God Made a Dog -- Wonderful Video

Great video.

Get out your hankies. Click here if you can't see the video above.

The Kitty and The Ducklings

I wanted to post all 10 photos but decided on only 3. To see the rest of this adorable bunch, you'll have to go here. Best photo shoot ever!

A Shady Place to Sit

This is where I sit and watch Webster while he goes through all of his rituals when we take a walk. He checks out the fox holes, chases rabbits, hunts for snakes, and rolls in the grass. My friend Stacey and her husband Henry gave me the lightweight chairs that are easy to move when I mow or want to get out of the hot sun. I leave them outside all year long. 

Magic Bathroom Ring Remover

What is this, you ask? It's a touchy subject and I'm not really anxious to discuss toilets or anything else about housecleaning on my blog but when I find a household hint that everyone can use, I feel I must share. I read about this magic sheet of drywall sandpaper and its ability to remove that ring around your toilet bowl when nothing else will. As you know, I've been cleaning the lower level of my cottage and there are two bathrooms down there. Since my mother's passing, I have only been going down to do laundry and neither bowl has been flushed regularly. Everything came sparking clean with little effort except for one ring around the water level and nothing would remove it.  I have very hard well water and no water conditioner. I looked around in my store room where all the construction leftovers were stored from my renovation and I found one sheet of this drywall sandpaper. I cut off a piece and followed these instructions and the rest is history. Both rings are GONE! The sandpaper did not scratch the white porcelain either. I am thrilled. This is great to know if you have a vacation home that isn't used on a daily basis. Sometimes the drudgery of housework has a bright spot to make you want to keep going. I can see light at the end of the tunnel and I'm feeling good! 

Newly Hatched Hummingbirds

I have hummingbirds here at the cottage but I've never been lucky enough to see a nest. How wonderful!!! via Good night, see you in the morning.

Lacecap Hydrangea

My lacecap hydrangea is blooming! So happy. my iPhone photo

Gentoo Penguin Chicks from Antarctica

Click photo to enlarge.

Aren't we cute?

Gentoo Penguin Chicks, Antarctica - Photograph by Richard Sidey. Two newly hatched gentoo penguin chicks get their first glimpse at the Antarctic wilderness. via National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest I could spend the whole day looking at all of the wonderful photos people have submitted. The contest is still open in case you want to enter.

Summer in Scotland

High summer in the Quiraing, Isle of Skye, Scotland via

The Milkweed is Blooming

My milkweed is blooming and it's so pretty. I adore the pink stems. I'll keep you updated on the progress of the pods when they begin to form. my iPhone photo

Summertime at My Cottage

Here is a photo from a recent walk with the wonder dog. He got way ahead, choosing shade over sun just like me.

Then Webster enjoyed a good roll in the tall grass and clover. I see a good mowing in my future sometime soon. We are enjoying air conditioning again for only the second time this year and the house is very comfortable. Stay cool and I'll see you later. 

Perfectly Captioned Dog Photo

No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does. ~Christopher Morley~ 
via Love, love, love this. Just look at that dog's captivated expression!

Two Cool Moon Photos Last Night

This photo of the moon was on auto-focus and then posterized.

This one was focused manually and then posterized. It really is a supermoon. It's the largest and brightest full moon of 2013 and it will be an official full moon tonight. This celestial event started last night at sunset and that's when I took my photos. my Nikon photos

The Potting Room

If I had this wonderful space devoted to plants and gardening, I wonder if I would still end up at the kitchen sink the way I do now? The stainless steel farm sink is pretty wonderful, isn't it? Did you see the moon last night? It was big and beautiful but tonight is going to be THE night to look up in the sky for the "super moon". Another Sunday morning has come and gone without my being able to sleep in thanks to a certain cat. She is determined to make me into a morning person. Yawn. See you later. via

Perfect Summer Porch

Teleport me there right now. I love this! The wooden ceiling with a nice fan, the Chippendale railing, the plank floor, the columns, the hanging lanterns, the siding paint color, the white rockers and trim. It's perfect. via

Lake House Kitchen Under The Stairs

The kitchen, tucked under raw, open stairs where a closet once lived, is both out of the way and easily accessible. In lieu of cabinets, there are open shelves, which are stacked with simple plates and glasses for an “honest and pure” look. Heavy door knockers are used as hardware on the cabinetry. You will love the rest of the house tour of this delightful woodsy lake-front cabin in upstate New York.

The exterior with dock. It's pretty wonderful, isn't it? image

Wise Quote from A Cereal Box Flap

This quote is on the side flap of my Nature's Path Pumpkin Flax Granola. I buy the big boxes with two bags inside from Costco. I had a sliced banana on top and ate it outside this morning with both animals watching me. There was a little soy milk left in the bowl and I put it down for Tabitha but she turned up her nose and walked away, much to the delight of Webster. He wolfed it down and then begged to lick the spoon.

Sweet Bunny

Here's a drawing of a rabbit for your Saturday morning treat. I hope you enjoy the first full day of summer. via

Little Cat Pillow

I ended up having a very busy day from beginning to end and never did get that nap. Good night all. See you tomorrow.

Inside and Outside: An Oceanfront Deck

I love the feeling of being inside and outside at the same time so I would choose to sit on the covered porch. The sun lovers can bake on the open deck. photo by pieter esterohn via architectural digest. Have a great weekend. Summer is finally here.

Hello Summer 2013

We are still having cool nights and I'm sitting here wearing a chamois shirt because it's 58° and feels quite chilly. Tabitha is a good gauge of the temperature because she didn't want to stay outside. She positioned herself in the front yard where she could see me and started the stare-down until I let her back in. She is curled up in her cat basket now that she has successfully spoiled my endeavor to sleep until at least 7:00 every morning. 

I took this photograph with my iPhone from my balcony one day recently after our long spell of rainy days. I added the rays by playing around with effects and I really have no idea what I did but I like it. Happy first day of summer - the longest day of the year. I'm already planning my afternoon nap but maybe my morning coffee will kick in soon and I'll feel more awake. See you later.