A few Cottage photos

Tabitha sends best wishes for a Happy Labor Day.

A Tiger Swallowtail feasting on wildflowers.

The wild raspberry leaves are turning colors.

Here's a close view of the back of my cottage showing the shingles. It looks so different from the front because I get the harsh morning sun back there. Most of my original semi-transparent Cabot stain has washed off too. It looks like a haunted house, doesn't it? The painter dropped off my new paint over the weekend. Of course, it's raining today for Labor Day. Hope you have a better forecast wherever you are. I want the rainy season to be over before my exterior decorating begins. See you later.

The Mushroom and The Shoe

Nothing earth shattering to report from the cottage this morning. Just a photo of my shoe and a giant mushroom. It's overcast and will stay that way until Wednesday with showers each day. I want all of the rainy weather to come and be gone by the time my painting job starts in two weeks. The painter is placing the order for paint and primer today. I'm still feeling good about my choices of the products and the contractor. Have a nice weekend and celebration of the end of summer. I always feel that summer drags on and on until Labor Day and then in a flash the rest of the year flies by in an instant.

Myrna Loy Chooses Paint Colors for Dream House

One of my thoughtful blog readers sent me this clip from Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. It has always been my favorite scene from that delightful movie and I can really appreciate it after my recent "adventures in paint and stain". Enjoy.

Click here if you can't see video above.
Have a great long Labor Day weekend.

Crazy, Determined Cat

I have no idea what's inside this tube, but it must be delicious. It looks exactly like the nozzle on my shop vac. Maybe this is a Repair Cat trying to unclog a stopped up airway. Anyway, it made me laugh. WEEKEND UPDATE: This really is a vacuum cleaner tube -- watch the video here with sound. Found by a reader, thanks!

French Bulldog Pup

Here's a puppy for this morning's cuteness to brighten your whole day. He's adorable, isn't he? I saw my friend Piggy, the little white Frenchie earlier this week and he was glad to see me. Today is called the gateway to the Labor Day weekend. Get an early start if you will be driving and be safe. via

White on White Farmhouse, Revisited

This white on white farmhouse is fabulous:

Even the chickens seem to approve of their humans' white on white coop.

This is the photo that made me do it. I am choosing to paint my own cottage white on white too. It is so classic.

It is perfect inside too.

You can't have too many window seats, can you?

A delightful child's room with wonderful built-in cupboards on either side of the bed and window. The room of sweet dreams, for sure.

More photos here - Wendy Posard and Associates - California

No Bake Millionaire Pie

This looks so good and is like a blast from the past. I have eaten this in my previous life and remember it well. It looks like the perfect dessert for an end-of-summer Labor Day affair, doesn't it? Especially if you love crushed pineapple and pecans and graham crackers. Yum. 

Ingredients for Millionaire Pie
Pie crust:
1 1/2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup white sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
Pie Filling:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 TBS salted butter, slightly softened
1/8 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup pasteurized egg product (like egg beaters)
1/2 cup cold heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
8 oz can crushed pineapple, well drained
1/4 cup chopped pecans

Instructions
Make crust:
Preheat oven to 375.

Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until well blended . Press mixture into an 8 or 9 inch pie plate.

Bake for 7 minutes. Let cool completely before filling.

Prepare Filling:

Cream 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 TBS butter on medium speed of electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg product and vanilla and continue beating on medium speed until light and fluffy. Spread into prepared pie crust and chill for a couple of hours until firm.

Place a metal mixing bowl and your mixer whisk attachment in your freezer for about 5 minutes.

Add heavy cream and 1/4 cup powdered sugar and beat on high speed until a stiff whipped cream is formed. Carefully fold in pecans and pineapple and spread over pie.

Chill until firm and serve.

Recipe and image source.