Abandoned Cottage

This looks like a fun project. I wonder how long it has been unloved? via

Enjoying the cut grass.

I mowed for over 6 hours today and it's starting to look pretty good around here. It was a perfect day to cut tall grass on my riding mower. This is only the third or fourth cutting this year. I only cut about once a month. I know that's not often enough but I can always find an excuse for putting it off. Too hot, too wet, no gas, no oil, too late, etc. Actually, I have to be in the mood to mow and today I was! I did use my last drop of SAE 30 small engine motor oil and the empty container is on the kitchen table to remind me to pick up more. I almost always use my walk behind mulching mower for the front so grass doesn't get blown against the house. It was so long I did run my Snapper over it going in only one direction. Tomorrow I will go over it again with the power push mower so I won't have so much hand trimming. Webster and Tabitha like what I've done so far. Webster has decided to join me in the living room on one of his beds. He's over his pout, I guess. Enjoy the evening. I'm sure I hope I won't mow in my sleep tonight. I feel like I still have my roller skates on, if you know what I mean. xo

Best Eye Liner

His name is Sherlock. Mother Nature gave him the most wonderful eye liner, didn't she? We had a storm late yesterday that cooled things off nicely. I had the windows open last night and threw a light blanket on top of my bed spread because Miss Tabitha decided to sleep with me. She woke me up early and wanted to go outside and I went right back to sleep, thankfully. Webster has decided to punish me by spending most of his time upstairs. He has a nice bed in front of an eyebrow window in the attic and I guess that's his preferred substitute for his spot on the old sofa. I'm still babying him to help him get over his hurt leg before it gets to be chronic. We've had three good days in a row and I'm very pleased. I think he views his two dog beds in the living room as "sick" beds. Let's hope he doesn't need them again anytime soon. xo

Fresh Eggs from Happy Chickens

Great sign in a very interesting kitchen. via

Truly Wonderful Farmhouse

I like the stepped roofline of this white farmhouse. The brick walkway is pretty nice too and the Versailles planter boxes are on my want list. via

Beautiful Rice Fields

Small reflection on rice field by Yongyot_Therdthai Larger version of this incredible photo here.

Sweet Shingled Cottage

It's getting harder and harder for me to find inspiring photos of real cottages that aren't wings of much larger homes. This appears to be a stand-alone dwelling and I love it. via

Winking Coffee Face

I wonder what Mr. Coffee is trying to say? Isn't this a fun way to start your Tuesday morning? 

Wonderful Pantry Cupboard

At first glance, I thought this was a corner cupboard, but it's not. It tapers back slightly, but it's flat across the back. I love it, don't you? The floor to ceiling glazed double doors are fabulous. via

Oatmeal Pancakes, Gluten Free

This is supposed to be the most popular recipe among the contestants on The Biggest Loser.

Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 cup rolled oats, dry
1 cup cottage cheese
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and that's your batter! Cook 'em up like you would any other pancake! They taste like a delightful cross between pancakes and French toast. Butter on top of mine, please.

I am definitely going to make these. The original recipe calls for 6 egg whites. I changed it to 3 whole eggs. Seems a shame to throw away the yolks, doesn't it? You choose. Here's a list of all the recipes from the show. I've never watched it. Since I started eating unrefined whole foods and stopped eating sugar, bread, and cheese, I've lost 15 pounds since Easter. My favorite snack is a large bowl of popcorn -- 1/3 cup popped in coconut oil or avocado oil. I eat the whole thing too with fine sea salt. I put the salt in with the oil in my stovetop popper. It is the only snack on the list of unrefined carbs. 

Prayer of the Woods

Prayer of the Woods. Sign in the Great Swamp in the Morris County portion. In the spirit of Henry David Thoreau.

Dining Room Table Piled High with Books

I think we are all running out of horizontal surfaces for our books and treasures, so why not use the dining room table? via I love these green leather chairs with nailhead trim. 

Asleep on The Sofa

This little one is allowed on her human's sofa. So far, Webster is completely satisfied with his two dog beds in the living room. Sometimes I sneak into the room in the middle of the night and he is always on one of them. He seems to start out on his old one which is big and round and much thinner than his new one. But at some point, he wanders over to the new much thicker one and probably more comfortable.This is usually where he is in the morning. It is actually chilly this morning and I have on long sleeves. It feels sooooo good. Have a great Sunday. xo via

My wild raspberries are ripe.

You don't know what you are missing if you've never tasted a wild one.

I have a bumper crop of wild raspberries this year. I can stand in one spot and pick a cereal bowl full. The cultivated ones in the market can't compare. I just got back from a before breakfast with Webster and I ate quite a few straight off the vines. He still has no interest in my new seating furniture in the living room. He is living up to his Wonder Dog nickname. Have a great weekend and I will too. I am so enjoying this cooler weather with open windows and no air conditioning. I think I have finally caught up on my sleep after being up with Webster and his ailing leg this week. He is definitely 100% cured and we are both so relieved. xo

Splash Away

Have a great weekend! via

Best Tree Swing Ever

What a nice place to sit and swing or stretch out for a nap. Bring your own cushion. via

Webster is Back to Normal Today.

I'm happy to report that today he's back to being his old self. Here is with his paw wrist on an ice bag and keeping it there. He's such a good patient. When he goes down, he goes down hard and then all of a sudden he's perfect again. He never lost his appetite over the past couple of days and he drank plenty of water so I wasn't too worried. We've been down this path many times. I think I'm going to have to start walking him on a leash so he doesn't over exert himself chasing rabbits and such. He is finally able to get comfortable and walk around without a limp. He has a lot of sleep to catch up on now that he can get comfortable on his beds. 

We had the most beautiful weather today with low humidity and a nice breeze with no need for air conditioning. I'm looking forward to getting a good night's sleep without having to get up and check on the wonder dog. I'm way behind on my tv shows too. I hope I can stay awake to watch at least a couple of programs before dreamland calls me. xo

What a Great Country Kitchen

I like it! via

Dogs on Sofa - Ganging up against me!

This ad follows me whereever I go on the internet. I think I told you I had been spending countless hours searching for new seating furniture online. I think it's hilarious that they keep wanting me to click on sofas with dogs sitting on them. There is definitely a spy in my computer.

A Lovely Room

I would prefer a thicker cushion on the chaise and upholstered arms too, please. Anyway, this is a lovely photo of a lovely room. Thankfully, it is cool enough to have my windows open this morning and Webster is better too and he's whining for his breakfast. Off I go to cook the oatmeal. xo

Still Not Touching!

This is becoming a game, I think. How close can he get without touching the new sofa? I'll keep you posted. See previous post for details.

I know there are those who think I am being mean. This was Webster's favorite spot on the floor rubbed up against my old sofa. The body oils he left behind were quite embarrassing. I cannot do this again. I put my old sofas outside near the road on Saturday hoping someone would pick them up. I had to pay someone on Monday morning to haul them away. Tabitha is sitting on a leather chair right now and that's allowed. I don't feel mean at all, just in charge. Webster is happy with two dog beds in the room, one looking out a front window and the other looking out a French door. Tabitha spent most of this rainy day on my bed on a nice blanket. I think my animals are lucky. I finally have a room I can be proud of and I want to keep it that way.

Another view of my living room.

It's really hard to get a good shot of my front to back living room with my iPhone.

As you can see, Webster is on his best behavior. Every time I see him lounging near my new sofas, I can just hear him saying, "I'm not touching." He's such a good dog. So far, Tabitha has walked by them and hasn't been interested in the least. She's happy when I throw her favorite blanket on top of my bed. We had hard rain yesterday and more is predicted today. It's beyond muggy and it looks almost like fog outside. Stay dry. xo

Log Cabin Cottage

This looks very sweet. I love the crisp white paint against the gray wash on the logs. Yes, please. via

Poignant Quote

Remember this quote because you might need it some day. Those of you who need it now will know what it means. via