Laundry Room Extraordinaire

This room takes laundry to a whole new level, doesn't it? via GSMLS

My Cottage Garden Weeded

I am going to spread some more wood chips today. I have almost depleted my pile that has been sitting and simmering for about three years. They have decomposed enough that they have a rich brown color, almost like topsoil without the expense. The peonies have been chopped down to the ground and the boxwood have been trimmed with my "new" electric hedge clippers scored at the Firehouse Sale several weeks ago. I like putting gardens to sleep in preparation for the winter. Fall is such a great time to be outside. Have a great Columbus Day. xo

Sussex UK Farmhouse Garden

I worked on my front garden for about 5 hours today and it looks loved again. Not like this one though.What is it about England? I've never seen a weed patch there, have you? Have a great Columbus Day Weekend. xo photo source

Wonderful Outdoor Fireplace

I love the vines covering the cast stone. I see palm trees so this is in a tropical location which probably ensures year-round outdoor life. Hopefully, there is a pool near this beautiful fireplace which is perfect for warming up after a swim. So nice! via

Fancy Alphabet circa 1650

Like what you see so far?

Want to see the rest?

Click here. This alphabets falls under the works which have now fallen into the public domain, that vast commons of out-of-copyright material that everyone is free to enjoy, share, and build upon without restriction. Enjoy!

Toured This Cottage Today

It was wonderful and my customers love it as do I. I'll keep you posted.

Fabulous Door Knocker

This silvered door knocker is gorgeous, isn't it? via

Beautiful Fall Day

There are many more acorns this year than last. I hope that's a sign. Hoping for plenty of nice winter weather instead of plenty of snow.

Ancestors, Antiques, and Architecture

Wonderful double-hung windows too. I wish I could see them with the triple set of inside shutters closed. So many wonderful things to feast your eyes on in one photo! via

Kitchen: Tiny but Sweet

Wish I could see the rest. via

Quote for Autumn

Good advice. Smell roses in the summer and watch the leaves turn in the fall.

Almost One Year Ago

This photo of my property is three weeks shy of being one year old. It's a very gray and wet Saturday here at my cottage and Webster is in a food coma after kibble and oatmeal. Thankfully, Joaquin isn't going to be terrible in my area, just rain and wind. I have been very busy with real estate and finally have a strong contract on the old house in town. I'm happy to report it will be loved again after being vacant for over a decade. The house was holding out for a family and it won! Yay. Have a safe weekend and I hope you don't lose power and the storm isn't bad in your area either. See you later. xo

A Wonderful Children's Room

I had an opportunity to climb up some stairs like this recently and they were fun. I love the clever under the stairs cubbys for books and toys and even a desk. The loft is amazing and I hope it's a favorite spot for these fortunate children. Love it all. 

So far, all we have is rain. Have a great safe weekend. xo

Prince Charles Sees A Big Bird

Charles and Camilla don't think much of our American Eagle, do they? This made me smile. The original caption was "How Europe sees America." via

Mr. Toad Visits My Cottage

He's trying his best to blend in with the new wood chips, but I spotted him anyway.

My Newly Weeded Gardening Spot

I took this photo this morning. My grass is in dire need of reseeding, but that's a task for another day. I'm anxious to plant something in this bed that was nothing but giant Canadian Thistle a few days ago. We are supposed to have rain coming up from the south for 4 straight days and we really need it. See you later - I'm off to an office meeting and then must deal with some real estate paperwork.

Greenhouse Envy

With my Sunday helper we pulled a whole flower bed full of Canadian thistle, the worst weed you'll ever have. I decided to kill them for good by smothering the seeds. I had a big leftover piece of carpeting in the garage that was almost the perfect size. I had to use tar paper for the small space that wasn't covered. Then my helper brought me loads and loads of woodchips that were from a pile that was at least 3 years old. It's almost like soil and I love the look. Will take a picture soon, maybe tomorrow morning. Getting a new bed makes me want to garden again. Wouldn't it be nice to have a small greenhouse? Good night. xo

British Colonialism: Indian Summers on PBS tonight

Sorry I've been away from the computer for several days. I've been having fun and working hard. I hired someone to help me outside and today we worked together from 9am until late afternoon. I am pooped. I hope I can stay awake for Indian Summers. It looks like my kind of program, set in India, Season I begins in 1932. Here's a review from the Los Angeles Times. The premier is tonight from 9:00PM - 10:30PM in the New York metropolitan area. Enjoy.

Watch the trailer here if you can't see the video above. Enjoy!

Old Dogs

Thank you BarbV for sending me this link.

http://offtheleashdogcartoons.com/scoops/old-dogs-gene-weingarten/

My Webster. He's 13-1/2 and he's still going strong. 

He should be in the book Old Dogs: Are The Best Dogs

New Dog at My Cottage

He doesn't eat much, is very quiet, and he's house broken. Don't you love my new lamp? Found after having lunch with a friend yesterday when we stopped in a shop before I took her back to her marketing director duties at the Westmont Montessori School in Mendham. We stopped at The Grand Bazaar and we both found tons of treasures awaiting us. Next time we are going to pack a lunch and eat it on Sue's porch so we will have more money to spend on Christmas gifts and wonderful things to decorate our cottage homes. My lamp needed a little doctoring because it had just arrived and needed a little help. I was capable of doing the repairs myself and got a good price for adopting him. I love dog rescues of all kinds. Webster would have been happier if this little guy were alive to keep him company when I'm out having fun. Maybe some day. 

Cottage Kitchen Continued

I could tell you wanted to see more of this fabulous cottage kitchen. via

Wonderful Cottage Kitchen

I saw this in person on Sunday. Very nice! via

A Delightful Office in the Attic

Thisis fabulous, isn't it? A place to daydream and pay bills. via

Bird Feeding Made Easy

What a great idea.

Let them do the work.

Wish I had a big sunflower head full of seeds.

via

I did some quality mowing today!

Happy Saturday Morning

This looks like a very civilized way to start the weekend, doesn't it? Nothing starts for me until I have my morning coffee! I love this bistro set with arms on the chairs. via

Lovely Country Road

The house and barn in the mountain mist look very inviting. via

Road Trip in China

This photo takes my breath away. I would be so afraid to look out the window, disliking heights the way I do.

Hairpin bends on Tianmen Mountain, China via

What the Dog Saw

I would have stopped walking to look at this beautiful scene too. via

A Great Home in Atlanta

I like this peek into the pantry of this wonderful kitchen.

The butler's pantry is wonderful leading into the dining room below.

See more photos of this Garden Hills residence in Atlanta here.
Rabaut Design Associates, Inc.
Architects and Building designers

Bathtub Storage for Towels

I have never seen this tub-surround treatment before, have you? via

Lamps on Hunt Board at My Cottage

I put the tall brass lamps that were in my living room in this nook in my kitchen. You can see one small corner of my farm table and a little of a chair in the lower foreground. The shiny thing to the right is my built-in refrigerator. I'm still working around the cottage and have decided I will never finish. That's the idea, isn't it? If you ever finish, you just have to start all over again so why even try. I'm just going to do a little every day. I polished silver trophies today and the living room mantel looks very nice. Fall is in the air and it feels so good to be outside. xo

A Quote About Me

I totally identify with this quote.  

Life is not a competition. 

via

The Living Room at My Cottage

Good morning from Webster, The Wonder Dog.

Do we ever stop tweeking our rooms? I put my favorite lamps back in the living room and I love them. I took this photo first and it could have been the only one if Webster had been looking up. Have a great Sunday. xo

Lamp with light on.

Lamp in natural light.

I blogged about them in 2009 here.

Pup Wearing Hand Knit Sweater

It's almost time to start wearing sweaters. I think this precious puppy has almost outgrown this one because his back legs no longer fit in the slits. via

Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee

So lovely. I am looking forward to fall in New Jersey. We are already getting some color in the maple trees. photo source

Cutest Vacation Cottages

Tiny cottages in Lincoln, New Hampshire

Teleport me there, NOW.

I love vacationing in a tiny individual cottage.

via

The exact location has been found.

Gilcrest Cottages and Motel in Thornton New Hampshire

Nautical Kitchen

Nice tile backsplash behind the cooktop.

My Bedroom Bookshelves, Decluttered

The lower three shelves on the left side have been pared down considerably. I'm getting a lot of pleasure looking at this new arrangement from my bed which is reflected in the TV screen. Little by little, I'm helping a good cause and they are helping me in return. The annual auction and sale in tents and outdoors at the firehouse is less than two weeks away and I'm getting nervous about missing my chance to donate. Books are first. Wish me luck. xo

Fun with Shelves

It's so much fun to play with your treasures and arrange them on shelves. I've been doing this all week. Hopefully tomorrow I will show you the shelves in MY bedroom. Good night. xo