My Picture Post Card Back Yard

Sorry I haven't been around much lately. I've been so busy outside and with real estate. I mowed the back yesterday and today and it looks fabulous, doesn't it? We are having some nice low humidity weather and I thought I should take advantage of it. I honestly can't believe today is the last day of July. I always try to savor August, the last full month of summer. my photo

Great Mac and Cheese Recipe

I went to a birthday party last night and took my heart shaped Bennington Pottery spongeware casserole full of the best Mac and Cheese I have ever made. It got rave reviews too. I doubled this recipe. I used unsweetened soy milk instead of 2% milk. I didn't think it tasted quite salty enough so I put some torn slices of muenster cheese all over the top. I was going to take that cheese back to Costco because I thought it was too salty but it ended up coming in handy. I also poked some thick slices of cheddar all around too instead of spreading grated cheddar on top. It was so good.

Nice Country Kitchen

I like this sleek, sophisticated and simple country kitchen -- Shelter Island, NY via

Royal Country Picnic

Another Royal family portrait with young children. William and Kate will be carrying the torch for us now. Can't wait. via

Young Royal Family 1986

I love this family portrait of Prince Charles holding Prince Harry and Diana, Princess of Wales, holding Prince William in the wild flower meadow at Highgrove on July 14, 1986 in Tetbury, England.

Classical Reading-Nook Hideaway

This is almost too wonderful for words. Don't you absolutely love this little reading room designed by Albert, Righter and Tittmann Architects, Inc. Boston, MA. More photos of this house called "Rocksyde" here.

A very Lucky Ducky

Are you considering a pet duckling? This one loves to be dried off with the aid of a warm hair dryer.

Watch here if you can't see the video above.

Kate and William Dueling w/ Magic Wands

Last april, the royal couple toured one of the main locations for Harry Potter films and got a short lesson in wand wizzard fighting and of course they mastered it right away, perfectly and effortlessly. She was wearing a white maternity dress with black polka dots and a black jacket and looked absolutely wonderful. via