Content in a Cottage

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Cutest Interspecies Relationship Ever!

I can't possibly express how much I love this picture series of a cat and bird sleeping together. via Have a great Sunday. It looks as if it's going to be another beautiful Autumn day.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Driving around with my iPhone

This tree-lined drive is reflected on the hood of my car.

I love this ancient red barn. The house that goes with it is a 'hard' contemporary.

I always stop to admire the carpenter gothic details on this early farmhouse.

Here are those cattle again. Let me know when you are tired of seeing my iPhone photos. I am still having so much fun with my newest toy. Have a great weekend.

Paris Map Sun Dress

I think this dress made from a paper guide to Paris is so beautiful. It's perfect for the map-loving Parisian fashionista. via

Tour Barefoot Contessa's Barn Home

Come inside. There is so much to see.

The kitchen counter is 18 feet long!!!

An Inside Look at the Barefoot Contessa's New Barn
Ina Garten takes us on a tour of her new East Hampton getaway.
It's earthy, elegant, simple, and so Ina.
Read more and view a 21-photo slideshow via House Beautiful . . .

Friday, October 21, 2011

Union Jack Fruit Pizza Recipe

Crust

1 pouch (17.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 egg

Filling

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Topping

4 cups sliced fresh strawberries

3 cups fresh blueberries

1 cup fresh raspberries

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 15x10x1-inch or 13x9-inch pan with foil. Spray bottom only of foil with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Press evenly in bottom of pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

2. In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Spread mixture over cooled crust.

3. Arrange fruit over cream cheese. Refrigerate at least 1 hour until chilled. To serve, cut into 5 rows by 4 rows. Cover and refrigerate any remaining fruit pizza.

via Flickr

Grazing Cattle in My Area

There were brown and white twin calves that were too far away for me to photograph so these will have to do. I have been looking for sheep but they have all but disappeared from the two properties near me that have them. I am missing them somehow. Guess they are in the barn when I am out and about.

Actually you can see the two calves on the right side of the fence in this photo.

I got my flu shot today offered to town residents. It didn't seem as crowded as in previous years. I think many people get them at the doctor's office and the various pharmacies earlier than they are offered at the free clinic. Not me...I always wait because free is good (smile). Have a great weekend.

Nice Colors and Arrangement

I love it all on the gray wall, don't you? So very interesting too. via

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Bonnie Prince Charles

I love looking at the old photos of our favorite royals. via

Beautiful Picked Pumpkins

Isn't this pumpkin patch photo stunning? via

Country House and Garden in Hamilton Scotland

I seem to be channeling beautiful days in Scotland this week :)
via birdsnest. on Flickr

Leaf Magazine | Preview Issue | Read On-Line

Leaf Magazine

Have you seen this? Don't you love it? Inspiring Gardens - Seasonal Outdoor Style - Fall Flowers. I can't wait until I have time to sit down and 'dig' into this new magazine. I hope they do some articles on gravel driveways overgrown with crabgrass.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Country Road in Fall

I love a drive with grass growing in the middle. This country road is especially nice in the fall. I'd love to see what's at the end, wouldn't you? via Goodnight. See you tomorrow.

Security System - Yes or No?

If you were a burglar would you believe this security alarm sticker? Besides being in a neglected state, the windows of this home were partly open without screens. What a contradiction. The decal must be a leftover relic from the past when loving owners lived here.

Nice Fall Outdoor Decorating

Have you done any outside decorating yet? This nearby wagon is always decorated beautifully, whatever the season.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Open House Tour Today

This beauty was on the broker open house tour and it was a picture-perfect fall day. I walked the grounds and took this photo of the back of the early house with my iPhone. It's for rent and vacant; I'd dearly love to see it filled with antiques.

A Seldom Seen View of My Cottage

This was one of the last iPhone photos from Sunday's walk. I hardly ever take photos from this angle of my cottage because my car is usually parked along the wall; it's good Feng shui to use your front door. The awful crabgrass that is so unsightly in my gravel driveway has just about died down and Webster and I are digging it out by hand. We worked outside yesterday from noon until 6:30 weeding and mowing before the Nor'easter hits tomorrow with torrential rain. You KNOW how much I'm looking forward to that, don't you? Rushing to get ready for an office meeting. See you later.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Royal Mail Stamps for 2012 Olympics

Royal Mail in the UK is releasing thirty First Class postage stamps, each showcasing an Olympic or Paralympic sport, in preparation for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics being held in London. Are you going? via Click on the link for large images of each stamp.