Nature at Her Best

Here is a lovely image to sign off with tonight. skeleton coast.. namib desert… namibia

I worked upstairs off and on today but with much less enthusiasm than yesterday. The sunny day kept calling me to be outside in it. I found a stereo with nice speakers in one of the cupboards in my bedroom and I hooked it up today. I had forgotten all about owning it! I got out all of my CDs and I'm listening to some beautiful Baroque music before I go downstairs to call it a day. Have a great evening and I'll see you tomorrow. xo

Stop the Telephone Books

This is great, isn't it? I get my phone books through the post office and the trash can there is full of them. Most people don't even bother to take them home because someone will eventually throw one in a plastic bag in your driveway. via

Worked in My Attic All Day Today

No, this isn't my attic. Isn't it nice? I worked upstairs all day today and made a big dent in the clutter. A rainy day is perfect for organizing and I put it to good use. My fingers feel all wrinkly from spraying kitchen counter cleaner on all horizontal surfaces. I'm still far from finished but it's looking good. Our town library is having an e-waste day on Saturday. I found an ancient laptop that weighs a ton and I'm going to take it there and have them remove the hard drive. I'm taking some old printers too. It feels so good to see stuff leaving the house. When I get closer to being finished I'll post my pictures. In the meantime, here's an article about attic workspaces. Good night all. xo

Great Advice from Frank Lloyd Wright

I whole heartedly agree! via

Beautiful Dining Area

The dining part of this living room/dining room combination is very charming. Who needs a separate room? I love to see a fireplace in or near a big eating table, don't you? It rained all day and it's still raining and I am up way later than usual. I'm getting ready to hit the hay in a few. Good night all. xo

Nice CountryTouches in Modern Bathroom and Kitchen

Contemporary bathroom with country-style touches.

Displaying kitchen accessories in a creative way not only solves the problem of storage, but also creates a feature that is a guaranteed talking point. From the peg rail and boards to the tableware, the use of wood creates a soft contrast against the more obviously modern tableware. Using a pale yellow paint and wood harks back to the traditional, but the blend of accessories brings this kitchen into the modern day. Read more and view more photos here.

Tabitha in Her Cat Basket

Your wish is my command. I just went into my bedroom to snap this photo of Tabitha in her cat basket on my unmade bed. She has been outside already and has had breakfast. Now she's down for a morning nap. She has such a good life, doesn't she? Old woolen sweaters are her favorite bedding material. I have a blanket on top of my bedspread that is the color of her fur in case she gets out of the basket to sleep in another spot. Have a great day. xo

Sleep Time Comes Earlier and Earlier

I can't believe I'm already dressed for bed and it's not even 8:00. In the summer I stay up much later. There's just something about the dark that makes me want to go to bed. I have a few recorded programs to watch and I'll get an early start tonight. Isn't this basket of sleeping puppies the best? Tabitha is curled up in her basket and it's on my bed. That's how she likes to sleep these days. Enjoy your evening and I'll see you in the morning. via

Painted Stairs

This is such a clever idea. Painted steps to look like those old feed sacks that usually have red stripes instead of blue.  I like the grab bar too. via

Don't Forget to Bring Your Plants Inside Tonight

It's supposed to get cold tonight and I must bring two geraniums inside for the winter. Did you bring in the things you want to overwinter yet? It's time! Aren't these topiaries pretty on this antique wire plant stand? It's in the perfect spot too. xo

Great Sewing and Craft Work Room

Isn't this wonderful? I'm well on my way to putting my third floor in order so I can work up there again. For a long time, it has been a repository for things that didn't have a home. I'm almost finished and I'm so happy. Below you will see the small, long section of my attic where I had a window installed last year when I had my house painted. It is now a packing and wrapping room for gifts and my ebay endeavors. I'm back on track again and it feels so good. 

There is no heat or airconditioning in this part of my attic that has the lowest roofline and no dormers. The airconditioning unit is behind the doors to the right and I could always have a vent put in this area but so far it hasn't been necessary. I have to move my table when I have the unit serviced. There is a door where I was standing to take this photo so I can close this area off completely. When I was remodeling my cottage, I never imagined I would outfit the room like this but I'm glad I have it. It's deeper than it looks in this photo and I can stand up straight in the middle. The doorway is low and I still bump my head on a regular basis. Enjoy your Sunday and I'll see you later. xo

Double Walk-in Shower

WOW. This is spectacular. Love the river rock floor and the tub in the shower. What a view. via

Black and White Mud/Laundry Room

This is wonderful, isn't it. Take off your dirty work clothes the minute you come inside. I actually have a dust buster in my closet so I can vacuum up the leaves and debris that get trapped in my rolled up pant legs when I walk Webster. I love this room! via

I need to cut my grass so it will be nice and short for the leaves that have started to fall. It is going to be a chilly weekend so maybe I'll buy a can of gas when I go out this morning. Have a great weekend.

xo

Another Beautiful Pie

This one is Rhubarb. For some reason, I have pie on the brain today.

Save the recipe for the filling for next spring. Use the recipe for the crust now. For both, click here.

This Pie is Too Pretty To Eat

This lovely lattice and leaf crust is a true work of art. It looks like an apple pie. Yum. via

So Much Garden, So Little Lawn

Burford in Oxfordshire. This is the perfect amount of grass to have to cut, isn't it? The rest is wild and wonderful. Only in England, sigh! via

Gulfstream Florida Porch

Our porch days in New Jersey are numbered but it would be nice to have a front porch like this in any weather. I love the Chippendale railing. It makes such nice shadows, doesn't it. It rained all night but the sun just came out at my cottage so I'm happy. xo

Fairfax and Sammons Architecture 

Nice Arrangement

It's so nice, isn't it? The perfect piece for the perfect spot. via

Big White Kitchen, But Cozy

This family room/kitchen and a bedroom is all you need, isn't it? via

Beautiful Feathers on A Guinea Hen

They look like Herringbone Tweed, don't they? Mother Nature really is the best designer. The sitter appears to be in a fowl mood. The eyes say, "Don't mess with me." I've always loved these birds. via

Indian Peafowl

Indian Peafowl by Milan Zygmunt via So gorgeous!

Pumpkins Galore

I love seeing all the pumpkins used for fall decorating. If you bring them inside in time, you can eat them too. What could be more perfect? You certainly can't say that about mums! via

Impossible Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes - recipe here.

Apple Pie Scones

Yum! These look so good and after all, it's apple season.

More photos and recipe here.

I just put clean sheets on my bed and I'm ready to jump in it and watch Inspector Lewis and Scorpion. See you tomorrow. xo

Great Kitchen Sink

I love this kitchen sink with drainboards on either side. I can't tell if it's a genuine old one or a newly-manufactured retro model. I like the whole room, don't you? I watched Madam Secretary and The Good Wife last night but didn't watch Inspector Lewis. I'm looking forward to that show tonight. Happy Monday. via

Such beautiful detail

This architectural detail is too beautiful for words. via

I'm so happy there were no games tonight so my programs on CBS started right on time. I'm waiting until 8:30 to start watching Madam Secretary and The Good Wife so I can skip the commercials. I might watch Inspector Lewis too if I can stay awake that late. Enjoy your evening too. xo

Beautiful Entrance

I love a house that's all lit up inside. So nice. via

Farmhouse with Attached Barn

It's hard to believe this is all new construction, isn't it? 

Want to see more plus the building plans? It's called The Rebecca Leland Farmhouse -- click here.

I woke up to a dark and dreary rainy Saturday morning. It's a steady soft rain and it sounds nice hitting my copper gutters that aren't clogged with leaves quite yet. Enjoy your weekend. xo