Portrait: Proud Royal Grandparents 1987

Isn't this a lovely portrait at Balmoral Castle of the Queen and Prince Philip with their four grandchildren at that time? The youngsters are Prince William, Prince Harry, Peter Phillips and Zara Phillips, Christmas 1987. I've never seen Prince Philip looking more relaxed and handsome. Love the tartan outfits too. via

A Wonderful Library

I hope there's a library ladder somewhere to help reach the books up high. This appears to be full of antiquarian books with fine bindings, my favorite! I like the carpet, the art, and the furniture too. via Have a great weekend. I can hardly believe tomorrow is the beginning of August. That month always seems to fly because it's the end of summer.

Tabitha, Two Months Ago

This photo was taken on June 3, 2015. I think it was on this very day that Webster knocked the cat dish off the chair trying to get the last piece of kibble out and it broke on the bluestone walk. Now Tabitha is gone too. 

Thank you all for your kind concern about her passing. I saw it coming so I had some advance warning. I am really okay and I'm glad it happened in the summer while she was outside and happy. She really didn't seem to be suffering either, not even on her last day. Good-bye, sweetheart. You will be missed. xo

Anna and Tabitha -- Together Again.

This is one of my favorite pictures of my mother walking her cat Tabitha. Anna departed 2-1/2 years ago and Tabitha went to join her yesterday. Now it's only Webster and me and we miss them both. Tabitha had been failing for the past couple of weeks and her passing didn't come as a big surprise. I actually thought she was improving since her appetite returned, but I was wrong. She lived a good life here and she loved keeping watch and sleeping in "her" chair next to the front door. Who will guard the cottage now? Not Webster. He's too busy sitting under the air conditioning duct that blows down on his dog bed. 

Wonderful Seashore Cottage

Wouldn't this be the perfect place to spend the month of August? Sign me up. I would love this cottage in any setting, but the seashore would be quite wonderful. via

Tiny Animal Road Signs in Lithuania

I'm sure the human residents of Vilnius, Lithuania get a kick out of these cute signs. See cat and bird signs here and the boys who make them.

Another Beautiful Antique Garden Urn

The patina on this urn is wonderful. This would be quite a statement piece in any garden, especially mine. via

Small Cottage with a One-Person Porch

This is too charming! I really want to go inside and look around to see if the inside is as perfect as the outside. via