Hummingbird Feeding at My Cottage

I have had the best time all week watching the hummingbirds. I have to fill this tiny feeder daily because it only holds 1/2 cup of nectar. That's perfect too because it isn't out there long enough to ferment. I had one bird buzz around my head waiting for me to finish my filling station duties. They actually chug-a-lug the liquid until as many as 6 air bubbles go up the tube as they feed. Goodness they are hungry (or lazy), I can decide which! my photo

Screen Porch Love

Now this is wonderful! I would love to see a photograph taken from the outside to see how it joins the house. It's so interesting from the inside, isn't it? I love the way the house architecture was preserved when the porch was added. I love the laundry hanging on the line and the screen door too. I would sleep out there if that bench were a little longer. via
Have a great weekend!

I ordered a Trygger iPhone Case w/ Polarizing Filter

Every now and then I see a great idea that needs backing prior to production on Kickstarter. Unfortunately I did not learn about this fabulous invention when it started out at the $35 backer level. I jumped in at $40 (with free shipping) and have only 17 days to go before the emails go out to choose preferred color. I'm going to get a white one. The sliding panel on the back has a wheel-operated polarizing filter to keep out glare. I honestly have been trying to invent something like this myself with all of my old Nikon filters from the dark ages that are in my camera bag in the closet. Now I won't have to. This will make the awesome camera on my iPhone 4S perfect. 
Disclaimer: I am not making any money on this. I just wanted to share a great find with all of my readers. I cannot wait to get this Trygger Camera Case for iPhone 4/4S!! Click on the link above if you want to become a backer and get yours for less than the final retail price with free shipping in the USA.

The Doryman by N.C.Wyeth 1933

I love this oil on canvas and am happy Wyeth succeeded in passing on his artistic talent. In his studio, in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, N.C. taught three of his five children and two sons-in-law to paint. via

Royal Embroidered Monogram Crowned Initial 'E'

This is beautiful needlework, isn't it? I'm assuming it's for Queen Elizabeth II but I'm not really sure. See it full size at Townmouse on Flickr. You will be flabbergasted! 
Here's what she says about this piece in her embroidery photostream: "From an old, long out-of-print Italian book on beautiful monogram embroidery. It includes some of the best examples of this type of work I've ever seen. Many of these pieces were ebroidered for royal and titled families over the last century, hence the use of crowns in quite a lot of the work. The text is in italian."

I Scream for Ice Cream

I would become a criminal if it were! This would keep the 'food police' extremely busy, wouldn't it? via

Entrance Door into A Beautiful Walled Garden

This is very lovely and inviting, isn't it? I love a walled garden with a high wall just like the one in "The Secret Garden" movie. via

Home Office in Summer

I worked on the third floor for a while today trying to organize my office. Unfortunately, it did not end up looking like this one. via

Henri 2 -- The Tormented Parisian Cat

Click here if you cannot see the video.

It's been 5 years since the original Henri film. I'm so happy he's still miserable :)

Free to Good Home -- Which One Would You Choose?

I'll take the cat. Isn't this hilarious? Found here along with a lot of great cat quotes.

Cats and Books Just Go Together

It's been one of those days here at the cottage. Rain, rain, and more rain. I thought about taking a cat nap so many times but never got the chance. I'm glad somebody did. Cats and books add so much to any interior, don't they? via

Idea for A Covered Porch

If you've always wanted a covered porch maybe you can put a roof over an existing deck and make one. This looks pretty simple and would provide nice cover in all but a driving rain. I like it! Photo by Toby Scott via 

I love this tree-themed sampler ! ! !

"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." ~ Martin Luther

I wish I could find a larger image of this delightful piece of needlework so I could read what's in the lower right portion. It's wonderful, isn't it?
Three Four readers were able to read the small print within the tree lower right. It says, "He who plants trees loves others besides himself." I love that quote by Thomas Fuller too. Thanks so much!!!
This sampler called 'And A Forest Grew' was designed by Karen of Rosewood Manor and the xstitch pattern is available here.

Now That's A Garden!

This is the kind of garden my grandfather always had. Really big with no fence and pretty close to the house. He grew everything and my grandmother canned it all. I think it was just force of habit. Once a farmer, always a farmer. I don't think he ever learned how to plant for just two people. via

Espalier Heart

Espalier (ess-PAL-yer) is the practice of controlling plant growth so that it grows relatively flat against a structure such as a wall, fence, or trellis. In the 17th Century, espalier originally referred to the frame or trellis on which the plant was trained. Today, espalier refers to both the plant and the horticultural technique of actually training the plant.

Espaliered plants can be used to create a focal point and as a form of art. In an area where space is limited or where a plant is needed to accent a large blank wall an espaliered plant can be an outstanding landscape feature. A mature espalier plant will catch the eye of almost any visitor to your home. image source This one is a real 'labor of love' isn't it?

Interesting Summer Bedrooms

 

I'd love to sleep in each of these rooms at least once before deciding which one I liked better. I'm a fresh air freak and have to have an open window so that might be a deciding factor. The glassed-in bedroom looks as if it could be a hot box in the summer. I think I'd like to bed down in the first one and wake up in the second one. All things are possible in the virtual world. 
photo #l -- photo #2

The Wisdom of Webster

I said yes to his request.

Hummingbird Visits My Cottage

I got this cute little hummingbird feeder at a thrift shop several weeks ago and finally got around to cooking up a batch of nectar for it. I like this one because it's small and has only one feeding hole. I positioned it so I could see the frequent visitors quite easily. I got this photo with my iPhone last night while I was sitting on the balcony with Webster after a long day of weed trimming. It's not very sharp because a lot of quality was lost because I was zoomed all the way in. I'll take my SLR outside with me and see if I can get something sharper later in the week. I love these wee birds that have migrated to New Jersey for the summer. My red geranium has big buds that will be open soon and they will love it. They have been buzzing around my lamb's ears too because their tiny flowers have deep throats. Enjoy your Sunday.

Nectar recipe: one cup of sugar with four cups of water. Stir to dissolve sugar, bring to a boil on the stove, cook for 2 minutes to slow down the fermentation and cool. Store excess in refrigerator. 

The average ruby-throated hummingbird weighs 3 grams. In comparison, a nickel weighs 4.5 grams. More fun facts here.

I found two photos online. The first is for my female ruby-throated hummingbird shown more clearly than in my blurry photo. The second is an antique print of the male found @ Natural History's blog.

Royals in a Playful Cable Car

George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Brilliant. I would love to know the history behind this vintage photo, wouldn't you? via

Tree with Orchid Blossoms | Catalpa

I have two towering Common (or Eastern) CATALPA trees that are in full bloom right now back in the lower reaches of my property. The ground around them is covered with blossoms that have fallen.

The clusters of flowers look rather orchid-like, don't they? According to my tree identification book, these trees are common in the south but have migrated as far north as New England. Later in the year, long seed pods will be hanging from these trees. They are rather messy so I'm glad they are in an area where they can 'do their thing' in a naturalized setting. The leaves are huge and give new meaning to 'falling leaves' each autumn. [iPhone photos are mine]