Life's Little Instruction Book, pages 108 + 109 . . .

...To be continued...

Sunday morning favors + photography . . .

My friend Jill asked me to feed and walk her dogs this morning. These dogs won't walk. All they wanted to do was sit on the bench with my mom. Webster refused to sit with them. He wanted to run and explore and found this play date to be a little on the boring side.

Winston, Annabelle, and Chloe with my beautiful mother. Believe it or not she is 88 years old and perfect except for her diminished vision from macular degeneration. She is legally blind but she does very well. She's my best friend.

Winston

Oak Leaf Hydrangea

Far end of the pool.

A pink rose.

Aloe plant.

Independence Day 2009 . . .

I scanned this photo of The Statue of Liberty from a very old Life Magazine. Have a wonderful holiday and be careful with those fireworks!

Antique-loving dog + a Fireworks Video + Free Fonts to download . . .

Webster loves to rumple up this rug and use the back rung of an 18thC armchair as a chin rest. He does this all the time so it must be comfortable. It makes me laugh to see him in this awkward-looking position.



I love this font called Cursif. Looks like real handwriting.
Five Fresh Free Fonts to Download.

Here is a preview of what's coming tomorrow.
The 4th of July Fireworks in Washington D.C.
Enjoy the holiday and be safe.

Life's Little Instruction Book, pages 106 + 107 . . .

Today is the one year anniversary of my blog. When I did my first few posts I had not even mastered the date stamp so they remain undated. It seems like only yesterday and at the same time it feels as if I've been blogging my whole life. I honestly think I was born knowing how to work a computer even though they hadn't been invented.

...To be continued...

#361 is the hardest one yet, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by the cottage. It's always good to see you. ♥Rosemary

First of July . . .

Webster up close. I couldn't get him to relax his ears.

Webster far away on our walk this morning.

Not a daisy.

Today is the first of July. I guess you could say the year is half over or is that like saying the glass is half full? Maybe it sounds better to say the last half has just begun. That's more like it. I am the eternal optimist, you know.

Blue sky, hot dog, and a bag of rocks in my driveway . . .

 

Yesterday's blue sky with puffy white clouds.

   

After "helping me" hang out laundry, Webster retreated to a cool, dark spot under the bed. He always leaves his feet sticking out so I will know where he is.

   

I'm beginning to think I must have something printed on my forehead that says, "Please throw something in a plastic bag in my driveway." By the way, I would never hire this person. The conspiracy continues. 

These are a few of my favorite things . . .

Coreposis photographed through the watering can handle.

An old shovel being used as a perch for the birds in my back garden.

Silver-plated dog bookend. One of a pair photographed before my favorite set of fine leather bindings embellished with hunting and equestrian motifs.

An American painting signed and dated (1913).

My gardening hat from the Dollar Store hanging in my vestibule beside an antique shovel. Both are within easy reach of my front garden. The hat has a Burberrys label and was made in Italy. Real or knock-off? Who cares for $1.00? I bought three; gave one to a friend and the other one lives with the riding mower.

Reverse-decoupage lamp ~ one of a pair. Made by my friend Jill and given to me as a housewarming gift 5 years ago. Better than John Derian! One of the nicest gifts I've ever received. These are really hard to make since all of the cutouts are glued from the inside and the paint is the last step before assembly to become a lamp.

Here is the lamp turned off to show the base with no bulb glare.

A circa 1918 Roseville Landscape pitcher. So nice in my cottage.

My little wisk broom hanging in front an a garage-sale wool shawl, also made in Italy.

I should name by blog A Daisy A Day. I am not going to stop until I post the perfect photo. This could be the one. Feel free to give me a shout if you are sick of daisies.

A picture story visit to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia . . .

If you want to understand the United States and its people, says artist/author Maira Kalman, you need to visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia.

You know how much I love Maira Kalman's picture stories. I've blogged about her in the past and her stories always thrill and delight me. I love Thomas Jefferson too so I was very interested to see what she had to say about him when she visited Monticello.

She was especially interested in the way he managed his time. The title of the New York Times story is TIME WASTES TOO FAST.

Read and enjoy the complete story here. You will be so glad you did.

This is the last weekend in June...enjoy it to the fullest. Thanks for stopping by the cottage. ♥Rosemary