Meet Henry

This is our little house guest for a few days. He goes home late this afternoon. Henry is a picky eater but I finally figured out his problem. His food is tasteless! Sooooooo, I've been doctoring it up. This morning I poured hot soy milk left over from my latte over his cold wet food from the fridge and I mixed some of Webster's kibble along with the awful stuff he brought. Henry became a member of the 'Clean Plate Club' for the very first time ever this morning! See that wagging tail? I think he wants more.  

iPad Apps: History Lessons on the iPad

What's wrong with this picture? It's pretty daunting to think about what our forefathers achieved with a quill pen and a bottle of ink, isn't it?

Top iPad apps to teach kids about government and US History

Edward BIDDLE (1738-1779) uncle of Richard Biddle, a Delegate from Pennsylvania; born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1738; entered the provincial army as an ensign in 1754, promoted to lieutenant and captain, and served until 1763, when he resigned; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Reading, Pa.; member of the State assembly 1767-1775, serving as speaker in 1774; member of the provincial convention held at Philadelphia in 1775; again a member of the State assembly in 1778; Member of the Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1775; died at Chatsworth, near Baltimore, Md., September 5, 1779; interment in St. Paul’s Churchyard, Baltimore, Md. via

The Muppets Fight Back

Mitt Romney's comments about cutting funding to PBS during Wednesday's presidential debate inspired a new political demonstration: The Million Muppet March. I couldn't believe my ears. I love PBS and don't know one single person who does not.

Click here if you can't see this video published by The New York Times.

See Statement from PBS following the debate here.

Don Draper Quote

via

Leaf Study

Pretty soon all of these leaves will be on the ground. We are going to have a little more summer today as the temperature is supposed to rise to 80 degrees and I think it will feel good. The predicted high on Sunday will be only 54 degrees. I think I'll clean out my fireplace and get ready for a good roaring fire when I watch PBS on Sunday night. See you later.

my iPhone photo

Dog Does Not Fetch the Ball

I love these telling notes with photos of the guilty dog from Dogshaming.

Upstairs Downstairs Season 2

Will you be watching Upstairs Downstairs, Season 2, Episode 1 this Sunday October 7th on PBS? There are so many good programs on Sunday nights now. I need another DVR! via

A Fine Kitchen

This kitchen has some great features that I love including the built-in open cupboard to the left of the range and the large picture window. I would love to see the rest of this fabulous country kitchen. via

Screen Door for the Dogs

Which came first, the screen door or the dogs? I prefer to think the door was designed and custom made just so the dogs could see out. It's a great one too! via

HaHa - Halloween Dog

Boo.

via

Traveling in Style

Wow. This is a wonderful vintage photo, isn't it? Don't you absolutely love the style of the trailer with its wings? It's mid-century modern on wheels! The station wagon is pretty wonderful too. via

Owl, Out On A Limb

©patrick wittenby on flickr via This is a wonderful shot, isn't it?

Great Reading Chair

Don't you absolutely love this image!!!? What a great idea. The lady is Rowena Cade, a genuine english eccentric. Read a tiny bit more about her here, here, and much more here. I love her style!

Make-Do Repair

I guess this hand-made grain scoop started to develop a grain split. This lovely repair adds such character to the piece, doesn't it? Now it's a work of art and many people collect items that have been lovingly and artistically repaired. via

Autumn in Nixonton NC

This house is calling out to be rescued. Please, somebody find it, buy it and restore it because it has such good bones. via AUTUMN IN NIXONTON by IAN VON TALEE on Flickr.

A Colorful Leaf on My Stone Patio Floor

The colorful leaves are one of my very favorite things about autumn. I photographed this one last week when I went outside to feed Tabitha. I liked the way it was positioned against rhe rocks in the floor. Hello October! September went quickly, didn't it? Yikes.

Autumn Leaves at My Cottage

I took this photo with my iPhone while walking the Wonder Dog after dinner in the way back. The setting sun was shining brightly on this cluster of oak leaves. 

Scarf Weather is Almost Here

This photo makes me want to dig out my knitting needles and whip up a new scarf for the cooler weather. My favorite gray cashmere knit scarf has so many moth holes I don't think I could ever mend them. Nothing else in my closet or drawers has a single one so I guess my moths are particular. I still use it though for yard chores and with my pajamas when I'm watching TV in bed on chilly evenings. image 

Meet Pyewacket the Cat

The players: Chloe the miniature long-haired dachshund, Winston the Cairn Terrier, and Pyewacket the beautiful black and white cat.

She is a barn cat that occasionally goes in the house for a little R&R. Webster is sad that his job has ended. We're getting another gig for a few days next week. He doesn't know yet and he will be happy to learn it will be in-house.

The rest of my Living Room

Here is the rest of the room where my recent panoramic view left off. Have a nice Sunday.

Painted Screen As Wall Mural

I photographed this large folk art painted screen recently at an open house. It was the focal point of the entrance hall. The house was beautiful and the furnishings were lovely. It sold right away and the new owners have already moved in. 

Be Still

Isn't this the perfect image to illustrate this beautiful quote? Are you doing anything exciting this weekend? As soon as I have another cup of coffee and finish my 'ground hog day' chores I'm off to the annual fireman's auction and sale in town. We only have trash day once a year and the firemen pick up donated 'good stuff' to sell in tents, fields, and in the firehouse. It's always a fun day terminating with all the books being really cheap after 4pm. You get to fill a big grocery bag full for a dollar or two. This is a great opportunity to get all of your winter reading lined up. There is food on the grill too. I usually come and go several times throughout the day since certain areas are like an archaeological dig. Who knows what could be hiding at the bottom of the pile? See you later. Have a great weekend. image source

Goodnight World

This photo illustrates how I feel right now perfectly purrfectly. I can't wait to jump in bed and fire up the DVR for some quality TV watching. I'm sorry I've been neglecting my blog and the comments of late but there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything. This time of year is a busy one for most of us so I know you understand. Have a great weekend. See you tomorrow. Goodnight!

Carving Nautical Pumpkins w/ Templates

You will definitely want to jump over to Completely Coastal to view these wonderful pumpkins you can carve. There is a slideshow, a tutorial, and free templates to download. I think they are fabulous!

Rufus Porter Mural

I loved seeing this mural in the style of Rufus Porter earlier this week. It looks so nice! My photo [click to enlarge].
Rufus Porter was a traveling folk artist and inventor who decorated walls with stenciled images and original paintings throughout New England during the first half of the 1800s. via

Auction of Brooke Astor's Possessions

Lot #67 A VERY GOOD READING LIBRARY OF STANDARD AUTHORS MOSTLY 19th C.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000 USD
LOT SOLD. 74,500 USD
(Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

including Voltaire, Casanova, Sir Walter Scott, Joseph Conrad, Washington Irving, William Makepeace Thackeray, Edward Gibbon, George Eliot, Charles Darwin, William Shakespeare, George Meredith, James Fenimore Cooper, Honore de Balzac, Ivan Turgenev, and a set of The British Poets, mostly bound in full or half morocco or calf. Approximately 711 volumes. 

I'm so happy her things brought so much more than the pre-auction estimates, aren't you? Click here to see some prices on other things. Animal things, including dogs here. via Sotheby's

More Ivy Under Control

Now this is impressive! One can only imagine the task of keeping this ivy so beautifully and artistically maintained. WOW.

Wonderful Bookcase w/ Antiquarian Books

I love it all and the studded library ladder too. via

Love the Windows

I wish you could see this room in person. You would never want to leave. My photo.

Cozy Room for Autumn

I adore this room with its deep stone walls and the stove inside the fireplace looks so inviting, doesn't it? That time of year has finally arrived at my house and I'm so glad. via

All White Kitchen

Tudor Revival house by architect Donald Lococo and designer Darryl Carter. Architectural Digest. via I love the dark floors and the beamed ceiling in this restoration, don't you?

What's Behind the Green Door?

The green door works with this house, doesn't it? I love the eyebrow windows. via

Hydrangea Leaves

I love photographing these leaves in bright sun. The veining is so beautiful. 

For The Birds

A lovely littly ivy covered cottage for the birds. Did you watch the Emmys last night? I stayed up until the very end. I was very happy for Homeland but a little disappointed that Mad Men was completely shut out. Did your favorite show get an award?

my photo

Late September Sky

The late September sky was absolutely amazing today with lots of white puffy clouds. I love always having a camera with me (iPhone photo). I took this sometime between 3:30 and 4:00 in the afternoon.

I like the sun rays in the corner of this shot.

We Want Our Biscuits

Webster has been babysitting his friends this week. Before we leave everybody goes inside for biscuits.

We go to their house for feeding and walking. Webster is such a good dog buddy. He's always happy to get work and I'm glad for the photo opps. 

Amazing Home and Courtyard Garden

There are no words. I have been clipping my boxwood so I can really appreciate the work involved here. It's wonderful and so is the house. Have a wonderful Sunday. via

Smooth Sailing

I'm not a sailor but if I were I wouldn't mind being on this boat. via

Have a Restful Weekend

Doesn't this look like the perfect place to enjoy one of the last weekends of summer? Or is it the first weekend of Autumn? Webster and I have already been out for a morning drive with a stop at the Post Office to grab our mail. See you later. via

Antiquarian Books and Prints

They are always perfect together, especially in such a lovely bookcase. I plan to reply to the comments left on various blog posts over the past two days this weekend. via