Dogs in Vintage Photographs

Happy Memorial Day! The Guardian has a delightful assortment of vintage dog photos for you to enjoy. Read the article and see the photos here.

My Kitchen Essentials, Within Reach

I love having these things on my kitchen counter in plain sight, within easy reach when I'm cooking or assembling my food. Left to right you will see: pepper grinder, balsamic vinegar, fine sea salt, himalayan pink salt, cinnamon in a salt shaker, seasoned salt next to that, red pepper flakes, and a sugar bowl filled with raw turbinado sugar. There's also a ginger grater and a milk glass container with my measuring spoons and a wooden honey dipper. Mixing bowls are underneath the splayed-leg stool in old red paint. I love my English china transferware sugar bowl covered with architectural engravings. I unearthed the massive pressed moulded glass shakers with pewter tops tucked in a corner of one of my kitchen cabinets recently. They are beyond fabulous with lots of trapped air bubbles. I had to soak the tops in a strong solution of Bragg's cider vinegar for days to get the corroded tops back to their original condition. I use the one for pepper for fine sea salt and the one with the larger holes for coarse pink salt. For me, things out of sight are also out of mind. I like to have my stuff where I can see it. So far this morning I have used the pink salt and ground pepper for my fried egg and a few shakes of ground cinnamon in my Greek yogurt. Enjoy your Sunday and the long Memorial Day weekend. See you later. xo

Atlanta Cottage: SOLD, Sight Unseen

This is a "leap of faith" story about q cottage in Atlanta, Georgia. The photo below is after the renovation!

When the author heard about a dilapidated cottage overtaken by weeds and kudzu in an Atlanta neighborhood, she knew it would become her her family’s home. So she bought it—sight unseen. Is your interest peaked yet? Read the complete story here. There are some interior photos too.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Prelude to Summer - Memorial Day

What a great outfit. Circa 1951 but timeless.

via

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

A Garage with a Porch

Is this a cottage? No, it's a garage.

How very clever. See the rest of the Pinewold Cottage complex here. Isn't it wonderful? What a place to celebrate Memorial Day. Have a good one. xo

Poppies for Memorial Day

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In Flander's Field by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

From an old blog post of mine.

Happy Caturday from Tabitha

Tabitha went back to bed this morning. It's really chilly outside so she's cozy, warm and happy on top of my woolen blanket. It went down to 45° last night but the sun's out and it will be in the low 70s later. I am still wearing my flannel pajamas and it's great sleeping weather. Have a great Memorial Day weekend. Be safe xo

The View from The Bath Tub

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Soaking here would be a delight. There's nothing like a nice hot bath in an old tub with a beautiful view from a vintage window. Total privacy overlooking the water is the icing on the cake. I wonder if this is a year-round home or a summer place? Memorial Day weekend is the traditional time for opening up and preparing your summer house for the season. It's all I can do to keep one house in order so I am not jealous one bit. Really! I alternate between having a great outside and a messy inside. Right now my cottage is almost in apple pie order and the outside is calling me. I have to say I am really enjoying spring this year. I think it's because my mower turned over the first time I tried and I never got behind as I usually do, waiting for it to come back from the shop.  Have a safe long weekend and I'll see you later. xo

Covered Open Porch with Balcony Above

I love the lattice work and especially the Chippendale railing. It's still pretty chilly here in New Jersey but outdoor living is just around the corner. Memorial Day seems very early too. via

Great Country House

Image from The Fuller View on Pinterest

This gorgeous white on white colonial home is already all decked out for the Memorial Day Weekend that's just around the corner. The summer's almost over and it has really been a great one. I haven't had my AC on for ages! We had howling wind and a really rain last night. It was predicted so I had already closed all but my bedroom windows. The curtains were blowing at a 45° angle when I bounded out of bed to close them before the rain started. I'm enjoying an overcast morning and the sun has promised to come out this afternoon. xo

Great Outside Shower

Outdoor showers are already in full swing in certain areas. Memorial Day weekend heralds the beginning of the summer season. This is a really nice one, isn't it? xo via Enjoy your holiday.

Watch the seasons change

OK. I am really into spring going into summer now that I have finally finished the entire back of my property including cleaning up all the debris from fall and winter. It looks fabulous too. Winter is now just a faint memory! I can't believe next weekend will commemorate Memorial Day. Where did May go? via

I got up way too early this morning when the sun was shining on the tree tops. This is the view from my bathroom window. Enjoy what's left of the weekend. xo

In Flander's Field by John McCrae

 

In Flander's Field by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

"In Flander's Field" is a memorable poem that was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in a cemetery in the Flanders region of Belgium on May 3, 1915, the day after the death of his young friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer.

McCrae photo

Perhaps the most famous poem written during World War I, these simple but powerful fifteen lines, and the poppies they immortalize, have come to symbolize fallen soldiers. I think this is the perfect remembrance for Memorial Day and I post it every year.

Image: Painting by Willy Werner

Memorial Day 2013

Today is a day for patriotism. This large white wall is perfect for displaying the American flag. Don't forget to honor our veterans and soldiers and go to a parade if you can. Have a great Memorial Day. via

Amazing Space for Outdoor Entertaining

Wow. This is too wonderful, isn't it? I wouldn't know where to sit. I think the guests would end up playing musical chairs in order to enjoy all the views in every direction. Enjoy your Memorial Day festivities tomorrow. via

'Walk Like an Egyptian' Bird

He has it down pat even without hands, doesn't he?  We have blue skies and bright sun this morning. Yay! Just in time for a great Memorial Day weekend. Have a good long weekend.

Picnic on the Front Porch

Waiting for the parade to go by! I know it's a catalog photo but it's perfect for this Memorial Day porch picnic with watermelon. I love the painted flag from Pottery Barn.

Delightful Garden Shed

I love this tiny garden outbuilding made from salvaged materials, don't you? The arched gothic windows are fabulous. Happy Memorial Day. via

Vintage Memorial Day Postcard

How will you celebrate Memorial Day tomorrow? Parade, cookout, what? Kiss a veteran if you can. Be sure to honor those who serve and remember those who have passed on. Google Images

DISAPPEARING SUN | SO DISAPPOINTED

I hope you are having more luck with the sun than I am. I know it's still in the sky thanks to this iPhone capture on the bed in my guest room. It didn't last long and now it looks as if there's going to be another shower. Have a good Memorial Day Weekend no matter what the weather.