Content in a Cottage

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Weathered Wheelbarrow Bench in England

Wheelbarrow bench, Abbey House Gardens, Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

I have blogged about rolling garden benches many times and have always wanted one. See my older posts here.

The Definition of Home

I hope everyone gets their querencia back soon. We've all been feeling displaced lately here on the east coast. I am one of the fortunate ones and my heart breaks for those who suffered the most. I think we will all have to adjust to a new normal. via

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Fine Leather Bindings with Dog Bookends

I have to search pretty hard around the cottage to find something to photograph that does not look as if the hurricane hit inside the house. I really need to straighten things up and I will, eventually. I just need the strength!
This photo shows only one of my favorite dog bookends. The mate is at the other end of this 11-volume set of decorative bindings with hand-colored plates. [my iPhone photo]

Neighbors Through The Fence

HaHa. Where there's a will, there's a way. via

Post Sandy Snowstorm Before The Melt

The balcony and railing are perfectly clear now. It was beautiful but annoying too. I am usually a fan of snow when I have power but it wasn't a welcome sight this year. I hope to get some work done inside this weekend so I won't feel so bogged down. I took this photo from my living room looking through one of the french doors that opens to the balcony.

Why Cats Hate Snow

Need I say more? This was Tabitha's initial reaction when I made her go out in the snow for a bathroom break. It didn't last long thank goodness and we are slowly getting back to a somewhat normal routine. All of a sudden I am very tired but must soldier on.

Friday, November 9, 2012

East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens Norfolk UK

via I think I'll plant a big hedge instead of more trees. East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens Norfolk UK

Evergreen Leaf Catcher

This is a photo I took before the storms after a walk with the wonder dog. This evergreen tree is still standing. I'm rather rushed because I have a real estate closing this morning. It has been delayed for one reason or another for almost a month. Thankfully the house and property suffered no storm damage and passed the re-inspection required by the lender. See you later!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Webster Has A Sheepskin

Here's the sheepskin I was telling you about on top of Webster's dog bed. He loves it. I put my head on it to test it out and it feels wonderful. Like sleeping on a warm cloud.

Interesting Tree Fungus

This tree was hollow at the bottom and the fungus had traveled up through the tree trunk. I stuck my hand into the hollow base and it was very hot underground.

The pattern the fungus made is very beautiful, isn't it? A talented woodworker could definitely make something beautiful from this wood.

Nor'easter Morning

Maybe Mother Nature figured she'd better cover up all the evidence of Sandy but she's not fooling me! The snow on the railing melted soon after I snapped this iPhone photo. I had to get up early to let the Wonder Dog out. He's walking normally today -- hooray. I found a big brown New Zealand sheep skin in the garage that I had forgotten all about owning. I put it on his dog bed yesterday and I honestly think it helped him recover faster than he would have without it. His bed is behind the sofa next to a radiator. He seems very happy today and so am I. Electricity does wonders for my spirit. Thanks for all of your comments expressing concern for all of us in the cottage. Now you can relax because you know we are fine. My followers are the best!!!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Books and Shells and Things on Shelves

Here is a detail of one of my bookshelves in the living room taken by lamplight with my iPhone tonight in a warm house. It's so nice and cozy I almost feel guilty knowing so many are still without power. Poor Webster really overdid it the last two days and he honestly was too tired to walk and stayed on his bed all day until he recovered enough to go outside after dark for the first time today. I was really worried about him but he's fine now. I know how he feels. Supervising people and working alongside is hard and exhausting.

Hurricane Followed by Snow

I would rather have snow than rain since so many of my friends get water in their basements and still have no power. I wish Mother Nature would get over her very bad mood.

Tree Has Been Removed from My Cottage

Click photo to view actual size.

This tree came down on the cottage guided by heavenly angels. Only a few scratched shingles. No broken screens or light fixtures. I found some roving tree men from New Mexico who helped me clear my property. They were earth angels.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Post Hurricane Observations

Our power was restored today at 5:52 pm, just a few hours short of 8 days being a pioneer and it was no fun. We at the cottage refuse to think about the nor'easter that's coming Wednesday into Thursday. The house was 44 degrees when the power came back. We were never cold though. Too tired to tell you more. Hope you are warm and cozy by now too.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

No Power at My Cottage

But we are okay. Tree in second photo did not damage house. My street looks like a war zone. I have been reading a lot with my miners light that fits on my forehead. I am at municipal building recharging station with wifi.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Tree Almost Over the Road @ My Cottage

This tree is in the parkland next to the cottage. The power lines are the only things keeping it from falling across the road. My power went off twice but came back on. YIKES.

I'm still in my pajamas. I decided not to get dressed today. I opened my front door for these photos.

I hope the big black walnut tree stays upright and doesn't fall on my car.

The authorities already knew about this when I called it in.

Be safe wherever you are. I'll keep posting as long as I have electricity.

Brick Wall with Boxwood Topping

Another example of the landscape designer's vision. Could anything be lovelier? I would like to see the boxwood growing on the other side. via

We are still fine. Big pan of mac and cheese in the oven. Bad weather calls for comfort food, doesn't it?

How to humiliate a dog :)

This photo never fails to make me smile. You can really see the humiliation in the dog's face, can't you? See more humorous animal photos created way before the internet was invented here.

So Far, So Good at My Cottage

There is nothing to report from the cottage this morning. We are as prepared as we will ever be and still have power. We will just hunker down and wait. The only thing I didn't do was have the gutters cleaned but my guess is the wind will do it for me. Nothing earth shattering happened overnight and it didn't start raining until dawn. This is just the beginning. Be safe everyone. I have a tub full of water, food, crank radio and flashlight, candles, matches, a gas stove, etc. I think we will be fine -- fingers crossed. via

Sunday, October 28, 2012

DIY Angel Wings

I love these angel wings made from old book pages or newspaper glued over a stiffer material. I want to make some for Christmas decorations. These would be good for Halloween too. I want to make a small version for my Staffordshire Spaniel on the fireplace mantel. I hope all of the guardian angels are on call during this terrifying time with the predicted hurricane. Be safe everyone.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Moon Reflection on Snowy River

Be safe everyone. I worked all day long and didn't come in the house until almost 7pm. I mowed, blew leaves, put everything away and more. I'll look around for anything I missed tomorrow. I'm sure I'll sleep like a log tonight. via

Storm Prep with Webster

Books and A Hurricane or Tropical Storm

I think I just found the perfect reading room. I love the big ottoman two chairs can share. via

I never thought of books this way but it's true. via

I'll be spending the next few hours putting outside stuff in the garage in preparation for Sandy. I'm pretty afraid too. Stay safe and enjoy the weekend if you can. It's so still outside it is positively uncanny. And it's way too warm for this time of year. I slept with my bedroom window open last night. I hope all the weather forecasts are wrong and the Hurricane blows out to sea but they say there is a 70% chance it's coming my way. Boo Hoo.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Tiny Cook's Kitchen

via This could be called the little kitchen that could, couldn't it? Have you ever seen so many pots and pans in one spot? Sir Cooksalot definitely lives here! Love the small 6 burner stove too. I would be so afraid that stock pot would come crashing down and chip the enamel. I would dearly love to see the rest of this room. The clock mirror is beautiful and must be used to converse with others in the room while cooking.

DIY Wire Table Base

This is such a great idea. I know where there is a big roll of this rusty wire dumped near the edge of my woods. It's the heavy duty kind that will probably be impossible to unroll and cut. I love the way this looks -- like the hollow core door used for the top is floating. via

Another View of A Gorgeous Room

Here is another view of that gorgeous room I showed you yesterday and there are more dog paintings. This is wonderful! via

Carved Stone Tudor Greyhound

The greyhound was first adopted by Edward III as a heraldic supporter and was particularly used by his descendants in the House of Lancaster.

Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty, was descended from this line, and unsurprisingly, used the greyhound as a supporter of his royal arms and a reminder of his royal lineage. text and photo by Lawrence OP on Flickr