photo source

A woman surveys a treacherous mountain pass in the Pyrenees of France, 1956 - Photograph by Justin Locke, National Geographic. Doesn't this take your breath away? I think we are so fortunate these days to have better equipment to take care of the snow. I'm so lucky to live on a county road that is plowed around the clock. I'm having my furnace serviced for the winter on Friday. I still have visions in my head of getting stuck in the snow on a pretty regular basis when I was young and we lived in Pennsylvania. Do people even use chains on their tires these days? What are you doing to get ready for winter? 

Cheerful Kitchen Behind Pocket Doors

It's nice to see pocket doors again instead of sliding barn doors, isn't it? I love this cheerful small pantry kitchen with open shelves and checkerboard floor. via

My exterior painting hasn't started yet but I've been busy with trades people working inside. All of my electrical problems have been solved inside and out. Plumber is coming on Friday. Progress is being made. 

It's Easy Being Green

What a lovely small dining room! The shades of moss and sage green are very pleasing and soothing, aren't they? via

Grand Old Brass Plumbing Fixtures

Yes, yes, yes, I love these. I wish I could see the whole tub so I could understand the recessed area. via

Keep Building Your Dreams

via

One Color to Pop

This is a very pleasing accent color in an otherwise all white interior. I like the brown leather tuxedo sofa in the other room too. Larger version of this cottage farmhouse entry here.

The Wonder Dog Sleeps

He loves the cooler weather when he can be wrapped up in blankets when he naps. Webster bids you all a good night and a great second half of the weekend tomorrow. xo

Blaise Hamlet Cottages - Antique Print

An antique 19th century lithograph showing the cottages of Blaise Hamlet. It is in a museum now. 

Blaise Hamlet Cottages, Bristol England

This must be Rose Cottage.

I've never even heard of this hamlet but now I must go. Blaise Hamlet is a hamlet in north-west Bristol England, composed of a complex of small cottages around a green. They were built around 1811 for retired employees of Quaker banker and philanthropist John Scandrett Harford, who owned Blaise Castle House. The hamlet was designed by John Nash, master of the Picturesque style. He had worked for Harford on other buildings. The cottages are now owned by the National Trust. They are still occupied and not open to the public, but the ensemble may be viewed from the outside. All the cottages, and the sundial on the green (which is accessible to the public), are Grade I listed buildings. Rose Cottage is now rented out by the National Trust as a holiday cottage. image source

There is a composit of all the cottages HERE on Flickr.

What a wonderful man John Harford must have been. The whole concept gives me goose bumps, and knowing he carried it out is simply wonderful. This must be one of the most charming places in all of England. Have a great weekend.

A Real Life Library

These people lost their interior designer's number and did it themselves (smile). via

Nicely Appointed Kitchen Shelves

Very nice. Wish I could see the rest. via
Update: More photos of this kitchen from
 A Country Farmhouse
Thanks, everyone!

Double Decker Sun Porches

What a great setting. The landscaping is beautiful and there's so little grass to mow. I love the stacked sun porches too. Two thumbs up! via

Delightful Laundry Room

I like it, don't you? via

Downton Abbey Season 4 Preview

It's a little too early to get excited, but I found this behind the scenes peek enjoyable. Click here if you can't see the PBS video below.

via

Bathroom Detail at My Cottage

People always talk about becoming their mothers but I am becoming my grandmother. She used to spend one week in each room of the house doing spring and fall cleaning. My bathroom isn't very big but I managed to spend two whole days cleaning it recently. Keep in mind that I'm easily distracted and take lots of breaks. I'm so proud. I've been showering downstairs in my mother's old bathroom so I can keep mine clean. I'm sure the novelty will wear off any day now and I can go back to being my old self. Honestly, I don't know how people manage to work full time jobs and take care of themselves, much less a family, a house, and a yard. One room down and many more to go. I'll get there eventually. 

Royals Watching the Highland Games in Braemar Scotland

They so enjoy each other's company.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Ellizabeth II and Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay laugh as they watch the sack race during the annual Braemer Highland Games at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park on September 7, 2013 in Braemar, Scotland. The Braemar Gathering is the most famous of the Highland Games and is known worldwide. Each year thousands of visitors descend on this small Scottish village on the first Saturday in September to watch one of the more colourful Scottish traditions. The Gathering has a long history and in its modern form it stretches back nearly 200 years. See more pictures here.

Fabulous Home Office

This is absolutely perfect. I'll take it! via

Wonderful Bookshelves

This is quite nice. I like it all....the lights, the books, the accessories and the leather settee. via

Home in Wilmington NC

Sadly, the porch season is quickly coming to a close so sit outside while you can. More photos of Stillwater Place here.

Busy Weekend

I propped my feet up for about 5 seconds all weekend. The past two days have been spent outside clipping all the boxwood, spraying the driveway for weeds, cleaning the garage, and all sorts of outdoor activities involving home maintenance. The weather was nice and it felt good to work. I have had a really lame data plan with my iphone ever since I got it almost 2 years ago. I had only 200 MB of data and who knows how much that is? Not me. I am usually on wifi and that doesn't count. I upgraded to 3GB for only $15.00 more per month last week at the AT&T store at the mall. I listened to podcasts while doing all of my chores and it was so much fun. I enjoyed "Here's the Thing with Alec Baldwin" on NPR. He interviews some of the most interesting people and I love his voice, so I was thoroughly entertained. You can listen on your computer too. The most recent one is with Danny Bennett, Tony Bennett's son. He's the real reason his father has been able to stay so active in the music business and remain so very busy even though he's 88 years old. It is a wonderful family story too. I loved it. I'm looking forward to the final episode of SILK on PBS tonight on Masterpiece Mystery. See you tomorrow. Good night.

Praying Mantis Portrait

I discovered another alien among us while pruning the boxwood yesterday. He was very friendly and stayed around watching me work until I finished and went inside.  He was huge, as long as my hand. Click photo to enlarge. my Nikon photo

I took this one with my iPhone.

Wonderful Bathroom with Antiques

Wow. This bathroom is super wonderful, isn't it? via

The Future

Show this to a young person. The key word is "few". Somebody's got to do it, right? I've never been afraid of getting my hands dirty and I've always admired people who work with their hands. via 

1Have a great weekend

Try something fun like chasing butterflies.