My Favorite Brushes

I always look for brushes like these at garage sales. I use them for so many things--most of which do not involve paint. Dusting books, washing windows, cleaning projects of every description, and the list goes on. I do use them for painting too and am very conscientious about cleaning them afterwards because I know how expensive they are to buy new. Are you also a fan of these round brushes?

Gourdon's Garden - Provence, France

Gourdon's Garden - Provence - France

The Castle of Gourdon is close by Saint Paul de Vence - Provence, on the top of mountain. Its gardens were designed by Le Notre, Louix XIV's gardener who also did Versailles park. The picture shows the very precise hard work done by the gardeners, resulting in the geometrical shapes of the trees and golf like lawn, AND the view of the impressive canyon below the garden. When taking the shot, I deliberately chose to frame it in those two parts (garden and canyon with the white wall being the middle line). The two gardeners, feeling the heat of the summer season, add a human touch to the picture.

Provence in general, St Paul de Vence and Gourdon in particular are great places to visit and photograph. photo and text by Pierre Metivier 

A Fabulous Gardening Motif

I absolutely love this gardening artwork from A Cottage In The Woods

I Love This

The refracted designs in these glasses of water caught my eye this morning. Seeing the world with your glass full is a good thing. Have a nice weekend. *

Wonderful Outside Sink

I just finished doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen but it would have been more fun using this outside sink (in more suitable weather). I still love my own double porcelain farm sink rescued from the side of the road. Have a wonderful weekend.

Rudyard Kipling Illustrated Gardening Quote

It is time to sit by the fire and flip through all of those gardening and seed catalogs that arrive in the mail almost daily this time of year. I know many of you have cabin fever and maybe dreaming of spring will help cure it. 

Snow Swag on My Picket Fence

Look what happened to the snow that was on top of my picket fence; it started melting and stopped to form a perfect triple swag. Decorations by Mother Nature can be quite beautiful. This was the first thing I saw this morning when I looked out my bedroom window. It is a gray day and the icicles are starting to form. I shall venture out in the car today for errands. See you later.

A Very Nice Small Kitchen

There were lots to look at but this small kitchen was my favorite. I would really like to see some other views of this delightful room, wouldn't you? I especially like the shelf wall behind the KitchenAid mixer.   Favourite kitchens of 2010

All Shoveled Out: Snow Begone

It's nice to see my car again. I didn't go anywhere yet today but I might run out and buy more coffee. That's the only essential necessary here at the cottage.

The walk is finally completely exposed. Earlier it was only one shovel wide. I am like that you know. When I start a job it bothers me until it's totally finished. 

Buried in The Snow

Success! I just got in from shoveling the walk to the left of the first big mound and I even dug out my car - see mound behind brick wall. The driveway had been plowed in front of the car and behind it too. I had to uncover it and dig out all around. The snow was over the tires and running board almost up to the trim on the door.  I was 'the little engine that could' digging my way one shovel at a time.

These chairs on the balcony will just have to wait. I can't even get the screen door open yet. Maybe the sun will do most of the work for me. This area is not critical. I just wanted to show you how deep the snow was back there. You can't even see the chair legs at all.