Bathroom Detail at My Cottage

People always talk about becoming their mothers but I am becoming my grandmother. She used to spend one week in each room of the house doing spring and fall cleaning. My bathroom isn't very big but I managed to spend two whole days cleaning it recently. Keep in mind that I'm easily distracted and take lots of breaks. I'm so proud. I've been showering downstairs in my mother's old bathroom so I can keep mine clean. I'm sure the novelty will wear off any day now and I can go back to being my old self. Honestly, I don't know how people manage to work full time jobs and take care of themselves, much less a family, a house, and a yard. One room down and many more to go. I'll get there eventually. 

Royals Watching the Highland Games in Braemar Scotland

They so enjoy each other's company.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Ellizabeth II and Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay laugh as they watch the sack race during the annual Braemer Highland Games at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park on September 7, 2013 in Braemar, Scotland. The Braemar Gathering is the most famous of the Highland Games and is known worldwide. Each year thousands of visitors descend on this small Scottish village on the first Saturday in September to watch one of the more colourful Scottish traditions. The Gathering has a long history and in its modern form it stretches back nearly 200 years. See more pictures here.

Fabulous Home Office

This is absolutely perfect. I'll take it! via

Wonderful Bookshelves

This is quite nice. I like it all....the lights, the books, the accessories and the leather settee. via

Home in Wilmington NC

Sadly, the porch season is quickly coming to a close so sit outside while you can. More photos of Stillwater Place here.

Busy Weekend

I propped my feet up for about 5 seconds all weekend. The past two days have been spent outside clipping all the boxwood, spraying the driveway for weeds, cleaning the garage, and all sorts of outdoor activities involving home maintenance. The weather was nice and it felt good to work. I have had a really lame data plan with my iphone ever since I got it almost 2 years ago. I had only 200 MB of data and who knows how much that is? Not me. I am usually on wifi and that doesn't count. I upgraded to 3GB for only $15.00 more per month last week at the AT&T store at the mall. I listened to podcasts while doing all of my chores and it was so much fun. I enjoyed "Here's the Thing with Alec Baldwin" on NPR. He interviews some of the most interesting people and I love his voice, so I was thoroughly entertained. You can listen on your computer too. The most recent one is with Danny Bennett, Tony Bennett's son. He's the real reason his father has been able to stay so active in the music business and remain so very busy even though he's 88 years old. It is a wonderful family story too. I loved it. I'm looking forward to the final episode of SILK on PBS tonight on Masterpiece Mystery. See you tomorrow. Good night.

Praying Mantis Portrait

I discovered another alien among us while pruning the boxwood yesterday. He was very friendly and stayed around watching me work until I finished and went inside.  He was huge, as long as my hand. Click photo to enlarge. my Nikon photo

I took this one with my iPhone.

Wonderful Bathroom with Antiques

Wow. This bathroom is super wonderful, isn't it? via