at Chatsworth House in Devonshire, UK . . .

Chatsworth House is home to the 12th Duke of Devonshire.


Beyond Limits: A Selling Exhibition of Monumental Sculpture

Dancers by Fernando Botero

Eros Bendato Screpolato by Igor Mitoraj

Sotheby's returns to Chatsworth in the Peak District this autumn for its fourth selling exhibition, Beyond Limits. Increasingly recognised as one of the most prestigious platforms for displaying monumental modern and contemporary sculpture in Europe, this event promises to be as innovative as ever, with extraordinary works by Henry Moore, Antony Gormley, Marc Quinn, Manolo Valdés and Jaume Plensa taking centre stage against the breathtaking backdrop of this magnificent English estate. Click on any of the photos above or here to watch the amazing video showing the beautiful grounds and more pieces of contemporary sculpture by internationally famous artists.

Thanks for stopping by the cottage for an amazing art exhibit. Today is the first day of autumn. I love this quote by Albert Camus ~ "Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is in flower." ♥Rosemary