Giant Mushroom at My Cottage

Even though it's a smaller than normal basketball, you've got to admit this is a big mushroom we have growing here at the cottage. Photographed yesterday while walking the dogs and playing kickball in the afternoon. 

Connecticut Center Chimney Colonial

Isn't this the most perfect center chimney colonial you've ever seen? The house, the setting, the plantings - just wonderful. via

Martha Stewart's Cooking School on PBS

Just in time for the upcoming holiday season, Martha will be teaching us to cook on Sundays on PBS. This is great for those who never had access to her daily show on the Hallmark Channel on cable TV. PBS to the rescue.

Click here if you are unable to view this preview of her upcoming show. She's teaching how to make hollandaise sauce in a segment about eggs.

Week By Week Episode Guide via Martha Moments.

Afternoon Walk w/ My Mom + Dogs

My mother holding Henry's leash while I took their picture.

Where did Webster go?

There he is hiding behind the chairs. Everybody went to bed for a nap when we got back except me. What a beautiful fall day it has been.

PBS Statement Regarding October 3, 2012 Presidential Debate

PBS Responds To Romney:
Cutting Federal Funding Would Have ‘Virtually No Impact’ On the Deficit -- The federal investment in public broadcasting equals about one one-hundredth of one percent (0.0001%) of the federal budget. Elimination of funding would have virtually no impact on the nation’s debt, yet the loss to the American public would be devastating.
Read full statement from PBS here.
This is a follow-up to my earlier blog post.

Meet Henry

This is our little house guest for a few days. He goes home late this afternoon. Henry is a picky eater but I finally figured out his problem. His food is tasteless! Sooooooo, I've been doctoring it up. This morning I poured hot soy milk left over from my latte over his cold wet food from the fridge and I mixed some of Webster's kibble along with the awful stuff he brought. Henry became a member of the 'Clean Plate Club' for the very first time ever this morning! See that wagging tail? I think he wants more.  

iPad Apps: History Lessons on the iPad

What's wrong with this picture? It's pretty daunting to think about what our forefathers achieved with a quill pen and a bottle of ink, isn't it?

Top iPad apps to teach kids about government and US History

Edward BIDDLE (1738-1779) uncle of Richard Biddle, a Delegate from Pennsylvania; born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1738; entered the provincial army as an ensign in 1754, promoted to lieutenant and captain, and served until 1763, when he resigned; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Reading, Pa.; member of the State assembly 1767-1775, serving as speaker in 1774; member of the provincial convention held at Philadelphia in 1775; again a member of the State assembly in 1778; Member of the Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1775; died at Chatsworth, near Baltimore, Md., September 5, 1779; interment in St. Paul’s Churchyard, Baltimore, Md. via

The Muppets Fight Back

Mitt Romney's comments about cutting funding to PBS during Wednesday's presidential debate inspired a new political demonstration: The Million Muppet March. I couldn't believe my ears. I love PBS and don't know one single person who does not.

Click here if you can't see this video published by The New York Times.

See Statement from PBS following the debate here.

Don Draper Quote

via

Leaf Study

Pretty soon all of these leaves will be on the ground. We are going to have a little more summer today as the temperature is supposed to rise to 80 degrees and I think it will feel good. The predicted high on Sunday will be only 54 degrees. I think I'll clean out my fireplace and get ready for a good roaring fire when I watch PBS on Sunday night. See you later.

my iPhone photo

Dog Does Not Fetch the Ball

I love these telling notes with photos of the guilty dog from Dogshaming.

Upstairs Downstairs Season 2

Will you be watching Upstairs Downstairs, Season 2, Episode 1 this Sunday October 7th on PBS? There are so many good programs on Sunday nights now. I need another DVR! via

A Fine Kitchen

This kitchen has some great features that I love including the built-in open cupboard to the left of the range and the large picture window. I would love to see the rest of this fabulous country kitchen. via

Screen Door for the Dogs

Which came first, the screen door or the dogs? I prefer to think the door was designed and custom made just so the dogs could see out. It's a great one too! via

HaHa - Halloween Dog

Boo.

via

Traveling in Style

Wow. This is a wonderful vintage photo, isn't it? Don't you absolutely love the style of the trailer with its wings? It's mid-century modern on wheels! The station wagon is pretty wonderful too. via

Owl, Out On A Limb

©patrick wittenby on flickr via This is a wonderful shot, isn't it?

Great Reading Chair

Don't you absolutely love this image!!!? What a great idea. The lady is Rowena Cade, a genuine english eccentric. Read a tiny bit more about her here, here, and much more here. I love her style!

Make-Do Repair

I guess this hand-made grain scoop started to develop a grain split. This lovely repair adds such character to the piece, doesn't it? Now it's a work of art and many people collect items that have been lovingly and artistically repaired. via

Autumn in Nixonton NC

This house is calling out to be rescued. Please, somebody find it, buy it and restore it because it has such good bones. via AUTUMN IN NIXONTON by IAN VON TALEE on Flickr.

A Colorful Leaf on My Stone Patio Floor

The colorful leaves are one of my very favorite things about autumn. I photographed this one last week when I went outside to feed Tabitha. I liked the way it was positioned against rhe rocks in the floor. Hello October! September went quickly, didn't it? Yikes.

Autumn Leaves at My Cottage

I took this photo with my iPhone while walking the Wonder Dog after dinner in the way back. The setting sun was shining brightly on this cluster of oak leaves. 

Scarf Weather is Almost Here

This photo makes me want to dig out my knitting needles and whip up a new scarf for the cooler weather. My favorite gray cashmere knit scarf has so many moth holes I don't think I could ever mend them. Nothing else in my closet or drawers has a single one so I guess my moths are particular. I still use it though for yard chores and with my pajamas when I'm watching TV in bed on chilly evenings. image 

Meet Pyewacket the Cat

The players: Chloe the miniature long-haired dachshund, Winston the Cairn Terrier, and Pyewacket the beautiful black and white cat.

She is a barn cat that occasionally goes in the house for a little R&R. Webster is sad that his job has ended. We're getting another gig for a few days next week. He doesn't know yet and he will be happy to learn it will be in-house.

The rest of my Living Room

Here is the rest of the room where my recent panoramic view left off. Have a nice Sunday.

Painted Screen As Wall Mural

I photographed this large folk art painted screen recently at an open house. It was the focal point of the entrance hall. The house was beautiful and the furnishings were lovely. It sold right away and the new owners have already moved in.