Classy Pumpkin

I spent most of the day working inside cleaning and rearranging furniture. It always amazes me how things that were practically invisible look so fabulous when you change things around. I'll take some pictures when I finish. I love the equestrian pumpkin in the photo above. I haven't decorated for fall or Halloween outside yet. I do what I can on a daily basis and I have moved mountains in the past several weeks. photo source

Mantis - Praying for My Cottage

This praying mantis has been on or near the new copper downspout near my balcony since Friday. Is he praying for my cottage or getting some minerals from the copper? I hope it's the former. If he's just admiring his own reflection, I hope he has an alternate plan for the winter!

Delightful Writers' Cottage

It's time to see someone else's cottage.

I stumbled across this one in New York State designed by Crisp Architects.
All photos by Bob Karosis

It's fabulous, isn't it? More photos here.

White on White Outbuilding

Here is another example of white on white that is beautiful. I wonder what's inside? My second cup of coffee is kicking in and I'm beginning to feel more alive and ready to continue with outside projects on a mild cloudy day with rain this afternoon. I've been chipping away at the thin skim coat of pigmented stucco that was covering my foundation in the front. Lots of it had already been damaged by the weed whacker and it was bothering me. The rest of the house is fine because it sticks out of the ground a lot more than my front. I think the masons were running out of product by the time they made their way there and put it on too thinly. Anyway, the original foundation is great except for some old whitewash/paint stains in white here and there. The rest looks like a giant slab of cut stone. My cottage was built in the late 1930s so it's probably just old concrete over block. I am going to doctor it up with some masonry paint or something I can find on the shelves in the basement. Most of the old skim coat came off pretty easily and there were spiders living behind it so its days were numbered before the rest fell off piece by piece. I filled up two grocery bags full of debris. Why do I do this to myself? Not sure. Guess I am a glutton for punishment, always eager to take on a hard task. image from Pinterest

The Red Leaves Have Arrived

We now have some red color in the woods here at the cottage. Hope you had a nice weekend. I certainly did. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. Too tired to talk right now.

Two Beautiful Owls

These two night owls might be able to stay up all night but I cannot. I am getting ready to call it a day and watch a movie. I had another busy day outside and got more things on the laundry list done. It was a good day and I hope yours was too. See you tomorrow. Good night. image

Duet with A Cat

I wish I could have been there to see this in person. Don't you absolutely love this vintage photo? I've been working outside all day ever since I got up tweeking things before I mow next week. We had rain during the night but the sun is out this afternoon. Hooray. Have a great weekend.
image source

Meet Lizzie, The Daredevil Chicken

There is no work shortage for chickens these days. Click here if you can't see the video below.

This chicken named Lizzie is the official spokes-hen for a certain camera phone. She is absolutely a.maz.ing. You really won't believe your eyes! Who knew chickens had so much to contribute to technology?

Cat Nap

The gutter guy is nice and I let him scratch my head before going inside for a nap on the old rope bed. This construction/painting project is really interfering with my daytime routine. Love, Tabitha

Cat Chair for Tabitha

Tabitha found a new spot for grooming herself this morning. I was sitting on the opposing chair removing my boots and she hopped up on hers. This photo gives you a closer look at one of my light fixtures bringing in more color. Does that rust spot on the bluestone disturb me? Yes, it does but I'm way too busy to obsess over it the way I did about my paint color. I have to wash all of my outside windows starting today and through the weekend. The gutter guy is coming later this morning to run a long strip of bent copper under my roof shingles so my half round gutters won't overflow from behind and rot my cottage again. He is adding one more downspout to a long run in the back that becomes Niagara Falls during a downpour beside the sliding glass door to my mother's old bedroom and sitting room. Water is definitely the enemy of any house, right? I hope this is the solution I'm hoping for. See you later.