Thursday, June 29, 2017

Potting Shed Envy

Cute as pie! Wouldn't you love to have this little potting shed in your back yard? This has been a very unusual year for gardening in New Jersey. It's still very cool for the end of June and we have had so much rain. The perennials have been wonderful and my peonies were never more beautiful. How does your garden grow? via

Painting by Bertha Wegmann: Woman Sewing

What a gorgeous painting!
Interior with woman sewing (1891) by Bertha Wegmann (1846-1926). Danish portrait painter of German ancestry. via

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Broadchurch Season 3 TONIGHT

BROADCHURCH: Season 3 premiers tonight on BBC America. It will be the final season. I don't know about you, but I need to read this article to refresh my memory on the characters before watching tonight.

Framed Botanicals on A Gallery Wall

Yes.
This is really nice.
I love everything I see here.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Bookplate with Pig Delivering A Book to Owner

What? The McBurneys must have had a pet pig. Their library looks quite delightful doesn't it? I would love to know more about this pig that brings books. Image found here. Bookplate was designed by William Fowler Hopson

Monday, June 26, 2017

Topiary Gardening

Loving these Rosemary topiaries and the flower frogs. Mine are doing well too. via

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Sunday Night on PBS Three Good Shows

Once again, PBS has 3 good shows in a row, tonight. Set your DVRs.

#l My Mother and Other Strangers 8:00 pm
Drama series set in 1943 following the Coyne family and their neighbors as they struggle to maintain a normal life after a US Army Air Force base is set up in the middle of their rural parish.
I watched Episode One last week and liked it.

#2 Grantchester 9:00 pm

#3 Prime Suspect: Tennison 10:00-11:30 pm

Friday, June 23, 2017

Eastman Johnson Painting

The Girl I Left Behind Me
Wouldn't you love to know the story behind this painting?
Jonathan Eastman Johnson, an American painter and co-founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art via

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Handsome Thoroughbred Stallion

Gorgeous Thoroughbred stallion named Tiznow. This horse is beautiful and so is his portrait. via

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Beautiful Architectural Urns

I have genuine urn envy. The classical architecture and the wonderful landscaping are simply stupendous. via

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Totally White Kitchen

Question: When is all white too much white?
Answer: Never!
This kitchen looks amazing. via

Monday, June 19, 2017

Rocking Chair Porch?

Exercise caution if rocking.
I foresee broken windows here.
Love the architecture.

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Wonderful Landscape Design

I love this simple bluestone path with patches of grass between each stone. Click to see more delightful photos from this Doyle Herman Design Associates project in Southport Connecticut. 

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Wonderful Open Porch

This open porch looks like the place to be in the summer. It rained almost all day here at my cottage but cleared up in the late afternoon. Here's hoping you are having a great weekend. via

Friday, June 16, 2017

Natural History Illustration: European Hare

This is beyond fabulous. I absolutely love this natural history illustration of The European Hare. via 

Thursday, June 15, 2017

My Peonies This Year (2017)

I only have five blooming peonies today, the pink ones. There are some secondary buds that will still produce small flowers which I also love. The white ones are all gone and so are the red ones. They were really beautiful this year, thanks to all the rain we had in May.




I took the last photo this morning. All were made with my iPhone 🌸

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Summer White Paint Colors

Here's another wonderful attic space with wide board floors, walls, and ceiling. If you are in the process of choosing the perfect white paint, be sure to read Perfectly Southern Paint Colors: Summer Whites
My short heatwave is over and it is cool and pleasant this morning after a very early shower to cool down the plant life. xo

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Dining Room WALLPAPER

This wallpaper is perfect for this gorgeous dining room. Click here for a much larger photo. Aren't those windows fabulous?

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Stupendous Kitchen

What a wonderful kitchen! There are really no words. via
Have a wonderful Father's Day if you are one or if yours is still living.

Friday, June 9, 2017

Breakfast in Bed

This little room certainly does look cozy. I would enjoy morning coffee and a muffin there too while organizing my day. This must be a very old house; just look at the width of those ceiling boards. This room is shiplap at its best, way before it became trendy. via

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Wonderful Architectural Woodwork

I love the treatment of the arch in this hallway. There are probably closets behind the double doors. Nothing beats a classic entrance hall, does it? via

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Wonderful Architectural Dining Room

Absolute perfection here. I love the architectural woodwork around the windows, the deep blue paint, and, of course, the period furniture. via

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Southern Plantation Porch

Can you even imagine a better porch? I love the high ceiling with architectural interest. The rockers appear to be looking out on the water too. How nice! Charleston or Savannah? Have a great weekend. via

Friday, June 2, 2017

Cat Wedged in Window

This image never fails to make me laugh. This adorable cat has wedged himself in the perfect spot for people and bird watching! Have a great day. via

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Joyful Birdsong

I wish this gif had sound.
I have never seen bird breath before, have you?
I must look closely for singing birds when I see my own breath in cold weather.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Oxfordshire Church and Wildflower Meadow

St. Nicholas’ parish church in Chadlington - Oxfordshire, England. I love this no-mow zone filled with lovely white wildflowers. via

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Memorial Day 2017 Lest We Forget

John McCrae, 1872 - 1918
Biography here. More history of the poem here.



IN FLANDERS FIELDS
John McCrae, 1872 - 1918

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Really Great Kitchen

There are so many things to love here, I hardly know where to start. Of course, my favorite thing is the nook with the stool and one-person table or desk. I think there might be another one on the opposite side, but I'm not positive. Have a great long Memorial Day Weekend. The rainy spell is finally over and I'm happy about that. My peonies are starting to bloom too. I'll post some photos later. xo

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Fun Vintage Kitchen

I love this old gas stove! There is absolutely nothing "staged" here and isn't that refreshing? via
It's actually in an AirB&B cottage in Nashville and this kitchen is about to be remodeled. Boo Hoo.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

A George Washington Collection

The 35 framed antique images of George Washington in Victoria's (The Queen Vee) new cottage in Utah. This photo was posted on Instagram where she is known as @queenv47 and she mentioned it in a recent comment on my blog. It took her 5 hours to hang this arrangement and I think she did a good job, don't you? It's always fun to see the efforts of someone you know, even a virtual friend! Two thumbs up, Victoria. xo

Monday, May 22, 2017

Architectural Aviary

This structure is absolutely amazing, agreed? The best of both worlds for the birds too. via I had a very busy weekend working outside in preparation for a rainy week. Monday's morning rain made me glad I pushed myself. xo