Baby Birds and Spring Blossoms

via

There's nothing sweeter, is there?

I have house wrens nesting in one of my Williamsburg bird bottles on the back of the house and blue birds nesting in the blue bird box. I love the chitter chatter of the wrens. The bluebirds are very quiet. I planted two limelight hydrangea a few days ago, one in the back and one in the front. If they are half as good as they are supposed to be, I'll be happy. I got a big pot at a local garden center for a good price and when I got it home, it turned out to be two plants growing very close together. I was thrilled I was able to separate them. Read about this variety here.

HRH Princess Charlotte of Cambridge

She has a name: Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

The newest UK royal, a girl born on Saturday, has been named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

The middle names, of course, hark to her great-grandmother, the current queen, and her paternal grandmother, Princess Diana, who died in 1997.

Charlotte, a feminine form of Charles, is likely a nod to her grandfather, Prince Charles. via

The Princess with No Name

She's a beautiful baby, isn't she?

This Telegraph article contains the odds on her name.

Everyone's waiting to hear and it should be soon.

Such a happy occasion for the young royals.

Wonderful slideshow here.

Guinea Pigs Gardening: Beatrix Potter

via

These two Beatrix Potter watercolors are new to me. Have you ever seen them? These gardening guinea pigs are in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

A Good Morning in May

Have a lovely day. I wish I had these two helpers to work inside while I work outside. A clone or two would be nice this time of year, wouldn't it? I just do what I can do and try not to fret about the rest. Have a great May weekend. xo

PS -- I'm really excited about the new Royal Princess weighing in at 8 pounds 3 ounces and I can't wait to hear more.

Seaside Village in Crovie Scotland

via

Crovie, a small village in Aberdeenshire, is comprised of a single row of houses directly on the sea. Unlike the similar neighboring village called Pennan, Crovie is situated on such a narrow ledge that any cars have to be left at the south of the village. The cars in the foreground are parked as close as you can get by automobile. Hope you don't have something large to deliver on foot to the last cottage. Wow, what an amazing village!

Fritillaria, Checkered Flowering Bulbs

via

The graphic designs on this flowering bulb continues to fascinate me. The name is derived from the Latin term for a dice-box (fritillus) and probably refers to the checkered pattern of the flowers of many species. Plants of the genus are known in English as fritillaries. Some North American species are called mission bells. Read more.

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester England

via

Gloucester Cathedral corridors by Alan Coles

The magnificent Gloucester Cathedral was built in 1100 as a Norman abbey church and survived the Dissolution thanks to its historical connection with the monarchy. It has one of the largest medieval stained glass windows in England and an elegant and impressive interior. It was from this church that William I ordered the Domesday Book, and, in more recent history, the cathedral was graced by the filming of more than one Harry Potter movie. 

Read and see more.

The Manor, 12thC. Home in Cambridgeshire England

The Manor, Hemmingford Grey, Cambridgeshire, England, said to be the oldest continually inhabited house in Britain built in 1130. The house is open for tours. via

This home is fabulous and so fitting for today's life even though it's ancient. The size is perfect and the topiaries are amazing. This should be on your list of places to visit while in England.

Architectural Elements in A Garden

via

It would be hard not to think of this as an outdoor cathedral. I went on an English buying trip for architectural artifacts with friends years ago and saw all of these items offered for sale.