Ural Owl in The Forest

Ural owl, native to Europe and Northern Asia, 

by Milan Zygmunt.

He's looking cautiously around the corner from his forest lookout. This is a beautiful owl and a beautiful photograph. It's somehow comforting to look at this peaceful image as I watch the news this morning about the carnage in Paris.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Pages 64 and 65

A few suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

More advice from a father to a son when he went off to college.

Amen.

I like all of these, especially the one about the Thanksgiving turkey. I haven't posted these pages in a very long time and I'm glad to see them again. 

Pantry with Repurposed Screen Doors

This pantry door treatment is a great idea for a country kitchen. The extra storage behind the raised panels is very clever and so handy in this location near the range. via Pinterest

Another Wonderful Barn Owl Portrait

Regal by Jennifer R. Graevell Photography on Flickr. via The Vintaquarian

Oak Leaf with Rain Drops

Photographed on Tuesday morning on my first walk of the day with Webster the Wonder Dog. We haven't been out yet this morning and he's waiting patiently at my feet for his breakfast. It's raining softly again now and is supposed to continue all day. I feel sorry for my neighbors who are putting on a new roof. They got all the new plywood on yesterday so they are buttoned up. Isn't this always what happens? Beautiful weather for weeks at a time until you schedule outside work. I still have to pinch myself about my unbelievable luck two years ago in September 2013 when I had my house painted and woodwork repaired with storybook beautiful weather every day until the job was finished. I think that will result in my paint job lasting for a very long time. 

Lovely Pennsylvania Entrance Hall

via

New home in Willistown, PA. Peter Zimmerman Architects, Berwyn. Looks beautiful outside too, doesn't it? The large mirror behind the windsor bench looks almost like a window.

Kitchen: natural wood ceiling/floor

I really like this kitchen, a lot! It's nice and bright despite being sandwiched between the dark ceiling and floor. Sign me up. The flush under-cabinet lights are very well hidden, recessed under the thick shelving. I like that! via

Geting Your Garden Ready for Winter

I thought this article in The Guardian had some very good pointers. Our days for working outside are numbered, aren't they?

I liked this article too on resisting the urge to tidy your garden. Leaving some seed head for the wildlife is a good thing. I adore this photograph of poppies that have gone to seed. Less is more when it comes to cleaning the garden this late in the year.