Lacecap Hydrangea at My Cottage

The first blooms on my lacecap hydrangea are just appearing and the bush is lovelier than ever this year. It's in the perfect location and last year I was careful to cut back all the stems with blooms after they finished because this variety blooms on last year's growth. It looked a little haggard after I pruned it but the new growth filled in rather quickly. I love the almost perfectly round shape of this woody shrub as you will see in the next photo.

I took this photo this morning before I started mowing the way back. As you can see from the sky, it was overcast all day and cool, never above 70°. I finished mowing around 1:30 and 5 minutes later it started to sprinkle rain. I have mastered my John Deere Garden Tractor and I absolutely love it. I'm not afraid of it anymore and it does such a great job. It took an extra day this week to get it all done. The first day it was blazing hot and I ran out of gas before I finished all of the back yard. So yesterday I finished that and quit so the grass in the back meadow could dry out more. Today was such a perfect day and now I'm finished for a while. Have a great weekend. xo

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My Peonies

While scrolling Instagram this week I learned the true botanical name of my white peonies. Introducing Jan van Leeuwen. I picked what's left and have little bouquets all over the house. The hard rains earlier this week were not kind to peonies in full bloom😔

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1903 Illustration: The Wonderful Baby

THE WONDERFUL BABY

A 1903 illustration from the Crimson Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Illustrated by H. J. Ford. You could lose yourself looking at all the wonder in this vintage children's fairy tale book illustration, couldn't you? Click to enlarge image.

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Beautiful Lavender Colored Bird

Wouldn't you think a bird named Plumbeous Water Redstart would be red? Instead he's a lovely shade of lavender.

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Dogs in Windows and One Cat

I adore all of these dogs in windows and one cat in the center frame. People watching must keep them entertained all day long. via

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Before and After Cottage Renovation in Vermont

BEFORE

AFTER - front

AFTER - back

ORIGINAL SINK - saved.  Love it❤️

Read the article from This Old House. More photos too. From Fixer-Upper to Refined Farmhouse

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Recipes from National Trust UK

Just start scrolling through this National Trust recipe site and you will definitely want to come back and save or try some of the recipes. Here is the link for the National Trust Fruit Scones pictured above. Enjoy!

Here is the link for converting the measurements and oven temperatures from UK to US. 

https://whatscookingamerica.net/equiv.htm

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Gray Cat on A Bed, Posing

She's beautiful, isn't she? The gray blankets set her off and the blue pillows accent her eyes. via

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Pancakes or Japanese Hot Cakes + Recipe

Don't they look delicious????? These Japanese Hot Cakes look like a stack of English Muffins, don't they? The recipe is easy and most of you will already have all the ingredients on hand. I can't wait to make them for breakfast. Recipe here. YUM!

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Peony in A Friend's Garden

I took this photo yesterday in a friend's garden. She has many different varieties, including a large Tree Peony but this blossom was my favorite. I darkened the background to make it even more exciting with my photo editing software. Mine are drooping in the rain right now but three days of sun are on the way to dry them out. Spring flowers are the best, aren't they?

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Beatrix Potter Quote

Sage advice from Beatrix Potter. 

Found on Pinterest

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Cubbies in A Shaker-Style Kitchen

I really like this idea of open cubbies instead of drawers under this kitchen island.

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Hello June (First Peonies)

My white peonies are always the first to open. They close up at night and haven't awakened yet this morning. I was thrilled to see them yesterday when I took this photo. Welcome June! I have high hopes for your in the garden. xo

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Memorial Day Flags near My Cottage

There was a ceremony this morning at the little park around the corner but I missed it. I drove by later to see all the flags blowing in the wind to honor our fallen heroes. By afternoon, the sky was blue, filled with white fluffy clouds. Still on the chilly side but at least there was no rain. HAPPY  MEMORIAL  DAY. xo

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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