Success Defined

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Low Country Guest Cottage Charleston SC

I was up all night with a sick dog so I'm late with this post. Webster is much better today I'm happy to report.

We seem to be on a LOW COUNTRY theme, so I decided to go with it again this morning. I copied a lot of the photos but not all. Enjoy the weekend. It's wet and muggy here at the cottage, just like the low country summers I remember from my childhood at my grandparents' house in Timmonsville SC. 

All of the above photos from Wayne Windham Architect located in Johns Island, SC. View more photos here including the main residence. You're welcome.

Low Country Carriage House Restoration at The Ford Plantation

This Lowcountry carriage house at The Ford Plantation echoes the familiar threads of the past. Reminiscent of an old barn that may have graced the site, comfortable guest quarters now occupy what might have been a grain loft. An old threshing floor, where carriages would have passed, now shelters carriages of the modern era. Simple post and beam construction is further suggestive of agrarian roots. via Houzz I posted all of the photos this time.

Henry Ford Historic Caretaker's Cottage Renovation in Savannah

Kitchen in the 800 sq. ft. cottage.

Exerior. Isn't it sweet?

I love the water view.

Built in the 1930s by Henry Ford at his winter retreat near Savannah, this former caretaker’s cottage had been abandoned for decades. Historical Concepts consulted on the restoration of the primitive, 800 square foot cottage for clients who were compelled to save it from demolition and preserve Ford’s legacy. Original poplar tongue and groove walls, heart pine floors and terra cotta roof tiles were restored, while antique lighting and architectural salvage finds were added for period authenticity. A screened porch, designed to complement the home’s historic character, adds entertaining space and a place to enjoy the coastal setting of The Ford Plantation. Full house tour with more photos HERE via Houzz.

Cottage Makeover - Before and After

A cape cod in the deep south was renovated and completely transformed by a couple with New England roots without adding on.

Keep your eye on the porch off the kitchen in this before photo.

It's hard to believe the after photo, isn't it? The old porch became a butler's pantry to extend the kitchen.

The house had good bones as you can see from this before photo.

A new roof, shutters on the dormers, new paint, and fabulous new landscaping really transformed the exterior. See the floor plan and a total of 16 photos if you are still interested in seeing more HERE from Southern Living.

Maxfield Parrish Clouds at My Cottage

We've had some very nice sunset cloud formations lately here at my cottage. I ran outside to capture this one with my Nikon last week because it reminded me of a Maxfield Parrish illustration in a book of fairy tales. Agreed? Click photo to enlarge.

Learning New Things

It makes me very happy when I learn something new and I try to expand my mind daily. I love this insightful quote by Michelangelo at age 87 -- "I am still learning." via

Surround Yourself

This quote makes me miss my mother who was always my biggest supporter. via

Maze in the Morning Mist

This man appears to be yelling for help because he's lost. Isn't this an amazing maze? I want to know more. via

Corgis with Long Stick

But it needs to be longer so all can participate in carrying it. via

Follow Up on ENDEAVOUR on PBS Masterpiece Mystery

Shaun Evans is Endeavour Morse,

 a detective fond of puzzles and poetry.

Did you watch last night? I did and I kept falling asleep. I want to watch again to see if it was because it seemed slow and complicated or because I was tired. I emailed a friend in Massachusetts and she felt the same way even though we both loved the Pilot.

I found a great review in The New York Times. Here's part of it . . . "those who watch mysteries for the mystery — may lose patience as the episode’s overly complicated plot, involving a dead secretary, a doctor murdered in a public restroom, a series of post office robberies and a love child, is resolved haphazardly and implausibly." Now I feel better and I'll stick with the series even if I have to find a review the next day to explain it to me.

I missed out on DCI Banks when it first started so I plan to watch Season I online. I've seen bits and pieces of it when I was switching channels and it looks good too. Thank you, New York Times!

Two Shared Bathrooms

This one is very sweet. via

This one is very elegant. via

These two bathrooms with sinks opposite each other couldn't be more different, but I like them both.

How Much is that Kitty in the Window?

Tabitha is enjoying having all the windows open too. It's hot again but I don't even care. We will survive. After several days of being sealed inside with the the central air running, it feels good to be hot. I gave Webster a bath outside this afternoon to cool him off and he loved it. See you tomorrow.

Endeavour Returns to PBS Tonight

I'm so excited that ENDEAVOUR is returning as a July series on PBS beginning tonight. The pilot premiered in 2012 and is still available to watch online here. If you can spare an hour/+22 minutes before tonight, you should watch it and fall in love with the young Inspector MORSE on his first days on the job in 1960s OXFORD. I promise you will love it too. Check your local listings for tonight's time and channel in your area. It's on at 9pm here at the cottage. Can't wait!!!!!!!! I watched the pilot again last night and I'm so glad I did. Let me know if you watch. You're welcome.

Lovely Bicycles

I've never seen bikes with pick tires but I like them. It's much cooler this morning and I'm so happy. Now maybe my stiff neck from the air conditioning will go away. It feels better already since I turned the air off last night and slept with the windows open. Have a great Sunday. via

Gorgeous Green Draperies

Click photo to enlarge.

This beautiful living room by Hudson Interiors is a perfect summer room, isn't it? I love the moss/sage/lime green fabric that was chosen for the draperies. I had a room painted the color of these walls once in my life and the paint color was called Lemon Sage. Now I'm loving it all over again. To see more photos, choose Wellesley Estate when the website opens. I love the symmetry of this view and you know I am a huge fan of black lampshades. Very.Nice.Indeed.

Wild Grape Vine Detail

     Photographed here at the cottage one day this week while on a nature walk with Webster. I love the shape, color and intricate design on wild grape leaves and this one is perfect. Stay cool in this heat wave. Ours is supposed to break on Sunday and I cannot wait. I am so tired of having the air conditioning on 24/7. It's okay during the day, but I really miss sleeping with my windows open.

     The big walk-in closet is empty downstairs. I cleaned it top to bottom yesterday and it looks so nice. I took a break for a few days but now I am moved to continue dealing with my mother's ground level dwelling. I have donated most of the clothes and am feeling good about that. She had the best taste in classic dresses and jumpers that never go out of style. I put aside a few of my favorites and I have them airing outside. Don't ask me why but one day I'll know the reason. 

     There was an interesting segment recently on NPR about "The Global Afterlife of Your Donated Clothes". I didn't know that 80% of all donated clothing ends up in the hands of textile recyclers. Anyway, it's better than having them end up in the landfill. Article and podcast here. Read it and weep.

     Have a great weekend and try to keep cool. I'll see you later.