Blackberry Winter at My Cottage

I broke down and turned on my heat this morning. I can't believe how cold my cottage is and my hands are like icebergs. I have put away almost everything related to winter, my draft dodgers under all my doors, my down comforter, and other things like that. My mother used to call this weather Blackberry Winter but summer doesn't officially start for another three weeks. I found this royalty-free image of blackberry leaves encased in a hoar frost and I thought it was perfect.

Enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend and stay warm if you have unseasonably cold weather too. xo

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Have a Great Memorial Day Weekend

Imagine yourself sitting in one of these chairs enjoying a beautiful sunset. Armchair travel at its best, right? via

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Easy Chairs for Outdoors

What a great place for enjoying your morning coffee! Or for any time of day for that matter. Those chairs look very comfortable, don't they? Happy Friday! xo

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Pansy Photo Turned into An Etching

This is a repost from May 31, 2016. Something is wrong with Google and I cannot blog anything new. I deleted some of the text because my peonies have not yet bloomed and in 2016 they were on their way out and it was really hot. It is a very pleasant 72° and I haven't turned on my air conditioning yet.

I haven't used my iPhone app called Etchings lately but I enjoyed playing around with it this morning. I love the way the pansies turned out, don't you? I think the app turned my photo into an old hand colored engraving. 

Enjoy your evening and I'll see you tomorrow. xo

Delightful Cat Artist

Franco Matticchio - "Trainy Day" 

Photo found here.

Franco Matticchio devotes most of his artwork to the life and attitude of cats. See a large body of his work on his website.

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This Cottage is Gorgeous

The owners of this darling cape cod have mastered the art of curb appeal, right? via

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Accordion Windows over Kitchen Sink

Isn't this the best summertime kitchen with accordion windows that open up to the covered porch. What could be better when entertaining and cooking? Who needs an outdoor kitchen when you have an indoor kitchen that opens to the outdoors? So nice! via

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Monday Morning Sweetness

This little lamb is here to get your week started out with a smile🐑

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Welcoming Entrance Vestibule

I love it all. I'm not really sure where this hallway is in this home. Maybe it's upstairs. Maybe it's an entrance. Wherever it is, it's absolutely lovely. Hope you had a great weekend. xo via

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My Monogram RB

I made this version of my monogram long ago and just found it on someone's blog. I'm so happy to have it back. Happy Day! xo

Here it is on an old post.of mine.

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Bluebird Eggs Destroyed

I weeded the flower bed under the bluebird box 2 days ago and found 4 eggs like this in the weed patch that were destroyed by a House Wren. I have done a lot of research and this is not uncommon. The Carolina Wren doesn't try to evict bluebirds but the House Wren does. See this website with a photo just like mine. I was sitting outside yesterday late and a wren flew into the bluebird house and a male bluebird went in after him and chased him out. I was thrilled. Will keep you posted. xo

This video of a house wren removing newborn bluebirds from a nest is one of the most upsetting things I have ever seen. I have removed all of the nesting material from my bluebird box and I will keep monitoring it to see which bird starts building a nest. Nature can be very cruel😢

"I Wish You Bluebirds" Bluebirds are bedazzling creatures.
This website (http://www.sialis.org/index.html) was developed as a resource for people interested in helping bluebirds and other native cavity-nesters survive and thrive. 

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Corn that Looks like Candy

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I've never seen Jellybean Corn but I love it. It's fun and beautiful too. It's edible and you can pop the kernels too. Buy seeds here where it's called Glass Gem. Here is part of the story of this technicolor corn -- "Like many heirloom treasures, Glass Gem corn has a name, a place, and a story. Its origin traces back to Carl Barnes, a part-Cherokee farmer living in Oklahoma. Barnes had an uncanny knack for corn breeding. More specifically, he excelled at selecting and saving seed from those cobs that exhibited vivid, translucent colors. Exactly how long Barnes worked on Glass Gem—how many successive seasons he carefully chose, saved, and replanted these special seeds—is unknown. But after many years, his painstaking efforts created a wondrous corn cultivar that has now captivated thousands of people around the world." Read the rest of the story here.

Outdoor Living: 'Tis the Season

Someone's been busy getting ready for outdoor living on this lovely patio. I love it! via

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Best Garden Gate Ever

 I love the whole landscape but especially this delightful garden gate with climbing roses. via

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Gorgeous Oxfordshire Gardens

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Too gorgeous for words.

I found the original source for both of these English Country House gardens. This is the text for the walled garden above: In the walled ‘secret garden’, Arne designed a cutting garden with a simple grid layout, which lends itself to tulips (such as purple ‘Backpacker’ and maroon ‘Havran’) and other spring bulbs. After flowering, they are lifted to create room for annuals. Read the full article with more photos: Arne Maynard reinvigorates the garden of an Oxfordshire manor house.

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TV Series Recommendation -- The Syndicate, All or Nothing

Acorn TV - THE SYNDICATE, ALL OR NOTHING

This is a "MUST WATCH" 6-episode series that is even better than Downton Abbey. Yes, it's true. I can't even convey how good it is. Read this review from HuffPost. 

The title is: IMAGINE DOWNTON ABBEY IF DOWNSTAIRS SUDDENLY GOT RICH.  ❤︎You're welcome❤︎ Let me know if you watch it. xo

Sign up for Acorn TV here. I am not being paid for this😂 I'm just trying to help you find the place to sign up. xo

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Great Garden - Planted from Seeds

Everything in this great garden was grown from seeds. I have worked outside for the past two days weeding and enlarging and planting. Now I am ready to open some seed packets! Have a great weekend! xo

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Greatest Porch

Isn't this porch "Just Wonderful"!? 

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Wonderful Painted Floors/Diamond Patterned

I always stop to admire any and all photos of a painted floor. I love this entrance with the giant diamonds. via

Here is another photo with even larger black diamonds on a painted floor in an entrance. Found on Google Images.

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Saltbox Love

I have always loved the Saltbox style of architecture. I adore the simplicity of this one with the wonderful windows with small panes of glass and no shutters. White on white is always right and so Early American. via

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Portraits of A Bluebird on My Railing

He looks like a boss, doesn't he?

I was thrilled to get two good poses today when he landed on my balcony railing. I still get a thrill every time I see one.

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H A P P Y M O T H E R ' S D A Y

Nobody loves you like your mother. I miss mine every day. 1920-2012

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White Tile Love in a Bathroom

I love this selection of white on white tiles, don't you. The marble top on the sink with exposed plumbing is beautiful too. Have a great rest of the weekend. xo

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Bathroom Beauty

This is perfection. I wouldn't change a thing. The floor appears to be old wooden floors that were painted gray. I love the shiplap walls and everything else. Yes, every single thing. via

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A Prince Charles Caricature + A Movie Recommendation

This made me laugh. I found it in a humorous article. 

©The New Yorker.

I watched this 1982 movie last night on Acorn and absolutely loved it. It is available to watch other places too. Here is a Google Search to find your place to watch 'A VOYAGE ROUND MY FATHER'. It is based on a true story. Enjoy and let me know if you liked it too.

The movie is in many places on YouTube.