Succulents

I love this river of succulents. via

Too many hateful comments

I can't take it any more. I deleted the post that was causing all the controversy along with each of the comments, both good and bad. Such a sad day for my blog. 

Acorn Street, Boston

Beacon Hill. Acorn Street. Boston.

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Excellent Question !

This is great, isn't it? Are you a midnight snacker? via

Tabitha Sleeps

Tabitha is wondering if this picture makes her look fat? She has mastered the art of getting really comfortable as she guards the house.

Window in Cambridge England

I love the patina of the house detail in Cambridge England, the vine designs, and the sweet window box. The same view in summer would be nice to see too but I couldn't find one. via

Have a Great Weekend

So cute. This is what I do too. I have to do a task mentally before I can do it in person. Somehow that always works for me after working it out in my head. Have a great weekend. xo via

Webster, So Close But Not Touching

Webster is still being the best dog ever and he can get this close to the sofa without touching. I'm so proud of him. I was busy with real estate all day and finally the little blue house is all set to close at the end of the month. Whew. 

I am still playing house and have rearranged all of my artwork. The corner behind my TV has a new wall arrangement since this photo was taken. I think I have the room the way I want it finally. I've been rearranging the insides of my kitchen cupboards too. 

I ended up hand weeding the crab grass in the bed near the house and it wasn't that hard because it was growing wood chips, not gravel or turf. I've been digging it out of the driveway too with the pickaxe. I'm fine doing hard work as long as it isn't too hot and the weather has been fantastic. 

I'm looking forward to a lazy evening and maybe some ice cream later. Enjoy yours too. xo

Indoor and Outdoor Cats

Wow. Look at the size of the white one!

Which do you have? 

Tabitha is both indoor and outdoor.

It's almost chilly outside tonight.

Webster and I just returned from a walk.

Good night -- sleep tight. xo 

Kittens in Barn Window by barblassa

Painted Floor with Mariner's Compass

The house I toured on Tuesday had an accurately positioned mariner's compass painted on the floor. I would have preferred it to be lined up with the floor boards. It just seemed wrong to me even though it was right (smile).

Pale Pink Geranium

I'm doing better with my indoor gardening than the outdoor kind.

I'm enjoying the no-weed factor of house plants in the summer. My geraniums that are outside aren't doing nearly as well as the ones I have inside. 

Fashion Quote

This made me laugh. via

Today's House Tour

This barn-style house was surrounded by wildflower meadows.

I wandered through the middle on a path.

The gardens were lovely too. There were numerous baskets full of home-grown vegetables near the garages but I didn't see the kitchen garden.

I love the broken stone patio on one side of the pool. I was inspired to come home and pull weeds and got one large garbage can full before I quit because I was hot. I'll repeat tomorrow. xo

Mourning Dove this Morning

I love these birds.

Summer Rolls with Sunflower Seed Pate

These rolls are part sushi, part taco, and part spring roll, but all in all they are 100% delish! It's a good idea to have a big batch of the sunflower pate on hand so that you can whip out a roll whenever the urge hits.

Dinner - Summer Rolls with Curried Pate

Recipe: (makes 8)

3/4 Cup Sunflower Seeds, soaked overnight and drained

1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tsp. Liquid Sweetener (I would omit this)
1 tsp. Curry Powder
1 tsp. Turmeric
1 Clove Garlic
1/4 tsp. Sea Salt
A Pinch of Chili Powder

8 or so Chard Leaves (I will use Romaine Leaves)

1/2 Mango, cut into match sticks
1/2 Bell Pepper, cut into match sticks
1 Beet, grated
1 Carrot, cut into match sticks
1 Avocado, sliced
Handful of Sprouts (I used sunflower)

Procedure:

1. Begin the right before by soaking the sunflower seeds. The next day drain them and puree along with the spices, garlic, and sweetener until the mixture resembles pate.

2. Arrange a small log of pate on each chard leave and top with assorted veggies. Roll up like a burrito. 

Image Source and Recipe

Electrical outlets in baseboards.

I wish I had my outlets down low like this. I think they are an eyesore no matter where they are placed, especially if you have paneled walls. I honestly didn't think of putting them down low when my house was being rewired. I anxiously await the day when all lamps are wireless, just as they appear in interior design magazines where they have been photoshopped. Wouldn't that be nice? photo source

Beautiful Chickens

I love the colors and patterns of their feathers! via

An amazing courtyard.

The following text is translated from the original Spanish -- "In the trellis attached to the wall in this area dwarf orange trees were planted and, with them, a cypress. The lemon in the foreground inhabited the house before reconstruction. Simple iron furniture works well on the brick patio." via
I'm impressed with how nicely this wall grid system works instead of the customary stretched wires usually used for espalier fruit trees.

Manners and Paint by Numbers Art

I like this illustrated quote. via

This takes me back. I got a paint by numbers kit every Christmas for as long as I can remember when I was a kid. I like this one. People collect these now, you know. via

The vintage paint by numbers artwork looks perfect here, doesn't it? via

DIY Weed Spray

I got this in my email this morning from a friend who lives nearby. I think she's trying to tell me something in a nice way. I have seen all sorts of recipes for homemade weed spray but never this one. I sprayed RoundUp on my driveway twice last year and worried about what I might be doing to my health the whole time. I was covered head to toe and had a bandana over my nose and mouth. I honestly don't think it's worthwhile because the weeds came back. This recipe has nothing harmful in it so I shall make it and let you know if it works. I have all of the ingredients on hand too, though I might have to buy more vinegar. I am so excited!

Weed-Be-Gone

1 Gallon Vinegar

2 Cups Epson Salts

1/4 Cut Dawn Dish Soap (the Blue Original)

It will kill anything you spray it on. Just mix and spray in the morning after the dew has evaporated. Walk away. Go back after dinner and the weeds are all gone!

This sounds too good to be true but it's worth a try. Have a great weekend everybody. xo