Everything Starts in The Kitchen

A home doesn’t need to be large and modern to have an open plan, as illustrated by this charming cottage where one side of the kitchen flows into a cozy sitting area. 

Kitchens continue to be the hub of the home, and increasingly designers are opening them to other living areas. In renovations and new construction we’re seeing few walls between kitchens, dining areas, and family rooms, so family members may easily interact with each other and entertain at home.

See more "hub" kitchens here in a 29 photo slideshow. I'm still busier than ever, currently organizing my books and cleaning the shelves, a daunting job.

A Skateboard Video w/ 14 month old Boy

A man gives his 14-month-old son a skateboard and zero instruction.

SIX DAYS from Colin Kennedy on Vimeo.
Cutest thing ever! Everyone will love this.

An Old Photo of My Kitchen + Pantry

This photo is from an old blog post September 2008.

My Kitchen Pantry, Newly Organized

My Labor Day Cottage Project included real labor to clean and reorganized the shelves of my kitchen pantry.

I must confess that this is the first time I have ever cleaned the top shelf and I was amazed that it really wasn't that bad. I'm still not finished but this is a good start. I find that I do better when I do a major project in dribs and drabs rather than all at once. I started by cleaning and reorganizing the first shelf last week. Then when the spirit moved me, I did the middle shelf. I was putting off the top shelf because I thought it would be dreadful but it wasn't after not being touched since 2004. I thought 11 years of dust would be much worse than it was and I was pleasantly surprised. 

I need to reorganize my cookbooks by size so they will look neater. I did get rid of some for donating to the annual firehouse auction this month. I hardly ever use them anyway. I always grab my few favorites or use a recipe I've discovered online anyway.

Are there any labor plans in your Labor Day? Have a good one. xo

Cottage and Garden Details

I love the porthole hatch on the dutch door so you can see who's knocking before opening up. The owners of this cottage have green thumbs as you can see from the explosion of blooms everywhere. I like the hanging lantern too. Enjoy your long holiday weekend. via

A Fabulous Long Porch

This would be a great place for shuffleboard, wouldn't it? via

Keeping The Bird Bath Filled

I hope we get some much needed rain after the upcoming long Labor Day weekend. Tending the wilting plants and watering places for the birds gets harder each day. There was a heavy dew this morning and it's much cooler and breezy so I'm pretty happy right now. See you later. xo

Arthur and Geoge on PBS: Set your DVR for Sunday Night

JudyMac just commented about this series and I was delighted to find more information about Sunday's Premier in my email today from PBS.

Arthur and George 

Based on True Events

Premiers Sunday September 6 on PBS

Special Time: 8:00 PM in New York

Based on the acclaimed novel by Julian Barnes, Arthur and George tells the real-life story of the case that inspired the famed author of Sherlock Holmes to put down his pen and turn detective.

A Pug Situation

So adorable. This pug's owner turned a sad situation into a glad one. via

First Preview of DOWNTON ABBEY, The Final Season

Downton Abbey is starting in England on September 20th but we in the USA will have to wait a few more months for it. Anyway, it appears we are in for a long good bye. Click here if you can't see the video above.

18th Century Summerhouse in Salem MA

A summerhouse designed by Salem architect Samuel McIntire circa 1798 behind the Gardner-Pingree House in Salem. I'll take this as my She Shed! via

Size Doesn't Matter to These Owlets

“Altia” A 7-week old Siberian Eagle Owl ~ The Largest Species of Owl in The World ~ meets “Powys” a 5-week old Little Owlet! via

Lovely Understated British Kitchen

‘The Queens Park’ kitchen. deVOL Kitchens, Cotes Mill, Loughborough, UK. via I love the paint color of the island and cabinets and the herringbone wood floor.

She Shed for Recharging Your Battery

Isn't this delightful? I keep reading about She Sheds for all the women whose husbands have a Man Cave. This one looks fabulous. Sometimes you just need to get away without going very far for some peace and quiet. Nobody gets enough sleep these days and this little shed might help with that. via

Back Door with Covered Porch

Photo not showing. See it here. http://www.wendyposard.com/arch2.html?10#

This is nice. Wish I could see more. via

Mount Vernon: Beautiful Historic Rooftop Architectural Details

Detail of historic Mount Vernon in Alexandria, Virginia via Simply gorgeous and so beautifully maintained.

Wonderful Seaside View

What a window. What a view, almost hauntingly beautiful. Love the fishnet curtain. via

An Authentic English Tudor Cottage

Ancient but still standing. via

English Tudor Cottage

UPDATE: ALL OF THESE PHOTOS HAVE DISAPPEARED 

I did not save them to my computer.

With its sloping roof, stone facade and tall windows, this appealing timbered cottage looks as though it belongs in the English countryside. Total living area = 1,695 sq. ft.

The romantic feeling continues in the living room, open to the second floor, with its large raised-hearth fireplace and French doors that lead to a side patio. There are also French doors to the outside in the dining room and first-floor bedroom.

The well-equipped kitchen provides a pass-through counter to the dining room.

The upstairs loft can be closed off as a third bedroom, while the carport can easily be converted to a den, family room or an enclosed garage. Also, with correct site location, the rear of the house is suited to a greenhouse room.

Foundation: slab.

Like it? Want it? Order plans UPDATE This company has gone out of business.

Lavender Topiaries Plantin in Buckets

These beautiful plants  look so nice in galvanized buckets with farmhouse antiques, don't they? via

Gorgeous Vista

A delightful combination of manicured and natural. via

Have a great weekend! xo

An Amazing Kitchen / Family Room Renovation in Alexandria

I am just showing a few kitchen photos of a whole house renovation in Alexandria VA by Harry Braswell Inc. More photos here.

Here Comes The Weekend

via

I am so glad I don't live for the weekends any more as I did when I was young. Now I even like Mondays.

Sheep at Rest on A Stone Wall

A gorgeous photo of a sheep in repose. They know how to get comfy in the most unlikely places, for sure. I am beginning to think sheep enjoy finding odd places to enjoy the view and then wait for someone to walk by and so they can pose for a picture. I'm glad this scene didn't go unnoticed. via

Greek Yogurt Facial

This is my new beauty routine while I am having my morning coffee. The best thing about Greek yogurt is its thickness. You can keep piling it on your problem areas as a facial mask and it stays put and is not runny. For some reason, I have had bags under my eyes recently that I never had before. I have been eating power foods and making a real effort to get some extra sleep and those things are helping. I leave the yogurt on my face for as long as I can stand it and I am seeing fabulous results. I have tried raw honey too. And cold coffee because I've heard the caffein helps shrink your skin. Now I am off to the kitchen to make a smoothie using frozen organic blueberries, half a frozen banana, soy milk, Greek yogurt, and some cold chai tea. Yum. Today I am going to add a tablespoon of Avocado oil I got at Costco yesterday, and I might buzz in a little raw oatmeal too. Summertime and smoothies are perfect together. xo

It was delicious! Best one so far. I didn't add the oatmeal but used all of the other things I mentioned.

Webster on National Dog Day 2015

Did you know today was NATIONAL DOG DAY? Webster rescued me 13 years ago and neither of us ever looked back. I took his photo to celebrate our happy life together.

www.nationaldogday.com

Who cares?

Maybe dogs aren't so bad after all.

The two pics above were found here.

DON'T FORGET TO KISS YOUR DOG TODAY!

Colorful Beach Huts in South Africa

Colourful beach huts at Muizenberg beach in South Africa. via Aren't these wonderful? So simple and in an unspoiled setting too, with nothing between these changing rooms and the ocean except sand. Great photo.

A Hole in The Walled Garden

This would like going down the rabbit hole on a vertical level. It's much more interesting than a conventional shape would have been in this secret garden, right? via

London-Designed Kitchen Details Love

Berdoulat Architectural Design, additional portfolio photos here.

Gorgeous Setting for A Pool

This is absolutely stunning in every respect, isn't it? It's hard to imagine this lovely reflecting pool full of flotation devices but maybe, just maybe, this does happen and people actually use it for swimming. It's very restful just looking at it from a distance too. The whole landscape design is wonderful. via

Today is supposed to be the last hot day before a cool front moves in my area to lower the humidity. Can't wait. xo

A Note to My Readers

The Lake District - Beautiful England

View from Tilberthwaite quarry, Lake District, England by alastairgraham19

I have never been to the Lake District favored by Beatrix Potter. It looks like Mother Nature's wonderland in this photo, doesn't it? 

Beautiful Vegetable Gardens

It's rare to see such bountiful garden beds without a fence. How very wonderful! via

Roosevelt Mansion: The Laundry Room

These vintage images make me love my modern laundry room. Tour the rest of the mansion via "Know Your Roosevelts" @ Big Old Houses.

New Zealand: Many Porches Circa 1884

The Annandale Homestead in New Zealand was constructed in 1884 as a hotel by the Hay brothers. Recently Pattersons Architecture spent two years refurbishing the home from its derelict state to the former glory it once was. via

This photo is of the beautifully restored Annandale. Courtesy of TripAdvisor

Kitchen Cabinet Detail w/ Spice Rack and Chalk Board

I like the corner of this kitchen and would like to see more! This cabinet door probably stays open all the time, right? I think the things on the bottom shelf would bump into the lower spice shelf. How handy this must be to have all those little things and your favorite cookbooks in one place. Love it. via

Another Great Porch

This looks like a great place to gather and enjoy the outdoors without being in direct sun. Porches are nice in the evenings too, aren't they? Thankfully, our bug season is over and you can enjoy being outside once again without getting eaten alive. Have a great weekend. via

Wonderful Round Wood Stacker

This would be great on a covered porch. Shop here.

Spectacular Fall Topiary - Wales

A beautiful scene in the UK. I don't think we have this tree/shrub in the US. Isn't it spectacular? via