Cozy Bedroom Nook with Fireplace

An Equestrian Estate Bedroom: Ronald F. DiMauro Architects, Jamestown, RI. Warren Jagger Photography. via That's one lucky dog, isn't it? 

Coffee Love

Another reason I like coffee so much. My first cup this morning tastes mighty good. via

The Lamp in The Woods

I like this lamp reflection in the woods to add a bit of cheerful color on a gray rainy day here at my cottage.

Mistletoe Cottage

All decked out for the holidays. Simple and nice. via

Small French Boy Trying to Understand the Paris Attack

I saw this on the evening news a day or two ago and was moved by this little boy and his dad.

Click here if you can't see the video above.

Maarssen, The Netherlands ~ Farmhouse

18th-Century farmhouse in Maarssen, The Netherlands. I love it! via

Beautiful Holiday Pie Crusts

Almost too pretty to eat. Notice I said "almost". Yum. via

Webster, Inspecting My Fall Cleanup

Here's Webster with his scary shadow inspecting my mowing job yesterday from the balcony. He gave it a gold star after a long walk down and back.

BRAMBLY HEDGE BY JILL BARKLEM

I wish I were sitting in an easy chair before an open fire and someone was bringing me a pie. I think I deserve one too. I've been working outside almost full time for the past 3 days doing my fall cleanup. I mowed everything for the last time today and it's looking fabulous. So happy. Isn't this the sweetest room ever? I adore children's books with interior design by animals. via

Peace for Paris by Jean Jullien

This viral image by French illustrator, Jean Jullien, was quickly designed around midnight after the attack on Paris. No words are necessary. This graphic design says it all. Read more...

Golden Grasses in the Woods

Golden grasses in my woods on an overcast day. The trees are bare thanks to the windy days we've had lately. I actually got out my giant shop vac yesterday and sucked up lots of leaves around the perimeter of my cottage and barn in the back. It was too cold in the shade to do the same thing in the front. I'm saving that task for tomorrow. Enjoy your Sunday. xo

Ural Owl in The Forest

Ural owl, native to Europe and Northern Asia, 

by Milan Zygmunt.

He's looking cautiously around the corner from his forest lookout. This is a beautiful owl and a beautiful photograph. It's somehow comforting to look at this peaceful image as I watch the news this morning about the carnage in Paris.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Pages 64 and 65

A few suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

More advice from a father to a son when he went off to college.

Amen.

I like all of these, especially the one about the Thanksgiving turkey. I haven't posted these pages in a very long time and I'm glad to see them again. 

Pantry with Repurposed Screen Doors

This pantry door treatment is a great idea for a country kitchen. The extra storage behind the raised panels is very clever and so handy in this location near the range. via Pinterest

Another Wonderful Barn Owl Portrait

Regal by Jennifer R. Graevell Photography on Flickr. via The Vintaquarian

Oak Leaf with Rain Drops

Photographed on Tuesday morning on my first walk of the day with Webster the Wonder Dog. We haven't been out yet this morning and he's waiting patiently at my feet for his breakfast. It's raining softly again now and is supposed to continue all day. I feel sorry for my neighbors who are putting on a new roof. They got all the new plywood on yesterday so they are buttoned up. Isn't this always what happens? Beautiful weather for weeks at a time until you schedule outside work. I still have to pinch myself about my unbelievable luck two years ago in September 2013 when I had my house painted and woodwork repaired with storybook beautiful weather every day until the job was finished. I think that will result in my paint job lasting for a very long time. 

Lovely Pennsylvania Entrance Hall

via

New home in Willistown, PA. Peter Zimmerman Architects, Berwyn. Looks beautiful outside too, doesn't it? The large mirror behind the windsor bench looks almost like a window.

Kitchen: natural wood ceiling/floor

I really like this kitchen, a lot! It's nice and bright despite being sandwiched between the dark ceiling and floor. Sign me up. The flush under-cabinet lights are very well hidden, recessed under the thick shelving. I like that! via

Geting Your Garden Ready for Winter

I thought this article in The Guardian had some very good pointers. Our days for working outside are numbered, aren't they?

I liked this article too on resisting the urge to tidy your garden. Leaving some seed head for the wildlife is a good thing. I adore this photograph of poppies that have gone to seed. Less is more when it comes to cleaning the garden this late in the year. 

Frost at My Cottage this Morning

Frost is one of my favorite photography subjects. My hands were freezing when I took off my gloves but all the while I was wishing I had gone outside just a little earlier. The morning sun had already started melting the frosty outlines of the leaves.