The Anatomy of Apple Pies

Click here to see the large version of this photo by Michael Graydon. Apples are just about my favorite things about fall and this year they are especially delicious. My crisper drawer is full of honey crisps at the moment. Have a great weekend.

Leaves, Leaves, Everywhere

This was my best leaf photo from our morning walk. Individually, the leaves are quite beautiful.

But not so much when they completely cover my lower driveway. I had to grab my down jacket this morning because it's very chilly. The dog and cat have both gone back to bed for a morning nap and I wish I could too. Actually, I could but will save mine until later. I can hear my rake calling me but I'm ignoring the voice in my head for now. I think I'll clean out my fireplace instead.

Breakfast is On the Way

The eggs are boiling and Webster's waiting for one on top of his kibble and oatmeal.

I always put my eggs in cold water and bring them to a boil. Then I put on the lid and turn off the burner. In ten minutes they are perfect. Webster thinks that's too long to wait. I think I'll have mine sliced on top of a piece of buttered toast. Yum. I have no idea why I'm up so early but it's nice. See you later.

Do More: Amelia Earhart

This is so true!! via

"The more one does the more one can do." 

Amelia Earhart

A Few Minutes Between Photos

Webster was enjoying an after-breakfast survey of his domain on the balcony checking out the flocks of blackbirds that were flying around everywhere. As you can see, I mowed yesterday afternoon and did a double duty job of cutting grass and crunching/blowing the leaves. My driveway is still covered though and will require hand raking.

Moments after we came inside, it started to rain. I've always found wet leaves are much easier to rake than dry ones so tomorrow I shall do the driveway. Today is a good day for never-ending inside chores and maybe a movie. I have several TV shows to catch up on too. I searched around the internet and have successfully watched season one of Sherlock and enjoyed it very much. I hope I can find season two as well (free) because I just learned that the series starring Benedict Cumberbatch will be following Downton Abbey in January. 

Perhaps the World's Largest Cabbage

It's so perfect and beautiful, isn't it? 

A little boy is dwarfed by a supersized cabbage in Matanuska Valley, Alaska, July 1959. Photo by THOMAS J. ABERCROMBIE for NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC. Click here to see the full-sized photo for maximum impact!

Lovely Woodland Fabrics

I love this fabric with original designs from nature. See more examples in Golly Bard's photostream on Flickr. I would love to have some draperies using any and all of these designs, wouldn't you?

Nice Family Entrance

I can't see the door but it's probably solid so I like the full side light. There is probably another one on the other side for symmetry, right? I forgot to tell you I took Webster to an open house I was hosting on Sunday and he was absolutely miserable. The house had no place for him to sit and look outside. Here at the cottage, he has 2 French doors and 2 very low windows in the living room. One of the windows is over his bed. In the attic he has a bed in front of one of the eyebrow windows that is almost at floor level. When he goes downstairs with me to do laundry, he can  sit in front of a sliding glass door so he is covered on all levels. He couldn't understand how anyone could live otherwise. When he finally got home he ran to his bed and just collapsed. He usually loves going to other people's houses with me but the one on Sunday did NOT get his seal of approval. via

A Long Blade of Grass in Bright Sun

How boring, you say? I was pretty excited that my new iPhone was able to capture this back-lit reed of tall grass in the wetlands. I'm so glad I got the space gray one with the black screen on front and black around the camera lens to prevent light leaks just as I hoped it would. My old white one had that problem. It's pretty chilly outside today as I discovered when I went out on my balcony to check on a blanket I washed late yesterday. I threw it over the railing to dry and this morning it was frozen as stiff as a board. I must look for my mittens before I take my walk after breakfast.

Some of my Favorite Things

A brass trivet with a Tudor Rose in the center, antique scissors in a brass art nouveau case, a Union Jack note pad (Christmas Gift from Victoria) and a mechanical pencil for notes.

They live atop a couple of nesting mid-century modern tables in front of my sofa. Notice Webster's leg sticking out near the tabletop dog. This is my command center. My Macbook is on another table on my right, along side the TV remote and the remote for my Bose radio. I should have rearranged the items in the second photo. I squished them close together for the first picture.

A Peek into a Wonderful Room

The trim color in the hall looks very much like my Bennington Grey here at the cottage. I love this peek into a wonderful living room. I really want a pair of leather tuxedo love seats like this one but haven't been able to find them yet. So many of my friends who live in old houses have gotten weary of repairing the peeling plaster on their ceilings and have covered them with wooden planks like the ceiling in this room. It's the perfect solution, isn't it? Happy Monday. via

Keep Telling Yourself This

As we adjust to the new time and darkness descends so much earlier than we would like, try to remember this quote. It's only a little after five o'clock and it's already nearly dark. I must hurry and feed the wonder dog so we can walk without turning on the spot lights out back. via

Webster, Deep in Thought

You can almost see the gears going around in his mind, can't you? He's probably calculating the hours until his next meal. He always eats with great gusto, and I like that about him. There's nothing more annoying than a picky eater in my book. He knows I take the time to cook oatmeal for a nutritious topping on his kibble and he dances around when it comes out of the microwave.

Location for Art Photo Shoot

I took the bird's nest art photo on top of this tin chest on frame in my living room. The tin top provided the wonderful background. I forgot to set my clock back last night, did you? We lost an hour but I feel fine because I fell asleep while watching TV earlier than usual and have no idea how the show I was watching ended. What did we do before recording devices like DVRs? 

My First Art Photo

Bird's Nest with Feather

click image to enlarge

Leaf Detail with Rain Drops

I just returned from a late morning walk with Webster so this photograph is really fresh. I am blown away by the detail I am able to capture with the camera on my new phone. This is a cropped detail. So Happy!!! Have a great weekend and I'll do the same. See you later. xo

I'm Hooked on This Room

These numbered hooks are wonderful in this London Club. 

The tall case clock is beautiful on this marble floor. 

Photos from Umbrella Magazine

The book looks interesting. Must look for it.

Big Foot

My, what big paws you have, Tabitha. I had fun taking this picture while she napped on the sofa cushion. Have a great weekend. xo

Halloween Dogs Go Trick or Treating

I wish I had seen this yesterday. What a great image! If only we could see their faces. Do you think the cat opened the door? I hope these ghostly dogs got plenty of treats. xo via

Concrete Urn Detail

This old planter has weathered very nicely in its lifetime. It is very heavy and I don't move it very often, especially since it's up high. This detail was photographed at eye level.

Most of the leaves fell off the chestnut tree overnight. It's very mild on this rainy day on the first day of November. It's supposed to reach 72º today and I won't have to turn on my heat. I see a final day of mowing in my future, maybe Monday. And lots of raking after ALL of the leaves fall. my photos

Dog Walks and Treats

He beat me home because I was playing with my camera. He was not amused. At the end of every walk, Webster gets 4 small dog biscuits and he barks for them if I forget. He's thinking, "What took you so long? It's Halloween and I want my treats."

Libraries are Full of Friends

Watercolor and Pencil

Artist: L. Block (British, 1848-1901)

Title: "In a library we are surrounded by friends."

Another Black Cat with Marble Eyes

This is the window in my walk-in pantry where I have an old drafting table as a desk. I am having so much fun with the camera on my phone. I just about fell over when the lady at the AT&T store gave me $200 for my old phone so this one ended up being free. Well, not really. It could have been free but I upgraded to the 32GB for more storage for an extra $100. If I had stayed with 16GB like my old 4S, it would have been an even trade. It pays to take care of your devices, doesn't it? 

This vintage full-bodied tin cat is supposed to be a garden ornament to scare away the birds. It has cat's-eye marble eyes. The cat head at my front door has clear marbles for its eyes. I prefer to use both cats inside as a window decorations since I love my birds. Happy Halloween. I hope you get lots of good candy. I'll have to buy my own and I just might do that. My malware warning went away and I'm so happy! both photos are mine, using iPhone 5S