Urn Topiary in France

 Jardins du Bâtiment, Thiré Vendée, France by Denis

This urn within an urn is beautiful.

Rabbit Wallpaper and Antiques

If you stare at the burning candle, you don't really see the rabbits but just feathery swirls. This wallpaper is a bold choice, but I like it as a background for lovely antiques. via

Pony, Horse, or Unicorn Mittens

These Unicorn mittens and pattern from Ravelry are adorable and I would certainly wear them. I like the white ones. If you are not a knitter you could easily add a mane to existing mittens and weave in some color on the thumbs and embroider the eyes. Cutest idea I've seen in ages. If you are an equestrian person, choose your horse's color when buying the yarn and use the mitten pattern you already have. xo

Lamplight on My Living Room Ceiling

When the sun goes down, the lamps go on at my cottage. I love the way this small one reflects on the ceiling in my living room. We have been having the most delightful weather for November with temps in the 70s but that will change toward the end of this week and some much needed rain. I am all caught up with my mowing, both front and back and it felt good to work outside for three straight days last week. I just finished all three seasons of The Good Karma Hospital on AcornTV and really enjoyed it. Happy Monday. xo

Delicious looking Cowboy Cookies

These cookies have my name written all over them. Jump directly to the recipe here. Read the article and look at many more yummy photos here. They remind me of oatmeal bars my mother and I used to make with all of these ingredients except for the flaked sea salt sprinkled on top. I dare not make them unless I have to take a dessert to a gathering and those are few and far between in the days of Covid. Enjoy if you dare make them.

Winter Textiles are the Best

Getting dressed in fall winter is so pleasurable with all of the wonderful textiles to choose from in the form of sweaters, scarves, and woolen jackets. I somehow made it through the summer with a limited wardrobe and I was happy to put those clothes away in favor of socks, mittens, and tweed blazers. I'm all caught up with my yard work and will take advantage of the nice weather we are still having by washing some sweaters and putting them outside to dry. I got my flu shot today, did you get yours yet? xo

Leaves to Rake and Late Dog Dinners

I spent the last three days working for hours on end outside and it felt so good. My listing sold on Monday and I can stop looking at my phone, at last! It was a very difficult two months with a happy ending so I really can't complain.

Dogs tell time by their stomachs and you can't fool them by turning the hour hand back an hour. This made me laugh and I have no idea where I found it. 

Best Courtyard Garden!

This landscape design is simply stunning. It's simple yet sophisticated. Perfection! I am particularly fond of the wattle fencing around those blue flowers. Are they forget-me-nots?  The potted primroses on the leaning fence-like shelves are pretty wonderful too. via

Nicest Kitchen Ever

I   really love this kitchen. The cabinetry is beautiful and looks like antiques that were built in. What beautiful fine woodwork. I like the combination of wooden countertops and black honed granite. The ceiling beams are wonderful and so is the lantern. It's really special, isn't it? via

18 Wonderful Black Bathrooms

Be sure to view all 18 of the dramatic black bathrooms here. I particularly liked this one.

Raised Hearth Fireplace: So Nice!

This entire image says cozy, doesn't it? There must be a window nearby for birdwatching to complete the picture. The all white paint on all interior surfaces extends the ceiling height so the mantle decor doesn't look cramped. I see some fireplace equipment for open fire cooking too. Perfection!

I have already wasted over an hour trying to change the time on my watch. So much for daylight SAVINGS time. I have a Swiss Army water resistant watch and the bezel is locked down. You are supposed to twist it counterclockwise until it pops out but it's not working. I always have this problem so I'll just have to keep trying. I have tweezers but they aren't helping. Wish me luck. xo

Halloween Bat

I probably posted this last year but I love it so here it is again. I took the photo from my antiquarian book, The Royal Book of Crests, and added the text myself. Be safe tonight and don't eat too much candy. I am turning off the lights early and will be watching movies in bed. I voted today and placed my mail-in ballot in a designated drop box in front of a police station. I really wanted to vote in person but decided this way was safer and ever so much easier. Count Dracula would have loved this crest. xo

Black Cat Halloween Kitten

Boo! Are you scared yet?

I love the roof ridge decor.

via

Painted Floor with Diamonds

Big Black Diamonds.

I haven't seen a good painted floor in a while.

Until Now.

via

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

H A P P Y   H A L L O W E E N

I adore these folky hooked rug snippets with halloween themes. This images was found on Instagram @glendoghalcottage. Look at more Halloween posts here. This is her bio: Waveney Whitney, A Highland lass at heart. Antique collector, interior designer, artist, stitcher, Gardner, & traveler. dog and animal lover. Don't eat too much candy tonight. xo

Gingerbread Skeletons for Halloween

What a clever idea! Turn your gingerbread men cookies into Halloween Skeletons. The placement of the piped icing makes all the difference. Love! Found on Tumblr.

Cloud Pruning, Who Knew?

Yesterday's post about those ancient plantings at Powis Castle opened up a whole new world of CLOUD PRUNING. I have often been drawn to unworldly-looking images of clipped evergreens but never knew the name of the technique called cloud pruning. There are 12 beautiful examples in this article about Jake Hobson who trained in Japan. He's not just any old topiarist but an expert in niwaki, or ‘cloud pruning’, the highly esteemed art of neatly clipping trees into a series of soft cloud-like shapes. The photo above is my favorite. It's #5 in the 12-photo slideshow. Read the fabulous article here. xo

Ancient Plantings at Powis Castle in Wales

No words.

Surreal plantings that have stood the test of time.

via

See many more photos and read more about Powis Castle

Halloween Humor

Love the vacuum cleaner.

Both images found on Tumblr.

Hooked Rug and Painted Furniture

I adore every single thing in this photo posted on Instagram by @patrickbell.oldehope, one of my friends when I was in the antiques business too.

Pumpkins and Gourds

Plant some seeds next year and grow your own fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving decorations. Those small sugar pumpkins make the best pies. photo source

Bathroom with No Tile

This delightful bathroom has wooden floors and walls. It looks old fashioned, yet modern and I love it. No grout always wins for me! photo source

Storage: Shaker Style

You can never have too many pegs.

This article is wonderful. There are 12 fabulous photos from Canterbury Shaker Village illustrating the ingenious storage ideas that can easily be incorporated into our lives today. Enjoy.

Current Obsession: KINGDOM on AcornTV

I just started watching this series on AcornTV last night and I'm hooked after three episodes. Watch trailer here. You can stream it on Amazon too, all three seasons. 

Stephen Fry (Jeeves and Wooster) stars in this "charming" (Examiner.com) British dramedy as Peter Kingdom, a compassionate solicitor running a law practice in a quaint and beautiful Norfolk town. As he handles the cases of his oddball clients, he also contends with the mysterious disappearance of his brother and the return of his wayward sister (Hermione Norris, Cold Feet).

Hoar Frost with Sheep

It's coming says Jack Frost. I do love a good hoar frost and a winding path full of sheep. The autumn leaves on these massive old trees have yet to lose their leaves so warm days are still possible. Found on Instagram @wolfypic  He photographs in Scotland and England's Lake District. This is probably the Lake District where Beatrix Potter raised sheep. xo

Lavender in Wicker Baskets

I always stop to look at beautifully planted wicker baskets. These two full of lavender are gorgeous. I see a boxwood in the background planted in a basket with handles. This looks like a gorgeous dwelling too. Wish we could see more. Photo found here.

I have been busy working outside. I literally washed the outside front of my cottage today and it looks and smells sparkling clean and rid of all the road dirt and mildew. I have a long telescoping pole with a bar at the end that is wrapped with lambswool-like material only it's cotton. It wasn't hard and I actually enjoyed it. It's much kinder than power washing and doesn't knock the paint off.

Perfect 1727 Colonial

Yes, please.

Such perfection has taken years and years to achieve. Someone had a vision when the shrubbery was planted and knew just how to take care of it. Circa 1727, Essex Connecticut. Just lovely! via

Copper Pots in a Great Kitchen

How high can you reach? I should do this with all of my old copper pots that live in my pantry. Don't you love all the blue and white porcelain? This photo was found on Victoria Magazine's Instagram feed. 

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.