Curved Bench Window Seat

Isn't this a nice architectural detail? The cutouts on either end of this bay window seat make it look like a settle bench! via

Listen to Ralph

This sounds like very good advice from Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Be silly, be honest, be kind." via

Wonderful Outdoor Entertaining Space

The house looks wonderful and so does the tiered patio with lovely plantings and beautiful garden furniture. It's fabulous, isn't it? via

This happens every year. I start to see leaves turning color in July. This bright yellow one was floating in the birdbath. I was glad I had my iPhone in my pocket. It's still hot and dry but not as humid here at the cottage.

Red and White Checks

I love them on this kitchen floor. *

They are perfect on these bunk beds too. *

London Olympic Games 1948 and 2012

via

via

South Carolina Farmhouse

Belk Farm inspired by an old ice house on the shore of Cumberland Island Georgia. Love the double roofline with clerestory windows. Ken Pursley Architect. Read article and view more pictures here.

Perfect Vacation--Surfing with Books

This image certainly speaks volumes, doesn't it? A woody piled high with books ending up at the beach certainly looks like a perfect vacation to me. via The illustrator/author is Chris Gall and this poster was for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in 2007. See the license plate---LA2007. He also illustrated a picture book entitled America The Beautiful. I love his talent!

Brownie Batter Cheesecakes [No Bake]

These look easy, delicious, and fast to assemble. It's too hot to turn on the oven so why not whip up some for dessert one day this coming week? Recipe here with step by step instructions in pictures... very little reading required [smile]. I love ice box pies and cheesecakes, don't you?

Photo Fun - MarbleCam [free download]

This free app was featured in today's New York Times. You can use it with any existing photos in your camera roll or with the iPhone or iPad camera opened in the app.

This is the photo I used from my camera roll for the 'marble' effect above. This is going to be fun!

Best Outdoor Room Ever!

There are no words for this timber frame shelter with fireplace by the pool. It's a wonderful outdoor room, isn't it? via

Yes, please. I'll have my virtual hand-squeezed orange juice on the virtual porch this lovely Sunday morning. You'll join me, right? Sigh. via

Wild Raspberries at My Cottage

I usually eat a big handful of wild raspberries every time I take the dogs for a walk. They are so good. As you can see by the shriveled leaves we badly need a good soaking rain. The heat wave will be ending tomorrow and that's a good thing. Enjoy your Saturday night.

Dining Room overlooks Great Kitchen

This is such a visually pleasing photo to me. I love the neatness of it all and the low backs on the dining room chairs. The dark gray paint is perfect, even on the ceiling in the pantry. Very nice indeed. via

How Do You Count Your Days?

I know it's psychological but when it's hot outside I find it difficult to get anything very productive done inside even though the central air is running. Is this normal? How do you cope with the heat? Even the dogs are lying around like dishrags. Today I shall try to make the day count!! I found the quote in the white box here and I expanded it myself using the Martha Stewart app that's only 'free' for one more day. 

Do You Wander?

I would love to be wandering in the snow too! Stay cool if you are in the heatwave zone and have a good weekend. via

French Bulldog says Goodnight

Piggy is in the most uncomfortable looking position with his head propped up against the sofa arm but he's snoring away in the coolness of the a/c. I'm off to bed myself and Webster tucked in ages ago. We had a pretty exhausting day. I vacuumed and Piggy chased and barked after the beast. His humans don't have an upright. Cleaning wore us both out. Have a good weekend and stay cool.

Wonderful Airstream Campsite

This is a wonderful image, isn't it? Do these people camp at the same spot every year, thus the hollyhocks? I love the awnings. I've always thought this would be the perfect way to travel...with your bed always with you. Have you ever camped or vacationed in an airstream? via

Piggy Enjoys The Morning Sun

We are having a very nice morning here at the cottage. Piggy is stretched out watching me work in the kitchen and he doesn't know I sneaked up on him from behind. It's supposed to be another scorcher but so far the morning is very pleasant. The forecast is for 91 today and 100 tomorrow. Oh dear, I'd better turn the A/C on again.

Beautiful Symmetry

I would love to be standing on the other side of this door looking out. This is a lovely entrance, isn't it?  via

Old-Fashioned Summer Fun: Diving Dock

Goodness. I would have loved something like this as a kid. Have you ever seen anything more dangerous looking? Or more fun? Unfortunately, those carefree days of summer are gone forever. This must be a very old photograph because the men's suits have tops.  via

Library Art Gift Wrapping Craft Room

Every home should have one of these! via

Multi-Purpose Bedroom | Nice!

 

It's charming. I love the red accessories, the blue and white painted floor, and the paneled walls and ceiling. It's very cheerful and filled with natural light. Very nice indeed. This would be the perfect guest suite, wouldn't it? via

Piggy Sleeps with an Elephant

I can't find the tiger stuffed toy that Piggy normally sleeps with when he comes to visit. He seems just as pleased with this elephant because it has a squeaker inside, and that's a good thing! I took this iPhone photo last night to send to his humans. How could they NOT be missing this cutie pie?

Are you enjoying July 4th so far?

 

 

 

I'm sure I have already posted these images---maybe last year. I found them saved to my computer with no information on the original sources....sorry. Pretty soon it will be dark and the fireworks will begin. Enjoy the display in your town. I've had a great holiday so far and hope you have too.

Happy July 4th from My Cottage Kitchen

This was the only thing I could come up with quickly and easily to wish you all a fabulous Independence Day. We are having a lazy July 4th here at the cottage and I am enjoying it to the fullest. Piggy is sleeping on the sofa next to my mom and I think Webster has gone back to bed. Tabitha is stretched out in a cool shady spot. My refrigerator is full of nice cold foods that require no cooking but I'll probably grill a burger later. Enjoy our nation's birthday.

[my iphone photo]

Breakfast at My Cottage

We all slept very late this morning. I almost never get the chance but today my feet didn't hit the floor until 9:30 and it was wonderful. The animals have all been fed and the coffee is made. People will be fed last, as usual. We had an early morning shower that cooled things off a bit and my a/c was turned off before bed so all is well in my neck of the woods with 77 degrees at mid-morning. I'm not bragging, just saying. I know so many of you are sweltering. Try to run through the sprinkler or something like that to cool off in a fun way. See you later. Piggy has discovered the ottoman fan and he loves it. Happy July 4th everyone!!!

[my iPhone  photo of Tabitha and her cute cat dish]

Webster Says Goodnight

Webster is exhausted. It's been a long day supervising the refrigerator repairman, helping inspect all the groceries that came into the house, and being told that Piggy was coming tonight for a sleepover and will be staying until Sunday. Such excitement. Have a great July 4th tomorrow. Our watermelon is in the fridge so we are all ready!!

Garden Art: Old Figural Lawn Sprinklers

The Monkey sprinkler brought $9,000 at a recent auction. All photos provided by John and Nancy Smith.

The Mermaid is a sprinkler with style and grace.

Bradley and Hubbard, one of the premier metal casting companies, produced this Mallard sprinkler.

Bradley and Hubbard produced this sitting frog sprinkler.

This Wood Duck sprinkler was produced by Nuydea.

This Frog on Globe sprinkler was also produced by Nuydea.

Read full article here.

All of the above photos ©John and Nancy Smith

Do you have any of these stashed away in the garage, garden/tool shed or at a relative's house? Why not look and see what you can find. I think they are wonderful. Are you a Garden Art Collector?

Wheelbarrow Garden

I love this old wheelbarrow full of flowers to be planted. What a spectacular setting! via

Inside A White Morning Glory

My wild morning glories are insect magnets. All I have to do is stand in one place and watch them fly in and out. After the wasps started buzzing around I decided to go inside and have another cup of coffee. See you later.

[my iPhone photo]

Throw Open The Windows

I have been so happy since I was able to open the windows in my cottage last night and today. I really dislike being sealed in an air conditioning unless it's absolutely necessary. I know so many people who never open their windows. They just go from heat to air conditioning with nothing else in between. Not me....I'm the original fresh air person who loves hearing the sounds of the outside world. How about you? 

[my iPhone photo from a charity house tour]

White Wild Morning Glories

I'm thankful for these wild vines growing near my cottage because I'm out of sugar and can't make any nectar for the hummingbirds until I go to the store. The hummers love these deep-throated flowers and so do the bees. I have a refrigerator repairman coming tomorrow so the birds will just have to wait another day. Mother and I have been using powdered sugar in our iced coffee. I could make some nectar with that but I don't know the right proportions that would equal the recipe I use with granulated. Better not upset their scientific substitute, right? [my iPhone photo]

1809 Invitation to a Pleasure Ball

"While we live, let us LIVE."
I love this quote.

Oh, the excitement of receiving this invitation to a PLEASURE BALL. Miss Lydia Goulet's heart must have been racing at the prospect of an early afternoon dance until an undetermined hour. Would Mr. Darcy be there? I wonder if Jane Austen was invited too? I looked it up and May 30, 1809 was on a Tuesday. How odd, that doesn't sound very exciting at all now. But maybe it was. I can hear Maggie Smith's voice in my head saying...WHAT is a weekend? I guess everyday was a Saturday to a certain class. via

Cranky, Sleepy Cat | Tabitha + Webster

After the shower yesterday around supper time Tabitha wanted to take a nap so she hissed at poor Webster who wasn't doing a single thing to annoy her except being on the same planet. Notice the placement of the puddles.

Same position. Head in puddle. Sound asleep.

Nice cool wet deck wood = sweet kitty dreams.

Here's Webster

He's as handsome as ever, isn't he? We had a quick thunder shower right after supper that cooled things off a little and Webster was glad. We have been running the central air plus our vintage circular ottoman fan and Webster all but wraps his body around it. When we go out in the heat of the day he can't wait to get back in the house.