Before and After Townhouse Vines

The vines that adorn this beautiful townhouse in winter let the beauty of the architecture shine through while still providing interest. via

The first spring blossoms are spectacular, aren't they, and well worth the wait. via HAPPY MAY DAY!

Tasha Tudor House and Gardens

Tasha Tudor's son built the house by hand without the aid of power tools. She loved Corgis, painting, gardening, and an old-fashioned life. via

Can you imagine in your wildest dreams having a row of pink peonies like this? Sigh. xo

Billy Collins Reading his Poems

The Poems of Billy Collins -- Point Loma Writer’s Symposium By the Sea 2013. He was the Poet Laureate of the US 2001-2003. If you cannot see the video above, click here for YouTube. View full screen if on a computer. I love him, the way he reads his own poems, and his humor. Enjoy. xo

UPDATE: I found another line for those of you who enjoyed the video above. Here is Billy Collins doing a lengthy performance before a creative writing crowd at Cornell University. It's 1 hour 26 minutes long. I watched the whole thing in bed instead of a movie, including the Q&A at the end, and loved it. https://www.cornell.edu/video/reading-by-us-poet-laureate-billy-collins Hope you enjoy it too. xo

Artichokes at My Cottage

I purchased the three artichoke finials at a thrift shop in February before the stay at home mandate. I knew immediately they would be perfect in my garden. I even went out and purchased artiichoke seeds that are still in their packet while I plan my garden in my head. I got the book on Irish Georgian architecture at a used book shop and it's wonderful. I left the finials at the desk of the small thrift store and every single person who went to check out wanted them too. Nobody knew exactly what they were so I stood my ground when asked if I still wanted them. Of course I did. Pineapple finials are rather common, but artichoke finials are rare! 

Here is my seed packet. I really should have started my seeds indoors but it's almost time to plant them outdoors, so I shall wait. Stay safe while sheltering in place. xo

Royal Nap: The Most Noble Andrew, 11th Duke of Devonshire

The Most Noble Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire napping in his library at Chatsworth. via
I have posted this photo before but since we are all staying at home and spending a lot of time on our sofas, I thought you would enjoy seeing it again.

He once told an interviewer: "Wonderful things have happened in my life — it's time my son had his turn. When I was young I used to like casinos, fast women and God knows what. Now my idea of Heaven, apart from being at Chatsworth, is to sit in the hall of Brooks's, having tea."

Beautiful Bedroom

I wouldn't change a thing. via

First Mowing Yesterday

I fired up my trusty walk behind power mulching push mower and filled it with gasoline leftover from the fall and it started up on the third pull. I worked until it ran out of gas and was tempted to fill it up again and do more but decided to call it a day instead. I still want to go deeper into the rear but will do the front first. I never do lawn work on Sundays and it's very chilly with rain on the way so I'll just stay inside instead. Enjoy your day whatever you decide to do. xo

Photos Around My Cottage

A little iron bird awaiting real birds in the birdbath, photographed in portrait mode.

Daffodils I can see from my kitchen window photographed after a rain. These were dug up from the woods and transplanted in February during a mild winter's day.

Lady's mantle yesterday, on a rainy day on my way to the mailbox. This perennial plant never ceases to amaze me the way it captures raindrops.

My mother's daffodils transplanted where I can see them from all my back windows. Enjoy your weekend. xo