Fall in The Country

I adore this photo. The old 1909 barn on the edge of the woods is painted a deep maroon red that is set off by the evergreen tree and the overgrown straw colored grasses in the foreground. Fall is such a great time to be outside with a camera. via

Alien Visitor this Evening

This alien-looking creature was not camera shy in the least. He let me get super close to him for his portrait session. I wonder what he told the others when he returned to the mothership? Click to enlarge.

An Old Bookshop's Reading Room

"Give a man a fire and he's warm for the day. Set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life." 

Quote by Sir Terry Patchett

This is the perfect quote over the fireplace in a bookshop where you could sit and set fire to your imagination while looking for a book to buy. Google Images.

Pumpkin Dream Cake Recipe

Are you drooling yet? This sheet cake with cinnamon cream cheese icing is absolutely the best pumpkin recipe I have seen in ages. See more photos and read all about it here. Can't wait? Jump directly to the recipe here. You're welcome!

Repurposed Bath Accessories

I love this idea of using a cup for small brushes and a bowl for soap. There is another bowl in the blurred background for a sponge. A bathtub is one of the joys of life in my opinion so why not surround yourself with lovely things while you soak? via

Picnic for Mice Arthur Rackham

You know I love animals wearing clothes and this artwork by Arthur Rackham from Wind in the Willows is no exception. Offered at auction by Sotheby's.

Vintage Equestrian Wallpaper at A New Jersey Designer Showcase House

Everyone went wild for this vintage equestrian wallpaper at a designer showcase house and gardens in New Vernon, New Jersey. This room also doubled as the payment center for the numerous items the designers were selling. This event is held every other year and is a major fundraiser for the Women's Association for Morristown Medical Center. It is normally called Mansion in May but due to Covid this year, it became Splendor in September. It overlapped slightly into October and this past Sunday was the last day. Click HERE to see a beautiful photo of the Gilded Age Mansion and read about its history.

Pumpkins Galore

What a beautiful site. I love anything pumpkin and this time of year is the best. This photo is gorgeous, isn't it? via

Freshly Picked Dahlia Bouquet

I picked these lovely dahlias by invitation just before dark on Sunday night. They made getting up on a Monday morning so delightful. They drank a lot of water overnight and I had to top them off after taking this photo. They are the best summer into fall flowers of all.

Young Red Headed Woodpecker

This is adorable. I would be thrilled to see this little guy in person, with or without my camera. Too cute! via

Home Offices for Working Remotely

Everyone is working from home these days and this is a great article on how some of you are doing it so successfully. I need lots of room to spread out so I chose this photo. Right now the farm table in my kitchen is a total disaster as I am on the home stretch for a real estate closing next week.

Hello October

This photo just about sums up October, doesn't it? My driveway is filled with the spiky outer shells of my yearly chestnut crop, and the leaves are changing color. I love the red of the Virginia creeper that is the first vivid color to appear. So far I haven't had to turn on my heat but that time is coming soon. I love the crisp days of autumn while he leaves are still on the trees. via

Egg Gathering Basket, Repurposed

I adore this presentation of bath items in a wire egg gathering basket. This would be so perfect to leave in a guest's room or guest bath. I am mad for baskets and would love to have this one. via

Gorgeous Bathroom Alcove

Wouldn't you just love to take a long hot bath in this arched alcove with the gorgeous soaking tub? via

Antique Accessories

Simply Beautiful! I would love to see more restrained decor in this home. I love this arrangement against a stark white wall. via

Interior Design Oil Painting

Peter Brown, Moses Back From His Walk, 2020, Oil on board via This oil painting is about a dog coming back from a walk but the architectural detals and interior design seem to be the main theme. Peter Brown is certainly a house-proud artist, isn't he? I love the reflections on the beautiful wide board floor and the fine  woodwork. I hope Moses wiped his paws. Happy Monday. xo

New House Filled with Antiques

John B Murray Architect

I always say I wouldn't change a thing and this time I really mean it. The architect must have worked closely with the homeowners to design the rooms around the furnishings. 

Black and White Bedroom Love

I love all the black and white touches in this bedroom. The black lampshades (my favorite) and black upholstered cornices against the black and white patterned wallpaper are perfect touches. via

Orbweaving Spiders

Illustration from the Book: American Spiders and Their Spinningwork. A natural history of the orbweaving spiders of the United States, with special regard to their industry and habits. Published in 1889 by Henry C. McCook (1837-1911).

Silly me. I thought all spiders wove these spiral wheel-shaped webs. Leave them alone because  these beneficial spiders catch and eat many pest-type insects. They are nature's insecticides and their webs are beautiful.

Cabinet Perfection

I love this corner of a great kitchen.  Corners can be awkward but this thoughtful design pulled it off perfectly. via

Cat's Eyes

I love this photo. I'm pretty sure I've posted it before but here it is again. I love this cat's golden eyes. via

18thC Shingled Cottage

This shingled cottage is in the Hamptons. It is simple and understated with all green landscaping and a curved stepping stone walkway. So nice! via

New Kitchen in an Old House

I love the old-fashioned feel to this remodeled kitchen, especially the wooden countertop and sink surround. It's beautifully done. via

Bathroom with Blue Willow Wallpaper

The exposed brass pipes let more of the wallpaper show and the glass lets are a nice touch. The gold faucet and light fixture carry out the theme. Not sure how the hot and cold water works. Maybe that knob on top of the faucet regulates the temperature. I love the marble counter and high backsplash. All this works very nicely in a small space. I love looking at other people's choices for decorating their homes. via

My Friend's Beautiful Dahlias

I took these photos at a friend's house late this afternoon and once again fell in love with dahlias. I have never tried growing them and every year I admire them and wish I had them too. Next year for sure! I know you have to dig up the tubers and store them somehow to be replanted the next spring. I love that they are so tall and straight proudly flaunting their beauty. I love that they are late bloomers providing such beauty in the fall. xo

Morning Dove Nesting

I'm so happy to see what a Mourning Dove nest looks like. Look closely, there are two youngsters in the nest with the mom. I have these birds in my spruce grove and I love them. I cleaned out their favorite watering container today and they will be happy tomorrow. Flickr photo by Taggartim

Bees Coming Home

Worker bees lining up to deposit today's pollen collection for the hive. I love this slow motion photo. via

Window Shade Love

The natural light in this photo is amazing. Bring back the roller shade. I have always loved them. via

Edward Gorey Decorated Envelopes

The publication, Floating Worlds: The Letters of Edward Gorey and Peter F. Neumeyer, reproduces the never-before-seen, typewriter-transcribed personal correspondence and illustrated envelopes between Gorey and Neumeyer as they collaborated on several children's books, between 1968 and 1969. via The mail carrier must have loved delivering this mail with the cleverly illustrated envelopes. LOVE!

Porch Envy

Happy Friday everyone. This enviable porch has so many things to love. Double doors, double dogs, double benches, and a painted floor to name just a few. I love the charcoal paint on the door and shutters against the light gray diamonds on the floor. Perfection! via

House Surrounded by A Fenced Garden

I like it. A house sitting all alone with a deck around it, surrounded by gardens. The "lawn" is outside the fenced garden area. It's the opposite of "Don't Fence Me In". via

Current Obsession: LOVEJOY on AcornTV

As I have discussed many times, I cut the cord with cable last fall and haven't looked back. I have an inexpensive indoor antenna and I get plenty of channels free of charge on my Air Antenna from Walmart. I bought a used Apple TV, 3rd Generation for $45 for my living room TV. I bought it on the NEXTDOOR APP from a neighbor. It is fine for me since I don't have a smart TV and don't mind searching for something to watch on my iPad. I just got a Chromecast 3rd Generation for my bedroom TV from Target for $29.99. My bedroom TV set is not connected to anything but the electric plug. It doesn't have the rabbit ears antenna my living room set has. I hooked up the Chromecast and now I can stream 2000+ Apps from my iPad. I am in heaven. Lately I have been watching all the old LOVEJOY programs I used to enjoy on PBS. It is a very old series that I discovered very late before PBS canceled the show in my area. It is all about an antiques dealer in England and his two sidekicks and each episode involves a mystery of some sort. The character who plays interior designer Lady Jane is Mrs. Hughes on Downton Abbey when she was young. You will recognize her voice immediately. Read more about this delightful 6-Season program here. I just finished Season 3 and have three more seasons to go. I watch at least one episode every night in my bedroom. I think Acorn TV is the best streaming service to have and the most reasonably priced. If you sign up for one year it's only $5 per month. LOVEJOY is so old you can only find it in a search on Acorn. The cell phones from this time period are are HUGE! Let me know if you are already a fan. If you are not, let me know when you become one. xo

Along Came a Spider

I was greeted by this large spider at my front door recently. I am not afraid of them and this one let me take his portrait. xo

Pumpkin (Spice) Chocolate Chip Cookies

I am a fan of all the spices related to pumpkin pie spices and I know I would love these cookies. You could probably spread the dough and cut into squares. This recipe might be a keeper.

I have been really busy with real estate. That house I recently showed you with my staging in the bedroom is Under Contract and I am dealing with home inspections now. Fingers crossed for smooth sailing. xo

Tree Removal at My Cottage

I was up early on Friday morning having my coffee when I saw County trucks arriving to deal with the fallen tree on my property that came down during Hurricane Isaias a while back. I live on a county road and the Shade Tree Commission came to my rescue. It was a big job, done quickly and cheerfully by skilled workers. I worked for two days straight mowing and raking to get my streetscape back in order and today I shall rest. xo

Antique Door Hardware

It is lovely to see such an exquisitely beautiful doorknob and lock set on interior double doors. One only hopes the original key is still available. Love this! via

Mugwort (Artemesia Vulgaris) Roadside Weed in NJ

Meet Mugwort!

Mugwort is also called wild chrysanthemum because of the shape of the lower leaves. The plant is a perennial that spreads rapidly by rhizomes. It is one of the most severe weeds of the nursery and landscape plantings. It, along with Japanese knotweed (bamboo), is rapidly becoming one of our worst roadside weeds because people dig it out of their plantings and drop it alongside the road. CASORON should be used to control it wherever possible. The white wooly underside of the leaf is a good ID characteristic and is visible even in the winter. It is a relative of dusty miller.
Photo and Information courtesy of RUTGERS 

It looks like goldenrod without the yellow flowers. It is the most aggressive weed and the bane of my existence. It came out of nowhere and can pop up after the earth is disturbed. I suppose mine came after I put in my septic system. It is impossible to get eradicate so I have just tried to embrace it since I don't like chemicals, but I am tempted. I have hired my tractor friend to come and mow two or three times next year with his brush hog. When it first appeared on the hillside to the left of my expansive back property, I hired weedwhackers with metal blades. It is VERY woody and the stalks can be very thick. I have tried pulling it too. Someone suggested a flame thrower and that might take care of what's above ground but not the roots and rhizomes. Down below it would continue to spread like "wildfire". If you have this weed too, you have my sincere sympathy. The best we can do is keep it cut back. xo

Today is a very somber day in the history of our country since the Twin Towers tragedy in NYC on 9/11/2001.

Nice Resting Spot and A Mowing

This actually looks quite comfortable and the bottom board makes a perfect Corgi chin rest. via

I had a much needed field mowing yesterday. My friend brought his big blue tractor dragging a brush hog and chopped down a three year growth of those woody weeds called Mugwort. I am on his list for regular mowings next year to keep them under control. I love having my far view back again. It rained almost all night and all morning and started back again in the early evening. 

New Watercolor by Beatrix Potter

At Evening’s Close by Helen Beatrix Potter circa 1902. I am always thrilled to find another charming watercolor by Beatrix Potter and this one is delightful! It is evening's close at my cottage so this is  very fitting. xo via

Window Seats with Library Bookcase

This is such a great idea; twin window seats flanked by a bookcase that touches the ceiling! via

Bathroom with an Amazing View

via
I don't see any tub filler and  that confuses me but this view is absolutely amazing.

Manners by Emily Post

I am looking forward to the time we can practice good manners again. via

Beautiful Bathroom

I love it all. The paint colors of the walls and  cabinetry with painted knobs, the upholstery fabric on the seat, the cafe curtains and the checked fabric, the framed mirror. the penny tile floor and the large shower with marble walls and a window. If I missed anything, I like that too. via

Gardening Tips for September

Several weeks ago after my Lacecap Hydrangea blooms were on their way out, I cut them all off and tidied up the overgrowth and now I am pleased to say there is a lot of new growth. If you wait until spring to do this you will have no flowers because this confusing plant blooms on last year's growth. I much prefer plantings that bloom on THIS year's growth as the Limelight Hydrangeas do. But you do what you have to do. 

I found this handy list of things to do in the garden in September. Happy Labor Day. xo

PATIO DINING AT ITS BEST

Delightful cottage, delightful patio, delightful furniture. This photo checks all the boxes for outside dining over the Labor Day weekend or anytime. Keep it small for enjoyment by all. via