Good Advice

I got up early this morning, so I'm off to a good start. Have a great weekend. via

Cat on the Kitchen Counter

I love this sleek modern kitchen with the blackboard wall behind the sink. ©recent settlers

4 in 1 iPhone Photo of the Day

Just playing around with a new app again today. Please yell if you want me to stop. This one is free today (normally $.99) and is called Diptic. I like it because it maintains a high resolution if you want to print which I almost never do.

A Library to Envy

Oh.My.What a wonderful library! Antiquarian books are my passion and this looks like a very nice collection. I wish I could see the head on the portrait. This room is not staged and the bookshelves were designed specifically for the volumes....large to small (in three sections) from the floor up. I would love to see the rest of the room. Are you fond of fine bindings too?

Update on Mr. Toad

Mr. Toad never returned after the heat and dry spell set in. He had a big fan club there for a while though. I hope he found a puddle of water somewhere in the wetlands since there isn't a drop to be found here at the cottage except in the cat dish and the birdbath. How dry it is!

Garage Addition w/ Breezeway, Balcony and Terrace

It's lovely, isn't it? So elegantly simple and in such good taste! See the rest of the 1930s center hall colonial via Atelier and Co.

Out on A Limb

We'll all jump on the count of three. One, Two.....

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Flowers from My Cottage Free Download

I found an app called PolyFrame and downloaded it. It has lots of pre-set shapes for making collages.

It's easy too. These are spring flowers from my iPhone camera roll. Get it. 

Sweet Little Smiling Lamb

I've had one cup of coffee so far this morning but the caffeine has not yet reached my brain so I'm posting a lamb to start your day and mine too. via

Goodnight from Webster

He's having a very hard time keeping his eyes open so it's Goodnight from Webster.

M. Night Shyamalan's Philadelphia Home

The filmmaker enlivens a storied 1930s Georgian Revival home near Philadelphia with a romantic array of English architectural styles. The new gatehouse frames a view of the original 1937 Georgian Revival residence on 125 acres. View the 18-photo Architectural Digest slideshow here. Read the article too.

Perfect Reading Spot

I would turn the chair around and put it where the table is located so the lamp would shine on my book. I would replace the table with an ottoman. I would reserve the middle shelf cubby for placing my coffee or tea cup and then this arrangement would be perfect. What changes would you make? via

Curved Bench Window Seat

Isn't this a nice architectural detail? The cutouts on either end of this bay window seat make it look like a settle bench! via

Listen to Ralph

This sounds like very good advice from Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Be silly, be honest, be kind." via

Wonderful Outdoor Entertaining Space

The house looks wonderful and so does the tiered patio with lovely plantings and beautiful garden furniture. It's fabulous, isn't it? via

This happens every year. I start to see leaves turning color in July. This bright yellow one was floating in the birdbath. I was glad I had my iPhone in my pocket. It's still hot and dry but not as humid here at the cottage.

Red and White Checks

I love them on this kitchen floor. *

They are perfect on these bunk beds too. *

London Olympic Games 1948 and 2012

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South Carolina Farmhouse

Belk Farm inspired by an old ice house on the shore of Cumberland Island Georgia. Love the double roofline with clerestory windows. Ken Pursley Architect. Read article and view more pictures here.

Perfect Vacation--Surfing with Books

This image certainly speaks volumes, doesn't it? A woody piled high with books ending up at the beach certainly looks like a perfect vacation to me. via The illustrator/author is Chris Gall and this poster was for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in 2007. See the license plate---LA2007. He also illustrated a picture book entitled America The Beautiful. I love his talent!

Brownie Batter Cheesecakes [No Bake]

These look easy, delicious, and fast to assemble. It's too hot to turn on the oven so why not whip up some for dessert one day this coming week? Recipe here with step by step instructions in pictures... very little reading required [smile]. I love ice box pies and cheesecakes, don't you?

Photo Fun - MarbleCam [free download]

This free app was featured in today's New York Times. You can use it with any existing photos in your camera roll or with the iPhone or iPad camera opened in the app.

This is the photo I used from my camera roll for the 'marble' effect above. This is going to be fun!

Best Outdoor Room Ever!

There are no words for this timber frame shelter with fireplace by the pool. It's a wonderful outdoor room, isn't it? via