Gorgeous Kitchen

It really is gorgeous, isn't it? I think it's a serious cook's kitchen for sure. I love the cabinet fronts, the hardware, the subway tile, the light, the bar to hold shelves and utensils, the open shelving. The stove, the island, the hood. I think I love it all! I've never understood pot fillers so I left that out. via

Anything you can do, I can do better.

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First Bluebird Spotting at My Cottage

I was afraid I would scare my first spring bluebird away if I opened the door to go out on the balcony to photograph him. Instead I had to do it through the window and the screen from my bathroom. These birds never fail to thrill me!

What?

Is this the ugly ducking of the owl world? I'm sure he looks a lot better when his feathers are dry. Is this a newborn? Not sure but I loved the photo and hope you do too. via Pixdaus

Grape Hyacinths

 

Grape Hyacinth, otherwise known as Muscari, are actually not Hyacinths at all. They are members of the Lily family, and are native to the Mediterranean area and Asia Minor. These are growing against my brick wall here at the cottage.

The wild violets are coming up all over the front lawn and are another sure sign that spring has sprung. 

The Wonder Dog After the Big Birthday Dinner

 

Webster had a perfect day for his 10th birthday. He had all of his favorite foods and we just got in from an after-dinner walk where I took these iPhone photos. We barely got home before it started raining. He's on his bed behind the sofa in a food coma now. 

French Cats Playing Pattycake

At first I thought this was one cat playing on a mirror. It's great, isn't it? Especially considering these two cats understand French. Click here if you can't see this wonderful video.

[Almost] Ready to Fly

The one on the right is looking at his sibling and thinking...you must be nuts. via Pixdaus

Today is Webster's Birthday -- He's 10 Years Old

If you calculate his age in people years (10x7) he is 70 years old today. This is a recent photo taken outside on one of those nice days when he was watching helping me work. I cooked him a huge sweet potato in the oven last night along with the ones we had for supper and that will be one of his special treats today. They are one of his favorite foods along with cornbread. I think I'll make a big iron skillet of that later today as well. It sort of breaks my heart to look back on older photos of him and see how he has aged. But he still acts like a pup and is very healthy and I can't complain -- especially since we are the same age this year [smile]. If only that were an April Fool joke :(

http://contentinacottage.blogspot.com/2009/04/birthday-boy-hes-no-april-fool.html

http://contentinacottage.blogspot.com/2010/04/websters-birthday-8-x-7-56-in-people.html

http://contentinacottage.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-dog-is-worried.html

Paperwhites and Lilies of the Valley

The paperwhites I started forcing just before Christmas have their own internal clocks. These just came into bloom this week. I thought they looked nice photographed with my iPad against the guest room draperies with a Lily of the Valley motif.