Duet with A Cat

I wish I could have been there to see this in person. Don't you absolutely love this vintage photo? I've been working outside all day ever since I got up tweeking things before I mow next week. We had rain during the night but the sun is out this afternoon. Hooray. Have a great weekend.
image source

Meet Lizzie, The Daredevil Chicken

There is no work shortage for chickens these days. Click here if you can't see the video below.

This chicken named Lizzie is the official spokes-hen for a certain camera phone. She is absolutely a.maz.ing. You really won't believe your eyes! Who knew chickens had so much to contribute to technology?

Cat Nap

The gutter guy is nice and I let him scratch my head before going inside for a nap on the old rope bed. This construction/painting project is really interfering with my daytime routine. Love, Tabitha

Cat Chair for Tabitha

Tabitha found a new spot for grooming herself this morning. I was sitting on the opposing chair removing my boots and she hopped up on hers. This photo gives you a closer look at one of my light fixtures bringing in more color. Does that rust spot on the bluestone disturb me? Yes, it does but I'm way too busy to obsess over it the way I did about my paint color. I have to wash all of my outside windows starting today and through the weekend. The gutter guy is coming later this morning to run a long strip of bent copper under my roof shingles so my half round gutters won't overflow from behind and rot my cottage again. He is adding one more downspout to a long run in the back that becomes Niagara Falls during a downpour beside the sliding glass door to my mother's old bedroom and sitting room. Water is definitely the enemy of any house, right? I hope this is the solution I'm hoping for. See you later.

My Cottage Painting Project is Finished

Well, I had the window surround on the door and the muntins painted white. I think it makes a big difference. It's finally finished and I am very pleased. Don't forget, I have another little wing behind the picket fence on the left. I am going to run a hot bath with 2 cups of epsom salts added and soak my weary bones. I've been going full speed since before 8 this morning and it's 6:25 pm right now. This house painting/repair projected took 10 full working days and I couldn't be more pleased. The weather was fabulous with no humidity and not a drop of rain. I just heard the weatherman on the news say it hasn't rained here for 11 days. I cannot believe my good luck but I think I deserve it! My barn isn't this red but all of the other colors in this iPhone photo are true. 

Front Door Painted Yesterday

I decided to go with a neutral palate for my front door and shutters. This color scheme is throughout the interior of my cottage as well. White walls and Bennington Grey woodwork. I have worn a path going in and out to look at my front door to see if I like my choice and I do. The Shaker-style shutters were painted yesterday and they will be going up today. I was honestly tempted to leave them off but decided to put them up again after more agony and a sleepless night. They were custom made for my cottage with raised panels and they were expensive. They are still in great condition so up they go. Maybe I'll leave them off next go round since I was growing accustomed to the stark Shaker look. The company that made my shutters has a before and after gallery where you can see different houses with and without shutters by running your mouse over the images here. Once again, my fingers are in my ears and I can't hear you. When I want the stark look, I can just go around back where there are no shutters and the doors remain white. More pictures will be posted later. My outside paint/repair project is winding down. I have already started my winter list of inside jobs for these marvelous men to help me with over the winter. I'll be so sad to see them go. That's the thing about construction and I had almost forgotten how much I love it. There is real withdrawal when it's over. 

Wonderful Dining Nook

This is fabulous. I've never seen one with  table built around a single pedestal. "Mabel, Mabel, if you're able, keep your elbows off the table". Remember that rhyme from childhood? I guess the stability comes from the tabletop being attached to the wall at the end. Maybe Mabel can lean on her elbows after all. image source

Fall and Summer at The Same Time

Happy first day of October! The trees say fall but the thermometer later today will say summer because it's supposed to get up to 84° and it will feel more like August. I took this photo yesterday while walking the wonder dog in the lower forty.