Lily Pad Pond

I photographed this water garden last week on a real estate showing. Unfortunately, I didn't see or hear any bullfrogs. The house had a screened-in porch and I'm sure the owners enjoyed sitting out there listening to them croak on hot summer nights. my iPhone photo

I can't even tell you how weary I am of researching products for my upcoming house painting project. I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as a good waterborne stain. I think I'm just going to have my clapboards and shingles and trim painted white. Sherwin Williams is having an end-of-summer sale with 30% off thru September 2nd. I am just going to bite the bullet and paint everything with their thick white paint that goes on like buttermilk. It's called Duration. Case closed, fingers in ears, la la la la la. Can't hear you.

Gorgeous Shingled Cottage on the Water

I have someone coming over at 6:00pm to give me an estimate. He's painting a cottage around the corner and constructing a Chippendale railing on the front porch. I stopped and talked to him and got good vibes. I am so excited. photo source

Delightful Cottage Style Shingled Home

This is lovely too. Benjamin Moore HC-111 with cream trim.

Back view. Shutters only on gable ends. Photo tour of the exterior of this Long Island home HERE.

Sand colored shingles

This is beautiful too. So many choices. via

White on White Cottage

Don't you love the decorative shingle patterns on the gables? This is so lovely and the dog on the porch completes the picture perfectly. via

Pile of Sleeping Black Puppies

Good night, everyone. See you in the morning. via

Great house

I am absolutely blurry eyed from looking at paint colors, solid stain colors, going from place to place to check availability, etc. The description of the color the people who built this house give is they used a very dark brown/black solid stain. I love the way it has weathered. WANT, but cannot find. Will not stop until I do. I am tempted by Dragon's Breath by Benjamin Moore. Must go and look tomorrow. Cool name! via

Sea Foam with Starfish

Fall is in the air, but it's still summer. Enjoy it while you can. via

Choose Your Company Well

Great 13th century advice.

Be with those who help your being. Rumi

More Inga Moore illustrations from the book Wind in the Willows

I found more illustrations by Inga Moore from Wind in the Willows on this blog. I only posted a few but there are lots more if you click on that link. You all know how much I adore interior design by animals. Now I adore her artwork and imagination. Have a great weekend.

The Mole Spring Cleaning

Illustration by Inga Moore from Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame via

The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring-cleaning his little home. First with brooms, then with dusters; then on ladders and steps and chairs, with a brush and a pail of whitewash; till he had dust in his throat and eyes, and splashes of whitewash all over his black fur, and an aching back and weary arms. Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing. It was small wonder, then, that he suddenly flung down his brush on the floor, said `Bother!' and `O blow!' and also `Hang spring-cleaning!' and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat. Read more here...

Pink Hollyhocks Climbing to The Sky

How much do I love this photo? via

Happy Weekend

Here's hoping you find a great parking place wherever you travel on this last full weekend of summer, in August. Labor Day is super early this year and next weekend will be a long one, half in August and half in September. via

Catch A Falling Star

Don't you love seeing a shooting star? I love a dark night sky full of stars. Good night, see you tomorrow. via

Royal Family Portrait 1931

Lilibet, Margaret and Queen Mum 1931. I've never seen this one before. Love it. via

The Reading Room

I would have to sit in this unusual chair first before giving it my leal of approval. I would probably trade it for a comfy armchair and ottoman. via Amanda Patterson

BROADCHURCH tonight, Episode 3

View a trailer for tonight's episode 3 here. Thankfully I have FiOS and can watch this BBC America series "on demand" whenever the mood strikes me. I watched Episode 2 again this morning and saw things I missed when I watched it "live" last Wednesday at 10pm. That's not my finest hour and sometimes I find myself dozing off. I look forward to this weekly series because the acting is so good and the story is fascinating. In other words, I'm hooked.

Little Dog Plays Ball Alone on A River

This is so cute.

Playing fetch by himself. Click here if you can't see video above. via

Great Trollope Sofa, Book, Coffee Quote

Absolutely nothing. via

Sliding Barn Door on Bathroom

I love the brick wall. via

Door for A Walled Garden

How lovely is this garden gate/door with a round opening? I like what I see of the walled courtyard too. I have someone coming later this morning to give me an estimate on painting and repairing my cottage. I love the color of this door and am considering going "dark" or "all white". I'm leaning towards dark because my cottage is near the road and next to deep woods. Road dirt and mildew would be less visible on a darker color. Will update you later. Have a great day. xo via

Catherine, William, Baby George, Tilly and Lupo

One of the first informal portrait taken by Kate's dad, Michael Middleton.

Booth or Counter? Booth, please.

May I take your order? Do you want fries with that? via

Webster in the Car

He was soo happy to have been invited to go along on a cool Sunday evening drive.