Mark Twain Forever

The United States Postal Service has released their new Mark Twain stamp. It lasts 'forever' so you needn't worry about a price increase for this first class stamp. I love it and think I'll buy a sheet even though I don't use many stamps these days thanks to online bill pay.

You will enjoy seeing the other authors that have been honored around the world with their images on commemorative stamps in this article: Mark Twain and Beyond: Literary Stamp Collecting

It's Not Easy Being Green

...unless you are a painted kitchen floor. I like it, don't you?
More painted floors here.

Only in Paris

...can you find gardens this amazing.

Beautiful Country Morning

Wishing you a beautiful country morning. A bowl of raspberries on the windowsill would just be the icing on the cake, wouldn't it? Especially if you picked them yourself. I can never manage to bring any home since I eat them on the spot at the edge of the woods. I can't wait until they begin to ripen.*

Interior Sliding Barn Door with 6 Lights

 

Here is yet another wonderful interior sliding barn door only this one has 6 glazed lights. I like that feature, especially for a dining room. I like the dark charcoal paint that matches the chairs and contrasts so nicely with the white walls.

William and Kate at Wimbledon

They look as if they enjoy each other's company, don't they? Everyone is happy for them too, especially me. They wanted to watch British player Andy Murray's match. Katherine is a big tennis fan.

She believes in wearing tennis whites too. Back view of her lovely dress here.

How to Build A Simple Garden Fence | DIY Video

I think this looks pretty simple, don't you? I got an email from Dave Huttons this morning asking me to add his blog to my blogroll. I was happy to do it. Check out Fence Fanatics when you have time.

Enchanted Cottage

Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to wake up here? I think it's an abandoned cottage because of the condition of the roof and the trees growing through it. I'll race you to claim it. Now if we can just figure out where it is. Ready, set, GO.

Man in the Moon | Goodnight

I've always been fascinated by the man in the moon, haven't you? This one is wonderful for my last post of the day. It's not dark yet and it was a great Sunday spent puttering around doing fun things that made me happy. xo

Nymans House and Garden West Sussex, UK

If you’re looking for a garden that is as grand as it is wild, as fascinating historically as it is forward-looking, and as well-designed as it is packed with rare plants, then you couldn’t do much better than visit Nymans in West Sussex.

Looking through branches towards the yew topiary and house at Nymans. The yew hedge separates the house and the Knot Garden from the Lawn. The house is a pastiche of a 14th century manor.

Looking over the small fountain to the decorated archway, in the Wall Garden. Colourful borders and topiary flank the path down the middle. Read more...

This Dog Gets Around [SoHo]

This dog named Sienna has posed for her owner at all the hot spots in SoHo. I'm assuming this crocheted bicycle cover is some sort of art installation, right?

View the slideshow on Flickr for more photos of this lucky New York City dog's travels.

Doorway to The Sea

Amazingly beautiful photograph 
By Erhard the hobbit©

Beautiful Bedroom for Tonight's Last Post

 

This would be a nice place to call your very own. Such a soothing-looking bedroom. Simple and so very tasteful. I love the horizontal wood siding/panels. The bird's egg blue-green paint is very nice with the bird eggs and nests antiquarian prints on the wall. Wish me sweet dreams as I say goodnight. via

Smaller Than A Mansion, Bigger Than A Cottage

If I weren't a cottage person and wanted a real house, this might be the one I would pick. It looks just right.

Take Me To Your Leader

We come in peace.

image #1 -- image #2

Linda McCartney Celebrity Photography

Paul McCartney with Stella and James ~ Scotland 1982. Photographed by Linda McCartney. View more of Linda's candid insider photography here.

Have A Sweet Weekend

The sun is finally out at the cottage. Have a great last weekend in June. Try to smell the flowers too. *

Tender is The Night

First Edition Cover 1934 In 1998, the Modern Library ranked Tender Is the Night 28th on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. image

Oh, Yes Please

All I would need is an ottoman. Isn't this simply delightful? *

Oh.My.Goodness | Wonderful Overhead Door

Wow. Wow. Triple Wow. What a view.

Wishing you beautiful weekend views. I'm currently posting from the New Jersey Rain Forest.

Flower Power Car

 

You couldn't help but be anything but happy toddling around in this adorable flowered car.

Hedgehog in A Wooden Bucket

I think Beatrix Potter is responsible for my love of hedgehogs so how could I possibly resist posting this adorable photo?

Morning Sun Rays in The Netherlands

Shower of Light
by Lars Van Goor - A cyclist in the Netherlands

This lovely photo looks nothing like the pea soup foggy mist this morning at the cottage. You can cut the atmosphere with a knife it's so heavy. Looks as if it's an indoor day today.

Window Seat in The Kitchen

Don't you love the look of this window seat near the refrigerator? Every kitchen needs one. I might need a more comfortable pillow arrangement so I could enjoy a cup of coffee and read cookbooks or use my laptop here. Maybe a full cushion on the seat with the pillows for my back while I lean against the side of the cupboard occasionally looking out the window. Nice, isn't it?

The Lone Hydrangea Here At My Cottage

I took this photo of my hydrangea from the balcony looking down to the lower level. A lady let me dig this up from her yard last year because she was moving. It really likes the spot where it's planted because it is so beautiful this year. I don't know the name of this variety but the flowers only bloom on the outer edges. The fluffy centers remain that way. Last year I kept waiting for all the buds to open to no avail. How does your garden grow?

Vegan Baked Guacamole Bean Dip Recipe | Yum

SERVES 8
 ~ From The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone

INGREDIENTS
1 (16-ounce) can refried beans
 (Read the label to make sure there is no lard, an animal fat. Look for the 'fat free' canned refried beans.)
3 large avocados

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 (8-ounce) containers nondairy sour cream
1 packet taco seasoning (Such as Bearitos, but if you are avoiding all white sugar, make your own mix with chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, hot paprika or cayenne, and salt)

1/2 cup diced mild green chiles, drained

1/2 cup sliced black olives, or more if you like
5 tomatoes, chopped

2 cups shredded vegan Cheddar cheese



STEPS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

Spread a layer of refried beans in the bottom of an 8 inch by 8 inch quart glass baking dish. 

Pit and peel the avocados, and place in a bowl. 

Mash the avocados together with the lime juice, and spread on top of the refried beans.
Stir together the sour cream and taco seasoning, and spread over the avocado.

Sprinkle the chiles over the sour cream, and top with a layer of black olives.

Add the tomatoes, and sprinkle with the cheese.

Heat the dip for 15-30 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is a bit melted.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Heavenly Kitchen with Dog on Sofa

Webster would be in dog heaven if he had his very own sofa in the kitchen so he could watch me cook. Every kitchen should have both a sofa and a dog, don't you think? image