Classic Low Country Cottage

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This is wonderful, isn't it? I have always loved low country cottages and this one is extra special. I finished my mowing today and it was a perfect day. The humidity was low and it wasn't too hot. There was a nice breeze, the kind you can feel blowing through your hair. I loved it. I had my central air surviced on Tuesday and turned it on for the first time this year. I got the house nice and cool just in time to turn it off and open all the windows again. I am a happy camper! xo

Trellis Love

via This is a clever way to train your wisteria to surround your entrance and keep it off the clapboards. It's lovely! I need to cut mine back because it's going wild and is quite happy with all the downpours we've been having. I did some intense mowing yesterday and plan to repeat the process today before the dark clouds overhead open up again. xo

Happy Music and a Sidekick

https://youtu.be/avlOGya53IU 

Click on this link if you can't see the video below.

Shower Love

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Best shower ever and a very thoughtful design.

My Lacecap Hydrangea

Pale blue flowers on this bunch.

All white flowers on this bunch.

Pink flowers on this bunch.

All on the same woody shrub that blooms on last year's growth. It is really thriving after all the rain we've had recently.

Architect's Own Seaside Cottage in Brooklin Maine

Architect Gil Schafer's dream kitchen.

Entrance hall at the seaside cottage.

There is so much more to see and love here. Enjoy! Keep scrolling. It's a great project by a great architect.

Lakeside Dining

 

This looks like a great place to enjoy the summer, doesn't it? via

Built to Last

I adore the carved stonework around the recessed door and the stone window surround. There is almost nothing requiring paint and upkeep and nothing to attract insect infestation. This is my idea of a forever house where you can just get on with living and enjoying rather than maintaining. Sadly, this thinking has gone out the window unless the end user has full control of the construction process and access to old world craftsmen who are not in a rush. The flowers are the icing on the cake. via

Best Porch Swing

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This swinging sofa on a three season porch looks delightful. I think it would be perfect for long summer naps if the cute little dog would be willing to share.

BEST DOG BOOKENDS

Do want! I adore these two good boys 🐾🐾 holding up the old books. via

Cottage Detail: Blue Stair Treads

This cottage hallway and curved stairs with blue painted treads is simply wonderful. I love the perfect proportions of everything in this photograph, especially the fine woodwork. Perfection! via

Decorated Envelope Flaps

These decorated envelope flaps are so beautiful and inspiring for all letter writers. via

Gorgeous New House Charlotte, NC

Pursley Dixon Architecture. 

New House in Charlotte NC

Bella Loren Photography

Pursley Dixon Architecture, Inc

House Tour Here

Just wonderful!

Greenhouse Envy

Who could ask for more? This greenhouse is perfect in every way, isn't it? I love the hardscaping too. via

Very Nice Home Office

The arrangement of this home office is very pleasing to my eye. The large mirror on the wall enables the sitter to see who is entering the room even though the chair is facing the wall. This chair placement is against all the rules of feng shui: 

What a “Study Desk Back Facing Door” Means in Feng Shui. Your back should be supported by a solid wall when sitting at your study/office desk. If you have your back facing the door, it will have negative effects like: It will give you a sense of insecurity and you will be easily distracted. 

I have also read this chair placement is back luck because someone can sneak up on you and stab you in the back. And if you love watching mysteries as much as I do, you know this is true. Smiley face.

Image source. 

Gorgeous Kitchen Cupboard

This built-in cupboard is wonderful. The kitchen would still be lovely without it but it really makes the room and is well worth the effort. Love it! via

Bluebill Duckling Love

A darling fluffy bluebill duckling to start your Monday with a smile. via

End of A Perfect Weekend

This photo personifies the end of a perfect weekend, doesn't it? Hope you had one too. via

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY 2020

Be safe and have a great (new normal) holiday weekend. I'm getting my essentials ready!

Hummingbird Nest with Umbrella

Birds are so smart. I love this mama hummingbird's inginuity. via

H A P P Y   F O U R T H   O F   J U L Y

Poppy Seed Pods

I gathered these seed pods yesterday morning and I couldn't believe the size of this bunch after only three days. Needless to say, I will have plenty of seeds for next years poppy patch. Have a wonderful July 4th.

My Cottage Photographed from Way Back

My cottage from the back 40 showing all the natural landscaping since I haven't mowed this section in about 3 years. I still mow my walking path though. I posted this on Instagram several days ago. My dry spell is over and everything is as green as can be and the wild raspberries will be ripe soon. Happy summer. xo

Hello July. Pool + Garden in Normandy

I am blown away by this wonderful place to swim in Normandy France. I love the natural tall grasses planted as a hedge around the wooden decking. This is where we shall have our virtual swim this week to welcome in July and July 4th. via

Cozy Cat in A Box

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This photo makes me so sleepy. Good night to all. xo

Blackberries in a Basket

My mother and I used to love to go blackberry picking. We knew a huge patch where you could stand in one spot and pick enough for a pie. Sadly, it has been developed and the blackberries are gone. Sob. via

Best Pool

Time for a virtual swim and this is the pool I have chosen for mine. via

Swan Lake: A Terrier in Paris

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I'm assuming this is somewhere in Paris. The little dog seems very calm, doesn't he?

P E R F E C T I O N

If this isn't perfection, I don't know what is!

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Have a great weekend!

Beautiful Entrance

This door surround is stunning. I love looking at architectural details and wish I could see more. Have a great weekend. xo via

Sheep Admiring the Poppies

I guess you know why I liked this photo, right? via

Happy Bunny with Vegetables

What a wonderful garden and a pet rabbit too! via

Lacecap Hydrangea and a Poppy Pod

I took this photo late in the evening last night before putting the house to bed. My lacecap hydrangea is covered in beautiful blossoms after a dubious beginning. As you can see from the burned leaf edges, it suffered twice from killing frosts in March. This woody shrub blooms on last years growth so I didn't cut anything back and I am glad I didn't. I shall cut it back quite severely after the blooms die off this year and give it plenty of time to put out new growth for next year's flowers.

I will harvest this seed pod soon to encourage more blooms on my poppies. I already have quite a few for planting in the fall or early spring. These flowers are giving me great pleasure every time I look out any of my rear windows. They are responding to my nurturing too.