Grey Gardens Before Restoration

Grey Gardens in East Hampton after a lifetime of neglect by Big Edie and Little Edie Beale. Read more about the before and after story on one of my former blog posts: https://contentinacottage.blogspot.com/2009/04/grey-gardens-before-and-after-with.html

UK Celebrates Charles Dickens' 200th Birthday

He wrote about life in the modern city, with its lawyers and criminals, bankers and urchins, dreamers and clerks. He created characters still known to millions — Ebeneezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim, Pip and Miss Havisham, Fagin and Oliver Twist. And it made him a star, mobbed by fans on both sides of the Atlantic.

His Bookplate

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, joined Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, actor Ralph Fiennes, a host of dignitaries and scores of Dickens' descendants at a memorial service Tuesday (2/7/12) in London. Prince Charles placed a wreath on Dickens' grave in Westminster Abbey's Poet's corner.

Complete story here.

Today's iPhone Cottage Photos

A bad house fire destroyed a very old cottage on a nearby estate a couple of years ago. Everyone is in love with this new replacement. The standing seam metal roof is nice. There is a garage to the left but there was a car in the driveway that I didn't want in my photograph. It's bigger than it looks. One day I'll snap a side view.

Now you know this is so much better than going to the mall, right? There is a complex of small cottage shops nearby painted in off the wall colors.

I've been meaning to stop and photograph them and today I did!

Bryce Canyon National Park - Utah

This windswept tree growing on the side of a cliff is hanging on for dear life. I have never been to Utah, have you? via

Do Want This Woodie Wagon

I can't tell you how much I love this big vintage woodie station wagon. I like the dog and the beach house too. via

Bike Shop Sign

SAVING THE WORLD WITH BIKES

That's a pretty bold statement from such a small bike shop. I photographed this from my car on my way home from a doctor's appointment this morning. A yearly check up resulted in having the doctor tell me that I was perfect. At least one person thinks so!

Vintage Bookmobile from Chicago Public Library

One of the joys of my childhood was the bookmobile! The other was the ice cream truck.

Looking Inside Plus A Wonderful Reflection

I took this iPhone photo at a friend's house a couple of weeks ago and I wasn't even aware at the time of the wonderful reflection. I feel as if I'm looking inside and behind me at the same time.