Carl Rüdell Watercolor

Carl Rüdell
(Trier 1855 - 1939 Cologne)

Doesn't this delightful circa 1910 watercolor on paper make you wish you could paint? Pre-auction estimate € 100. Sold for € 625. There was another of his watercolors in the lot shown below. via

Cutest Video about a Helper-Foodie Dog

Omelette from Madeline Sharafian on Vimeo. Click HERE for the enlarged version. Maybe all dogs help us in ways we'll never know when we aren't looking. They certainly are nice to come home to, aren't they?

Strawberry Cake that looks like a Pie.

~Simple Strawberry Buttermilk Cake~

This recipe looks very easy. If it tastes half as good as it looks in the picture, it's a keeper. I have everything on hand except buttermilk and strawberries and they have been added to my grocery list. Yum. Can't wait!

Does your Cat have a Bunny Buddy?

Apparently, this is a trend. Tabitha hasn't heard about it yet and I'm not going to tell her. Click HERE to see more cat/bunny best friends. They show genuine love for one another, so get ready for your face to break out in a big smile.

Windows of Amsterdam

In case you need a reason to visit Amsterdam that doesn't involve tulip fields. I've never been, have you? via

Sunset with Shells

I had a productive day in the office and outside spreading wood chips. The bed is going to feel mighty good in a few minutes. I'm all set for a great evening watching Call The Midwife,  the last episode of Bletchley Circle, Mad Men, and I can't remember what else. My DVR is whirring away recording so many great programs to keep me entertained. I watched a wonderful movie last night on ShowTime -- Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. I saved it so I can watch it again...something I rarely do. It was THAT good. Now off to bed. image source

Video: The Beauty of Pollination

This is the most beautiful video you will ever see illustrating how insects, birds, and bats pollinate our flowers. Over 24 million viewers can't be wrong. Make sure you are one of them.

Here's the link to watch full screen.

Beauty in Simplicity

This interior design is stunning, isn't it? Not over done. It's good to know when to quit and let the millwork and architectural elements speak. via

Happy Mother's Day. I miss mine.

This grand old tree is gone and so is she. Link to this story here. my photo

Red and Timber Kitchen

I would love cooking in this wonderful kitchen that brings the outside in so nicely. I love it. My knees are a muddy mess but I'm sitting on the sofa anyway. I moved tons of wood chips and I'm not nearly finished. It's was hard work but satisfying. Have a great weekend. 

No Front Yard Birds This Year

Could this be the reason?

Is this Tabitha's way of asking for an outside water dish of her own? I had just filled the birdbath with nice cold well water from the kitchen faucet. 

Painted Floor with Diamonds

via

The Endless Cup of Tea

This makes me want a cup of tea. via

Wonderful Eat-in Kitchen

This kitchen is very nice with the table in chairs in the center of the room instead of an island. I love the beamed ceiling and the painted floor. Hopefully I will be able to find a link so we can see the rest of the house. I'll let you know if I am successful. via

My Goal for Today

I am going to weed and spread wood chips today and I hope I will smell like dirt by supper time. via

Boxwood and Cabbages

What a great idea. I love the blue cabbages inside the boxwood borders! via

Tabitha's Afternoon Nap

She looks so comfortable, doesn't she?

Delightful Garden Shed

I can tell these carriage doors haven't been opened recently so there must be another way to get inside this wonderful outbuilding. via Pinterest

The Wrecking Ball arrives at 1887 house

I've been photographing quite a bit from my car recently and was sad to see the demise of this grand old gilded age mansion built in 1887 just up the street from my cottage. The house was struck by lightening several years ago and was completely destroyed inside. A builder finally bought it and a new house will be built on the site. Yesterday the house was half gone when I drove by. 

The snow is hiding the blue tarp that was covering the roof on the right side. I was hoping the landmark house would be restored but I guess it was too much of a project after the fire. Boo hoo. A man at town hall told me the old gardens in the back were being preserved and I was happy to hear that. my iPhone photos

The Advantages of a Detached Garage

LDArc Architects

Maybe we’re finally realizing the advantages of a separate garage. The extra space, lower homeowner’s insurance, and a more attractive façade are worth a few extra steps to the car or from the car to the house. image found here

On a local level, here is the best reason for a detached garage.

I took this iPhone yesterday from my car. I have no idea what caused this old post and beam barn garage fire but I'm so glad it wasn't attached to the house. my iPhone photos

Thankfully this delightful old house was spared. Where is your garage?

Happy May Day

Are you wearing your May Day flower crown? This goat looks very sweet wearing hers. Happy First of May! via

Traditional Kitchen to Love

Very nice traditional kitchen in Philadelphia. I like the arched window over the sink and everything else too. via Houzz

Webster says Good Night

And so do I. We'll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening. Sweet dreams.

Teleport Me to Broadway [England]

Broadway Tower, Worcestershire, England in the heart of the Cotswolds. I love the dark sky in the background and the sunny foreground with grazing sheep. Could anything be lovelier? via

Audrey Hepburn Gardening Quote

Goodnight, everyone. See you tomorrow.

google images

Ancient Fossil

Too beautiful for words. via

Recycled Conservatory in Sweden

When your neighbor in Sweden offers you an old greenhouse to recycle, what do you do? Build yourself an orangerie, of course. Everything is recycled except the plexiglass roof. It's beautiful, isn't it? See more views here. Readers' questions answered here.

A Great Story about Pet Adoption

His name is Tank. Get your hankies ready and read the story behind his adoption after many failed attempts. Continue reading here. Sniff, sniff, wiping tears away.

Tabitha Enjoying the Nice Weather

This flagstone at the end of the walk is one of Tabitha's favorite places to nap and bask in the sun. Her face is shaded so she can see me if I open the front door. She wants to come inside less and less now that spring is here. Both animals went back to bed this morning after breakfast because we have rain!!! I'm so glad I got my mowing and trimming done. 

Bletchley Circle, Episode 2 Tonight

Don't forget to watch Episode 2 Tonight

I love this feminist murder mystery. I just learned there are only 3 episodes in the miniseries (sad face). I'm off to the bedroom to watch The Good Wife beforehand. Here is a good review of all the great television on Sunday nights. Enjoy. 

The Carolina Wren

Nest and eggs of the Carolina Wren photograph by Brian Gordon Green, National Geographic

A Carolina wren. Photograph from Rolf Nussbaumer Photography/Alamy

You will enjoy reading this article about a man who works for National Geographic who was converting his South Carolina backyard into a Wildlife Habitat but was unable to build a proper house to satisfy the nesting requirements of the Carolina wren. This tiny bird picked his brass mailbox instead. Read more.

An Afternoon Nap for Webster

He's been working outside with me and this nap was well deserved. The open bedroom window wasn't far from his nose and he could smell the newly mown grass as he slept. my iPhone photograph

True Love

Don't these two pups look comfy curled into a perfect heart in the back seat of a car? I went back to bed after the cat got me up this morning and I think I might live. I worked outside all day mowing, pulling vines out of trees, trying to tidy up my visual corridor without the aid of power tools, etc. I have rolled giant logs out of sight, rearranged the huge ones so the wild roses will eventually hide them and I have to say I have enjoyed doing some hard physical work. We are having a very dry April, the third driest on record. Rain is on the forecast for tomorrow so I'll work outside again today getting ready. I still need to mow the front. See you later. image