Lacecap Hydrangea at My Cottage

We had a heavy shower overnight but by morning it had stopped. I took this photo with my iPhone while the raindrops were still on the blossoms of my lacecap hydrangea. I'm having fun with that free iPad app from Martha Stewart called CraftStudio. It's fun adding decorative borders. Or do you think it's too much?

Things To Do -- Every Single Day

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White Country Kitchen to Love!

I like the layout of this kitchen with its open shelves for displaying special collections and its clean country lines. There is even a Chippendale mirror on the wall above the built-in microwave. I could be very happy here. via

Where Will You Be for July 4th Weekend?

Try for some scenery with distant views this weekend even if that means a trip in the car. Pack a picnic lunch and get out of town! The week of July 4th is supposed to be the most popular week of the year for vacations. Sunday is July 1st, so start packing now!!! via

A Slug Visits My Cottage

 

I was glad I had my iPhone in my back pocket early this morning when I took the cat and the dog outside. This slug was much longer than the photo. I cropped it because the front of this large slimy invertebrate was the focal point. 

Hoglets to Brush, "Are You Our Mum?"

Perhaps mistaking the brush for their mum, three orphaned hedgehogs find comfort inside a dustpan after being rescued from certain death. Staff at HART Wildlife Rescue Centre are being inundated with calls from people finding baby hoglets in their gardens due to the unseasonal wet weather.
Picture: Rod Kirkpatrick/F Stop Press

Do You Cook with Your Pets?

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Red, White and Blue Porch

Are you gearing up for July 4th yet? via

Beautiful Duckling

Isn't this the sweetest baby duck you've ever seen? I hope he brings a ray of sunshine into your day.

photo by Bob Garas

Moonrise Kingdom | The Movie

I saw this movie about 10 days ago on the first day it opened at my neighborhood theatre and enjoyed it very much. From the photo you would assume it is a film for children but my friend and I decided it was an adult film for children at heart. I found a good review here.

photo via

Walled Croquet Lawn with an Outbuilding

A croquet lawn within a high ivy covered wall with a delightful little building for storing the croquet set and garden garden tools plus a cute little dog. It doesn't get better than that, does it? I grew up playing croquet and have never gotten over my love of the game. via

Such a Happy Cat

Are you laughing yet? I definitely am!

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The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (Complete Movie)

Click here if you are unable to see the video. Watch it when you have time. It won an Oscar for 'Best Animated Short Film' at the Academy Awards this year. You'll see why when you watch it. Please share with all of your book-loving friends.

Aquatic Retrievers: Getting The Ball

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Write This On Your Heart

I shall do this -- starting today!

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Living with Dogs | Coffee Table Book

I photographed this book on a coffee table recently and forgot all about it. This is definitely a volume I would love to own. It's almost time for Webster the wonder dog and me to tuck in. We just got back from a walk to the 'way back' where I did my 20 minute workout with my new hula hoop....10 minutes in each direction. Counterclockwise was a snap with no drops. Clockwise was much harder but I did it. See you tomorrow. The TV is calling. G'night.

Cabin Fever - A Great House Tour near Madison Georgia

You are in for a real treat if you want to see more photos of several restored antebellum dwellings near Madison, Georgia via Garden and Gun

Cheerful Cottage Style

I love everything in this photo and wish I could see more, agreed? The yellow really brings the sunshine inside the cottage. Enjoy your Sunday! via

Lovely Sky at My Cottage Today

Low Country Cottage, Newly Built in SC

Don't you absolutely love this low country style cottage recently built in Ridgeland South Carolina? I'm crazy about the carport too. ©babyfella2007

Rinsing My Sweet Red Cherries

I cannot get enough cherries and my favorite way to eat them is straight out of the refrigerator right off the stems. I love the way they snap when you bite down on them. I must go and get more today because this small strainer contains the end of my supply. I hope they are still on sale. Do you love cherries too? my iphone photo

Welcome to The House at Blue Water Hill

Designed by Robert. A. M. Stern Architects
Continue the Westport, Connecticut tour here.
Enjoy your weekend!

Beautiful Shells

Nature really is the best designer, isn't she. I love the graphic design and colors of this shell collection. I have never owned any like this but have always admired them in shops and photos. Have a great weekend. via

Free iPad App from Martha Stewart

This amazing app for iPad from Martha Stewart is a free download until July 8th and then the price jumps to $4.99. It is amazing. You can type, write freehand, glue, glitter, stamp, use photos, use templates, and so on. It will amuse you for hours creating cards, labels, blog posts, etc. I made this 'card' in just a few minutes -- it's so easy! Download from the app store HERE. It's called Martha Stewart CraftStudio. Get it while it's free. You can thank me later. Free is good! 

*Thanks Martha*

Happy Second Full Day of Summer

If this photo doesn't illustrate summer, I don't know what does. It's lovely, isn't it? via

Dueling Watering Cans

ON GUARD! Is this a metal rain barrel/sink to catch the gutter runoff? via

DIY Toad Abode from Old Flower Pot

I copied this photo from Garden Gate Magazine. They have a delightful article you can pull up on your computer if you google:

inviting toads to your garden Garden Gate Magazine

I've tried including this link in my posts and some are having trouble figuring out how to view the PDF. Try it yourself from your own computer and see if you can pull it up. The photo is pretty self explanatory showing how you can to make a toad happy. You might have to use tile nippers to make the hole in an old broken flower pot bigger. 

This Dog Has High Hopes

I love the spirit of this photo because it reminds me of myself. I tend to think I can do anything I put my mind to and this mind-set has failed me only once. I was trying to do a superwoman job of moving a giant old-school television from a low table to a higher one and I simply could't do it alone.
I have almost mastered going clockwise with my hula hoops. Notice I said hoops? I have a new one that was a gift from a friend in Vermont. It's not wavy, is much thinner, lighter, and a little bigger than my first one. I like it and it's good to have a second one to give my workout a different challenge. 

Mt. Toad Revisited

I took this photo last night after dinner while Mr. Toad was getting a breath of fresh air. It was very hot yesterday and will be again today with a predicted 97 degree high. I put out a small stainless steel water dish for him and this morning it was filled with muddy water so I'm pretty sure he jumped in a time or two BUT he wasn't inside the toad house. I'm not too concerned (lie) and will keep you posted. I hope he comes back.

Old School in New Zealand

Isn't this old school in New Zealand lovely? The setting is wonderful too. Photograph © brian nz 

Dining on The Deck

Wouldn't it be nice to have a ground-level deck like this so you could eat outside and look at all of this natural beauty without looking through a railing? I love the mustard field in the distance. via

A Beautiful Reflection

This is such a peaceful photo, isn't it? I wish I had more information about the structure and the place. via

Goodnight iPad by Ann Droyd [Video]

 

OMG---this is too fabulous for words. View this parody of 'Goodnight Moon' full screen if you can. Click here if you can't see this AMAZING video. I'm sure everyone will be able to relate to this modern bedtime story!!! It's not for kids anymore...it's for all of us. Hardcover book available here.

White Kitchen Love

I am totally in love with this kitchen. The placement of the island gives the look and feel of a galley kitchen. This would be a great place to really cook on that small commercial range. Raise your hand if you like it too. via

Wild Grape Vines at My Cottage

I always look forward to photographing the wild grape vines. The leaves are so interesting, both front and back. My iPhone photo.

Breakfast with Tabitha

I took this photo several days ago when Tabitha ventured upstairs for breakfast instead of having it on the lower level with my Mom. Luckily I had a cute cat dish in the cupboard and some of her favorite kibble in the pantry. 

Mr. Toad inside his Toad House [Video]

He's all nestled in and seems to love being inside the Toad House. I made another video for you to see me tilting back the house to check on him. I think this gaudy ceramic monstrosity is pretty tacky but rummage sale shoppers can't be choosy. I forgot was too lazy to bring it in over the winter and some of the glaze popped off but he doesn't seem to mind. It's hidden anyway among the weeds. This time I remembered to have my iPhone in the landscape position for a wider video. I think my garden companion will eat a lot of bugs and insects for me and that's a good thing! Isn't he cute?

Click here if you are unable to see the video.

DIY Natural Vegetable Garden Markers

These would look so nice in a rustic vegetable garden. Get out your alphabet stamps and make some. Will you whittle your twigs with a knife or use a power saw to get your printing surface? I think this is such a great idea, don't you? via

I Love The Shingles on This Porch

I love the siding on this house. The shingles appear to be covered with bark. How rustic and wonerful. Nice front porch too. via

My Hula Hooping Progress

I'm still enjoying the weighted hula hoop I ordered in March. I've worked up to a 20-minute routine that's perfect for me. I can only go in a counterclockwise direction though. I am trying to learn how to go in the opposite direction but it's very difficult and I don't know why. I'm not worried though. I will master it sooner or later.

I listened to this book author recently on NPR's Fresh Air and it was very interesting. Click here to read the article and listen to the podcast, (listen to the podcast called 'stand up walk around'), this is Part I of the interview. It seems that the 'health benefits' from exercise are achieved in the first 20 minutes. Sounds good to me. Listen and learn.

HERE IS A GREAT DIY TUTORIAL IF YOU WANT TO JOIN FORCES WITH SOME FRIENDS AND MAKE YOUR OWN HOOPS USING IRRIGATION HOSE IN DIFFERENT SIZES. Have fun! LOOKS EASY TOO!