Tree Almost Over the Road @ My Cottage

This tree is in the parkland next to the cottage. The power lines are the only things keeping it from falling across the road. My power went off twice but came back on. YIKES.

I'm still in my pajamas. I decided not to get dressed today. I opened my front door for these photos.

I hope the big black walnut tree stays upright and doesn't fall on my car.

The authorities already knew about this when I called it in.

Be safe wherever you are. I'll keep posting as long as I have electricity.

Brick Wall with Boxwood Topping

Another example of the landscape designer's vision. Could anything be lovelier? I would like to see the boxwood growing on the other side. via 

We are still fine. Big pan of mac and cheese in the oven. Bad weather calls for comfort food, doesn't it?

How to humiliate a dog :)

This photo never fails to make me smile. You can really see the humiliation in the dog's face, can't you? See more humorous animal photos created way before the internet was invented here.

So Far, So Good at My Cottage

There is nothing to report from the cottage this morning. We are as prepared as we will ever be and still have power. We will just hunker down and wait. The only thing I didn't do was have the gutters cleaned but my guess is the wind will do it for me. Nothing earth shattering happened overnight and it didn't start raining until dawn. This is just the beginning. Be safe everyone. I have a tub full of water, food, crank radio and flashlight, candles, matches, a gas stove, etc. I think we will be fine -- fingers crossed. via

DIY Angel Wings

I love these angel wings made from old book pages or newspaper glued over a stiffer material. I want to make some for Christmas decorations. These would be good for Halloween too. I want to make a small version for my Staffordshire Spaniel on the fireplace mantel. I hope all of the guardian angels are on call during this terrifying time with the predicted hurricane. Be safe everyone.

Moon Reflection on Snowy River

Be safe everyone. I worked all day long and didn't come in the house until almost 7pm. I mowed, blew leaves, put everything away and more. I'll look around for anything I missed tomorrow. I'm sure I'll sleep like a log tonight. via

Storm Prep with Webster

Books and A Hurricane or Tropical Storm

I think I just found the perfect reading room. I love the big ottoman two chairs can share. via

I never thought of books this way but it's true. via

I'll be spending the next few hours putting outside stuff in the garage in preparation for Sandy. I'm pretty afraid too. Stay safe and enjoy the weekend if you can. It's so still outside it is positively uncanny. And it's way too warm for this time of year. I slept with my bedroom window open last night. I hope all the weather forecasts are wrong and the Hurricane blows out to sea but they say there is a 70% chance it's coming my way. Boo Hoo.

Tiny Cook's Kitchen

via This could be called the little kitchen that could, couldn't it? Have you ever seen so many pots and pans in one spot? Sir Cooksalot definitely lives here! Love the small 6 burner stove too. I would be so afraid that stock pot would come crashing down and chip the enamel. I would dearly love to see the rest of this room. The clock mirror is beautiful and must be used to converse with others in the room while cooking. 

DIY Wire Table Base

This is such a great idea. I know where there is a big roll of this rusty wire dumped near the edge of my woods. It's the heavy duty kind that will probably be impossible to unroll and cut. I love the way this looks -- like the hollow core door used for the top is floating. via

Another View of A Gorgeous Room

Here is another view of that gorgeous room I showed you yesterday and there are more dog paintings. This is wonderful! via

Carved Stone Tudor Greyhound

The greyhound was first adopted by Edward III as a heraldic supporter and was particularly used by his descendants in the House of Lancaster.

Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty, was descended from this line, and unsurprisingly, used the greyhound as a supporter of his royal arms and a reminder of his royal lineage. text and photo by Lawrence OP on Flickr

Amazing Landscape Design

via The perspective is wonderful here. Someone had a vision and succeeded in achieving it!

Restful Bedroom

This looks like a very nice place to sleep, doesn't it? I think I'll put all white bedding on my bed today (my favorite) and find a 'tarp' to throw over it at night when the brown dog visits. via

Pearl Buttons

Don't you love this shirt button card? Pearl buttons are my favorite. via

Dog Paintings + Antiques = Perfect Together

David Fuller Photography. Beautiful photo, beautiful art and antiques, beautiful interior design. via

A Fabulous Pumpkin House

Wouldn't you love to eat a big slice of warm pumpkin pie in this house? via

DIY Entry Hall Tree Made from Two Doors

I think this is the best idea for an entrance hall or a mudroom. Use two recycled doors for the back, add some hooks, a top cornice shelf and some cubbies to sit on at the bottom. How very clever. via

I Can't Stop Laughing at this Video

Rob McKenna, Attorney General of Washington State/Governor candidate for Washington State, dances Gangnam Style with his wife at the 6th KOREAN DAY hosted by Seattle Washington State Korean Association. He danced the whole song. I am sure he is the first State Attorney General to finish the dance in the States. Audience went crazy. What a way to get connected with Korean American community. Students requested to take photos with him after the dance. Click here if you can't see this hilarious video. He reminds me of Napoleon Dynamite. The McKennas are such good sports, aren't they? What IS Gangnam Style? Here is a good article explaining it.

Sassafras Leaves

This is the only tree I know of that has three different leaves on the same tree. Below you see a "mitten" with one thumb. Above you see a "mitten" with no thumb and a "mitten" with two thumbs. I find this tree so fascinating. Photographed yesterday afternoon with my iPhone. It's very colorful in the fall.

sassafras |ˈsasəˌfras|
noun

a deciduous North American tree with aromatic leaves and bark. The leaves are infused to make tea or ground into filé.
• Sassafras albidum, family Lauraceae.

• an extract of the leaves or bark of this tree, used medicinally or in perfumery.

Georgian Wedding Ring

This is absolutely gorgeous, agreed? via

Decorating with Fine Art and Antiques

I'll take it all. Living with antiques is such a fine experience, isn't it? via

Bathroom Library

I think there would be too much humidity for these lovely books in a bathroom, don't you? But doesn't it look nice in this photo? via Maybe it's a powder room and not a full bath.

Edinburgh in Autumn

Simply lovely! via

A Delightful Bedroom

I love the painted primitive bench at the foot of the bed. via

Linen Storage

I love the built-in linen presses and open shelves for linen storage. So much nicer than a linen closet. via You almost never see this old-fashioned feature in new homes -- only old ones.

Young Queen and Her Dad

Best photo ever of King George VI and a very young Queen Elizabeth II. Her face is still exactly the same, isn't it? via

Primitive Bucket Bench Finds New Life

I love this antique bucket bench used to display collections of very interesting things. via