Content in a Cottage

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Amazing Space for Outdoor Entertaining

Wow. This is too wonderful, isn't it? I wouldn't know where to sit. I think the guests would end up playing musical chairs in order to enjoy all the views in every direction. Enjoy your Memorial Day festivities tomorrow. via

Ralph Waldo Emerson quote about Walking

via

Peace Defined

My wish for you today and every day. via

Benjamin Morrow House with Plans

This lovely New England colonial with breezeway and garage barn has 1,989 square feet. Doesn't it look as if it has a lot more? The floor plan is wonderful. I am finding in my real estate business that many families today want a first floor master bedroom and one could easily be added here. I love this home, don't you? From CONNOR HOMES. They have been building new old homes since 1969.

Duck Paddle

In case you've ever wondered, this is how it's done. This little duckling looks pretty pleased with himself for having mastered the duck paddle, doesn't he? via

'Walk Like an Egyptian' Bird

He has it down pat even without hands, doesn't he? We have blue skies and bright sun this morning. Yay! Just in time for a great Memorial Day weekend. Have a good long weekend.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

1902 Bookplate Ex Libris Robert Hall

Bookplate, 1902. Robert Hall, an avid collector of Kemscott Press books. via

On the library table are Kelmscott works, including William Morris’s The Glittering Plain and his 1895 translation of Beowulf. All the books are clearly bound in the distinctive Kelmscott full limp vellum tied with silk ribbons. The Wood Beyond the World is open to show a Morris-designed woodcut border and frontispiece. Leaning against the bookcase is a copy of the 1896 edition of Chaucer. Click here to see this wonderful bookplate enlarged.

Have a great long weekend. I'm anxiously awaiting the next episode of Orphan Black on BBC America. I missed the first 6 episodes and had to watch them online. When I was up to date I began watching on Saturday nights at 9pm. This will be my third week of watching on the TV set. It is really GOOD. It has been renewed for a second season too. Will you be watching?

Spring Lambs on Spring Grass

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Bluebird Spotting Today at My Cottage

Any day that starts with a bluebird spotting is a good one in my book. This one was pretty far away and I'm thankful my Nikon with the big telephoto lens was near the window.

Welcoming Entrance + A Wonderful Gate

This is a wonderful entrance, isn't it? Don't you want to open the gate to see what's on the other side? I certainly do. via

Friday, May 24, 2013

Trinity College Library, Dublin Ireland

The views of this Dublin library are breathtaking. Could anyone ever take it for granted? I'm sure everyone speaks in whispers there out of respect for the past. via

First Daisies 2013

I took this photo on a late walk with Webster this morning. It is a very cool 60° and breezy on this overcast day. ~~So far, no more rain has fallen and that's a good thing.~~ My back field that has not been cut in over a month is full of wildflowers with the daisies being my favorite. I love the clovers too. I have both red and white. I've heard the white clover is best for the bees since their tongues aren't long enough to get the nectar from the red variety. It's raining again, but very softly. I was doing some hand trimming in the front and had to stop. I am determined to finish in between showers today. my iPhone photo

Maury Island Kitchen with 15" Wide Floor Boards

Look at the width of those old floor boards. WOW. I love this walk-thru galley kitchen. There is a pass through over the kitchen sink too. I want to see the rest of this house. Seek and ye shall find...I found an amazing tour of this Maury Island lake house in Washington State designed by Bosworth Hoedemaker. After you open the link, put your mouse cursor on the first image and a next button will appear. Enjoy. You're welcome. The description of the project is very interesting too. The floor boards are 15" wide and were recycled from an old gymnasium.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Best Deer Fence Ever

This spectacular deer fence is in Southampton, Long Island. It surrounds a 112 x 72 foot garden owned by landscape designer Lisa Bynon. Read the article and view more photos here. WOW.

Mowing and Watching

Webster doesn't like to be outside when I'm riding around on my mower. I think he must have been hit in the past by a flying rock or wood chip. So I always put him inside and let him supervise from the balcony. It was very overcast this morning and there is no sun in the forecast until SUNday. I hope I'll be able to do a little more field mowing later because Friday and Saturday are supposed to be solid rain. I can at least do lots of hand trimming. ~~Oops, it just started raining.~~ ~~Now the sun is out.~~ It has rained on and off all day. ~~I think it will be just handwork outside today.~~ I should have gotten an earlier start yesterday. I mowed all of the small area in the far rear and got a nice wide path leading down there so I don't have to walk through the knee high grasses when I walk the Wonder Dog. I put two of my adirondack chairs down there for resting and contemplating nature. my photos-click to enlarge

Scary Tabitha

This is what she does when she sees or hears something out of the window in her room. She turns into Scary Tabitha, the Halloween Cat. A big clap of thunder caused her to arch her back this time. Now it's raining. my photo - click to enlarge

Corgi in a Swing

He looks as if he doesn't have a care in the world, doesn't he? I never tire of the interaction between humans and their pets. This little guy is clearly loved. via

I found a video of this adorable Corgi too. His name is Twinky.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Nice Paint Colors on Cottage-Style Home

Traditional Exterior by Bethesda Design. Photograph by Morgan Howarth. It's time to say good night. I mowed for almost 3 hours and still have lots to do. I haven't cranked up my riding mower for 3 weeks and the grass was l-o-n-g. See you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.