A Fabulous Pumpkin House

Wouldn't you love to eat a big slice of warm pumpkin pie in this house? via

DIY Entry Hall Tree Made from Two Doors

I think this is the best idea for an entrance hall or a mudroom. Use two recycled doors for the back, add some hooks, a top cornice shelf and some cubbies to sit on at the bottom. How very clever. via

I Can't Stop Laughing at this Video

Rob McKenna, Attorney General of Washington State/Governor candidate for Washington State, dances Gangnam Style with his wife at the 6th KOREAN DAY hosted by Seattle Washington State Korean Association. He danced the whole song. I am sure he is the first State Attorney General to finish the dance in the States. Audience went crazy. What a way to get connected with Korean American community. Students requested to take photos with him after the dance. Click here if you can't see this hilarious video. He reminds me of Napoleon Dynamite. The McKennas are such good sports, aren't they? What IS Gangnam Style? Here is a good article explaining it.

Sassafras Leaves

This is the only tree I know of that has three different leaves on the same tree. Below you see a "mitten" with one thumb. Above you see a "mitten" with no thumb and a "mitten" with two thumbs. I find this tree so fascinating. Photographed yesterday afternoon with my iPhone. It's very colorful in the fall.

sassafras |ˈsasəˌfras|
noun

a deciduous North American tree with aromatic leaves and bark. The leaves are infused to make tea or ground into filé.
• Sassafras albidum, family Lauraceae.

• an extract of the leaves or bark of this tree, used medicinally or in perfumery.

Georgian Wedding Ring

This is absolutely gorgeous, agreed? via

Decorating with Fine Art and Antiques

I'll take it all. Living with antiques is such a fine experience, isn't it? via

Bathroom Library

I think there would be too much humidity for these lovely books in a bathroom, don't you? But doesn't it look nice in this photo? via Maybe it's a powder room and not a full bath.

Edinburgh in Autumn

Simply lovely! via

A Delightful Bedroom

I love the painted primitive bench at the foot of the bed. via

Linen Storage

I love the built-in linen presses and open shelves for linen storage. So much nicer than a linen closet. via You almost never see this old-fashioned feature in new homes -- only old ones.

Young Queen and Her Dad

Best photo ever of King George VI and a very young Queen Elizabeth II. Her face is still exactly the same, isn't it? via

Primitive Bucket Bench Finds New Life

I love this antique bucket bench used to display collections of very interesting things. via

Perfect Sunday

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I have to host a realtor open house today at my listing with no wifi so I might stop at the Deli and pick up a New York Times. I'm reading a good book too so I'll be fine. Last Sunday was very busy there and I got no reading done at all. I think the same will hold true today as well. 

More Autumn Leaves

There are still lots of leaves on the trees here at the cottage. Some trees are absolutely bare though. It always seems that the trees closest to the house are the last to lose their leaves. So I do fall cleanup until it gets really cold. Last year we had that freak show storm over Halloween weekend that was a nightmare. Fingers crossed for a normal fall from start to finish this year.

A Fabulous Built-in Pantry

This is a great one that would be so useful. I love the painted floor too. The fine woodworker did a great job. I'm sure the rest of the kitchen is wonderful too. I woke up to a foggy Saturday morning and thankfully the rain we had almost all day yesterday has subsided. When the fog burns off, we are supposed to have great fall weather. Enjoy the weekend! via

Cats Planning Another Trip

Remember their last one? Click here. Wonder where they are going this time? via Have a great weekend.

Sleeping Porch Bedroom, Ranch Style

I would love to stretch out here and take an afternoon nap -- right now. via

Adorable Dachshund Puppy with Apple

Do I get to keep the apple after my photo shoot? photo by EmilyDawn2

Doorway Opening in the Hedge

And what a huge hedge it is! I wonder how long it took for it to get this high? via

Some Huge Pumpkins for Fall Decorations

This collection of very large pumpkins looks fabulous against the backdrop of this beautiful old weathered brown house. via Do you decorate your house in the fall? 

Vampire Bat Kitten - Halloween - Scary NOT :)

Adorable

Classical Fireplace

Absolutely beautiful. Love it all. The fireplace surround, the antiquarian books, the vintage photograph, the fencing sword. Not sure about not having any andirons or fireplace screen though. via

Bermuda Shutters

I have several windows that could use Bermuda shutters in the summertime. Especially one in my bedroom that gets the late afternoon sun. I wonder how hard it is to find the hardware? I love this old carved marble dog statuary too. via

Lovely Orange Cat Nose

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My New Microwave Oven

I finally broke down last week and got a microwave after all these years. We have one downstairs but how inconvenient is that to have to run down a flight of steps to use one? So I put mine in the pantry and it worked out ever so much better than I ever thought it could. We have been having healthier meals too -- like a baked sweet potato for lunch. It seems right at home in the pantry too. It wouldn't have been appropriate on any of my kitchen counters. Why did I wait so long?

When you look in the pantry from the kitchen, you don't even know a microwave is hiding just around the left corner.

Door Disguised as a Bookcase

When closed, this door is indistinguishable from the other bookcases that lined the walls -- except for the doorknob. It is the study door of Charles Dickens at his home at Gad's Hill Place. The dummy books contain some humorous titles invented by the author. This was an extremely important room to Dickens that was always kept locked when he was not occupying it and no servants were allowed to enter. More pictures and descriptions of his beloved home here.

A Very Long Book

I adore illustrations by Franco Matticcio. Found here. See a great collection of his artwork here and become a fan too.

Tiger Elephant

Isn't this wonderful? Now he's the King. What good handlers this elephant must have! via

Fabulous Marble and Stone Bathroom

designed by Thomas Hamel and Associates via. So elegant in its simplicity.

Boatload of Pumpkins

Farmer Harald Wenske transports a harvest of pumpkins from a field that can be reached only by his traditional boat in Lehde in the Spreewald forest, Germany. Photo: Patrick Pleul via The Guardian

Great Old Halloween Masks

Homemade ones are always the best, aren't they? The Owl and Pumpkins heads are quite wonderful in spite of the girls' impoverished surroundings. via 25 Totally Odd and Awesome Vintage Halloween Photos

Roses and Tomatoes

This really is one of the last roses of summer.

I'm already missing the wonderful tomatoes. These were floating in my sink last month.