Happy July 4th from My Cottage Kitchen

This was the only thing I could come up with quickly and easily to wish you all a fabulous Independence Day. We are having a lazy July 4th here at the cottage and I am enjoying it to the fullest. Piggy is sleeping on the sofa next to my mom and I think Webster has gone back to bed. Tabitha is stretched out in a cool shady spot. My refrigerator is full of nice cold foods that require no cooking but I'll probably grill a burger later. Enjoy our nation's birthday.

[my iphone photo]

Breakfast at My Cottage

We all slept very late this morning. I almost never get the chance but today my feet didn't hit the floor until 9:30 and it was wonderful. The animals have all been fed and the coffee is made. People will be fed last, as usual. We had an early morning shower that cooled things off a bit and my a/c was turned off before bed so all is well in my neck of the woods with 77 degrees at mid-morning. I'm not bragging, just saying. I know so many of you are sweltering. Try to run through the sprinkler or something like that to cool off in a fun way. See you later. Piggy has discovered the ottoman fan and he loves it. Happy July 4th everyone!!!

[my iPhone  photo of Tabitha and her cute cat dish]

Webster Says Goodnight

Webster is exhausted. It's been a long day supervising the refrigerator repairman, helping inspect all the groceries that came into the house, and being told that Piggy was coming tonight for a sleepover and will be staying until Sunday. Such excitement. Have a great July 4th tomorrow. Our watermelon is in the fridge so we are all ready!!

Garden Art: Old Figural Lawn Sprinklers

The Monkey sprinkler brought $9,000 at a recent auction. All photos provided by John and Nancy Smith.

The Mermaid is a sprinkler with style and grace.

Bradley and Hubbard, one of the premier metal casting companies, produced this Mallard sprinkler.

Bradley and Hubbard produced this sitting frog sprinkler.

This Wood Duck sprinkler was produced by Nuydea.

This Frog on Globe sprinkler was also produced by Nuydea.

Read full article here.

All of the above photos ©John and Nancy Smith

Do you have any of these stashed away in the garage, garden/tool shed or at a relative's house? Why not look and see what you can find. I think they are wonderful. Are you a Garden Art Collector?

Wheelbarrow Garden

I love this old wheelbarrow full of flowers to be planted. What a spectacular setting! via

Inside A White Morning Glory

My wild morning glories are insect magnets. All I have to do is stand in one place and watch them fly in and out. After the wasps started buzzing around I decided to go inside and have another cup of coffee. See you later.

[my iPhone photo]

Throw Open The Windows

I have been so happy since I was able to open the windows in my cottage last night and today. I really dislike being sealed in an air conditioning unless it's absolutely necessary. I know so many people who never open their windows. They just go from heat to air conditioning with nothing else in between. Not me....I'm the original fresh air person who loves hearing the sounds of the outside world. How about you? 

[my iPhone photo from a charity house tour]

White Wild Morning Glories

I'm thankful for these wild vines growing near my cottage because I'm out of sugar and can't make any nectar for the hummingbirds until I go to the store. The hummers love these deep-throated flowers and so do the bees. I have a refrigerator repairman coming tomorrow so the birds will just have to wait another day. Mother and I have been using powdered sugar in our iced coffee. I could make some nectar with that but I don't know the right proportions that would equal the recipe I use with granulated. Better not upset their scientific substitute, right? [my iPhone photo]