Repairs around my cottage . . .

This is what the fence looks like so far. There are no words that can express how hard and time consuming this task has been but I am very pleased with the results. It is just primed at this point. All the pickets had to be removed and 6" was cut off the bottom. The horizontal board (in plastic) is a nice save and I love the way it looks. The posts were originally encased in wood boxes with decorative elements at the top and bottom. The old pickets were set between the boxes which weren't holding up well either. I decided to put the nailers on top of the pressure treated posts that were under the boxes and attach the pickets on top with all the posts behind. My friend had to cut 8 new pickets because of the new arrangement. The finials are old turned door stops that I got at a flea market for $1.00 each. I love them. I've been at this job with my helper for a week now and we are almost finished. I had to do a lot by myself last weekend...washing all the boards with bleach and soapy water to get rid of the mildew plus sanding and priming. I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Here is an old photo showing the condition of the pickets before the extensive repairs began last week.

One of the geraniums I brought into the house to winter over is just putting out new blossoms. I do enjoy house plants this time of year. Six geraniums, 3 pink and 3 red plus my giant rosemary bush are just enough inside my cottage.

The metal table with a glass top was picked up from the curb. Really. My town's once a year trash day is a picker's delight. I got this from a house right around the corner. Isn't it perfect for my plants? Sometimes I can't believe my own luck.

Thanks for stopping by the cottage to look at a few of my photos. ♥Rosemary

Life's Little Instruction Book, page 136 + some photos of this and that . . .

My favorite thing about fall is the hard crisp apples from New York State. I took this photo while eating the other half.

Isn't this one of the most beautiful views you've ever seen? New Jersey has some surprisingly lovely estates.

The most beautiful path. Landscape architecture at its best! One can only imagine how long it took for everything to look like this.

The botanical wallpaper is perfect in this room. Wish I could see more. It might also be individual antique prints that have been glued to the wall.

An English gentleman dug this hand-shaped carrot from his garden, took a picture of it, and then cooked it for his daughter. In the USA, it probably would have ended up on eBay!

Such a beautiful family. I've always been fascinated by giraffes.

Thanks for stopping by the cottage for another page from Life's Little Instruction book and some random photos. ♥Rosemary

The Story of Stuff [Video] . . .

I hope you will find the time to watch this fascinating 20-minute animated film by Annie Leonard. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever. You can also download the PDF version of The Story of Stuff with footnotes.

The New York Times had a feature article about the film and its creator recently that you will also find interesting.

I've had a link on my blog for The Story of Stuff for quite a long time and it makes me happy whenever someone clicks on it. I was especially distressed to learn how much stuff ends up in the land fills due to planned obsolescence. The kitchen industry is now trying to make us all dislike our stainless appliances in favor of colored ones. I will not fall for this. Mine are only 7 years old and they are just fine, thank you very much!

Thanks for stopping by the cottage today for an eye-opening film. I hope you will share it with your friends. ♥Rosemary

Cartier’s 100th Anniversary in America, a Sparkling Collection Goes on Show . . .

Dazzling Menagerie of antique animal, reptile, and insect jewels by Cartier.

Read the entire article that appeared in May 2009 Architectural Digest.

Thanks for stopping by the cottage to view some amazing jewelry. ♥Rosemary

It's a Good Day [Video] with Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman . . .

For some reason this song was stuck in my head all day yesterday when I was outside priming the new nailers for the picket fence. I've always liked it and hope you will too. You can sing along since the lyrics are printed (using a wonderful font). It should get you ready to face Monday and the week.
Thanks for stopping by the cottage. ♥Rosemary

Three goats saying their prayers . . .

I thought this photo called "Prayer Meeting" was very fitting for a Sunday. It's by an unknown photographer.
There are two days left to get a free tall coffee from Starbucks just for tasting their new instant coffee Oct. 2-5. Read details here.
Thanks for stopping by the cottage for an extremely short post. It's a beautiful day with bright sun after a rainy Saturday. I plan on spending most of it outdoors. Webster and I hope you enjoy yours too. ♥Rosemary

Great article about The Recycled Houses . . .

I stumbled upon this wonderful article in The New York Times about a very talented self-taught carpenter who builds low-income housing in Texas using trash, found objects, salvaged items, recycled building materials and does a beautiful job. Left-over roofing shingles in many colors are artfully arranged on this home. Click on the photo to see all of the photos in the slideshow.

Kristie Stevens rents one of Mr. Phillips's houses. She is working with him on building a house of her own nearby, since Mr. Phillips requires the eventual owner of a house to help with its construction.

Mr. Phillips's houses use scrap wood for siding. City officials worked closely with him to set up a recycled building materials warehouse where builders, demolition crews and building product manufacturers can drop off items rather than throw them in a dumpster headed for the landfill.

A wood-burning stove from an old ship found a new home in Mr. Phillips's "tree house."

A chair's back is fashioned out of cattle bones. Read the full article. Source: Photos + text: New York Times.
Thanks for stopping by the cottage for some inspiration about a one-man habitat for humanity. Have a great weekend. ♥Rosemary

Life's Little Instruction Book, page 135 + some saved photos . . .

To be continued. I'm really going to miss this book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Don't you absolutely love this greenhouse with the bookpress and old books? If I were to learn a new trade, it would definitely be bookbinding.

Swoon. Nothing grabs my attention like lots of open shelves. I am not a closet person. I like to be able to see what I own.

So simple and elegant. I'm mad about this built-in chest with the bookshelves above. What a nice thing to look at when you first wake up.

Such a clever use of space. This would drive the building inspector wild in my town. No railing. He would probably start foaming at the mouth if he had to inspect this job. I can see the orange "failed sticker" on that nice white wall.

Ha Ha. I can so relate to this. Most of my friends are younger. People my own age seem so old.

This cat appears to be very interested in something on this page. I'm guessing it's about mice. It's about time for them to start trying to get in my house. Oh, how I dread dealing with them.

I am starting to like the wrap-around text. I always put my captions below the pictures and this placement of text makes it quite evident. Thanks for stopping by the cottage. ♥Rosemary