Baby George at his Christening

Prince George, the 3-month-old future monarch, was christened today with water from the River Jordan at a rare four-generation Royal Family gathering.

He is so cute.

His parents are so proud. More photos here.

An Amazing Photo

Dreamer by Juliana Nan

Lovely Reflection

I've been looking at old photos saved on my laptop. This picture within a picture is wonderful. Source unknown. 

Bring On The Blankets

Tabitha has discovered the wool blanket I put on my bed a few days ago and has abandoned her cat bed in the other room in favor of my bed for the winter. She is a good bed buddy because she stays in one place on her side of the bed and is as still as a mouse all night long. Today is the last warm day before a cold front sets in. So much to do and so little time. I'm busy with real estate again and have had to put my cottage on hold for a few days. Don't you love this sleeping porch?

Doc Martin, Season 6

Look what landed in my mailbox today from Acorn. They wanted me to know they would be shipping Season 6 on January 6th. The cover of the DVD is perfect, isn't it? For those of you who need to catch up, here's a link for DOC MARTIN, Seasons 1-5 you can watch free. It worked for me when I first discovered this wonderful PBS series and I hope it works for you. Enjoy. I can't wait to see the wedding!!!

Gorgeous Raised Bed Garden

How does your garden grow? Did you put in any late summer crops? This garden is almost too neat for words, isn't it? via

I scanned this delightful image of beets from a picture I found in a magazine and added the quote myself. I love it. See my 2009 blog post here.

Wonderful Bathroom w/ Sit Down Vanity

I found this photo on my computer. What a lovely bathroom. Photo source unknown. I'm pooped. I didn't do anything today except a little real estate. My bed is calling. See you tomorrow. xo

On the Beach in Cornwall England

This is the seaside area where Doc Martin is filmed. Does anyone know when the new season begins? I can't wait to see how he, Louisa, and the baby get on when they start living together as a family. Has it started in England yet? Let me know. Enjoy this beautiful Sunday. 

Windows almost finished.

Today was a cloudy day and it wasn't cold so I washed the outside of all the windows on the front and two around the corner. I had already done the kitchen window and the French doors on the deck and the front door inside and and out. Then I did the inside of living room and guest room windows. There are two that are really difficult, one in my bedroom and one in the bathroom. I have a really hard time doing the outsides the old-fashioned way from the inside but I'll tackle them tomorrow. The other ones in difficult locations like the attic are tilt windows that are easy. I have decided that it's practically impossible to catch up with housework once you get behind. I feel as if I am on a treadmill that's running at full speed and I can't get off, but I am determined and that's half the battle. I polished my windows with a micro fiber cloth and they are the cleanest they have ever been. The outside was easy because of the power washing about a month ago before the house painting. I'm leaving the screens off for the winter and the house is nice and bright and the windows really sparkle. There is nothing nicer, is there? 

Same Scene with and without Trees

I had these three trees taken down after Hurricane Sandy and I haven't looked back. They really should have been removed long ago since they all turned out to be diseased and on their way out anyway. One tree hitting my house is more than enough, thank you.

I took this photo this morning. I will plant some grass seed in the bare spots next week. I need to rake that patch of mown grass behind the barn/garage. It was really long and I'm so glad I got my mower fixed just in the nick of time. I wish the sky were prettier so you could appreciate my opened up view of the property. The trees that were taken down had an assortment of seed pods that were constantly being dumped on my balcony so my sweeping chores are cut down to almost zero. I was originally worried that the back side of my house would be hotter but as it turned out, it is not. Those trees never really cast any shade in that direction because of the angle of the sun. It will look so nice next year when the lawn is restored. I have a giant underground bee/wasp/yellow jacket nest next to one of the boxwood I have to attend to as well. I am well under way with my window washing and maybe I'll even finish today. It's so nice to have a clear view from the inside. See you later. Have a great weekend. Webster has a play date with Henry today to help with his contractor withdrawal. 

Hold Fast To What Is Good

I love this. via

Fabulous Video: Cats Stealing Dog Beds

Cats Stealing Dog Beds

My friend Stacey of Stacey Snacks sent me this video yesterday because she knew I would love it and I did. It made me late for a real estate appointment. I almost slept the clock around I was so tired last night and my brain isn't allowing me to post anything original. Thanks, Stacey. I know our blog readers will enjoy this video of cats stealing dog beds too. Webster lets Tabitha do anything she wants because he is super respectful of her wishes, or terrified of her, I can't decide which. I think it's the latter. He won't even come inside the house if she's in the vestibule unless I stand in front of her so he can pass without having her hiss at him. 

Be sure to click on the link if you can't see the embedded video above. It's adorable. 

Kitchen Inspired by A French Bakery

From House Beautiful: A lovely kitchen in Tennessee inspired by a French Bakery. It's lovely. I got my mowing done and I'm tired. Can't wait to jump between the sheets and watch TV. I'm sure I won't be able to stay awake for any of my shows so I'll probably watch something I've already recorded. Image Source

My Riding Mower is Fixed

I just talked to the man at the mower repair shop and he told me I got lucky. There was only one bolt holding on the blade and he fixed everything for me. I guess it wasn't meant for me to be able to remove the dead battery, right? Today is going to be nice for mowing and blowing leaves before tomorrow's rain. I'm so happy!

Got My Haircut Today

Before via

After. I like it. As you can see from the before photo, it was long overdue.

Webster is lonesome!

I had to break down and have my riding mower picked up yesterday for a minor tuneup. I talked them into just putting in a new battery, changing the oil, and sharpening the blade. If it starts up after they switch the battery they will proceed with the other two things and bring it back tomorrow. Cross your fingers for me. After the man picked it up, I decided to use my walk behind power mower in the way-way back of my property. I let Webster outside to wait and watch me as he always does but it didn't work. The new owners of an old house diagonally across the street from me have workmen every day. They had to drill a new well and now they are putting in a new heating/cooling system. Their historic house never had air conditioning. I was about half finished with my hand mowing when I saw a young man approaching. He said he was busy working on the HVAC system when Webster appeared and started licking him. Poor thing. I had to stop my mower and walk all the way up to the front and put him back in the house. He's so lonesome now that our contractors have finished. He can see the heating men's vans and pickup trucks from the living room window where his bed is located. I feel so sorry for him and I know how he feels because I miss our workers too. I have become obsessed with wrapping things up before the cold weather and I never did wash my windows. Today I am determined to do the kitchen window over my sink and the two French doors in the living room. I can do those easily from the deck while the weather is still mild. That will change any day now. See you later. Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go.

The Cats of Downton Tabby

Season 4 begins January 5th.

Downton Tabby, read more . . . 

Living Room at My Cottage

I did some Tabitha-approved rearranging last week. She's having a hard time deciding which sofa cushion is her favorite. I got rid of my large coffee table full of books (and junk) and put some low tables in front of "my" sofa. I'm liking this mix a lot even though the low tables are mid-century modern. I put a high tea table between the sofas and I love the way the lamp light shines on my antiquarian books in the glass front case in the corner. The mid-century tables used to be there and the lamp was much lower. I can easily move the low tables out of the way now when I need more room. I really need to get back on a new routine with my hula hoop for the winter. 

This cushion seems to be winning.

Another Great Bathroom

I like this bathroom a lot. I've always liked floating toilets because cleaning the floor would be a snap and this one doesn't have a tank so there's nothing to sweat when the a/c isn't on in the summer. How does it work? Beats me. The white floor with black diamonds is timeless. The shelves complete the picture. I'll take it. via

A Found Bird's Nest with Eggs

This nest with two unhatched eggs was inside one of my Williamsburg Pottery Bird Bottles that I recently took down and cleaned out prior to having my cottage painted. It's like a little work of art, isn't it? I don't know why this nest was abandoned before the eggs hatched. The tiny birds used it constantly over the summer.

This photo is from Colonial Williamsburg where these bird bottles are still being sold. Order here. The house wrens love them. I put two on the front of my house on either end under the eaves. I still have one to hang on the back of the house near my bedroom window so I can wake up to their delightful singing from early spring and all summer long. Listen to them sing here. They raise multiple families and the parents are tireless workers. They love to perch on the wisteria and sing their little hearts out as they dart in and out of the bottle looking for insects to feed their young.

Another View of Dutch Door Kitchen

I found another view of the Spanish kitchen I blogged about several days ago. There is a second sink in the island. It seems the top of the dutch door will open almost completely against the hanging utensils. I think you could cook up a storm here, don't you? photo found here.

My Outside Water Faucets are Still On

I guess you have to live here to know which spigot to turn on. Mine are a little more straight forward except for the one has both hot and cold water. We are still enjoying wonderful, mild October weather and it's supposed to continue next week. Oh, I hope I can get someone to put a new battery in my riding mower. I think I'll try to do it myself today and get a replacement at Sears. Wish me luck. photo source

Saturday Morning Sky at My Cottage

I have been sleeping more soundly lately now that all of my cottage workmen have come and gone but I am still waking up too early in the morning. This beautiful sunrise sky with Maxfield Parish clouds was my reward today. Would I rather be sleeping? Maybe. I'll let you know later. I mowed all of my front lawn and part of the back near the house with my walk behind power mower yesterday before the afternoon shower. I tried to start up my riding mower but she wouldn't turn over so I think I need a new battery. I hate to get one at the end of the season but I really have to cut once or twice more before winter sets in. It's always something, isn't it? Have a great weekend.

Kitchen w/ Aga and Laundry Drying Rack

You know I love this kitchen!!! It has my favorite color scheme, a tiny Aga cooker and an overhead drying rack. The cabinetry is wonderful too. via