Mushroom Studio: At The Toronto Sculpture Garden

Art Studio of Katie Bethune-Leaman commissioned by The Toronto Sculpture Garden. See another photo and read more about this delightful fairy-tale structure here.

Mostly Martha + Zodiac : Two Great Kanopy Movies

MOSTLY MARTHA is a very entertaining movie about a controlling chef who is definitely not in control of her life. 

This might be too violent for some or most of you but I like true crime movies. Click here to view the 2007 movie trailer before you decide to watch it. 

'Zodiac" is the "All the President's Men" of serial killer movies, with Woodward and Bernstein played by a cop and a cartoonist. It's not merely "based" on California's infamous Zodiac killings, but seems to exude the very stench and provocation of the case. The killer, who was never caught, generously supplied so many clues that Sherlock Holmes might have cracked the case in his sitting room. But only a newspaper cartoonist was stubborn enough, and tunneled away long enough, to piece together a convincing case against a man who was perhaps guilty. read more here

Southport CT staircase

Harbor-view residence. David Scott Parker Architects, Southport, CT. Durston Saylor photo. I want to see more!!!

August 1st + Two Legal Drama Movies

August is a month to try to enjoy in spite of the heat because once September rolls around the rest of the year flies by.

I enjoy legal dramas and two that I have enjoyed on Kanopy are shown below.

Emma Thompson is wonderful. View movie trailer here. I loved the interior design of her London apartment too.

This movie is based on a true story and the legal trial takes place in England. 

Based on the acclaimed bookDenial: Holocaust History on Trial, DENIAL recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt’s (Academy Award® winner Rachel Weisz) legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (BAFTA nominee Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In the English legal system, in cases of libel, the burden of proof is on the defendant, therefore it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team, led by Richard Rampton (Academy Award® nominee Tom Wilkinson), to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust occurred. View video movie clips here.

Two More Kanopy Movie Recommendations

A MAN CALLED OVE: I actually watched this on a DVD from my library but it is now on Kanopy so I want to watch it again. I blogged about the book before I saw the film (with subtitles).

Ove, an ill tempered, isolated retiree who spends his days enforcing block association rules and visiting his wife's grave, has finally given up on life just as an unlikely friendship develops with his boisterous new neighbors. Based on the bestselling novel.

I just read that Tom Hanks is producing and starring in an English language interpretation of this film. That should be good. I adore Tom Hanks!

THIS BEAUTIFUL FANTASTIC: A contemporary adult fairy tale revolving around the unlikely of friendship between a reclusive young woman with dreams of being a children's book author and a cantankerous widower, set against the backdrop of a beautiful garden in the heart of London.

Bella Brown (Jessica Brown Findlay) is a beautifully quirky young woman who dreams of writing and illustrating a successful children's book. When she is forced by her landlord to deal with her neglected garden or face eviction, she meets her nemesis, match and mentor in Alfie Stephenson (Oscar-nominated actor, Tom Wilkinson), a grumpy, loveless, rich old man who lives next door and happens to be an amazing horticulturalist.

This was the first movie I watched on Kanopy 8 months ago. I found it delightful. I loved all of the library scenes and the mean librarian too. Watch the movie trailer here.

Let me know if your public library offers Kanopy.

BREATHE: True Story Movie with Claire Foy + Andrew Garfield

My blog is turning into a movie review site. I couldn't find anything interesting to watch on TV last night so Kanopy came to the rescue again with a fabulous movie with Claire Foy (The Crown). Just seeing that she was in it made me want to watch and I'm so glad I did. It's the love story of all time and every frame is true. The son of the couple is the producer of the film so it is partly his biography too.

After contracting polio at the age of 28, Robin Cavendish is confined to bed and given only months to live. But with the help of his wife Diana and her twin brothers, and the groundbreaking ideas of inventor Teddy Hall (played by Hugh Bonneville), Cavendish emerges from the hospital ward and devotes the rest of his life to helping fellow patients and the disabled. Click here find 8 videos about the film and the official movie trailer.

Google images has many photos of the real Cavendish Family

STORM BOY: Another wonderful movie

I never thought of pelicans as cuddly birds until watching this movie. I am amazed it is already offered free on Kanopy as it was only released in theaters in April. I have never watched a movie with Geoffrey Rush I didn't like. The book is based on an Australian children's book and repenned for the big screen as a multi-generational bittersweet film. Image found here.

Two Good Movies from Kanopy via Your Public Library

Do you have KANOPY yet, the free movie streaming service accessed by your library card number? It is amazing. I watched these two movies this week and loved each one. If your library doesn't offer it yet, please ask them to consider getting it for the patrons. It's the best thing ever. It is also available through universities for students and faculty. I watch on my iPad because I don't have a smart tv or any of those attachments like Apple TV, Rocu, Chromecast, etc. Between Turner Classic Movies and Kanopy, I am never without a movie to watch. xo

Carriage House Circa 1858

Have you ever seen a more charming carriage barn? Needless to say, the house that goes with it is already spoken for. It always makes me happy when an old house goes under contract quickly. This photo is from a listing in my office.

Wonderful Laundry Room

Yes, please. I want it all.

Inspiring renovation found here.

Kate Ellis: British Crime Writer's Writing Shed

Kate Ellis is a British author of crime fiction, best known for a series of detective novels, which combine history with mystery, featuring policeman Wesley Peterson. This delightful small building is where the magic happens.

Drayton Hall Double Staircase Charleston SC

 So untouched and so beautiful.

Drayton Hall, Charleston SC

Circa 1738 plantation.

Isn't this double staircase absolutely stunning? It really is an 18th century architectural masterpiece. Photos found on Google Images.

Tomato Pie Recipe : Looks Delicious

photo by Black Sheep Kitchen

Do you have Beefsteak and a variety of heirloom tomatoes in your garden? If not, when fresh homegrown tomatoes appear at the farmer's market, pick up a few and make this delicious looking tomato pie. You can make one large pie or divide up the dough and make individual ones. One large pie would be my choice. The right hand side of the pie above is multicolored heirloom tomatoes. I like the flavor of these ugly tomatoes best. YUM. I would be tempted to add some corn off the cob too. Tomatoes are the best part of summer food. xo You can Google the recipe: Tomato Pie Garden and Gun

Outdoor Shower - Summer Pleasure

I had an outdoor shower here at the cottage and I miss it. I didn't winterize it properly one year and the outside pipes blew up.😢😢I did it successfully for many years but one year the temps got way below zero and I don't think I had drained the pipes. Luckily, the hot and cold faucets are still fine.

Autocorrect Correction

Amen. You definitely have to be careful before pushing the send button. My main pet peeve is autocorrect inserting 's when I had typed an s for plural, not possessive!!!!!

Zucchini Muffins Recipe

I have been saving this recipe because of this photo. I will probably replace the maple syrup with a little more sugar. I don't like my muffins too sweet. If they are, they are really cupcakes. Article and printable recipe here. They look yummy, don't they?

Snakes at My Cottage

This little harmless garter snake has taken a liking to sunning himself atop the two large English boxwood flanking my front walk. I realize most of you are rushing for your delete button to get away from my photo of him but I think he's cute. I embrace the snakes around my cottage because they eat mice and mice are the only critters that absolutely terrify me. 

I once had a blue-eyed snake at my cottage and blogged about him here. I used my Nikon to photograph him.

Snake in the grass.

Rare Blue-Eyed Snake at My Cottage

The weather seems more bearable today and I have opened a few windows and the central air is turned off. Have a great weekend. xo

Dog Photos to Warm Your Heart

This one is my favorite! What a wonderful idea. View 27 more photos with stories here. I am sorry I have been away from my blog for so long. My life is no longer my own since being a real estate sales associate is more like being a property manager if you have an expensive listing that needs to be presented perfectly. Thankfully, I am the perfect person for the job but it's taking a lot of my time. xo

Female Hare with Daisies

This famale hare is lovely. Found on Instagram. I don't believe I've ever seen a wild hare, only rabbits. I tried Google to see if there are wild hare in New Jersey and all that came up was a beauty shop called Wild Hair😂😂😂

Delightful Cat Painting at Christie's

Noted for her paintings of cats and dogs, artist Henriette Ronner-Knip lived surrounded by her favourite subjects who played and watched on as she worked.⠀

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Henriette Ronner-Knip (1821-1909), 'Kittens at Play' (detail). Estimate: £12,000-18,000.

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British & European Art: European Art – 11 July at Christie's London.

I love the colorful needlework on the stool mama cat is curled upon, keeping watch on her little ones. The geranium in the clay pot is pretty wonderful too. Found on Instagram.⠀

Black Sheep: So Beautiful

How in the world did black sheep get a bad name as in "the black sheep in the family" being a negative thing? This one is a beauty and he looks very proud of his black woolen fleece. xo

OCD Wrens at My Cottage

This new Wren family in the penthouse apartment on my balcony have a bad case of OCD. Every morning the pile of nest debris under their house is in a different spot and it gets smaller every day too. This is not because of the wind, it's definitely the birds. See original pile of nest building supplies here. They are a very odd couple, not at all like the earlier inhabitants. She won't let him inside very often and he sits on the railing and sings his little heart out.

Singing and waiting.

I am thinking of changing my name to Wren Cottage. This one lives in a bird bottle under the eaves of my front bedroom/dressing room. I have 4 nesting wren families in total.

This is my Friday morning barn/garage, field, and sky view with thunderstorms in the weather forecast. Enjoy your long July 4th weekend. xo

Have a Safe July 4th Holiday

Have a safe trip if you are going to be on the road for any distance, or a nice picnic if it's a short trip. I am going across town for a cookout with friends. Happy July 4th!!!

July Home Maintenance Checklist

I found this article to be informative with great photos. I especially like this all white colonial home below with the partial wraparound porch. I have to do my grocery shopping early today to beat the heat and buy the items I'm preparing and taking to an outing tomorrow. Happy July 4th. Sorry, this list isn't on the internet anymore.

July is here. Let the summer begin.

Happy first day of July.

The year's half over.

Clouds Viewed from My Cottage

It has been a strange 27 hours. When I drove through a ferocious downpour and arrived home at a little after 5:00pm I heard my generator when I got out of my car. I am thankful I have it but I am always anxious for the power to be restored. It finally came back on at 4:00 this afternoon. This photo was snapped on Friday qt 8:30. It's the same sky as my previous photo but a different orientation. Click to enlarge.

Friday Night Eventide

I snapped this photo out back just before the end of the day. My lacecap hydrangea is to the right and it's more beautiful than ever this year. My field is looking very nice with some golden tall grasses mixed in with the weeds. The sky had some nice color too. I wish I could capture the fireflies that will be blinking after dark. They are absolutely amazing now that we are having hot summer nights. I finally went to the attic and put a new filter in my air exchanger and fired up my central air for the first time this season. 

Stay cool and have a lively weekend. xo

New Mrs. Wren Redecorates

The new Mrs. Wren who just moved in hated old Mrs. Wren's decorating so out it goes.🐦

Birthday Card Request + The Death of Brown Furniture

Here I am again after a few days off wearing my Realtor Hat and working harder than you can even imagine. I am a member of NEXTDOOR, a neighborhood app where members can post and share. I am amazed at the questions, mostly looking for recommendations on home repair, good hair cutters, and child care workers. I especially love the photos of free things they are giving away!

The post below touched my heart:

I have my birthday card to this veteran who is turning 100 all filled out and ready to mail. I enclosed a dollar bill too, just like my grandmother always put in my birthday cards, ho matter what my age.

I typed out his address below if you want to send him a card as well. I love Hendersonville and my family always vacationed there. Doesn't Sunnybrook sound like a nice place?

Let's all help this 100 year old Veteran get 100 birthday cards!!!

Mr. Art England

Sunnybrook Assisted Living

Apartment 211

306 Spring Street

Hendersonville NC 28739

Now on another note. You know how much I love antiques and most of you do as well. This article that appeared in YANKEE MAGAZINE will break your heart. THE DEATH OF BROWN FURNITURE 

For those of us who still love old things with rich histories, it is a buyer's market. For those of the antique collecting community who paid premium prices for their possessions, it is very depressing. I rarely miss an episode of The Antiques Roadshow on PBS where they freely speak of the depressed market for fine antique furniture. I can't help but think the trend for "staging" homes that are for sale is partly responsible too. Having home sellers replace their possessions with rented furniture to go with gray walls with white trim might be sending another message. Maybe the buyers think they can't keep what they have but need all new furniture in order to move. I could go on and on but will get off my soapbox now. I am turning this platform over to you now!

Garage Sale Find: A Cow Creamer

It doesn't take much to make me happy as you can see. It was an absolute delight this morning to pour my soy milk into my coffee from a cow's mouth instead of a carton. Why would anyone want to get rid of it? I have no idea, but I'm happy they did. Photographed on my hunt board in my kitchen. Click to enlarge.

Best dollar I've spent in a long, long time!🐄

Magazine Photos waiting For New Watch Battery

Best wedding cake ever!

The only magazine in the Morristown Jewelry Store where I stopped in for a new watch battery was New Jersey Bride. I loved the photo of the wedding cake. Who wouldn't want to go to a wedding where there was Pumpkin Cake with brown sugar buttercream and cranberry preserves and macarons? Yum.

Swedish School Girl's Fight for Climate Change

Click here to watch and hear Greta Thunberg speak in this wonderful video. I loved it. She has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy work for climate change.