Sunkissed: Small Brick House

This reminds me of my grandparents' house in South Carolina. via It's a gray rainy Saturday morning here at my cottage with the promise of sun this afternoon, My birds have been fed and the balcony floor swept and I have my coffee by my side, so all is well. Enjoy the weekend and I'll see you later. xo

Very Formal Bathroom

No detail was overlooked in the design of this very formal bathroom. I like the hand-held shower fixture in the built-in bathtub. The tub looks vintage and probably has claw feet that might have been too casual for the fine woodwork. I like the framed butterfly collection. The urn over the door and the presentation is worthy of a museum. The arched tunnel for the vanity is another nice touch. It's a masterpiece in every way! via

A Partridge in A Pear Tree

I just discovered Robin Lucas on Instagram and I love his artwork. This Partridge in a Pear Tree is in the Wildlife Artwork category. Enjoy exploring all the categories. xo

Antique Wooden Bowl in Bathtub

What a great find. You could look forever and not find an oblong bowl that would fit within your bathtub but this old house owner did. Found on this Instagram account that is a delightful mix of authentic antique decor. Enjoy. xo

Flicker Family ~ Beautiful Birds

I had two families of Flickers on my property this summer. I love these large colorful birds. I wish I could have seen their tree nesting spots and I was thrilled to discover this photo today. Both couples brought their babies to feed in my back yard and drink from my birdbaths. I feel confident they will return next year. xo

Fantasy Cats

I love this photo. I found it here with no explanation.

Missy Went Home

Missy went home in the pouring rain yesterday but I still have her crate in my kitchen. Weather permitting, she will be back this weekend. I think the only real downside to having a dog again is the deer tick situation at my house and maybe being forced to go outside in really bad weather. I am happy for now just being a dog sitter for a good dog like Missy.

Are you a picture reader? Did you know I always add the photos from my blog to Pinterest? Take a look here. If you see a photo you like, click on it and it will take you to the blog post. My Pinterest name is contentcottage because they limit the number of characters you can use.

Happy December! xo

Small but Sweet Kitchen

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This tiny kitchen is delightful and I can see myself working there quite nicely. Just a pivot is all it would take to reach what you need. Sweet!

Amazing Paint Decorated Cupboard: Before & After

This is a screenshot of an Instagram post by @axelcharlesdahlgren, a decorative artist and restorer and collector of antiques. This blank canvas is on a corner cupboard and fireplace surround in his own dining room that he built during quarantine, a project he had been wanting to do forever.

Can you believe this transformation? Go to his Instagram Account and see more photos of this project and be more impressed than you already are. Isn't it fabulous? xo

Decorated Hot Chocolate

I guess you have to make your own marshmallow men -- I see thick ones in the background. Martha Stewart makes them all the time. Maybe you could flatten out store-bought ones with the rolling pin and cut out with cookie cutters. Anyway, it's a cute idea. via

Cozy Sofa in Home Library

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This cozy arrangement would suit me just fine. I could prop my feet on the table, easily reach the bookshelves, have a proper reading light that is adjustable, open the window for fresh air, go outside easily. and ther is probably another seating arrangement that would please me on the opposite side. Enjoy your Sunday. Bad weather with wind and rain is coming tomorrow so I will try be prepared. xo

Dog Sitting Weekend with Missy

Missy came over early Friday morning and has been a perfect house guest ever since. She is well behaved and very mellow. She asks for nothing but is grateful for every kindness shown to her. Her crate is in the kitchen with the door open and she is enjoying the new bedding I put inside. She can't decide which dog bed she prefers, Webster's old blue one or the mattress pad and pillow with a flannel pillowcase in her crate. She's a good walker too and doesn't pull on the lead. 

Her eyelashes match the color of her fur. I think she's an English Setter. She had a haircut on Tuesday to prepare for her good girl visit. Have a great weekend. xo

Birch Forest in Fall

Could anything be lovelier than this birch grove in fall? I think not. via

Kitchen Opening to Family Room with Fireplace

I think this room arrangement is better than having a fireplace in the kitchen. It's the best of both worlds having it overlook the family room. Love it all, don't you? designed by Amelia T. Handegan, Inc. Interiors Charleston, SC.

The Almost Perfect Reading Room

Add one ottoman and this room would be perfect. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. xo

photo source

Thank-ful Pie for Thanksgiving

I should have posted this earlier instead of on Thanksgiving Eve. There is a template for this design and a recipe for pie crust so you can embellish a FROZEN pumpkin pie from the supermarket. Tutorial and recipe here. If you are baking your own you could just use strips of dough and make these letters by hand.

H A P P Y   T H A N K S G I V I N G   xo

A Real Rocking Chair Porch

I like a porch with a floor low enough to the ground to not require a railing. That makes it so much easier to sweep and eliminates a lot of upkeep, i.e. painting. The view from this one is spectacular! via

Christmas Stars from Paper Bags: Video Tutorial

This is the best and easiest video tutorial I have ever seen. You can make Christmas stars from brown paper lunch bags and craft glue. You will need scissors and ribbon for hanging. Nothing else. The hardest part is waiting for the glue to dry. Found on Instagram @clausdalby.

Stunning Bathroom with Tile "Rug"

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This could be my favorite bathroom ever. Yes, I do think it is. I love its elegance and simplicity and the woven tile rug on the floor is spectacular.

Foolproof Pie Dough w/ Video Tutorial

I always look at and read recipes for pie crust but have never found one that is foolproof. I think this one might be it. The recipe makes two crusts. It looks pretty simple and straightforward and I plan on making one pumpkin pie and freeze other round of dough. 

Jump straight to the recipe and print it here.

Read the lengthy article and watch the video tutorial here. There are lots of delicious pie recipes at the end as well. This is one-stop-shopping for pie ideas. Enjoy. xo

Beautiful Pie Crust

This is too gorgeous for words. It looks like the best pumpkin pie ever! Tutorial for this braided lattice top crust with recipe and 5 more decorations for pies HERE! You're welcome.

Red-bellied woodpecker at my Feeder

He is my favorite bird thus far and the showiest because of his size and beautiful red head. I hope he won't hold it against me when I get my sunflower kernels only bird seed without any peanuts and other tree nuts in the mix. Otherwise, I would be headed to the poor house in no time. This large woodpecker has an easier time at my feeder than the much smaller Downy Woodpecker who doesn't always latch on a perch the first try. But he perseveres and eventually lands and feeds. I am a happy bird lady and will continue to show you photographs whenever I get a great one. Happy Friday. xo

Row of Trees with Fog

This is a lovely portrait mode photo of a stand of trees, perfectly spaced. When planted long ago, someone had a vision and knew how far apart to plant them so they could mature in place and not be crowded. This is the way trees are supposed to look, flared at the base. It always upsets me when I see landscapers covering the natural flare with mulch volcanoes. via

Thanksgiving Shopping: Beatrix Potter

I am always happy when I find another new to me image by Beatrix Potter and I love this one. Have you started your Thanksgiving shopping yet? Some of these animals are enjoying friendship outside the store to catch up on the local gossip before going inside. Won't it be nice we WE can do this once again? xo

Topiary Heaven in France

This courtyard in France is stunning. See more photos and read Habitually Chic's blog post about the renovation of a ruin called Les Ramades in Provence here. I am partial to all of the outdoor photographs.

Activity at My Birdfeeder

As you can see, the birds have discovered my feeder. I have identified goldfinches, several nuthatches, cardinals, downy woodpeckers, red-headed woodpeckers, starlings (ugh), bluejays, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and mourning doves. Some are ground feeders only to clean up the mess on the decking for me. I am enjoying having them around once again and my new arrangement is working beautifully. I don't have trees near my balcony so there are no squirrels and that's a big plus. No bears can get up there either and yes, they are in my area. I thought I might have to take the feeder in at night but I don't. I am definitely going to have to hunt for less expensive bird food and will go to the bulk feed store nearby to see what they have. I don't want the unshelled sunflower seeds for sure because of the debris I would have to sweep up. I took this photo with my Nikon to get the action. I'll keep you posted on new bird sightings as the weather gets colder. The bluebirds have been going in and out of the bluebird house. They stay all winter and it's always a thrill to see them. See you later. xo

Gorgeous Cat Wearing a Sweater

She wears it well and that color is purrfect. via

All You Need is Less

This is very timely since emailing a friend back and forth this morning regarding her quest to simplify her life by downsizing. via

Outdoor Dining At Its Best

This would be a delightful setting for a wonderful outdoor Thanksgiving dinner, wouldn't it? via

White on White Painted House

I love an all white house and am planning that no-color palate when my cottage is painted again. I have similar architectural pediments over my front windows for interest without color. When I washed my house recently and released the shutters to clean behind them, I noticed they are deteriorating on the reverse side and will soon need replacing. The spiders will just have to find someplace else to live!
via @Upcountryliving on Instagram

The goldfinches that have discovered my feeder cannot read and do not realize their food is no waste. They are still throwing shelled sunflower seeds everywhere on my balcony floor. I am sweeping it up with the dustpan and transferring to a dish in my front garden. This experiment is not going as planned but is still enjoyable. xo

Bird Feeder on My Balcony

I went on a possible listing appointment this week and fell in love with the house and the amazing property. There were bird feeders everywhere and the birds were abundant. The owners introduced me to a "no waste" bird mixture that peaked my interest. I went to the nearby store they mentioned (Ace Hardware) and found bird food that met my needs. The label said it was for decks, porches, and patios and was no waste. All the seeds and nuts are shelled so there are no hulls to fall to the ground that might attract mice. I attached one of my tall step-in poles to my iron railing with two zip ties and pointed the hook toward the house. Any debris that might fall could be easily cleaned up. No birds have come yet because it has been years since I fed them. But they will eventually discover this feeding station that overlooks my catbird seat on the sofa and I might put another one closer to my kitchen window. I'll keep you posted on how long it takes for the birds to arrive. Happy Sunday. xo

Two Staircases: Polar Opposites

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An architectural masterpiece built by hand before power tools existed.

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No handrail. Better than a ladder but almost as steep. I am so happy to see nobody ever changed this.