Charming Country Kitchen

Renovated 1890s cottage, Ohio. The Workshops of David T. Smith. I love the bucket bench island.

Wonderful Hallway with Stenciled Floor

Designer Karen Blake via

This is too beautiful for words. I hope this is a dry area and there is never a waterfall of rain coming down those steps. I adore the triple hoop back windsor bench and the old sign above it.

The Site of The Yellow Jacket Attack

Webster and I are avoiding this part of the woods in the "way back" from now on. We got lucky with our first attack of the killer yellow jackets but might not fare so well a second time.

my iPhone photo

Two Silhouettes

I slept late this morning and decided you all needed to see this again. It's from Masterpiece Silhouette Theatre.

Webster wanted me to post this one for him. See you later.

Webster and The Bees

When I was walking Webster after dinner yesterday at dusk he must have disturbed an underground bee's nest because he came out of the edge of the woods absolutely covered with these tiny bees or yellow jackets. Luckily I had on a long sleeved shirt and I immediately started knocking them off with my bare hands and then with a broken off tall weed covered with lots of small leaves; it was almost like a broom. One bee fell inside my tall Wellies and stung me on the ankle. I succeeded in getting almost all of the insects off of poor Webster and we headed home where I gave him two antihistamine tablets just in case he had a reaction. I have no idea how many stings he got but he must have been on fire. He panted heavily for hours and finally found the coolest spot in the house under my bed. By the time I turned off the light hours later his breathing had returned to normal and I was sure he was okay. Today he is fine. He was so brave...he never made a sound throughout the ordeal...not even a whimper.

I Love LEMON Anything . . .

And this Meyer Lemon Pudding Cake is no exception.

INGREDIENTS:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 large eggs, at room temperature, separated
1/3 cup Meyer lemon juice
(or 1/4 cup regular lemon juice)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar, for dusting
read directions here

Such A Perfect Porch

It won't be long now before we can sit on the porch and look at the fall foliage. This would be the perfect porch to sit and look and rock, wouldn't it? It has the most beautiful visual corridor. via

The History of Labor Day

Young Mill Worker in Alabama

In 2008 I put together a great History of Labor Day and I still like reading it and watching the video with historic footage. In case you missed it or want to refresh your memory, click here. 

We have a gloomy rainy day at my cottage. I hope your weather is better if you are going to a parade or having a picnic.