Jessica The Hippo -- She's A House Pet

Please promise me you will watch this heart warming video about a coffee-drinking hippo in South Africa named Jessica.

Click here to watch it on YouTube if it doesn't show up for you in my post. I always tuck in my animals at night but I honestly can't imagine tucking in a hippo. Her nighttime routine will definitely make you smile.

Woodchipped Garden Path

I simply must spread my pile of woodchips to keep down the weeds near my front entrance. This garden inside and outside the picket fence is fabulous, isn't it? via

Deck Decor

Have you started getting ready for outdoor living yet? I have worked on the deck floor of my balcony for the past three days and it's looking better. This one looks perfect, doesn't it? via

Mine will look better as the sun bleaches it daily. I still have to clean the furniture.

Mad Men -- Tonight

Mad Men

Season 6

Premier Tonight

9-11pm

Excellent!

Graphic from Google Images

16th Century Book Wheel

For centuries men have been trying to perfect a ways to read multiple books. Is this the eBook Reader of the 1700s? Epic fail because you have to sit in one place to peruse articles. More about Captain Agostino Ramelli's contraption here.

Beautiful Day in Edinburgh Scotland

It looks like spring in Edinburgh in this photo. Wish I were there!!! via

Architectural Artifact from My Collection

This zinc urn was once on a dormer in Newark NJ. A gentleman nearby said his father got it from a building that was being demolished. It was just sitting in a junk pile in his back yard. One day on my way to the post office, I stopped and knocked on his door to ask if I could buy it. He said yes and it's been in my junk pile ever since. Not really, it's in a boxwood garden. my iPhone photo

Tiny wildflowers in the woods

If you didn't do a fall cleanup and wait too long in the spring, this is what will happen. Aren't these tiny flowers charming? via

What Time Is It?

I can almost hear the ticking, can you? via

Hand-Drawn Chalk Alphabet

 

Fantastic hand-drawn chalk alphabet by Antonio Rodrigues Jr from Brazil. See more here.

Portrait of a Succulent

An old photo from my phone from last summer. I think I have probably published it before and here it is again. I still love it. Have a great weekend. 

Golden Boy Webster

He looked beautiful in the golden light of the setting sun one day recently. He looks sad but he wasn't. He was just mad that I was trying to make him stand still so I could get a good picture. He was on the trail of the fox, his favorite pastime. my iPhone photo

Cutest puppy mix.

His name is Bosco and he's 10 weeks old. He is half black lab and half springer spaniel. Look at his paws! Isn't he adorable? What a great mix---he's got the best of both breeds. via

Having my coffee now

This is just exactly what I am having at this very moment. I slept late this morning and it was wonderful. I always add hot soy milk to my morning coffee and it mixes itself just like this gif. See you later, friends. via

Black Pansies

Photo Source

Where the Calla Lilies Grow

Jhuzihhu Taiwan -- I've never seen calla lilies growing en masse, have you? How does a person even get in there to cut them without doing damage? Stunning photo. via

Great Kitchen -- Before and After

I decided to post the after photo first so you wouldn't get depressed by the before photo if you haven't had your coffee yet. 

See what I mean? It's an amazing transformation, isn't it? Hop on over to Hooked on Houses to see more views of this 1980s kitchen, before and after.

Baby Goose

This little gosling looks so cozy tucked under mother's wing. I'm getting ready to tuck myself between the sheets to enjoy some TV time on the flat screen in my bedroom. Goodnight all. See you in the morning. via

Pub Kitchen

This kitchen looks like an English Pub, doesn't it? I love decorating with antiques. via

Foxglove in a Williamsburg Garden

Could anything be lovelier on a frigid April morning with the temperatures in the teens? I think not. This garden in Williamsburg is gorgeous. via

Calla Lily Extraordinare

amazing photo by "omnia"

Tiny Tomato Bubbles

More beautiful than jewels. This photo looks like beadwork, doesn't it? via

Spring Lambs to Love

Beautiful lambs in a beautiful setting. via

Perfect Tea Party

Everyone appears to be on their best behavior for this formal tea party. I love to peek into early childhood playtime through vintage photos. via

The Urge to Garden

The urge to garden is starting to raise its head, isn't it? via

Beautiful Wildflowers for April

This beautiful wildflower looks like columbine to me. Mother Nature certainly picked a lovely spot to plant the seeds, didn't she. No floral arranger could match this arrangement. Hello April. Today is Webster's 11th birthday. He has already had several dog biscuits with peanut butter spread on them for his special day. We had rain overnight and will have more today so the April showers are right on schedule. See you later. via
Correction....these flowers are Oxalis acetosella, submitted by a reader (Cathy in Idaho). Thanks, Cathy.

My Mom, Easter 2012

 

It is hard to believe my beautiful mother is no longer with me. She looked so beautiful a year ago and 8 months later she was gone. I miss her every day. We all miss you here at the cottage, Anna. This morning Tabitha made a rare visit to my bed in the wee small hours before dawn instead of meowing to be fed and let out. She was my mother's cat and I think she was missing her too. Webster and Tabitha always go with me when I go downstairs to do laundry and they always hope she will magically appear in her home on the lower lever. But she's never there so we don't stay long. I really need to start dealing with her things but I'm waiting for the nice weather so I can open all the windows and doors and sort things outside. I'm still peaceful about her passing but that doesn't stop me from missing her. 

I've been busy in the kitchen making two dishes to take to Easter Ham Dinner with friends this afternoon. I am making my old standby (cranberry holiday salad from a book called 'Favorite Recipes from Quilters') and something new, a baked pineapple casserole that sounds delicious. I'll let you know. Have a Happy Easter Day! xo

Easter Duckling

Happy Easter, Everyone!

I never knew ducks could smile but this one definitely can. Click photo to enlarge for maximum enjoyment.

Awkward Baby Bird

This Bittern nestling is unusual looking to say the least. The wonderful photo by Alex Lavashkin appeared in Popular Photography 3/28/13. The mother made a beautifully woven nest for her babies, didn't she? 

Faux Bois Garden Set

Nothing could be more perfect. Are you entertaining outside for Easter? via

Waiting for His Walk

The question is, "Who will be walking whom?" Isn't this the perfect use for a window seat? via

Easter Greetings

Isn't this how the pyramids were built? Those two bunnies are very smart, knowing exactly how to move a giant egg. Happy Easter! via

Don't even think about getting close to the Easter chick. It's MINE to love and protect. Look closely, baby chick is under cat's nose. Found on Google images.