Rain All Day Today

It's raining hard and the fog has partially lifted. Good indoor day. Stay cozy. via

Photos Around The Cottage Today

Ladies Mantle with Raindrops

Webster enjoying the wood chips

Old sewer tile pipe used as a downspout extender

Wisteria

Lilies of the Valley

Finial

Wood Chips as Mulch

I am more than half way finished with spreading the wood chips in the beds at the front and side of the entrance to my cottage. I have weeded this area so much that the soil level has gone down at least 4 or 5 inches. I got a free load of wood chips after hurricane Irene and they are perfect for spreading because they have aged to a nice brown color. My goal is to have neat beds with boxwood and whatever hardy perennials come back on their own. So far, so good. I see some Ladies Mantle. I hope the rest of it comes up even though it's buried below the chips. It's survival of the fittest around here. My plants are in the Army now.

One Fox + One Fox = Three Foxes

I took this photo a few minutes ago from the balcony off my living room with the telephoto lens aimed at three foxes enjoying family life in the lower forty.

This is the first time I've seen three together so one must be a young kit though they all look about the same size. This is a cropped version of the first photo showing the parents having a tender moment. We got some rain last night and this morning but not nearly enough. I'm glad I walked by at just the right time to see a little of what goes on when I'm not looking.

Woodborough Nottinghamshire England

Unbelievably beautiful, isn't it? I love the bright yellow fields in England. We have similar fields of mustard here in the US. via

Dry as A Bone

This is a patch of bare earth in the way back showing the dry-as-a-bone eonditions. We are supposed to get rain tonight and tomorrow and we certainly need it. The grass isn't growing nearly as fast as it usually does in the spring and for that I'm grateful but my fingers are crossed for the predicted showers.

The Big Squeeze

Hilarious! That last tug did it. I do the same thing when I try to zip up my jeans when they come out of the dryer. via

Carl Rüdell Watercolor

Carl Rüdell
(Trier 1855 - 1939 Cologne)

Doesn't this delightful circa 1910 watercolor on paper make you wish you could paint? Pre-auction estimate € 100. Sold for € 625. There was another of his watercolors in the lot shown below. via

Cutest Video about a Helper-Foodie Dog

Omelette from Madeline Sharafian on Vimeo. Click HERE for the enlarged version. Maybe all dogs help us in ways we'll never know when we aren't looking. They certainly are nice to come home to, aren't they?

Strawberry Cake that looks like a Pie.

~Simple Strawberry Buttermilk Cake~

This recipe looks very easy. If it tastes half as good as it looks in the picture, it's a keeper. I have everything on hand except buttermilk and strawberries and they have been added to my grocery list. Yum. Can't wait!

Does your Cat have a Bunny Buddy?

Apparently, this is a trend. Tabitha hasn't heard about it yet and I'm not going to tell her. Click HERE to see more cat/bunny best friends. They show genuine love for one another, so get ready for your face to break out in a big smile.

Windows of Amsterdam

In case you need a reason to visit Amsterdam that doesn't involve tulip fields. I've never been, have you? via

Sunset with Shells

I had a productive day in the office and outside spreading wood chips. The bed is going to feel mighty good in a few minutes. I'm all set for a great evening watching Call The Midwife,  the last episode of Bletchley Circle, Mad Men, and I can't remember what else. My DVR is whirring away recording so many great programs to keep me entertained. I watched a wonderful movie last night on ShowTime -- Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. I saved it so I can watch it again...something I rarely do. It was THAT good. Now off to bed. image source

Video: The Beauty of Pollination

This is the most beautiful video you will ever see illustrating how insects, birds, and bats pollinate our flowers. Over 24 million viewers can't be wrong. Make sure you are one of them.

Here's the link to watch full screen.

Beauty in Simplicity

This interior design is stunning, isn't it? Not over done. It's good to know when to quit and let the millwork and architectural elements speak. via

Happy Mother's Day. I miss mine.

This grand old tree is gone and so is she. Link to this story here. my photo

Red and Timber Kitchen

I would love cooking in this wonderful kitchen that brings the outside in so nicely. I love it. My knees are a muddy mess but I'm sitting on the sofa anyway. I moved tons of wood chips and I'm not nearly finished. It's was hard work but satisfying. Have a great weekend. 

No Front Yard Birds This Year

Could this be the reason?

Is this Tabitha's way of asking for an outside water dish of her own? I had just filled the birdbath with nice cold well water from the kitchen faucet. 

Painted Floor with Diamonds

via

The Endless Cup of Tea

This makes me want a cup of tea. via

Wonderful Eat-in Kitchen

This kitchen is very nice with the table in chairs in the center of the room instead of an island. I love the beamed ceiling and the painted floor. Hopefully I will be able to find a link so we can see the rest of the house. I'll let you know if I am successful. via