Wink

Isn't this the cutest German Short Haired Pointer pup ever? via I am going to clean out my garage today to put things out at the roadway for our annual pick-up day. Wish me luck. 

Be Brave

This looks like an excellent thought for the day. via

Small Lake Cottage

Isn't this a sweet lake cottage? We aren't nearly this advanced but the maple trees in my woods are quite beautiful. Summer's back tomorrow and it's supposed to be 81° and that's a good thing. Have a great weekend. xo via

Interesting Chalkboard Wall

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Lovely Powder Room

Isn't this delightful? Love the wallpaper and everything else too. xo via

Hilarious dog bath.

HaHa. I can hardly believe my eyes. Have you ever seen a more contented face or a more relaxed body on a dog getting a bath? via

I miss having Webster in the Car

Don't worry, he's fine. But he can no longer jump into my car to go for a ride. It's too high off the ground. He can't jump up on my bed either and I actually sleep better because of that. Tabitha doesn't move a muscle all night long when she sleeps on my bed but she gets up much earlier that I would like. Right now, she's fast asleep in the vestibule all curled up on an old wool sweater in her cat bed with her food dish in plain sight. The rain arrived right on schedule and we are all enjoying a rainy day. Enjoy yours too. xo via

Rain on the Horizon for Tomorrow

Many of you already have it and it's headed this way. Be safe and stay snug if you can. xo

Which way are you looking?

I love to face the wind and feel it on my face. I never worry about my hair because I like it messy. via

Kitchen Love

This kitchen has everything and I adore it. WOW! via

Cape Cod Renovation

Kelly McGuill Home - click here for more delightful photos of this vacation home for a family of six.

Happy Last Day of Summer

A lovely late summer scene in Budapest Hungary. via Are you excited about the first full day of Fall tomorrow? The Virginia creeper is turning red and I'm starting to see color in the maple trees. Fall is right on schedule. xo

Lovely Entrance and Paver Driveway with Grassy Strip

Wow. This photo proves you can have it all. Don't you love the grassy strip down the middle? These ribbon driveways are coming back and this makes me happy. I found this one on Pinterest. There is even a whole category featuring this welcome comeback on Houzz.

MISS MARPLE Double Feature Tonight on PBS

Click here if you can't see the video below.

I just set my DVR to record both new episodes of Season 7 Miss Marple on Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. Tonight is going to be a wonderful TV night. I am also recording Madam Secretary and The Good Wife on CBS. I'm always happy when the good shows start at 8pm, aren't you? Happy viewing.

Did you sew as a child on a toy sewing machine?

I did and I had a similar toy sewing machine. I can vividly remember sewing doll clothes on the screened porch in the summer before I graduated to my mother's Singer in the sewing room. That was also at a very young age. We always had a sewing room too which was wonderful. I am selling this one on ebay. I photographed it in my guest room. This built-in cupboard with shelves above and drawers below has a pull-out slide that was perfect for attaching the clamp on this vintage child's sewing machine.

Webster, Tabitha and I worked outside all afternoon yesterday and into the early evening getting the yard ready for fall. I weed whacked and they watched. Really! They love to watch me work and they give me lots of moral support just by being close by. Our street was repaved this week and it looks so nice. Now both entrances to my circular driveway are nice and spiffy too. 

A Really Great Walled Garden

I took this photo yesterday with my iPhone. There are some really lovely secret gardens in my area and this one was especially beautiful. As you can see, it was a perfect day for touring several fabulous homes.

Some of My Favorite Things

Cubbies, wire shelves, bins, balls of string, twine, jars, pencils, labels, little gift bags, clothes pins, etc. I love it all. via

E. B. White writing in his boat shed

E.B. White writing in his boat shed overlooking Allen Cove, Maine photographed by Jill Krementz via

There's a lesson to be learned from this photograph. So many of us think we have to have a stage set kind of place in which to work. This isn't necessarily true, is it? Not that this isn't a special place but it doesn't look very comfortable. E.B.White's mind was probably churning with so many things he wanted to put down on paper and he could probably work anywhere. Jill Krementz's childhood home is near my cottage. xo

A Glimpse into Jackie's Fifth Ave Apartment

Jackie lived in the same apartment in NYC on Fifth Avenue for more than 30 years. The apartment overlooked central park and was a lesson in restraint, style and comfort. via Mark D. Sikes

French Choir Boys

Dreaming of Home. I found this wonderful video on Donna Baker's Blog called Gather. She posted the lyrics and the history of this beautiful song too. Choir boys always make me cry. This old Scottish hymn is from the movie JOYEUX NOEL and it's not on my must see list. Thanks, Donna.

My Fortune for Today

I have a can of Chinese Fortune Sticks that sits on table in my bedroom. When I think about it in the morning, I shake the can and open it up. Then I shake it at an angle and then pull out the stick protrudes the farthest and that is my fortune. The one for today was especially true. Here it is photographed on top of a book. "You(r) work is best done alone not in a group." That's me in a nutshell, the lone wolf. Busy day ahead -- see you later. xo

Do You Procrastinate?

Yes. I agree with this wonderful thought. Love the poster too. via

Cat Cleaning Her Dog Pillow

I don't think the dog ever moved a muscle while this cat worked so very hard to get everything just right before settling in for a nap. I got up way too early this morning thanks to Tabitha and I took an afternoon nap on the sofa all wrapped up in a big woolen throw. It's very chilly outside and inside too. For some reason I always resist wearing socks until it gets really cold. xo

A Sophisticated Bar

I am a complete failure in the bar department but I think this setup is lovely. via I have a similar étagère in my bedroom with 2 drawers. It's perfect for holding all of my iPhone and iPad charging accessories and fits perfectly in its assigned space. I'm always thrilled when I find the perfect piece for the perfect spot. I am officially out of room for any more furniture unless I get rid of something or become a magician.

Pretty Soon, This Will Be Me Too.

This is adorable even though I no longer allow dogs on furniture. He certainly must be having sweet dreams on this beautiful needlepoint pillow. I'll be tucking in soon to watch and learn about The Roosevelts on PBS. Will you be watching too? photo source

Perfect Way to Spend a Sunday Afternoon

I adore this photograph. It captures the perfect nap surrounded by a Duke's favorite things.

The Duke of Devonshire Taking a Nap in the Library at Chatsworth, Shot by Christopher Sykes. via

Mesmerizing Stream

This animated gif is absolutely hypnotic. I can't stop looking, can you? See you later. xo

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II |Page 83

These pages never get old, do they?

Thornton Hall circa 1695, Simply Elegant

Thornton Hall in Britain. This is late 17th century home is lovely beyond words. via

The windows pictured have segmental pediments and there is an open segmental pediment to the door.

© Copyright David Wright

Beautiful Entrance to A Secret Garden

Such a lovely door to a private garden surrounded by hedges. Oh, how I love the Chippendale panels and pediment. via

A Watercolor of Henry, The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

It's been a long time since I played around with the Waterlogue iPhone App. Henry was the perfect subject, wasn't he? He's very responsive to having his picture taken and his cuteness translates well into a watercolor.

Cawdor Castle, Cawdor Scotland

14th century castle. photo source

Cawdor Castle and Gardens Website here.

Saw a Beautiful Bathroom Today

On today's open house tour.

To the left is the shower in the photo below.

Isn't this tile work beautiful? I love the windows too. My photos.

A Beautiful Forest Floor

This is gorgeous. I love the ground cover. Mother Nature isn't so neat in my neck of the woods. One of my neighbors saw a bear on our street a couple of weeks ago and I found evidence that he was on my property too. Bear Poo! Exciting and scary. I hope I never see the bear up close. I'm happy all of my wild raspberries are gone. I'm sure he was just passing through looking for something to eat. via

The Peacock House of Furlow Gatewood

His houses are follies—each has been an excuse to indulge his passions for vernacular Southern architecture, collecting antiques, and interior design. Peacock House is a typical Gatewood creation: He assembled a motley but sublime collection of architectural fragments, designed the house around them, and had a wondrously understanding builder bring it to life. Max Kim-Bee photo for Veranda Click on the link for more photos of this delightful sophisticated Georgia Cottage.

Such A Lovely Library and Print Room

This is fabulous. Teleport me there now! I think I will need a more comfortable chair, please, if it's not too much trouble. via

Webster and Henry Hanging Out after Sunday Supper

Karen in VA requested pictures of Henry, our visiting dog. His mom is picking him up tomorrow and Webster will miss him. The only reason I have the little one on a leash is so he won't terrorize the cat. Tabitha hasn't set foot in the house since he came on Wednesday morning. If he sees her and he's not on a leash, he will chase her. He loves cats but Tabitha barely tolerates Webster so she wants nothing to do with Henry.

They have been fed, walked and watered so they are all set for the evening. I might take them out one more time before I bed down for Breathless on PBS. I can't believe it will be over after only three episodes. They really have a lot of territory to cover for tonight's finale. See you tomorrow. xo

Vintage Tartan Plaid Clothes Pin Apron from Scotland

Here is another item I'm selling on ebay. I got this cute little handmade apron from an elderly lady who had me help her clean out the house while it was on the market. More photos here. Thanks for looking! xo

Breathless Finale Tonight

Episode 3 is tonight and it's the finale as well. Maybe the mystery of Cyprus will be revealed. I certainly hope so. You can watch the first two episodes online if you missed them. The critics are saying it's a cross between Mad Men and Call the Midwife. PBS Masterpiece Mystery: Breathless

Rockville Presbyterian Church Wadmalaw Island, SC

This is suh a beautiful church, isn't it? via

It's still hot and humid but we are supposed to have some storms to cool things off but they haven't arrived yet. If they come at all, they are supposed to end by midnight. I sort of hope they blow over so I won't have to get up and close my windows. See you tomorrow. xo