Owl, Out On A Limb

©patrick wittenby on flickr via This is a wonderful shot, isn't it?

Great Reading Chair

Don't you absolutely love this image!!!? What a great idea. The lady is Rowena Cade, a genuine english eccentric. Read a tiny bit more about her here, here, and much more here. I love her style!

Make-Do Repair

I guess this hand-made grain scoop started to develop a grain split. This lovely repair adds such character to the piece, doesn't it? Now it's a work of art and many people collect items that have been lovingly and artistically repaired. via

Autumn in Nixonton NC

This house is calling out to be rescued. Please, somebody find it, buy it and restore it because it has such good bones. via AUTUMN IN NIXONTON by IAN VON TALEE on Flickr.

A Colorful Leaf on My Stone Patio Floor

The colorful leaves are one of my very favorite things about autumn. I photographed this one last week when I went outside to feed Tabitha. I liked the way it was positioned against rhe rocks in the floor. Hello October! September went quickly, didn't it? Yikes.

Autumn Leaves at My Cottage

I took this photo with my iPhone while walking the Wonder Dog after dinner in the way back. The setting sun was shining brightly on this cluster of oak leaves. 

Scarf Weather is Almost Here

This photo makes me want to dig out my knitting needles and whip up a new scarf for the cooler weather. My favorite gray cashmere knit scarf has so many moth holes I don't think I could ever mend them. Nothing else in my closet or drawers has a single one so I guess my moths are particular. I still use it though for yard chores and with my pajamas when I'm watching TV in bed on chilly evenings. image 

Meet Pyewacket the Cat

The players: Chloe the miniature long-haired dachshund, Winston the Cairn Terrier, and Pyewacket the beautiful black and white cat.

She is a barn cat that occasionally goes in the house for a little R&R. Webster is sad that his job has ended. We're getting another gig for a few days next week. He doesn't know yet and he will be happy to learn it will be in-house.

The rest of my Living Room

Here is the rest of the room where my recent panoramic view left off. Have a nice Sunday.

Painted Screen As Wall Mural

I photographed this large folk art painted screen recently at an open house. It was the focal point of the entrance hall. The house was beautiful and the furnishings were lovely. It sold right away and the new owners have already moved in. 

Be Still

Isn't this the perfect image to illustrate this beautiful quote? Are you doing anything exciting this weekend? As soon as I have another cup of coffee and finish my 'ground hog day' chores I'm off to the annual fireman's auction and sale in town. We only have trash day once a year and the firemen pick up donated 'good stuff' to sell in tents, fields, and in the firehouse. It's always a fun day terminating with all the books being really cheap after 4pm. You get to fill a big grocery bag full for a dollar or two. This is a great opportunity to get all of your winter reading lined up. There is food on the grill too. I usually come and go several times throughout the day since certain areas are like an archaeological dig. Who knows what could be hiding at the bottom of the pile? See you later. Have a great weekend. image source

Goodnight World

This photo illustrates how I feel right now perfectly purrfectly. I can't wait to jump in bed and fire up the DVR for some quality TV watching. I'm sorry I've been neglecting my blog and the comments of late but there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything. This time of year is a busy one for most of us so I know you understand. Have a great weekend. See you tomorrow. Goodnight!

Carving Nautical Pumpkins w/ Templates

You will definitely want to jump over to Completely Coastal to view these wonderful pumpkins you can carve. There is a slideshow, a tutorial, and free templates to download. I think they are fabulous!

Rufus Porter Mural

I loved seeing this mural in the style of Rufus Porter earlier this week. It looks so nice! My photo [click to enlarge].
Rufus Porter was a traveling folk artist and inventor who decorated walls with stenciled images and original paintings throughout New England during the first half of the 1800s. via

Auction of Brooke Astor's Possessions

Lot #67 A VERY GOOD READING LIBRARY OF STANDARD AUTHORS MOSTLY 19th C.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000 USD
LOT SOLD. 74,500 USD
(Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

including Voltaire, Casanova, Sir Walter Scott, Joseph Conrad, Washington Irving, William Makepeace Thackeray, Edward Gibbon, George Eliot, Charles Darwin, William Shakespeare, George Meredith, James Fenimore Cooper, Honore de Balzac, Ivan Turgenev, and a set of The British Poets, mostly bound in full or half morocco or calf. Approximately 711 volumes. 

I'm so happy her things brought so much more than the pre-auction estimates, aren't you? Click here to see some prices on other things. Animal things, including dogs here. via Sotheby's

More Ivy Under Control

Now this is impressive! One can only imagine the task of keeping this ivy so beautifully and artistically maintained. WOW.

Wonderful Bookcase w/ Antiquarian Books

I love it all and the studded library ladder too. via

Love the Windows

I wish you could see this room in person. You would never want to leave. My photo.

Cozy Room for Autumn

I adore this room with its deep stone walls and the stove inside the fireplace looks so inviting, doesn't it? That time of year has finally arrived at my house and I'm so glad. via

All White Kitchen

Tudor Revival house by architect Donald Lococo and designer Darryl Carter. Architectural Digest. via I love the dark floors and the beamed ceiling in this restoration, don't you?

What's Behind the Green Door?

The green door works with this house, doesn't it? I love the eyebrow windows. via

Hydrangea Leaves

I love photographing these leaves in bright sun. The veining is so beautiful. 

For The Birds

A lovely littly ivy covered cottage for the birds. Did you watch the Emmys last night? I stayed up until the very end. I was very happy for Homeland but a little disappointed that Mad Men was completely shut out. Did your favorite show get an award?

my photo

Late September Sky

The late September sky was absolutely amazing today with lots of white puffy clouds. I love always having a camera with me (iPhone photo). I took this sometime between 3:30 and 4:00 in the afternoon.

I like the sun rays in the corner of this shot.

We Want Our Biscuits

Webster has been babysitting his friends this week. Before we leave everybody goes inside for biscuits.

We go to their house for feeding and walking. Webster is such a good dog buddy. He's always happy to get work and I'm glad for the photo opps. 

Amazing Home and Courtyard Garden

There are no words. I have been clipping my boxwood so I can really appreciate the work involved here. It's wonderful and so is the house. Have a wonderful Sunday. via

Smooth Sailing

I'm not a sailor but if I were I wouldn't mind being on this boat. via

Have a Restful Weekend

Doesn't this look like the perfect place to enjoy one of the last weekends of summer? Or is it the first weekend of Autumn? Webster and I have already been out for a morning drive with a stop at the Post Office to grab our mail. See you later. via

Antiquarian Books and Prints

They are always perfect together, especially in such a lovely bookcase. I plan to reply to the comments left on various blog posts over the past two days this weekend. via

Panorama of My Living Room

I just updated my one year old iPhone 4S software to IOS 6 and now I can take panorama photos just like the new iPhone 5! I'm having so much fun. Starting with my fireplace on the left and panning to the right you see almost 3 complete walls and the hallway leading to my bedroom. 

I worked so hard outside yesterday I was a zombie all day today. I needed this diversion to perk me up. Have a great weekend. See you tomorrow.

Look Down When You Walk

You never know what you might find. My iPhone photo snapped this afternoon on a walk with Webster and my mom.

Amazingly Delicious Baked Chicken

Mix 1/2 cup sour cream with 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.

Spread over chicken breast in a baking dish.
Sprinkle Italian bread crumbs on top. 

I made this two days ago and it was amazing. I used the frozen chicken tenders from Costco. I did not defrost them first. I had a wedge of hard Italian cheese in the fridge and I coarsely grated it with my box grater. I used one cup of sour cream and about 3/4 cup of cheese. I didn't have any Italian bread crumbs so I crumbled a big piece of left over cornbread and it was perfect. I cooked at 400 since the chicken was frozen and I extended the cooking time. I just kept checking until I thought it was done. This was honestly the best chicken I have ever tasted. I found it on Pinterest. Original recipe here.