Beautiful Picnic

One of the nicest things about summer is eating outside, especially if you have a wonderful view. This farmland is beautiful and the salad greens were probably just picked, eating local at its best. via 

It is overcast but cool and misty on this first morning of July here at the cottage. I got in some serious mowing over the weekend and the back is looking good. I'll tackle the front one day this week in between thunder showers. See you later.
UPDATE: It's as dark as pitch and pouring rain. Thank goodness I had my gutters cleaned last week.

Laundry Room Mud Room Combination

This is the perfect setup for anybody, isn't it? I love the herringbone brick floor and the plank ceiling painted porch blue. This one was my favorite but there are more multi-purpose laundry room setups to consider here at Houzz. Who knows, you might prefer the one in the butler's pantry across from the wine. (smile)

Maison à Castel Meur - Pointe du Château France

Click on the following link for a much larger view. via

Talk about being between a rock and a hard place! This fantastic looking house in an idyllic coastal setting and located between gigantic granite boulders is in Plougrescant, a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor in north-western France. The house was built in 1861 as protection from high winds and storms and is popularly known as "Castel Meur". It is still a private property of the original family.

The house and the area became famous world wide through a picture postcard issued by the local municipal officials, anxious to develop the coastal tourism in this coastal area. The owners however were not amused as this brought horde of tourist trying to climb the house for taking photos etc. It is understood that now any representation of "Castel Meur" for commercial purposes is prohibited. 

The preceding text was copied from this site where there are more photos of this wonderful stone cottage snugly resting between giant boulders. It's really an architectural marvel.

I found a 22-photo slideshow here of the surrounding area. The closeup of the house is photo #22. It is a real testament to the art of the stonemason, isn't it?

Entertain on a Carpet of Green Grass

This garden designer loves the idea of a path that leads to an open tapis vert, or green carpet. The path is lined with boxwood hedges and a mix of annuals and perennials. The "carpet" is surrounded with taller bushes and trees for privacy. Angus McRitchie photo via Canadian House and Home May 2009 issue.

Gorgeous Owl

Forgive me for being so tardy with my morning post. I'm still running around in circles here at the cottage but it's good to be busy. I hope you are having a great last weekend in June. Can you believe the year is half over? Where did it go? This owl certainly has good taste in perching places, doesn't he? I love the wrought iron fence or gate. via

Fun Hotel in Uruguay

Casa Zinc -- the Hippest Hotel in Uruguay. I really enjoyed the photo tour of this unique place to stay. Everything is reclaimed and recycled and fabulous. Maybe you will get some ideas for your own interior design, especially if you like vintage industrial and architectural elements. Click here to read a great article and see more photos.

Isn't this room charming? The arched windows were salvaged from a train station.

Beautiful Oakleaf Hydrangea

I took this photo yesterday at my friend Kelly's house. Her oakleaf hydrangeas have really taken off this year and they are beautiful. I learned through some internet research that this variety and the Annabelle are the only two varieties that are native to the US. I love planting shrubs that are natives, don't you? I want to plant several of each and the Annabelle will be in honor of my mother Anna.

Google Reader is Going Away on Monday, July 1st.

Google Reader is shutting down on Monday. I have no idea why. I have almost 2300 people who follow me via RSS feeds and they will all be out in the cold next week unless they transfer their subscription to my blog to another reader. 

Bloglovin' is a great site that will transfer them automatically but you must hurry while Google Reader is still active. I found a site that shows you how with pictures and text written by a 2nd Grade Teacher. I told you it was going to be easy, didn't I?

Here is the tutorial

I am also putting each of my daily posts on Pinterest so you can always find me there.

http://pinterest.com/contentcottage/

Bloglovin'

http://www.bloglovin.com/

Feedly

http://www.feedly.com

Here is a tutorial on how to transfer your feeds to FEEDLY, another great site.

The Old Reader

http://theoldreader.com/

This is another site that resembles the Original Google Reader that readers are liking.

Good luck. 

xo, Rosemary

Westport Island House Kitchen and More

WOW. Wouldn't you like to be going here to spend the July 4th week? I love the ceilings and everything else too. Designed by Shelter Interiors via Houzz.

God Made a Dog -- Wonderful Video

Great video.

Get out your hankies. Click here if you can't see the video above.

The Kitty and The Ducklings

I wanted to post all 10 photos but decided on only 3. To see the rest of this adorable bunch, you'll have to go here. Best photo shoot ever!

A Shady Place to Sit

This is where I sit and watch Webster while he goes through all of his rituals when we take a walk. He checks out the fox holes, chases rabbits, hunts for snakes, and rolls in the grass. My friend Stacey and her husband Henry gave me the lightweight chairs that are easy to move when I mow or want to get out of the hot sun. I leave them outside all year long. 

Magic Bathroom Ring Remover

What is this, you ask? It's a touchy subject and I'm not really anxious to discuss toilets or anything else about housecleaning on my blog but when I find a household hint that everyone can use, I feel I must share. I read about this magic sheet of drywall sandpaper and its ability to remove that ring around your toilet bowl when nothing else will. As you know, I've been cleaning the lower level of my cottage and there are two bathrooms down there. Since my mother's passing, I have only been going down to do laundry and neither bowl has been flushed regularly. Everything came sparking clean with little effort except for one ring around the water level and nothing would remove it.  I have very hard well water and no water conditioner. I looked around in my store room where all the construction leftovers were stored from my renovation and I found one sheet of this drywall sandpaper. I cut off a piece and followed these instructions and the rest is history. Both rings are GONE! The sandpaper did not scratch the white porcelain either. I am thrilled. This is great to know if you have a vacation home that isn't used on a daily basis. Sometimes the drudgery of housework has a bright spot to make you want to keep going. I can see light at the end of the tunnel and I'm feeling good! 

Newly Hatched Hummingbirds

I have hummingbirds here at the cottage but I've never been lucky enough to see a nest. How wonderful!!! via Good night, see you in the morning.

Lacecap Hydrangea

My lacecap hydrangea is blooming! So happy. my iPhone photo

Gentoo Penguin Chicks from Antarctica

Click photo to enlarge.

Aren't we cute?

Gentoo Penguin Chicks, Antarctica - Photograph by Richard Sidey. Two newly hatched gentoo penguin chicks get their first glimpse at the Antarctic wilderness. via National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest I could spend the whole day looking at all of the wonderful photos people have submitted. The contest is still open in case you want to enter.

Summer in Scotland

High summer in the Quiraing, Isle of Skye, Scotland via

The Milkweed is Blooming

My milkweed is blooming and it's so pretty. I adore the pink stems. I'll keep you updated on the progress of the pods when they begin to form. my iPhone photo

Summertime at My Cottage

Here is a photo from a recent walk with the wonder dog. He got way ahead, choosing shade over sun just like me.

Then Webster enjoyed a good roll in the tall grass and clover. I see a good mowing in my future sometime soon. We are enjoying air conditioning again for only the second time this year and the house is very comfortable. Stay cool and I'll see you later. 

Perfectly Captioned Dog Photo

No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does. ~Christopher Morley~ 
via Love, love, love this. Just look at that dog's captivated expression!

Two Cool Moon Photos Last Night

This photo of the moon was on auto-focus and then posterized.

This one was focused manually and then posterized. It really is a supermoon. It's the largest and brightest full moon of 2013 and it will be an official full moon tonight. This celestial event started last night at sunset and that's when I took my photos. my Nikon photos