Glynallyn House Tour | Mansion in May 2012

Great room fireplace.

Plaster ceiling detail.

Statue at edge of glen.

Early 18th century sundial built in a stone wall.
All photos are mine. Click to enlarge.
Mansion in May

Perfect Hallway and Staircase

I love everything about this entrance hall and staircase. Designed by Norman Askins Architects. I adore the fancy dress the chair is wearing. via

Seen @ the MANSION IN MAY Designer Showcase

My friend Lynn and I went to a showcase in a medieval castle yesterday and had a wonderful time. I loved this figural wood carving best of all. This is my iPhone photo.

Mansion in May trailer. Click here to view the video. The Elizabethan-styled Tudor castle was inspired by England's Compton Wynyates in Warwickshire.

Lynn and I have gone together to almost every designer showcase house to benefit Morristown Memorial Hospital since the very first one. Somehow there was one we missed and neither of us can remember why.

Read the history of Glynallyn, the Tudor Castle here. Try to go if you can! Parking lot with fabulous shuttle buses located at 44 Whippany Road. 
This historic estate on 7.3 acres with 66 rooms, 15 bedrooms and 8 full baths is also for sale. The price is $5,700,000 for a gilded-age mansion, 32,000 square feet in size. My firm has the listing. Let me know if you have any interest. I'd love to show it to you.

A Breakfast to Crow About

I want rooster jam on my buttered and toasted peasant bread too. via

All About Dogs

DOGS ARE MIRACLES WITH PAWS; Live Your Dog's Life! via

Vulture at My Cottage

There must be a dead animal around here somewhere. This vulture was flying overhead when Webster and I came back from his after-dinner walk yesterday. It landed on the telephone pole in front of the cottage and spread its wings and left them in that position for quite a long time. I don't care for these big ugly birds but they do have a purpose. Another one landed in the black walnut tree. I wonder if that deer I saw on the side of the road a few houses away is still there? That must be what they are after.

Breakfast Nook -- Booth Style

What a great place for eating, doing homework, putting together puzzles, reading the paper, having coffee, computing and more. Who doesn't want to sit in a diner-style booth?  ©Lincoln Barbour

Unusual Pillow

Goodnight. I hope I can find a more comfortable place to lay my head than a bicycle pedal. This old dog doesn't seem to mind at all, does he? Maybe he's guarding the bike for his owner. © Maciej Dakowicz

No Worries, We Have a Mudroom.

Recently I picked up a young runaway dog from the middle of the road who had been swimming in the brook. She pretty much destroyed my car before we found her home which was pretty far away. I would not extend the same courtesy to this bunch! via

New England Architecture

Madison Connecticut beauty. via

Low Country Architecture

Raised to catch the breeze. Lots of porches. Only in the south. via

Soft Rain on Monday

Webster is waterproof and needs no umbrella.
I usually enjoy walking without one too

but my iPhone does not agree.

The flowers capture the raindrops very nicely.

Mother's Day Supper was served here yesterday. Our new bluebird house is a speck in the distance.

Does Your Blood Type Describe Your Outlook?

This is great, isn't it? That's mine too -- for sure! via

Tiny House in Portland

The best porch swing ever!

I love the gable end natural wood wall.

So inviting!

The wall of books is wonderful.

via

Free App for making photo collages

My first picture collage using this free app. 

Webster Hunts for Snakes

Webster the wonder dog was out after lunch yesterday looking for snakes in the tall grass. He didn't find any but we have seen several small ones already this year. There were dragon flies buzzing around everywhere and it was a great day. 

Original iPad finger drawing converted to an eCard.

This beautiful drawing was done by a friend in Vermont. She didn't use a stylus---just her finger. After cropping it, I added the greeting and frame. I think it became a perfect Mother's Day card, don't you?

Happy Mother's Day to All Mother Hens

How dear is this picture? I love the peeking peep, don't you? This really is motherhood at its best!  via

Happy Faces

These are such happy little flowers, aren't they? I fertilized them last week with some blue water and they are finally blooming again for a second round. My mother always says they are heavy feeders. 

How to feed a giraffe.

Have a fun weekend. I love this vintage photograph. This was certainly a memorable trip to the zoo for these little boys and their super dad. via

Where's the salt shaker? | Young Robin Up Close

I had a visit yesterday from an immature robin who stopped by to supervise my yard work. He could fly but not very well so he hopped around for a bit and let me get very close. I could have sprinkled salt on his tail if I'd had a salt shaker in my pocket instead of my iPhone. 

My First Front Mowing @ My Cottage

Just a quick photo before I fall into bed to show you how nice my front lawn looked when I finished mowing after supper. Have a wonderful weekend. 

Dogs @ Windows

You'll really looking at this collection of photos showing dogs in windows. Webster is an expert at this as you well know. Link here.

Cottage Style

This stone house that was on my open house tour this week was a little too large to be called a cottage but it had many elements outside to tame it into almost being one. The garden court was a lovely approach to the front door and was accessible from the kitchen wing too.

Inside the Conservatory Looking Out

Here's proof that green is beautiful. The cloches are ready to protect some tender newly-planted seedlings. Have a great evening and I'll see you tomorrow. via

At My Cottage Yesterday After Dinner

I love the little faces on these tiny violas that are a johnny jump up variety. They are in a big pot at my front door. Who doesn't love a pansy face?

Webster the wonder dog was in deep thought about something. Mother and I were headed for the chairs that look like two tiny dots in the way back.

Paper Pinwheels | DIY Tutorial

It rained all night but I woke up to bright sun. If that's not reason for celebration, I don't know what is! I love these paper pinwheels made from atlas pages, old music book pages or sheet music and wrapping paper. Here is a tutorial from Martha Stewart in case you want to make some too. There are many others with printable templates if you just do a google search for paper pinwheel pattern. image found here
UPDATE: I think I spoke too soon. The black clouds have rolled in and it looks like more rain is in the picture.

Ode to Scones | 25 Delicious and Unusual Recipes

I'll have one of each please! Are you drooling yet? Recipes here.

Nice Bathtub Shelf

This would be perfect for a bathtub that has no overhead shower. via

Another Rainy Day

The whole month of May has been behaving like April was supposed to but did not. I shall complain no more about not having rain. Has it been this way at your house too? via

From the Pen of: Kurt Vonnegut

So true. via

Tudor Herbal, 1520

Back when unicorns roamed the earth. via