Surprise Poppy

This volunteer poppy reseeded itself and lasted for one day. There are several more pods that will open. I was thrilled to see it. I forgot to plant more and still have an unopened seed packet. The leaves look like crepe paper, don't they? 

Love them♡

My New Ladder & A Robin's Nest

I can't remember when I was more thrilled with a gift. Missy's owner gave it to me yesterday when he picked her up. He was concerned when he saw the photos of my Air Conditioning Duct Covers project. He said my step stool was unsafe because there was no grab bar if I lost my balance. This one has 4 big steps and a tool tray. I couldn't wait to use it so decided to check out a robin's nest under my balcony. Mother Robin has already raised one family this year and they loved flying lessons from the long ledge. She comes back to the same spot every year and I am honored to have her. She knows she's safe up there.

There is so much interest in this ladder. Order one HERE.

Robins are messy builders and they scatter the straw everywhere.

Three beautiful blue eggs.  Will keep you posted and try to get photos when they hatch. I got some quality mowing in today in advance of tomorrow's rain and made a pot of soup when I finished. Now I don't have to cook for a couple of days. xo

Missy in Profile + Lacecap Hydrangea

Missy went home this morning after three days and four nights. She's the best houseguest.

My lacecap hydrangeas are spectacular this year and the bush is loaded with blooms. I love them♡

Hope you enjoyed the long weekend. 

xo

PERFECT HOUSE PLAN FOR EMPTY NESTERS

CREDIT: SOUTHERN LIVING HOUSE PLANS

Why One Designer Thinks Bellewood Cottage 

Is the Perfect House Plan For Empty Nesters

Click on the link above, read the article, and tell me if you agree. Click on each of the photos to enlarge. I love it. Hope you had a great Sunday.

xo

Florida Beach Cottage Renovation: Lots of White Paint

I thoroughly enjoyed this article in Southern Living about the renovation of this Florida beach cottage. You know how much I love before and after photos. Read more here. Each photo in the slide show has a long description too. Enjoy.

Good Hair Days Forever with My New Conditioner

I worked outside for three hours this morning from 7:00-10:00 working as hard as I could. I pulled vines down from one of my evergreens, weeded like a maniac, filled two dumper carts, planted more dahlia tubers, gave some to a neighbor walking by, transplanted some ferns, cut down tree branches, weeded around my mailbox and more. I was trying to beat the 88° heat that was on its way and I did. Then I took a cool shower and washed my hair and let it air dry. I have been using the product below after towel drying my hair and leaving it in. It is supposed to be a weekly product you leave in for 30 minutes and rinse off. I decided to apply and leave it in to see what happened and I liked it. I only wash my hair once a week and it looks good every day and it isn't stiff or "wet look" which I don't care for. My hair is baby fine and this gives it great body.

I suggested it to a friend in Massachusetts and she found it at CVS. I bought mine at Walmart. She was afraid to leave it in so she rinsed it off after 15 minutes and she thought it added shine and more volume. She has straight hair and mine is naturally wavy.  Anyway, it's worth a try and it's very inexpensive (around $6.00). Missy came over just as I was presentable and she LOVES my air conditioned house.

Here is a funny story about a cat who didn't recognize her dog that just came home from the groomer. 

Happy Friday and have a great weekend.

xo

Pool Complex at a Friend's House Yesterday

I went to a delightful luncheon yesterday and photographed my friend's pool complex from inside the house. Notice the covered TV pavilion! The food was delicious too. I came home and cut the grass to work off some of the calories and I'm so glad I did because it's raining this morning.

The weather in my area has been so nice and with no need for air conditioning except for maybe 3 days. I'm expecting Missy for a few days starting tomorrow morning. xo

Adding Architectural Elements to a Doorway

Don't you love the decorative corbels that were added to this opening? The floors were just sanded and were stained gray. It's amazing how effective architectural elements are to completely change the character of a room!

https://www.homeandinteriorsbyagnes.com/refinishing-projects

Green and White Perfection

I love everything about this green and white garden🌿♡🌿

Photo found here.

Tiny Wren perched on A Walnut

This walnut is perfect for showing the small size of this tiny wren. The unknown photographer was certainly in the right place at the right time. Photo found here. xo

Red Potted Geranium

via

Is there any flower that looks better in a clay pot than a red geranium? I think not. If it's not raining for my open house today, I might take one of mine for the front steps. 

I had a great time last night at the firehouse dinner and made a new friend. He's 100 years old, doesn't wear glasses, still drives a car, lives alone in a house nearby, and writes poems for the ladies who bring lunch to him via Meals on Wheels. He does Soduku and his mind is as sharp as a tack. He walks very fast too. He entertained our party of 6 and we all loved him. He came alone while I was waiting for the others and I invited him to sit with us. It was a delight and I plan on visiting him soon. I had zip-lock bags in my purse and we packed up his leftover steak and lots of desserts for his lunch today. MOWs only delivers lunches on weekdays.

Temptation: Dog and Roast Chicken Dinner

So Charming!

found on Pinterest 

I am going to the annual steak and lobster dinner at the firehouse tonight with friends. I ordered roast chicken😂 I am helping another agent with a public open house tomorrow so wish me luck. Have a nice weekend. xo

Cupola Love

@periodarchitecture 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdN1rwLMvQv/

Cupola detail♡ from the Chester Springs Entertainment Barn.

Chester Springs, Pennsylvania

It's beautiful, isn't it? 

I wish I could see the weathervane.

xo

Winding Road in Ireland

It's breathtakingly beautiful, isn't it?

photo found here

Dog's Head Artwork 1920 Black & White

Dog's head (1920) by Julie de Graag (1877-1924)

How much do I love this? So much!

https://www.rawpixel.com/image/466876/free-illustration-image-dog-julie-graag-graag

Lovely Restoration In the Cotswolds

The house. The landscaping. The tree.

W O W

Thyme Hotel & Spa

Cotswolds

Be transported by clicking on the link.

A restored Cotswold Manor and Farm.

xo

Poster Honoring Dogs and Cats

Isn't this a wonderful poster?

I found it on Pinterest.

Want one? Order here.

It's made of metal and is available 

framed or plain in several different sizes.

I am not selling this or making a commission, 

it's just something I found and wanted to share.

xo

Rhubarb Buckle with a Crumb Topping RECIPE

https://alexandracooks.com/2012/04/27/rhubarb-buckle-revisited/

Full post by the original author. Found on Pinterest.

This looks amazing and so easy.

Click HERE to read & print recipe with instructions.

See the ingredients below.

Happy Baking.

xo

White Peonies on Saturday Morning

My whites are making a comeback! Now you can see why I am so fond of them. Peony season is short but I still enjoy the deep green foliage after clipping back all the spent flowers.

What to do with peonies after blooming?

Only remove the spent blooms, and don't cut away any foliage (the plant will need those leaves to help build up flowers for next year). For herbaceous peonies, you can cut the whole plant to the ground after a fall frost has killed off the foliage. In the spring new growth will appear from the roots. xo

Red Peony Still Asleep

I like my red peonies best in the mornings before they open up again when they wake up. Happy Friday. xo

Cut Paper Video + First Home Pedicure

Watch this cut paper collage of dogs 

by Tracey English in an action-filled video.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/833236368571847472/

See all of her creations on her Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/traceyenglish/_created/

The concentration on her face made me laugh.

xo

Peony Fever

All of my peonies are opening at once. Usually my white ones are first followed by red and pinks are always last. My white ones are getting squeezed out and I might have to move them. I tried doing it last year but they seem to be cemented in. Will try again when I cut them back.

These are my favorites.

I mowed the front today in this COOL weather (66° at 5pm). I can hardly believe I had my central air on all day yesterday. I guess the peonies are confused too. I'm not complaining about nice weather for working outside. xo

Two Home Repair Photos in My Cottage

This is a partial photo of the full bath on my lower level. My handman had to totally demolish and replace the sheetrock on the soffit above the sink. It was water damaged due to a roof leak. It was on-the-job training for my young handyman but he did an amazing repair. One coat of paint was all it took for complete coverage and I couldn't be more pleased. This bathroom has a big walk-in shower, and a window. I kept the original toilet from the 1930s too. There are white marble tiles on the floor and plain white porcelain tiles on the inside of the shower. The door you see reflected in the mirror is the front of the batten door that was fully opened for this photo.

My guest room/dressing room is back in order again after some badly peeling plaster wall repair and the ceiling vent back in place. I turned on my central air for the first time this morning because it's going to be 94° today. It might be my imagination, but it seems to be more effective with the addition of the louvered fins behind the duct cover(s) throughout the first floor. I am still organizing and spring cleaning but the end is in sight. The month of May certainly zoomed by, didn't it? xo

🇺🇸 The Poem of World War I 🇺🇸

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

John McCrae, 1872 - 1918

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place, and in the sky,

The larks, still bravely singing, fly,

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead; short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe!

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high!

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

READ MORE about the poem of World War I in an article from The Washington Post. I posted this in 2017 with more about the Punch article.

🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

Three Identical Kittens

Their markings are exactly the same.

Aren't these triplet kittens adorable?

via

Sweet dreams.

Good Night All

These two lambs make me very sleepy🥱😴

Sleep well. xo

via

MOVIE to WATCH: Educating Rita (1983) with Michael Caine

This is one of my favorite movies! I watched it on YouTube last night and thoroughly enjoyed it once again. I have always loved Michael Caine. Julie Walters is the other star.

If you want to go directly to YouTube to watch this free film, click on the link provided below. Enjoy. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeDf0dHBhBI

Have a fabulous long Memorial Day weekend. xo

Irish Cottage with Daffodils

Just lovely. The clumps of daffodils scattered over the lawn are perfect. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend. xo via