Portrait of a Barn Owl

Too beautiful for words! via

Red Leaves: Too Pretty to Rake

These beautiful leaves were decorating the lawn at a real estate showing yesterday. The intense color of these red Japanese maple leaves was unreal. If they were at my house, I wouldn't rake them either!

Where's The Kitchen Laundry Room?

Can you see it now? Very clever, indeed. Tour the entire remodeled home here.

The Joy of Books (and Coffee)

via Book Porn

A New Little Pitcher for My Pantry

Today's thrift shop find: Stoneware creamer $3.50

Tiny little chip on rim.

Love the dogs.

Now this little pitcher is hanging out with all the other items with handles in my pantry. The white teapot has a small chip on the underside of the spout. I usually don't buy damaged things but these two were meant to be together.

Wooden Spoons

The season for spending more time in the kitchen is fast approaching. We want comfort food! Just a quick shot of some old wooden spoons in my kitchen to remind me to use them more. Not today though because it's going to be in the mid 70s and I think my mower is calling me. See you later. xo

Nice Laundry Room w/ Sliding Barn Door

I really, really like this laundry room!

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design in Portland Oregon via

Spiced Apple and Walnut Pie Recipe

I found this recipe in an old book dated 1991 on Country Kitchens that was published in the UK. This recipe was in the last chapter and I thought it sounded very good and so easy to throw together. I just happen to have a small bag of self-rising flour in my cupboard too. I must now go to my friend's house to pick some apples for this Georgie Porgie Puddin' and Pie. I don't know what vanilla essence is but it must be pretty strong since you only need one drop. I'll just use my regular pure vanilla extract and add about a teaspoon. I'll use raw Turbinado sugar and Avocado oil. I don't have any walnuts but I have a big bag of pecans. What do you think about this sweet batter pudding that looks like a pie or flan? You can google instructions for making your own self-rising flour if you don't have any. Will let you know how it turns out with all of my substitutions. Do you do that too? Some people I know are afraid to improvise in the kitchen. Not me!!! xo

Red Leaf Still Life

This one was too pretty to rake into the pile so I set it aside for a photo session. 

My Handsome Companion

Webster loved being outside yesterday in the nice fall weather. He "helped" me rake leaves and he slept like a log after being out in the fresh air and so did I. We both woke up this morning before the alarm went off even though we "lost" an hour because daylight savings time ended. 

I really did adjust the position of my sundial yesterday when it was in full sun. It registered 1:00 and I turned it back to noon. I'm always amazed at the accuracy of this timekeeper. 

Lamb's Ears in My Garden

Lamb's Ears are the perennial that keeps on giving. This is a cropped detail of the photo below. The tall flower spikes from the summer have been cut down ~ the bees loved them.

I have thinned and moved these plants three times and shared them with friends since 1976. Are these plants still being sold in garden centers? I have no idea. I probably got my first mother plant at Well Sweep Herb Farm in Port Murray, NJ

Thin Ice This Morning

There was a very thin layer of ice this morning on the birdbath. Can you see it? I went outside in my pajamas with bare feet and I was very surprised to see anything frozen because it didn't feel cold at all. The weather this year is perfect for Halloween trick or treating. Don't eat too much candy!

Vintage Halloween Postcard Video w/ Music

Click here if you can't see the embedded video above.
H A P P Y   H A L L O W E E N

Gorgeous Day at My Cottage

We have a glorious week ahead of us. No rain for 7 straight days and daytime temps in the 60s and 70s. Yippee. I see a lot of raking in my future and maybe some mowing towards the end. I like to crunch up the leaves with my Snapper in certain areas instead of raking them. The American chestnut has dropped all of its leaves on my lower driveway and I must rake them because all of those dreadful pricker balls are hurting poor Webster's feet. He tries to dodge them but there are way too many. 

Vintage Halloween Photo from NJ

Isn't this a wonderful photo? There was a story yesterday in the Star Ledger about Vintage Photos of Halloween in New Jersey and this one was my favorite. It was taken at a Halloween parade in Dover NJ and is undated. I hope the person who was pushing this Pumpkin Pram was in costume too. The pumpkin boy's expression is hard to read but I don't think he's too happy about being trapped inside this fabulous hand-made costume. I think it's adorable and perfect for keeping him nice and warm.

Topiary Study

Love the big scissors too. via

Morning Mist Rising

It feels like a September day instead of the end of October. The morning mist was still in place at the lowest point of my long and narrow property when I got up and headed for the coffee maker. I'm a big fan of fog as long as I'm not driving in it. 

Haunted House?

I'm sure these people don't get many trick or treaters! It really does look spooky, doesn't it? via

Listen to the Quiet

This is the perfect photograph for this quote, isn't it? via

Oak Leaf Hydrangea Leaves in the Fall

I took this photo at a realtor open house on Sunday. I do love the shape of these leaves and they way they change color in the fall. So lovely. It's cool and overcast today and will rain tomorrow. I really can't complain because we need it. xo

The Tiny Kitchen That Could

This arrangement would work for me. via

Wonderful New Old House

Is this a new house or a restored old house? I can't tell but I love it. I hope there is a staircase into the tower so the owners can climb up and look out. The wrap-around porch is fabulous, isn't it? via

October Apples

Old-fashioned ugly apples right off the tree are one of my favorite things about October. I have two friends with trees that are laden with fruit this year. I'm about ready to pick another batch this week. They are so delicious. photo source

Amazing Built-in Bookcase

These people were so smart to put in a bookcase instead of a raised panel. It's perfect for their larger antiquarian books. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes.

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. Anna Quindlen"

These homeowners managed to do both!!! photo source

Colorful Maple Leaves Reflected

The glowing maples in the woods next to my cottage look prettier reflected on my car windows than they do in person. They look like they are on fire! 

PS: I posted about a great 2007 movie I watched recently called The Water Horse. I found the complete movie on YouTube. WATCH IT HERE. Yay!

Pumpkin Path for Halloween

This is quite wonderful, isn't it? They must be having a party! Houses like this don't get too many trick or treaters as a rule. Kids like for the houses to be closer together and this long driveway might be a very scary walk in the dark. via

Beautiful Barn Owl

I've always loved the heart-shaped face of a barn owl. This one looks happy to be inside looking out. via

Harrisville Hill House, Concord New Hampshire

This porch is pretty wonderful, isn't it? It would be perfect for coffee and a sunrise this morning since it isn't too cold today. I know that's going to change soon but the weatherman is promising a high of 75° and that sounds good to me for working outside. I can deal with the tumbleweeds that are gathering under all the furniture later, right? More photos here.

Webster, Asleep at the Plate

Did you think he was playing baseball? 

He's a very patient dog, always waiting for a crumb or two of people food. Here he is a few minutes after licking muffin crumbs from a plate. I'm sure he's dreaming about more. 

Henry Moore sheep drawing

Sheep Grazing in Long Grass I, 1981

Henry Moore (British sculptor and artist, 1898-1986)

Ballpoint pen, charcoal, wax crayon, chinagraph, watercolour wash. via

Spider Attack

Simple.

Understated.

Just Wonderful.

The Water Horse Movie: Ardkinglas House, Scottish Manor House

Ardkinglas House on the shore of Loch Fyne, Argyll

Situated on the shores of Loch Fyne in Argyll, against a spectacular background of mountain and forest, Ardkinglas House is an architectural gem.

This manor house is the real star of the 2007 movie, The Water Horse. I watched it several days ago and loved it. The manor house if full of antiques and the decorating is wonderful, better than Downton Abbey.

Read Roger Ebert's two thumbs up review here.

Like most British family films, "Water Horse" doesn't dumb down its young characters or insult the intelligence of the audience. It has a lot of sly humor about what we know, or have heard, about the Loch Ness monster and various frauds associated with it, and fills the edges of the screen with first-rate supporting performance. Imagine a family film with actors the caliber of Emily Watson, Ben Chaplin and Brian Cox as an old-timer who spins stories in the local pub."

I ran across this film quite by accident and decided to watch it because it stars Emily Watson, one of my favorite British stars. Watch it, you'll like it.
photos via Google images

UPDATE: I found the complete movie of The Water Horse for you on YouTube. WATCH IT HERE. Yay!

Such A Lovely Sunrise

This misty morning sunrise is spectacular, isn't it? I have tall trees in front of my rising sun so the sun's pretty high in the sky before I can see it. When the trees are bare in the winter, I have more misty mornings. via

West Indies Meets Low Country: Nice!

The wooden counter tops are great, aren't they? The ceiling treatment is wonderful too.

I love the triple double-hung windows over the sink. Most builders try to convince you to put casement windows in this location because they are easier to open and close. Nope! I don't like the screens inside and those cranks always break. I have a special stick with a rubber tip for opening mine. Closing them is no problem.

Tour the rest of this amazing home on a coastal island in South Carolina here. 

Wonderful Small Garden and Shed

Actually, the garden isn't that small if you consider both sides of the wide path. I would want that shed to be at least twice as large to accommodate all my stuff. A window or two would also be nice. via

I have been working outside non-stop this week. I got my riding mower back from the shop on Thursday and mowed my entire property. It's never looked better and I am thrilled. There's nothing like a good blade sharpening to make me happy beyond words. For the past couple of years I have had my tune-up just before the last few Fall mowings before putting my Snapper to bed for the winter and that has worked out very well. This way, it's ready for spring needing nothing but new gasoline.

I woke up to 30° temps this morning. I covered my few potted plants with old white towels last night and they look like Halloween ghosts. Enjoy your Sunday. xo