Content in a Cottage

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Spectacular Flower and Plant Patterns

Giant Lobelia, Photographed by George F. Mobley

The leaves of a giant lobelia plant, photographed on Mount Kilimanjaro's Shira Plateau in Tanzania, spiral around the center. See a wonderful slideshow from National Geographic with more Plant and Flower Patterns. Click on the thumbnails instead of using the arrow buttons.

Galvanized Planter Love

I have always loved galvanized tubs, watering cans, and buckets. A neighbor lady who was moving to Boston recently gave me a watering can with a long spout just like the one on the lower right. It had been left outside with water in it and had frozen so it doesn't sit flat. But the bottom hasn't blown out so it doesn't leak. I am going to pound the bottom gently and see if I can fix it. It's a style I don't have and I was so pleased to acquire it. I have no idea what those large items are. Garbage cans? Storage bins? Don't they all look great as planters?

Meet Me For Lunch Here - My Treat!

There's only one problem about our lunch date. I have no idea where this place is located. It would be fun though. You'll have to take a rain check until I find the address. *

I had a late breakfast and will skip lunch today since I have a dental appointment at 12:30. I like to wait a long time before eating solid food after I have my teeth cleaned. I might cave and have a milk shake later.

Webster Wants This

This is perfect for both of us. Webster likes a cozy place for his bed with a back and a great view from the front and I love cubbies. A genius design: love, love, love - want, want, want.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Lily of the Valley on a Shell

photo by Rosemary Beck

I took this photo last year when one of my very few stems of lily of the valley was snapped off by an animal in the night. I can't understand why they aren't multiplying like crazy like they did at my other house. Maybe they don't like it here. I looked today and can see only 3 pips. Any suggestions? Maybe I'll buy some more at the plant sale in town on Saturday.

I was a busy bee working outside using the shop vac in the garage and on the balcony too. It's starting to come together nicely but I have miles to go and must keep up the momentum before the heat sets in.

Cottages and Roses

Cottages and roses are perfect together, aren't they? I decided to skip my office meeting and broker open houses today to give my place some much-need attention and some real elbow grease. I'll never forget the first time I heard those words...I was cleaning my bathroom tub as a 4th grader and my mom walked past and told me to use some elbow grease and I actually started looking for it. And that's the truth. My mother laughed when I asked her where she kept it.

Stone and Brick Outbuilding with Dovecote

I hope there is something like this at the end of the drive I pictured yesterday. I've always preferred the gardener's cottage to the big mansion behind the gates. Now I have my own cottage having wished for one since childhood.

Monday, May 2, 2011

My Dream Driveway

Isn't this the best driveway ever? I'm not talking about the site with the trees on either side and the gate...I'm talking about the road itself. I love the packed pebble center and sides and the packed whatever lanes. I'd love to know more about it. I have a gravel drive with belgian block curbing to contain it. I am not a fan of blacktop at all. We had a lot of snow last season and I'm amazed that all of the gravel did not end up on the lawn but it was very minimal for some reason in spite of all the snow plowings. I think I finally mastered parking in the right place.

The road above has a concrete look but it probably isn't. I'll let you know if I ever find out the secret of this paving technique.

This Hallway Has Gone To The Dogs

Osborne and Little Wallpaper appropriately named 'Best in Show'

Hand-Painted Bike Helmet

Isn't this the best idea? I love the phrenology head design on this hand-painted bicycle helmet.

Each helmet is hand-painted by Danielle Baskin in acrylics and sealed in a UV-protected oil-based varnish that repels water and prevents chipping. They range in price from 100-400 USD depending on the design and detail. If a helmet is provided 30 USD will be deducted from the total cost. Here is the website for Belle Helmets -- be sure to look at the image gallery for other amazing designs. It's so nice to see a young artist with talent and a great idea.

My Summer Bedroom

I've been looking for quite a while for my new [virtual] summer bedroom and I do believe this is it. I love this tiny sleeping porch with the most beautiful view you could ever wish for. I hope that bed is long enough for me. If it isn't who wants to be next in line?

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Joyful Royals

Three Happy Princes
Prince Harry, Prince Charles, Prince William

Royal role models - 63 years married
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Riverside Cottage in France

What a nice French riverside cottage. Sign me up for the month of August.*

Dance Around the Maypole

Dancing around the Maypole

Half of the dancers should go in one direction around the Maypole, while the other half dance in the opposite direction. Each dancer should alternate between going under or over the dancers that they are meeting. This will weave the ribbons around the Maypole.

Take Your Dog on A Bike Ride Today

Webster would love this but he's so friendly I'd be afraid he would jump off every time he saw a person or another dog. So he's banned from the bike and restricted to four wheels.

Flowers for May Day

Flowers for the first of May. My lawn is beautiful after its first cutting. I could hear little screams as I mowed over the violets so I left that area until they've bloomed out. The birds are chirping and the sun is out. I'm starting to embrace the out of doors again now that I've gotten a big block of work under my belt and I'm looking forward to more. Have a great Sunday.