Attic Bedroom Renovation

This is a carriage house renovation. Don't you love the simplicity of this all white attic bedroom with two built-in beds? The large window should keep it nice and cool in the summer. Speaking of cool, I have had to pull up a blanket the past two nights. I never sleep with the central air running, but love having my windows open. via

Hollyhocks: So Beautiful

Hollyhocks. Marblehead. 2016. Source: rickinmar

I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful stand of these loveliest of all old-fashioned flowers.

Twin Lambs with Black Faces

Cutest way to start your Monday. I love their dear faces and fluffy fleece. via

Another Lawn in the Wild

Another wonderfully wild lawn to swoon over. via

Another Forever House

Another timeless home built to last. via

Dibs: Favorite Spot to Sit

 

Dibs! Don't you know everyone wants to sit in this spot on the porch? via

Cottage in Summer

I love the overhead fans on the porch. This cottage is all decked out for summertime living, isn't it? via

Pine Cones in Bloom

via

The pinecones, just beginning to open and still in an immature state are beautiful, aren't they?

Tub with a View

Yes, please. This looks like a delightful spot to soak and take in the view. via

Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed

 

I took this photo yesterday and happily my iPhone did a great job. This milkweed plant is very popular with all sorts of insects and butterflies. The plant has multiplied over the years and now it is a great companion for the limelight hydrangea next to it. As I have explained in the past, it is a volunteer that planted itself in the exact spot where it could thrive. See you later. xo

Perfect House for These Times

This would be the perfect place to ride out this pandemic, wouldn't it? I love the lookout tower! via

Stone Cottage w/ Garden

Absolute perfection. I wouldn't change a thing except the occupant. Teleport me there now. via

This Quote is Me!

I do this all the time. via

Bookplate: Birds Books Flowers

"No wealthy monarch can possess

 A greater store of golden hours

 Than can be found in happiness

 Of birds and books and flowers"

I bought a collection of antiquarian books years ago and this bookplate was in all the gardening books and this miniature book too. I love the sentiment, don't you?

Root Ball from Downed Tree

I won't bore you with more photos but wanted you to see the root ball of my black walnut that blew over on Tuesday. My street has power but many people still do not. I have not driven my car since Monday so I really have no idea what's going on anywhere but my own home. It was truly a fast and furious storm. I hope a big cleanup is planned because I'm going to need it. Enjoy your weekend and be safe. xo

Storm Damage at My Cottage

Tree work done yesterday.

What a day. I got tree men to stop at my house quite by accident. The tree that was uprooted and over the road blocked them from going to another job so their supervisor said they could cut up the tree that was tangled in the power lines. This huge old black walnut held its ground until the very last instant. They could not understand why it would not let go. They had the other end cradled in a sort of rope hammock so it would not bounce back and sever the wires. They connected the rope to another higher tree in the woods to absorb the shock. The whole crew worked tirelessly and did a super job except for the debris cleanup on the street which I had to do as best I could with no leaf blower. I did the minimum work on the street and then concentrated on my own yard. I worked for 3 hours piling branches at road's edge cut side out for County cleanup later. The tree was in County owned parkland. I have been trying for almost 20 years to have them cut it down but all they would do was assure me the tree would not hit my cottage. Instead it disrupted power on my street for going on 5 days. The linemen are coming next to deal with the power lines. I am thankful for my generator and for being a strong, independent woman! The other side of my back driveway to the right of this photo does not show. Picture with your mind's eye lots of cut logs in front of my grove of spruce trees and a leaning telephone pole with twisted and sagging lines. See you later. xo UPDATE: Power restored Friday night at 9PM. So happy! This is the longest period I have been without power since I got my generator. I felt sorry for the people in the dark for 4-1/2 days and used my electricity sparingly. Winter without power is much worse than summer with its long days.

Walled Entrance with Blue Doors

I always love the old walled entrances that have remained untouched. This one with the beautiful double doors with applied decoration in old blue paint is especially wonderful. via

House with Amazing Garden

Here is a photo of the beautiful house that goes with the enclosed garden with no grass. My generator is running full blast and has been since the hurricane yesterday. The largest black walnut you have ever seen in the parkland next to me was uprooted and is over the road. No power anywhere. Who knows how long this will take. No words. Be safe. xo

Garden Lawn at Open House Today

I went to a public open house today and this is the front "lawn" leading to the main entrance. Not a blade of grass in sight. The beginning of the front brick walk was lined with hostas that weren't looking so great because of the intense heat we've been having and I think they were getting too much sun. I think it would be very hard to have everything looking great all the time but these hydrangeas were quite happy. Hope you enjoyed the first weekend in August. xo

Outdoor Shower Love

This tropical outdoor shower looks quite private and inviting. via I am all set to hunker down for the next three days when the tropical storm/hurricane comes my way. It's very overcast this Sunday morning and the wind is already kicking up. Be safe if it's coming your way too. xo