Very Nice Screened Porch

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I like the sliding door, the outside light, and the decorative woodwork to protect the screening. A friend of mine calls this the XO pattern.

Lovely House, Lovely Landscaping

Simply gorgeous. via

Aren't the PeeGee hydrangea standards perfect?

I found a great tutorial for hydrangea propagation here. Keep scrolling down to see all the helpful hints readers have provided. I like the last method best. Here's the home page with helpful information on the enjoyment and care of all hydrangeas. Happy gardening.

Potted Topiaries

Look at the size of those pots. They don't look so large in the distant views. There's a lot of clipping going on in this landscape. Small hedges, huge hedges half-round spherical standards and perfect grass. I wonder how many gardeners take care of this property. I'm sure this is just a small portion of a much larger estate. It's spectacular, isn't it? via

Barn Before the Rain

We really need some black storm clouds around my cottage to water the grass. Tomorrow will be two weeks since I cut grass for the first time this year and it hasn't grown very much. Usually you can't keep up with it in the spring but we had a very dry April and May hasn't been much better. We've had a spritz or two but we need several days of soaking rain. The temps we are having this week are 20° hotter than normal to boot. Webster doesn't like hot weather one bit. Tabitha loves it and I am holding up okay. Off to an office meeting this morning. See you later. via

Traditional Kitchen in Nova Scotia

This home in Bedford, Nova Scotia is a coastal retreat in the city. The owner overhauled her kitchen to incorporate an upper level of cabinets, polished concrete counters, cork flooring and vintage-look taps. The island functions as additional workspace and adds a rustic touch to the space. The lantern is a fabulous find from Stadacona Lodge, a military hall in Halifax. via House and Home

Beautiful Outdoor Window Treatment

I absolutely love every single thing in this photo. The stonework, the window, the windowsill and especially the arched iron and wirework canope for the vines to climb on to give shade in the summer. via

Here's Tabitha, By Popular Demand

She was asleep in a little ball on the wood chips. When I opened the door to take her picture, she woke up and wanted to come inside. She loves the nice weather we've been having and so do I. Enjoy your Sunday evening. Tonight I'll be watching Call The Midwife, The Good Wife and Mad Men. I couldn't get interested in Wolf Hall. It seems more like a series for winter. 

Doc Martin, Season 7, Filming Now

We've all been waiting but will have to wait a little longer. The UK viewers might get to see Season 7 by the end of this year but American lovers of Doc Martin will have to wait well into 2016. I'm just happy to know they are actually filming right now in Cornwall and will finish in July. Read one article here and another one here. I have watched every episode and can't wait to see how they wrap up the final season. I love all the quirky characters in the quaint little village on the Cornish coast and there's something going on with each of them. For those of you who are new to this series, you have planty of time to catch up. Are you happy now? In the meantime, I'm enjoying Caroline Catz (Louisa) on DCI Banks.

Wisteria at an English Hotel

Wisteria, Judge’s Country House Hotel, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire England

I hope lots of British mothers are being treated today at this beautiful place in honor of Mother's Day. The wisteria is fabulous, isn't it?

Barn Swallows' Nest in Old Lantern

I wonder if she swings them to sleep? via

This is a nice clever spot for a nest. The babies look very hungry too. Have a great weekend. xo

Wonderful Double Bathroom Vanity

Much better than a bicycle built for two. via

A Wonderful Country Kitchen

I love the super large window over the farm sink and the built-in stepback cupboard next to the range. I'm sure the owners love this room and spend lots of quality time there.  It's the Belgian kitchen of interior designer Walda Pairon. Her husband celebrity chef Roger Souvereyns.

Another view of the kitchen without the table. See more photos of this home here.

My Wisteria is Dripping with Flowers

My ancient wisteria standards are all dripping with the most beautiful long blooms. It's a short season before they go wild again, putting out long tendrils trying to climb on something. 

Dogs in Their Human's Bed

This photo is so dear and brings to mind the old days when Webster could still jump up on my bed and get really comfy.

Webster the Wonder Dog in his youthful days on my bed. His muzzle is completely white now but he's still very spry for his 13 years. He is loving his new grain free Salmon and Sweet Potato kibble from Costco and it really agrees with him. It got rid of his gas completely and that's a wonderful thing.

I took this photo this evening after our walk. Now to watch the evening news. See you tomorrow. xo

Beautiful Retro Bathroom

If you do a bathroom like this the first time around, you'll never have to remodel. It's a timeless classic. Wilmette vintage bath, Chicago. JK Design. Judy Klein photo. via

Beauty in The Forest

I would love to have an outside lamp post crafted exactly like this. Mother Nature is the best designer, isn't she? via

Lavender Farm in The Cotswolds

Snowshill Lavender Farm, Cotswolds, England via

Beautiful Cat w/ Golden Eyes

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Those eyes. That cat. The ironwork.

What a lovely, perfectly framed photograph.

Baby Birds and Spring Blossoms

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There's nothing sweeter, is there?

I have house wrens nesting in one of my Williamsburg bird bottles on the back of the house and blue birds nesting in the blue bird box. I love the chitter chatter of the wrens. The bluebirds are very quiet. I planted two limelight hydrangea a few days ago, one in the back and one in the front. If they are half as good as they are supposed to be, I'll be happy. I got a big pot at a local garden center for a good price and when I got it home, it turned out to be two plants growing very close together. I was thrilled I was able to separate them. Read about this variety here.

HRH Princess Charlotte of Cambridge

She has a name: Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

The newest UK royal, a girl born on Saturday, has been named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

The middle names, of course, hark to her great-grandmother, the current queen, and her paternal grandmother, Princess Diana, who died in 1997.

Charlotte, a feminine form of Charles, is likely a nod to her grandfather, Prince Charles. via

The Princess with No Name

She's a beautiful baby, isn't she?

This Telegraph article contains the odds on her name.

Everyone's waiting to hear and it should be soon.

Such a happy occasion for the young royals.

Wonderful slideshow here.

Guinea Pigs Gardening: Beatrix Potter

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These two Beatrix Potter watercolors are new to me. Have you ever seen them? These gardening guinea pigs are in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

A Good Morning in May

Have a lovely day. I wish I had these two helpers to work inside while I work outside. A clone or two would be nice this time of year, wouldn't it? I just do what I can do and try not to fret about the rest. Have a great May weekend. xo

PS -- I'm really excited about the new Royal Princess weighing in at 8 pounds 3 ounces and I can't wait to hear more.

Seaside Village in Crovie Scotland

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Crovie, a small village in Aberdeenshire, is comprised of a single row of houses directly on the sea. Unlike the similar neighboring village called Pennan, Crovie is situated on such a narrow ledge that any cars have to be left at the south of the village. The cars in the foreground are parked as close as you can get by automobile. Hope you don't have something large to deliver on foot to the last cottage. Wow, what an amazing village!

Fritillaria, Checkered Flowering Bulbs

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The graphic designs on this flowering bulb continues to fascinate me. The name is derived from the Latin term for a dice-box (fritillus) and probably refers to the checkered pattern of the flowers of many species. Plants of the genus are known in English as fritillaries. Some North American species are called mission bells. Read more.

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester England

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Gloucester Cathedral corridors by Alan Coles

The magnificent Gloucester Cathedral was built in 1100 as a Norman abbey church and survived the Dissolution thanks to its historical connection with the monarchy. It has one of the largest medieval stained glass windows in England and an elegant and impressive interior. It was from this church that William I ordered the Domesday Book, and, in more recent history, the cathedral was graced by the filming of more than one Harry Potter movie. 

Read and see more.

The Manor, 12thC. Home in Cambridgeshire England

The Manor, Hemmingford Grey, Cambridgeshire, England, said to be the oldest continually inhabited house in Britain built in 1130. The house is open for tours. via

This home is fabulous and so fitting for today's life even though it's ancient. The size is perfect and the topiaries are amazing. This should be on your list of places to visit while in England.

Architectural Elements in A Garden

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It would be hard not to think of this as an outdoor cathedral. I went on an English buying trip for architectural artifacts with friends years ago and saw all of these items offered for sale.

Spring in The Country

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Spring in the country. There's nothing better, is there? Nature is unkempt and sometimes I think it's futile trying to taming it. My friend is already fretting about the crabgrass that is coming up in her lawn despite the bags of herbicides she had put down with her new spreader. I actually think she has more than I do and I have never used any chemicals. I think it all looks fine after a mowing if it's green. Weeds are a losing battle. 

Dyrham House

via - Dyrham House, England. Built around 1700.

Timeless architecture. 

So grand and built for the ages.

A Kitchen with A Fireplace

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This is fabulous. Agreed?

Swoon.

White Tulip Forest in China

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This is an absolutely beautiful labor of love.

Seaside Cottage Bedroom DIY Closets

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Well, if this isn't the cutest little seaside cottage bedroom! I never even thought of adding closet space this way in my own cottage that is very short on hanging space for clothing. A window like this one over the bed is on my want list as well. I could have one so easily since my bed is on a north wall with no openings. I would schedule a carpenter today if only I could snap my fingers and make it disappear in the by October since my bedroom is on the chilly side in the winter already. This would be perfect in the summer though since I am a fresh air freak.

Good Dog.

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I like it all, especially the respectful dog. This interior is stunning in every way and I love every inch of it! Homeschooling a dog has its rewards, doesn't it?

It is Spring Again

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R. M. Rilke

It's pretty chilly at my house but the grass is green and the sky is blue, so I can't complain. My daffodils have popped too.

A Personal Library in Connecticut

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Robert Couturier’s library, adjacent to his Connecticut home, is built around an 18th century doorway from a Federal house in Newport, Rhode Island.

Imaginary Cottage Life Artwork

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I love this imaginary cottage interior drawn by Yelena Bryksenkova. I wouldn't mind having a tiny elephant on my bed or in my kitchen having breakfast. Have a great weekend. xo

Cow Kisses

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If this doesn't make you smile, nothing will. The animal world never ceases to amaze me. These cows seem to really love that dog and he adores their kisses. So sweet!

The Wisdom of Winston Churchill

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