Lovely Staircase in an Old House

I love the gentle curve of the stairs instead of a landing. I also like this thin radiator and the floors. And the window and the lantern. I guess I like it all ! ! ! via

Hello July

I like this simple red, white, and blue snack tray. People like me can avoid the white chocolate pretzels and concentrate on the "real" foods and still feel like part of the party. Can you believe it's July already? The year is half over! I'm rushing this morning because I have a 10:00 appointment. See you later. Photo from Pinterest.

My 18th Century House Listing

The owners bought a reproduction of a New Jersey fireback from the same period as the house. It is perfect behind the stove. I never even thought of using a cast iron piece instead of tile as a backsplast but it's very appropriate.

The right wing was built in 1763 and the main body of the house was added in 1793. The home inspection was today and I think it went well. "It's not good because it's old, it's old because it's good." This quote is so true. You can't beat 18th century post and beam construction.

Side view looking at the 1763 side facing east. Wish me luck getting through these inspections.

Wait For Me.

Cutest puppy ever. This photo is pure joy! via

PBS Masterpiece - ENDEAVOUR Season 2 tonight

Sunday night Summer TV is slowly coming back. Tonight is the premier episode of Endeavour, Season 2. Didn't watch Season 1? You can watch online here. It's the story of solitary Detective Constable Morse in his youth. Season 2 returns with four riveting new mysteries written by Inspector Lewis creator and Inspector Morse writer Russell Lewis. I think I might try to watch Season 1 again next week. Set your DVRs tonight and enjoy!

Cat in England who rides the bus

This elderly English cat named Artful Dodger recently moved to a house that backs up to a bus stop. Being very friendly, he started hanging around the passengers waiting for the bus and they eventually started bring scraps of food for him. It wasn't long before he started boarding the bus and sitting on their laps. He sometimes makes 10 mile round trips and never gets lost because everyone knows where to let him off. If nobody is waiting for the bus and he wants to take a ride, he sits in the middle of the road and waits for one to pick him up. Full story here.

South Carolina Tea Plantation

I must confess, I honestly did not know tea was grown anywhere in the states.

Charleston Tea Plantation
 ~ Wadmalaw Island, SC via

Kitty Cat Cake

Cutest Cat Cake

Or would you prefer a bunny? via

Restored Farmhouse Bathroom

I love this "new" bathroom in an old house. The smallish sink with the large marble surround and backsplash looks perfect. The old wide-board floors were saved and will enjoy a new life in this wonderful bath. Wish we could see the rest of the room, don't you?

Kate Johns AIA, Architects and Designers

More photos of this 19th Century Farmhouse renovation here.

Busy Bees

I love this animated gif, don't you? It made me sad to mow my clover field last week but the blossoms came right back, almost overnight. via

Wonderful Walled Garden

One can only imagine the home that goes with this wonderful walled garden with reflecting pool. Another great photo by J. Paul Moore.

Road Trip

Do you have plans to get away this summer? This car appears to be packed for camping. I hope they don't run into the killer mosquitoes I talked about yesterday. They aren't so bad today because there's a strong breeze. via

Rolling in Happiness

Webster's lucky and he knows it. I love to see him rolling in the grass. I'm not sure if he's happy or trying to get some bug relief. A google search tells me that New York and New Jersey are being bombarded by Asian Tiger Mosquitos. The bite during the day too, not just at dawn and dusk and they are beyond annoying. They are swat proof too. You cannot "get" them no matter how hard you try. They don't actually bite me because for some reason bugs don't like my blood. They never have. These flying tigers just annoy me no end buzzing in my ears, landing on my body, and getting in my hair. The article I read said they can breed in a capful of water. It's very dry here but thunder showers are in the weather forecast. Just what they need so they can multiply and annoy me even more! Do you have them too?

via

Haunting Seascape

Another painterly photograph. via

An Amazing Photographer

Photographs by J. Paul Moore. His portfolio is amazing.

via

via

via

Beautiful, Bountiful Yellow Roses

These roses are breathtaking, aren't they? via

Artist at work

I love seeing this painting in clear focus in the foreground and blurred in the background. It appears to be very accurate, doesn't it? via Happy Monday, hope you have a great week! xo

Walk, walk and hop, hop

Two friends out for a walk.

Boy, that's a big rabbit. I love how the cat slows down her pace without ever actually stopping. via Enjoy your Sunday evening! xo

Tabitha Has Changed Her Bed

     The hand-painted bird tiles were purchased in England in 1975. Each one is different and perfect for cat cooling on a hot summer day. I designed this custom tray for the tiles and had it built by a talented craftsman years ago. It's perfect as a topper for my bedside table and doubles as a cat nest lately.

     I'm happy to report that I have finally mowed the front yard and surrounds! I finished last night about 8:00 pm -- I call it moonlight mowing as I never mow in bright sun. At the end of the day all of the moisture from the morning dew has dried out and I actually enjoy the task at hand when the sun is on its way down.

     Everything looks so nice after a mowing marathon. I still have to mow over some thick grass clippings in the back. This method is easier than raking in my opinion. So far, it has been a lazy Sunday here at the cottage. Hope you can say the same.

     I marked the 18th century blue cottage "Under Contract" yesterday. I'll be glad when the inspections are over and I can get back to normal.

        xo

So Serenely Beautiful

Isn't this a lovely spot? It is very soothing, isn't it?

The Escape Artist: Sunday on PBS

I watched Episode 1 last night and I'm so happy I did. It was riveting. I recorded it last Sunday. The finale (Episode 2) is tomorrow night. Can't wait. David Tennant is wonderful. 

Lucky for you, PBS is repeating Episode 1 tomorrow (Sunday) night from 8:00-9:30 pm and the new and final Episode 2 from 9:30-11:00 pm. You will be able to watch it straight through. I might watch Episode 1 again. Here is the PBS link for The Escape Artist on Masterpiece Mystery.

NOTE: DUE TO RIGHTS RESTRICTIONS, THIS PROGRAM WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE STREAMING. You will have to watch it live or record it. Don't miss it. You are welcome!

Travel Photos from Inside the Car

This is such a good idea. Use you car to frame your travel photos.

More travel photos from inside this car here.

Lovely Landscape with Wildflowers

Isn't this absolutely beautiful? Love it! via

Gibson Island MD -- Skippers Row

This Gibson Island property was designed and built by noted architect, Edward Palmer as his personal residence. It affords panoramic views of both the harbor and the Chesapeake Bay. This French Normandy beach house is wonderful, isn't it? via

I have real estate on the brain. It's been all I could do lately to keep up with the showings of my new listing and keep my head above water around my own cottage. I mowed the back yesterday and the day before. I still have to do the front---it looks like a jungle and I don't even care. It all gets done in due time. Plus it's hot again and the air conditioning feels very good! I'm off to watch an episode of Father Brown I recorded last night. xo