A Bed of Impatiens

I photographed a bed of impatiens outside a store in a depressing strip mall recently. They were trying their hardest to beautify the place and they did. I took this photo with my iPhone and made it into an etching to tone it down a bit. That's the thing about annuals -- they aren't at all bashful about being all they can be!

Wow, What A Reading Room

Wow! This room has almost everything I require except for a small TV. Maybe one is tucked in the corner. It even has a black rotary phone. via

Transferware Plate - Three Views

I've always liked this brown and white transferware plate.

Here it is in as old etching.

I think it looks nice as a stamp too, don't you?

Pouring Rain

one minute, sun shining the next. We are getting the remnants of Isaac. The sun is now shining brightly on my deck minutes after taking this photo with my iPhone.

The Beautiful Cotswolds

A beautiful day in The Cotswolds (by darren-johnson) via

Charming Country Kitchen

Renovated 1890s cottage, Ohio. The Workshops of David T. Smith. I love the bucket bench island.

Wonderful Hallway with Stenciled Floor

Designer Karen Blake via

This is too beautiful for words. I hope this is a dry area and there is never a waterfall of rain coming down those steps. I adore the triple hoop back windsor bench and the old sign above it.

The Site of The Yellow Jacket Attack

Webster and I are avoiding this part of the woods in the "way back" from now on. We got lucky with our first attack of the killer yellow jackets but might not fare so well a second time.

my iPhone photo

Two Silhouettes

I slept late this morning and decided you all needed to see this again. It's from Masterpiece Silhouette Theatre.

Webster wanted me to post this one for him. See you later.

Webster and The Bees

When I was walking Webster after dinner yesterday at dusk he must have disturbed an underground bee's nest because he came out of the edge of the woods absolutely covered with these tiny bees or yellow jackets. Luckily I had on a long sleeved shirt and I immediately started knocking them off with my bare hands and then with a broken off tall weed covered with lots of small leaves; it was almost like a broom. One bee fell inside my tall Wellies and stung me on the ankle. I succeeded in getting almost all of the insects off of poor Webster and we headed home where I gave him two antihistamine tablets just in case he had a reaction. I have no idea how many stings he got but he must have been on fire. He panted heavily for hours and finally found the coolest spot in the house under my bed. By the time I turned off the light hours later his breathing had returned to normal and I was sure he was okay. Today he is fine. He was so brave...he never made a sound throughout the ordeal...not even a whimper.

I Love LEMON Anything . . .

And this Meyer Lemon Pudding Cake is no exception.

INGREDIENTS:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 large eggs, at room temperature, separated
1/3 cup Meyer lemon juice
(or 1/4 cup regular lemon juice)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar, for dusting
read directions here

Such A Perfect Porch

It won't be long now before we can sit on the porch and look at the fall foliage. This would be the perfect porch to sit and look and rock, wouldn't it? It has the most beautiful visual corridor. via

The History of Labor Day

Young Mill Worker in Alabama

In 2008 I put together a great History of Labor Day and I still like reading it and watching the video with historic footage. In case you missed it or want to refresh your memory, click here. 

We have a gloomy rainy day at my cottage. I hope your weather is better if you are going to a parade or having a picnic.

Natural Wood Kitchen

I think all of this natural wood is refreshing. I like the soapstone sink and counter tops too. They look nice with the stainless steel appliances. Two thumbs up! via

My 1922 Bronze Dog Medal

Below is a circa 1930 photo of Admiral Byrd receiving the "Bide-A-Wee" Medal in recognition of his humane treatment of animals.

Top photo is mine; bronze Bide-A-Wee medal circa 1922 from my personal collection. Read the history of Bide-A-Wee, founded in 1906 here.
Named for the Scottish expression “Stay a While,” the organization maintains facilities for rescue, adoption, training of pet owners in proper care of animals and even operates pet cemeteries.

Want This Sandwich for My Lunch

I see melted cheese and crisp bacon on toasted bread. I don't know what else is in there, but I'll take it. Doesn't that sandwich look delicious? Yum! via

Paw Heart

Can you possibly guess where I found this perfect heart?

Last night when Webster the wonder dog was napping on the carpet I looked down and saw for the first time that the underside of his paw has a pad that is shaped like a heart. I can't believe it took me 70 dog years to discover this amazing feature in my sweetheart of a dog!

No wonder he's so sweet. He can't wear his heart on his sleeve so he found another way of showing his love. He always sleeps with one paw tucked under so the heart pad is facing up.

I Made Some Dog Money for Webster

Now all he needs is a wallet. I'm having so much fun with my new app. I took an iPad photo of a 1922 bronze dog medal in my collection and turned it into a Dog Dollar.

My Mother and A Giant Moth

I took this photo of my beautiful mother sitting on a giant tree trunk in Mendham NJ years ago. I added the giant moth from one of my antiquarian prints with photoshop. Sadly the tree isn't there now. I can't believe they cut it down just because the roots were interfering with the sidewalk as you can well imagine. There has to be another reason ... maybe it was struck by lightening or was diseased. It was one of my favorite things in that bucolic village standing proudly in front of a charming old church with a red door.  

I made an etching from a photo

I'm having fun playing with an app called ETCHINGS I bought this morning for 99¢. This is the July 4th photo I made in my kitchen transformed with the app. There are lots of other possibilities too. This is now used to celebrate the Labor Day holiday.

http://www.etchingsapp.com/

Peaceful Weekend

I hope you can get outside and relax over this long weekend. I'm going to revisit my friend's tree swing  overlooking a lake and take some photos. I took this one with my iPhone almost a year ago.

Elephant Rescue Attempt

This elephant appears to be trying to reach out to the stranded cat. How sweet. I hope there was a happy ending. via

Fountain and Flowers

This photo is almost too beautiful for words. via

DUTCH DOOR

This entrance hall is so beautiful. I love the big windows on either and the transom lights above. I would love to see this from the outside looking in, wouldn't you? via

Webster and The Oatmeal Pot

This is Webster's version of breakfast in bed.

Early Morning Light on My Fireplace

Happy Friday everyone. Webster is still in bed and I'm having my morning quiet time with my first cup of coffee. It's cool and crisp with nice sunshine and the feeling of fall in the air. Enjoy the last day of August and, for some, the beginning of the long Labor Day weekend. I took this photo with my iPhone. The new model is coming out next month but I'm still thrilled with the one I have (the 4S) so I won't be rushing to get a replacement. It's time for my second cup of java now -- see you later.

Tucking In To Watch TV Now

Goodnight. See you in the morning.

Great Craft Room

Isn't this a fabulous room? Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing! via

New Cottage - Reclaimed Materials

Traditional Exterior design by Minneapolis Architect Murphy and Co. Design. I love the rain chains and the no maintenance exterior. See a tour of this delightful cottage called The Gatehouse in Minnesota here (click on portfolio).

Comfortable Chairs All Around

This is a nice conversation area, isn't it? Comfy chairs all around in a lovely sun-filled room. via

Montauk Long Island

I love the unassuming country drive with the grass growing up the middle, don't you? The shingle style homes from the Hamptons to Montauk are fabulous. Are you enjoying the last few days of August? via

Old Garden Shovel Handle Detail

I found an old Nikon photo I took in my back garden several years ago. This old gardening shovel has a cracked handle so I use it as a perch for the birds.

Beautiful Country Garden in England

via

Beautiful Foyer in Aspen

Aspen foyer by Mcalpine Tankersley via Pinterest. I love it all. The door is especially nice as is the paint color but the door hardware looks too low to me. I would have to bend over to open it. 

Trinity College Library Dublin Ireland

Long room in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. This is simply wonderful if you love antiquarian books as much as I do! via

Almost Perfect Bedroom

I would add reading lights to the sides of the bookcases and would require a TV on the wall opposite the foot of the bed. Otherwise, it's perfect. Agreed? I'm up on the third floor paying bills and looking at saved photos. I think I must have already blogged this and I have no idea of the photo source. Those old boards with the great patina on the ceiling must have been old floorboards from the attic. I love the cozy size of the room. My own bedroom is about this size. I have bookcases and a television on the far wall. And a window on each side of the bed.

Dehydrated Water ~ WHAT?

I wonder how many cans of this were sold? Hilarious! via Flickr

Kitten in Training

In case you are wondering where your cat's bad habits came from. via

Cat on mega steps in Kyoto City Japan. I love the railing and metal finial caps.

via ponkan. on Flickr

Goodnight World

See you in the morning! via