Deck Chair for A Summer Afternoon

The heat wave has broken and there's a delightful breeze. Now if I just had a deck chair full of pillows I'd be all set.

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Do Dogs Have Selective Hearing Too?

 

I don't know what this conversation is all about but I can tell by the barkee's expression that it's going in one ear and out the other.

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Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II, page 40

More great advice from a tiny little book.

A Heavenly Home and Garden Tour in Belgium

A Heavenly Home and Garden in Belgium Exploring this estate in the Belgian countryside is like looking through a kaleidoscope: Every turn brings a transformation.

A pergola festooned with wisteria.

The property’s 17th-century dovecote was once used as an observation post during the Dutch Revolt.

I don't want to spoil your tour with any more photos before you view the entire slideshow. I love the simplicity of the interior furnishings that allow the architecture be the star of the show.

Read the accompanying article from Architectural Digest here.

I hope

you remembered to count the sheep resting by the river.

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Lovely Kitchen with A Dog on The Counter

I love the vintage sink with the ticking skirt and the wall of windows. The little dog looks right at home on the counter, doesn't he? I'd love to see the rest of this super-interesting room. I'm off to an office meeting this morning. See you later. xo
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Have you

counted your sheep today?

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Eleanor Roosevelt said

It's a beautiful day for

walking an elephant.

©LuisBeltrán

Chimp Raises Orphaned Puma

Anjana the Chimpanzee feeds Sierra, the 9-month old orphaned Puma. It's nothing new because this remarkable chimp has already helped raise two royal white tiger cubs, a leopard, and four lions. More photos and great stories here. Don't fail to look at her previous mothering job with the tigers. Anjana is the best interspecies mom.

I wonder if there is any special reason for all the primate stories coming my way? This is the third one this week. I'm not buying any more bananas for a while. Smile.

Horse Drawn Carriage Drives By My Cottage

WHOA. I got to the window just in the nick of time with my camera to show you this driving carriage passing my cottage this morning. I know the lady with the hat but rarely see her taking her horse and a friend for a ride on my street though she drives this carriage all over town. There are fewer and fewer horses around these days as the houses change hands. My cottage is adjacent to a bridle path and I can't remember the last time a horse and rider used it.

Have a great Sunday and I'll see you later. 

Have A Picture Perfect Weekend

The Pannonian Plain is a large plain in Central Europe that remained when the Pliocene Pannonian Sea dried out. The river Danube divides the plain roughly in half. ©Katarina Stefanović Her photo looks like a painting, doesn't it? 

Javier Bardem + Penelope Cruz | Perfect Together

Baby Leo born late January 2011. I am so happy these two got together and now have a family.

Laundry Flapping in The Wind

I made a fresh batch of my homemade laundry detergent this morning and my first load is flapping in the breeze getting bleached by the sun. I grated my Octagon soap with my micro-plane grater and it worked much better than the box grater I normally use though it took longer. My second load has been sorted and is ready for my front-loading washer. I honestly can't remember the last time I used my dryer. Enjoy the weekend and I'll see you a little later. xo

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Blessings, Morning Glory

 

Meramec River (Missouri), photo by Robert Charity. Click on the link to see more studding images by this talented photographer.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 39

Have a great weekend.

Paint Box Giraffe

Dare to be different.

 via

Last House on The Beach

And the best one too.

Beautiful Stable

One can only imagine what the manor house must be like. Don't you love this amazing thoroughbred stable with the herringbone floor? 

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Follow The Leader | Elephant Walk

What a sight to see from your rear view mirror. Are these majestic elephants playing follow the leader? Google Images

   

Naomi Watts | Screen Test

Lynn Hirschberg of The New York Times Style Magazine talks to the actress Naomi Watts. I love her and all of her films. Read more here.

My Chosen Bedroom for Tonight

This is where I've decided to sleep tonight. I love that recessed bookcase wall behind the bed. A side table might be nice since I can't sleep without a stainless steel water bottle full of ice water within arm's reach in the summer. Especially if the windows are open and the central air is turned off. I broke down and turned it on today. I had to close all of my windows while the gutters were being cleaned and it's really hot outside. But as you all know I don't like being sealed inside. So before I jump in this big white bed, I'll throw open the windows. Goodnight. See you in the morning. xo

Beautiful Country Dirt Road

Have you noticed how seldom you see a good country dirt road these days? I can't even remember the last time I created a cloud of red dust while driving down a great one like this. ©Junga

Decorating with Diamonds

This photograph reminds me of the gray and white diamonds I painted on the country-kitchen floor of my previous home.

A Classic Home Renovation or Transformation

WHOLE HOUSE RENOVATION BY ANTHONY WILDER DESIGN/BUILD, INC.

I can think of nothing quite as charming as an older home, surrounded by equally-classic architecture, on a quiet tree-lined street. Oftentimes, people shy away from buying these houses, in spite of the fact that they're located in established neighborhoods, because their interiors aren't as bright or open as those of newer homes; or, perhaps, potential buyers feel overwhelmed by the amount of work required to update the existing structure. Prior to the renovation, this house was hidden behind a wall of overgrown shrubbery. The team cleaned up the landscape, painted the dull red brick a bright white, installed a new slate roof with dormers, and added or replaced shutters as necessary.

 

When I first glanced at this wonderful article I did not even realize that this red brick house behind giant overgrown shrubs was the BEFORE shot of this amazing transformation. The new owners must be so happy that they were able to see the possibilities in saving this grand old home instead of tearing it down. More photos and complete article here.

Crested Black Macaque Snaps Self-Portrait | Maybe

I saw this story on the news last night. What do you think? Real or fake self-portrait of a Crested Black Macaque taken with a camera the primate snatched from award-winning photographer David Slater in Indonesia? Wait until you see the photo showing a toothy smile before you decide. Read more...

Vines Gone Wild

House to owner, "Help me. I can't breathe." This is what happens when you relax your vine clipping guard.

Super Outdoor Showers

I really like these outdoor showers with the industrial-style hardware from Sonoma Forge. Click around and find your favorites.