A Somber Day Tomorrow

A nice graphic for an awful day.

Weekend in a Pleasant Valley

I hope you are able to enjoy some beauty this weekend as a welcome relief from two weeks of hard work. I cleaned out my garage yesterday and Webster's new occupation is sitting at the window watching people pick through our stuff out by the road and haul it away. The town's annual pickup is two weeks from Monday and hopefully there won't be much left by then. xo

Perfect Farmhouse Porch

Sonoma California contemporary farmhouse porch designed by Walker Warner Architects. You'll love the rest of the house too. Have a great weekend.

Save Your Hollyhock Seeds

Don't forget to save those dried hollyhock pods in your seed saving envelopes. Click on the link (and keep scrolling down) to choose and print the free patterns I've created for you over the years.

Dutch Door Kitchen

I have a thing for dutch doors and I really like this one with the small window in the top part. This kitchen with the sloped plank ceiling and the window walls is simply wonderful and I could spend many happy hours in there cooking away. 

I though it was time to change the subject. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Happy Friday.

Fabulous Library -- Somewhere

I would dearly love to know more about this amazing library. I've tried researching the photo but can't find out a thing. I'll update the post if I ever find more information. Be safe until we are out of this dreadful pattern of tropical storms in the east. 

Bone Dry This Morning

I am thrilled to report that my utility room on the lower level is  bone dry this morning after a night of rain. I found some little 'sand bags' in the attic yesterday that I got at a tag sale. They are actually draft dodgers for under the door. I positioned them outside where I thought the water was entering. My trench across the street is a small stream so it is working too. All in all I'm very happy and now I can concentrate on other things. Thanks for all of your comments offering encouragement. 

I love this southern house in Washington Virginia designed to catch the breeze found here.

I Do Love A Good Trench

Some might view this as a bike path but to me it's a beautiful trench. I was out again today perfecting my trench on the other side of the road with my pickaxe and my bathtub is completely full of wet muddy clothes. I have to say I am feeling very good physically after all my hard work dealing with the water in the basement and on the road. Instead of going to the gym people should do some manual labor. Thanks for all of your concern. Last night's ordeal was nothing like Irene Sunday and I think the worst is over. xo
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Natural Disasters

A farmer and his two sons during a dust storm in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, 1936. Photo: Arthur Rothstein.

Natural disasters are nothing new. Picture this with water and it pretty much sums up my plight here at the cottage. I was outside in the dark across the street swinging the broad side of a pickaxe trying to create a trench to reroute the water coming over the road from the steep slope and paved driveway across from me. Then it was down to the basement to keep the water contained in the utility room with portable pumps and my trusty shop vac. I am happy to say I was successful.

A county engineer with the road department will be coming by soon to view my situation and hopefully come up with a solution. This is the first time I have had water in the cottage since I bought it in 2001. Fingers crossed.

Regards, Superwoman.

Water Over The Dam on Irene Sunday

This is the waterfall around the corner from me near Piggy's house. I found the photo on the Chatham Patch. Now do you understand why I am upset by even a little rain? The grass you see on the left is normally an open field. A quiet country road is under the red truck. Click here to view the lake behind the waterfall.

This is a photo of a local dog swimming through the parking lot of the Minisink Swim Club in Chatham. I hope he was just going for a recreational dog paddle without a membership badge and got ashore safely.

Fresh Acorns

We are in a dreadful weather pattern in the east, aren't we? Three solid days of rain are predicted. So far, so good after it started last night. Rain doesn't make for a restful night for me if you know what I mean.

I'm looking forward to getting some acorns from the way back but I'll have to get down there early in the day before the wild turkeys eat them. via

Time to Say Goodnight to The Moon

Goodnight everyone. Hope you had a good Labor Day. via

Cottage for Two

Don't you love this little duplex cottage? The huge brick yard with firepit would be a great place to end the day and relax. I wish I could see the other side. via

Fall Sampler

This just about covers the best things about fall. via Etsy

Thatched Cottage Bishopston England

My friends are sending their daughter to England today for a year of studies in London. I'm going too (mentally). This wonderful house is near Salisbury in southern England. via enchantedengland

Sweet Decorated Birdhouse

I'm sure the birds all fight to live in this lovely dwelling. via

A Lovely Formal Bathroom

I like this formal bathroom, don't you? What a nice place for a long hot soak in the tub. 

Canine Humiliation | Getting a Doggie Do

Family Day at the hair salon in 1960 by John Drysdale. Have a fun holiday weekend and be sure to take your dog along.

Cat and Dog People Watching

People watching animals in Paris. My last image of the day. Goodnight. Have a great Labor Day weekend.

Antique Patina

Antiques show their age in so many ways. The stains on this pitcher can be removed but then it would look brand new. I prefer the stained version showing the patina obtained from use. How about you? I love that antique hanging letter clip a lot!

Tennis Ball Repurposed Towel Holder

 

There are no instructions for making this cute little hook but I think you can probably figure it out. It's a great idea, isn't it? I could use one of these in my garage, in the furnace room, and inside my closet for pajamas. His name is Mr. Wilson.

Beach cabana in Biarritz, France

Enjoy the last weekend of summer. Have a great Labor Day weekend. photo by Fabrice RINGARD

Simple Kitchen

It's really all you need, isn't it. I'd much rather have the window wall and door to the outside instead of all the overhead cabinets in my own kitchen. Do you have too much stuff too? I am a minimalist with hoarding tendencies :(

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Our Favorite Royals

Isn't this the best photo of our favorite royal couple? Is that a glint of steely resolve in her eye? Love the gold and red and blue of his uniform in the corner too. via Pinterest

French Bulldog Puppy on French Toile

This could possibly be the cutest dog on the planet.

Cat Lookout

I usually post dog pictures but this fat cat really caught my eye. Cats can find the most precarious places to relax, can't they? Can this slingshot branch possibly be comfortable or is he out on a limb?

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Little Library Ladder for Books Stored Everywhere

This would be a very handy library for many uses around the house, wouldn't it? I love this passageway library with a brick floor too. I could spend many happy hours before the fire reading on that sofa.

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Don't Forget to Close the Gate

This image made me smile. Don't you love the natural archway formed by the trees? Would you go through the gate or around it? The beaten path suggests the former.

Where Did August Go, Quack Quack?

Can you believe it's September already? I am always sad to see August go because once we celebrate Labor Day the rest of the year seems to fly by faster than I can keep up. 

Have a ducky day.

Charming Country Kitchen

Sweet, isn't it?
via Small Place Style

Library Cupboard with Ladder | Wonderful

I absolutely love this custom library cupboard with a rail and library ladder. Aren't the drawers, secretarial slices and closed cupboards below nice too? Sigh. Every home needs one.

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Are Your Roses Still Blooming?

Pink roses are my favorite. How does your garden grow on the last day of August?