First Peony 2013

I was rewarded for getting out of bed this morning with my first open peony. It must have been waiting for some hot weather. I am so happy. my Nikon photo

Nice Porch with Swing

It looks like a good place to be on a hot day, doesn't it? via

Peony Bud

One of these days the tight pods on my peonies will open. I'm in no hurry though. I like the upright buds. When they bloom, they will droop. Besides, I'm not going outside again anytime soon in this heat. It's 90° right now and I can hardly believe I had the heat on two days ago. my Nikon photo

Wood's Edge Early This Morning

My woods looked pretty with the morning fog in the background and the early sunlight casting its yellow glow here and there. It is hot now and will be 90° later. Webster is not a happy camper and I'm not either. Tabitha is in 7th heaven. my Nikon photo

My Birdbath in the Early Morning Light

Now I know why photographers prefer the early morning light. Everything just looks better before the sun has gotten very high in the sky. I took this photo a few minutes ago from the balcony with my Nikon. Of all my birdbaths, this one is the favorite for some reason. It serves as a perch too for the birds looking to pounce on an insect. See you later. Webster is whimpering to be fed.

French Bulldog Love x 3

The three little pigs. via

I'm up way too early this morning enjoying my coffee and the open windows with the songs of birds wafting in with the cool breeze. Tabitha got me up and I couldn't go back to sleep so here I am.

Red Clover at My Cottage

This red clover in my field looks very much like rose colored chive blossoms. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening with sweet dreams. 

Pink Roses in An English Village

These roses are too beautiful for words. The climate in England was kind to rose species brought in as guests from far off lands in times of old and they soon became residents, grew up, bred and cross bred. via

Clay Flower Pots In Waiting

I love the upside down flower pot arrangement, don't you? They look so beautiful waiting for the moss on top of the wall to cover them too. via

J.R.R. Tolkien Quote

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Hide and Seek with Chickens

Shhhhh. They will never find us in here. via

Nurturing the Milkweed

It's raining again as you can see.

I have a little stand of milkweed in the rear portion of my property. Every day I weed around the 14 plants. I grew up loving them and I hope they will stay. I used to make things and stuff them with the milkweed floss from the big pods after they popped open. Weeding the weeds -- crazy? I think not. Kids used to gather milkweed for the WWII effort -- read more here. It was used to stuff life preservers. my iPhone photos

Ants on Peonies

I've always wondered why ants like peonies but I don't know the answer. They just do. I took this photo just a few minutes ago on this cool Tuesday morning that feels like a Monday. I have to get this show on the road pretty soon because I have to go to an office meeting. See you later. my iPhone photo

In Flander's Field by John McCrae

 

In Flander's Field by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

"In Flander's Field" is a memorable poem that was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in a cemetery in the Flanders region of Belgium on May 3, 1915, the day after the death of his young friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer.

McCrae photo

Perhaps the most famous poem written during World War I, these simple but powerful fifteen lines, and the poppies they immortalize, have come to symbolize fallen soldiers. I think this is the perfect remembrance for Memorial Day and I post it every year.

Image: Painting by Willy Werner

Memorial Day 2013

Today is a day for patriotism. This large white wall is perfect for displaying the American flag. Don't forget to honor our veterans and soldiers and go to a parade if you can. Have a great Memorial Day. via

Amazing Space for Outdoor Entertaining

Wow. This is too wonderful, isn't it? I wouldn't know where to sit. I think the guests would end up playing musical chairs in order to enjoy all the views in every direction. Enjoy your Memorial Day festivities tomorrow. via

Ralph Waldo Emerson quote about Walking

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Peace Defined

My wish for you today and every day. via

Benjamin Morrow House with Plans

This lovely New England colonial with breezeway and garage barn has 1,989 square feet. Doesn't it look as if it has a lot more? The floor plan is wonderful. I am finding in my real estate business that many families today want a first floor master bedroom and one could easily be added here. I love this home, don't you? From CONNOR HOMES. They have been building new old homes since 1969.

Duck Paddle

In case you've ever wondered, this is how it's done. This little duckling looks pretty pleased with himself for having mastered the duck paddle, doesn't he? via

'Walk Like an Egyptian' Bird

He has it down pat even without hands, doesn't he?  We have blue skies and bright sun this morning. Yay! Just in time for a great Memorial Day weekend. Have a good long weekend.

1902 Bookplate Ex Libris Robert Hall

Bookplate, 1902. Robert Hall, an avid collector of Kemscott Press books. via

On the library table are Kelmscott works, including William Morris’s The Glittering Plain and his 1895 translation of Beowulf. All the books are clearly bound in the distinctive Kelmscott full limp vellum tied with silk ribbons. The Wood Beyond the World is open to show a Morris-designed woodcut border and frontispiece. Leaning against the bookcase is a copy of the 1896 edition of Chaucer. Click here to see this wonderful bookplate enlarged.

Have a great long weekend. I'm anxiously awaiting the next episode of Orphan Black on BBC America. I missed the first 6 episodes and had to watch them online. When I was up to date I began watching on Saturday nights at 9pm. This will be my third week of watching on the TV set. It is really GOOD. It has been renewed for a second season too. Will you be watching?

Spring Lambs on Spring Grass

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Bluebird Spotting Today at My Cottage

Any day that starts with a bluebird spotting is a good one in my book. This one was pretty far away and I'm thankful my Nikon with the big telephoto lens was near the window. 

Welcoming Entrance + A Wonderful Gate

This is a wonderful entrance, isn't it? Don't you want to open the gate to see what's on the other side? I certainly do. via

Trinity College Library, Dublin Ireland

The views of this Dublin library are breathtaking. Could anyone ever take it for granted? I'm sure everyone speaks in whispers there out of respect for the past. via

First Daisies 2013

I took this photo on a late walk with Webster this morning. It is a very cool 60° and breezy on this overcast day. So far, no more rain has fallen and that's a good thing. My back field that has not been cut in over a month is full of wildflowers with the daisies being my favorite. I love the clovers too. I have both red and white. I've heard the white clover is best for the bees since their tongues aren't long enough to get the nectar from the red variety. It's raining again, but very softly. I was doing some hand trimming in the front and had to stop. I am determined to finish in between showers today. my iPhone photo

Maury Island Kitchen with 15" Wide Floor Boards

Look at the width of those old floor boards. WOW. I love this walk-thru galley kitchen. There is a pass through over the kitchen sink too. I want to see the rest of this house. Seek and ye shall find...I found an amazing tour of this Maury Island lake house in Washington State designed by Bosworth Hoedemaker. After you open the link, put your mouse cursor on the first image and a next button will appear. Enjoy. You're welcome. The description of the project is very interesting too. The floor boards are 15" wide and were recycled from an old gymnasium.

Best Deer Fence Ever

This spectacular deer fence is in Southampton, Long Island. It surrounds a 112 x 72 foot garden owned by landscape designer Lisa Bynon. Read the article and view more photos here. WOW.

Mowing and Watching

Webster doesn't like to be outside when I'm riding around on my mower. I think he must have been hit in the past by a flying rock or wood chip. So I always put him inside and let him supervise from the balcony. It was very overcast this morning and there is no sun in the forecast until SUNday. I hope I'll be able to do a little more field mowing later because Friday and Saturday are supposed to be solid rain. I can at least do lots of hand trimming. Oops, it just started raining. Now the sun is out. It has rained on and off all day. I think it will be just handwork outside today. I should have gotten an earlier start yesterday. I mowed all of the small area in the far rear and got a nice wide path leading down there so I don't have to walk through the knee high grasses when I walk the Wonder Dog. I put two of my adirondack chairs down there for resting and contemplating nature. my photos-click to enlarge