Beautiful Oakleaf Hydrangea

I took this photo yesterday at my friend Kelly's house. Her oakleaf hydrangeas have really taken off this year and they are beautiful. I learned through some internet research that this variety and the Annabelle are the only two varieties that are native to the US. I love planting shrubs that are natives, don't you? I want to plant several of each and the Annabelle will be in honor of my mother Anna.

Google Reader is Going Away on Monday, July 1st.

Google Reader is shutting down on Monday. I have no idea why. I have almost 2300 people who follow me via RSS feeds and they will all be out in the cold next week unless they transfer their subscription to my blog to another reader. 

Bloglovin' is a great site that will transfer them automatically but you must hurry while Google Reader is still active. I found a site that shows you how with pictures and text written by a 2nd Grade Teacher. I told you it was going to be easy, didn't I?

Here is the tutorial

I am also putting each of my daily posts on Pinterest so you can always find me there.

http://pinterest.com/contentcottage/

Bloglovin'

http://www.bloglovin.com/

Feedly

http://www.feedly.com

Here is a tutorial on how to transfer your feeds to FEEDLY, another great site.

The Old Reader

http://theoldreader.com/

This is another site that resembles the Original Google Reader that readers are liking.

Good luck. 

xo, Rosemary

Westport Island House Kitchen and More

WOW. Wouldn't you like to be going here to spend the July 4th week? I love the ceilings and everything else too. Designed by Shelter Interiors via Houzz.

God Made a Dog -- Wonderful Video

Great video.

Get out your hankies. Click here if you can't see the video above.

The Kitty and The Ducklings

I wanted to post all 10 photos but decided on only 3. To see the rest of this adorable bunch, you'll have to go here. Best photo shoot ever!

A Shady Place to Sit

This is where I sit and watch Webster while he goes through all of his rituals when we take a walk. He checks out the fox holes, chases rabbits, hunts for snakes, and rolls in the grass. My friend Stacey and her husband Henry gave me the lightweight chairs that are easy to move when I mow or want to get out of the hot sun. I leave them outside all year long. 

Magic Bathroom Ring Remover

What is this, you ask? It's a touchy subject and I'm not really anxious to discuss toilets or anything else about housecleaning on my blog but when I find a household hint that everyone can use, I feel I must share. I read about this magic sheet of drywall sandpaper and its ability to remove that ring around your toilet bowl when nothing else will. As you know, I've been cleaning the lower level of my cottage and there are two bathrooms down there. Since my mother's passing, I have only been going down to do laundry and neither bowl has been flushed regularly. Everything came sparking clean with little effort except for one ring around the water level and nothing would remove it.  I have very hard well water and no water conditioner. I looked around in my store room where all the construction leftovers were stored from my renovation and I found one sheet of this drywall sandpaper. I cut off a piece and followed these instructions and the rest is history. Both rings are GONE! The sandpaper did not scratch the white porcelain either. I am thrilled. This is great to know if you have a vacation home that isn't used on a daily basis. Sometimes the drudgery of housework has a bright spot to make you want to keep going. I can see light at the end of the tunnel and I'm feeling good! 

Newly Hatched Hummingbirds

I have hummingbirds here at the cottage but I've never been lucky enough to see a nest. How wonderful!!! via Good night, see you in the morning.