Kate and William Dueling w/ Magic Wands

Last april, the royal couple toured one of the main locations for Harry Potter films and got a short lesson in wand wizzard fighting and of course they mastered it right away, perfectly and effortlessly. She was wearing a white maternity dress with black polka dots and a black jacket and looked absolutely wonderful. via

Bull Terrier Pup in a Basket

"Take me with you, pretty please with sugar on it."

I have always loved this breed. You see bull terriers often in England but almost never around here. This pup is especially sweet and he's ready for the weekend. via

View of Summer

What a great view. I'm so glad all the chairs are pointing toward the outside. Happy Friday. via

Lady Mary is Not Amused

I'm still getting a lot of pleasure from all of the clever postings after the royal birth 4 days ago. What a joy. via

Super Duper Kitchen Detail

I love the wooden over-mounted counter top with the drainboard ridges on one side. The sink is amazing with the side pocket for the stopper and overflow drain. The wide windowsill that extends all the way to the wall on both sides is a nice feature and the cutout curve for the faucet is an interesting touch. I've always wanted a plate rack in old paint too. The cool weather is still here, it's only 64° at 3:30 pm. Mother Nature is showing off again after trying to melt us last week. There is no happy medium these days, is there? It's broil or shiver. Photo found here.

Blackberry Winter

Webster woke me up very early this morning barking his head off from the attic. He wouldn't stop so before he woke up the neighbors I dragged myself out of my warm, cozy bed to see what the commotion was all about and found two runaway dogs in the front yard. One was a beautiful wet, muddy chocolate lab and the other was a yellow lab also wet and both were starving. I called the number on their tags and the owner came right over. She said they had been out all night and she was so happy they were okay and that I called her before the police found them. It was so chilly outside before 6am I could hardly believe my eyes. The temperature was in the 50s and right now at 9:15 am it's only 61° -- a true blackberry winter. I'm not complaining either because it feels wonderful and I feel energized in spite of my lack of morning slumber time. I hope your heat wave is over too. See you later.

The Breeze Blowing Through My Window

We finally have a cool front and there is a delightful breeze blowing through all of my open windows here at the cottage. This 1947 tempera painting entitled Wind from the Sea by Andrew Wyeth is the perfect illustration for what I'm feeling on my face right now. It's perfect sleeping weather too. Sweet dreams, see you tomorrow.

Early Illustrated Antiquarian Books

Yes, please to every item in this photo. I love the large natural history engravings. via