Here's proof that green is beautiful. The cloches are ready to protect some tender newly-planted seedlings. Have a great evening and I'll see you tomorrow. via
Thursday, May 10, 2012
At My Cottage Yesterday After Dinner
I love the little faces on these tiny violas that are a johnny jump up variety. They are in a big pot at my front door. Who doesn't love a pansy face?
Webster the wonder dog was in deep thought about something. Mother and I were headed for the chairs that look like two tiny dots in the way back.
Paper Pinwheels | DIY Tutorial
It rained all night but I woke up to bright sun. If that's not reason for celebration, I don't know what is! I love these paper pinwheels made from atlas pages, old music book pages or sheet music and wrapping paper. Here is a tutorial from Martha Stewart in case you want to make some too. There are many others with printable templates if you just do a google search for paper pinwheel pattern. image found here
UPDATE: I think I spoke too soon. The black clouds have rolled in and it looks like more rain is in the picture.
UPDATE: I think I spoke too soon. The black clouds have rolled in and it looks like more rain is in the picture.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Another Rainy Day
The whole month of May has been behaving like April was supposed to but did not. I shall complain no more about not having rain. Has it been this way at your house too? via
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
A Really Nice Farmhouse Kitchen
Designed By: John R. Schroeder. Click here for slideshow and further description of this charming farmhouse in Connecticut.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Standing in My Own Cottage Bathroom
Here I am -- standing in my own bathroom with my iPhone. I tried looking at the mirror and smiling but my image looked too posed. This is the real me this afternoon before I went out to take my mother to the dentist. One of these days I'll try to show you more. It's a small room but it's wonderful!
See what I mean?
Are you a sitter or a stander?
I have always been a stander but I think I could learn to be a sitter in this lovely bath. I love the slipcovered chair, don't you? via
Sunday, May 6, 2012
DIY Great Healthy Snack | Chocolate Dipped Nuts
What a great simple idea for the perfect snack to satisfy your sweet tooth while providing a good dose of protein and energy without all the unhealthy sugars. These easy to prepare nuts would make great gifts too. via goodlifeeats
My Ladies Mantle after a rainy night
I have always loved how the serrated edges of the ladies mantle leaves capture the tiny raindrops and the centers cup the big ones. Mine are thriving this year even though they looked awful at the end of last year's summer heat. They missed the cool nights most long-lived perennials prefer. I missed them too!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Meet Cactus Jack
Before. They say his tail never stopped wagging.
After.
Adopted also!
Read this heartwarming puppy rescue story here.
Mystery Flower at My Cottage
These were taken today on an overcast morning with my iPad. What are those stunning magenta flowers and how did they get there? They are very large and have popped up in an area that never gets mowed and is allowed to grow wild behind the tall grasses in the second photo and near the buttercups that grow in huge patches near my metal gate. Click to enlarge. Isn't it fun to get surprise flowers planted by birds and magic?
I have to say my favorite photo app of late is PhotoToasterJr. I almost never use anything else. It's free too. I blogged about it recently (last Saturday 4/28) so look for the post to download.
Vertical Pear Salad | Genius and Beautiful
V E R T I C A L - P E A R - S A L A D
ingredients:
4 smooth skinned pears
2-3 cups watercress
1/2 cup toasted pecans
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
vinaigrette dressing
honey for drizzling
lemon juice
directions:
Cut pears horizontally into 3 or 4 slices depending on the size of your pears. Use a paring knife to cut out the cores. The pieces should look like O's. Leave the stem on the pop piece. Brush slices of pear with lemon juice to keep it from browning.
Toss watercress, pecans, and blue cheese with dressing until coated.
Reassemble the pear, vertically, with the watercress salad in between each slice. Once assembled, drizzle with honey, and serve!
Doesn't this look delicious? via The Novice Chef
Doesn't this look delicious? via The Novice Chef
Friday, May 4, 2012
This week's bird sightings | Yellow and Blue
Which bird do you prefer? The Goldfinch or the Bluebird?
UPDATE: This red-tailed hawk just flew by and wanted to be included!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The Scream brings $119.9 Million
It took 12 nail-biting minutes and five eager bidders for Edvard Munch’s famed 1895 pastel of “The Scream” to sell for $119.9 million, becoming the world’s most expensive work of art ever to sell at Sotheby's auction house in NYC yesterday. Read more in The New York Times...
Munch's subject matter is symbolist in content, depicting a state of mind rather than an external reality. Munch maintained that the impressionist idiom did not suit his art. Interested in portraying not a random slice of reality, but situations brimming with emotional content and expressive energy, Munch carefully calculated his compositions to create a tense atmosphere. via
I am my own hired hand
I took this photo of my feet last night when I had to quit weed whacking at 7:30 pm -- not because I wanted to or was finished -- but because I ran out of day-glo green string. I was almost finished with one section too. Drats. I can't get the spool off by myself. Instead I have to bother Greg at the gas station and he gives it one easy twirl and it comes right off. I don't have the knack with anything that has a motor.
The top of me looked good after my new afternoon haircut. It's just not in the cards for me to be fancy in any way shape or form until I conquer the weeds in my driveway.
I keep thinking about my grandmother's sage advice and wishing I had followed it.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Goodnight All
G o o d n i g h t
Elizabeth Adela Stanhope Forbes
Canadian, 1859-1912
Both Dogs Can Be First Out The Door This Way :)
Meet Buddy and Luke. This happens every time the door is opened. Luke is the one that's airborne. I love this photo. via
DIY Cement Planters from Food Containers
Aren't these planters lovely? They are molded from used food packaging containers. Instead of throwing away your ice cream cartons and yogurt containers you can make a few troughs for your succulents. You will need:
- Cement (it's the glue that binds the other ingredients)
- Vermiculite (you can use sand instead, but the planters become very heavy)
- Peat moss, pearlite, gravel or rock (add for fun!)
Full tutorial with step-by-step photo illustrations HERE.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Webster Admiring his Yard from Attic Window
While I paid bills upstairs at the desktop computer today Webster looked out on the newly mown back property. I only mowed the left half. You can't see much of the uncut right half. I didn't mow way back either. It doesn't really need it yet. I have sections that I do---front, back, middle, and way back. I almost never cut it all at once. We had rain overnight and this morning. It's starting to shape up and we are having fun doing it. We just got back from our last walk of the day and now it's time to watch a little TV in bed. Goodnight. See you tomorrow.
DragonFly, Up Close and Personal
I took this photo with my Nikon D40 several years ago in 2009 and haven't gotten a better one since.
Our Lady of The Cow Parsley
Don't you love the name of this gorgeous painting by Elisabeth Sonrel, French artist 1874 - 1953? 'Our Lady of The Cow Parsley'. She is a vision of spring and summer for sure. This wildflower grows wild all over the UK. via sofi01 on Flickr
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tucking in Now
Webster and I are both tuckered out from all of our hard work outside. See you tomorrow. Sleep tight.
Webster Helps with The Yardwork
Webster thinks as long as he's outside with me, he's helping. It does make a beautiful lawn ornament, doesn't he? I got out the electric weed whacker that I never mastered yesterday and I finally learned how to use it. My front lawn was way out of control with uneven tufts of tall grass all over the place. Now I'm almost ready for my first mowing. Little trees have started sprouting everywhere too. The only way to have a lawn or a meadow is to keep mowing over them. My poor arms had the shakes after I finished. Now I have to do the back. I'm somewhat encouraged about having to take care of the great outdoors for another season. How about you?
Moonrise Kingdom looks like my kind of movie!
“Moonrise Kingdom” is the new movie directed by two-time Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Wes Anderson (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Rushmore”). Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, “Moonrise Kingdom” tells the story of two 12-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore – and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in every which way. Bruce Willis plays the local sheriff, Captain Sharp. Edward Norton is a Khaki Scout troop leader, Scout Master Ward. Bill Murray and Frances McDormand portray the young girl’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bishop. The cast also includes Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Bob Balaban; and introduces Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as the boy and girl.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Handmade Gardening Tiles
I photographed these delightful handmade gardening tiles at the home of a real hands-on gardener.
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