Great Magazine Cover

Preparations for the tourist season. via

A Beautiful Pet Sheep

via

I'm assuming sheep is a pet because of the collar. The floral wreath is another clue that this animal is loved. 

Some Photos I liked Today

All photos from Sustainable Small Houses

Small Cottage with Wrap Around Porch

I love my own cottage but if I were looking to move, I would hope to find something like this. Doesn't it look perfect? Not too big with a porch around the front and the side. I like the level lot too with mature trees and privacy. My house is on a slope with a walk-out basement and I almost never go down there except to do laundry. I find myself going out my front door to sit outside because it's shady in the morning when my rear balcony has full sun. Of course, it's the reverse in the afternoon which is ideal. I avoid the sun whenever possible and that's what I like about this wrap-around porch. via

Don't Eat Me, Said the Fish

This cute puffer fish has personality, doesn't it? He's really saying Don't Eat Me. Also called Fugu, it is one of the deadliest animals on earth. The spiked fish contain a strong toxin that’s 100 times deadlier than potassium cyanide if not properly prepared by specialized chefs. Yikes. I'll stay away from that deadly delicacy if I ever see it on a menu in Japan or other parts of Asia. via

Sailing into the Sunset

via

Have a great weekend. xo

Portrait: Proud Royal Grandparents 1987

Isn't this a lovely portrait at Balmoral Castle of the Queen and Prince Philip with their four grandchildren at that time? The youngsters are Prince William, Prince Harry, Peter Phillips and Zara Phillips, Christmas 1987. I've never seen Prince Philip looking more relaxed and handsome. Love the tartan outfits too. via

A Wonderful Library

I hope there's a library ladder somewhere to help reach the books up high. This appears to be full of antiquarian books with fine bindings, my favorite! I like the carpet, the art, and the furniture too. via Have a great weekend. I can hardly believe tomorrow is the beginning of August. That month always seems to fly because it's the end of summer.

Tabitha, Two Months Ago

This photo was taken on June 3, 2015. I think it was on this very day that Webster knocked the cat dish off the chair trying to get the last piece of kibble out and it broke on the bluestone walk. Now Tabitha is gone too. 

Thank you all for your kind concern about her passing. I saw it coming so I had some advance warning. I am really okay and I'm glad it happened in the summer while she was outside and happy. She really didn't seem to be suffering either, not even on her last day. Good-bye, sweetheart. You will be missed. xo

Anna and Tabitha -- Together Again.

This is one of my favorite pictures of my mother walking her cat Tabitha. Anna departed 2-1/2 years ago and Tabitha went to join her yesterday. Now it's only Webster and me and we miss them both. Tabitha had been failing for the past couple of weeks and her passing didn't come as a big surprise. I actually thought she was improving since her appetite returned, but I was wrong. She lived a good life here and she loved keeping watch and sleeping in "her" chair next to the front door. Who will guard the cottage now? Not Webster. He's too busy sitting under the air conditioning duct that blows down on his dog bed. 

Wonderful Seashore Cottage

Wouldn't this be the perfect place to spend the month of August? Sign me up. I would love this cottage in any setting, but the seashore would be quite wonderful. via

Tiny Animal Road Signs in Lithuania

I'm sure the human residents of Vilnius, Lithuania get a kick out of these cute signs. See cat and bird signs here and the boys who make them.

Another Beautiful Antique Garden Urn

The patina on this urn is wonderful. This would be quite a statement piece in any garden, especially mine. via

Small Cottage with a One-Person Porch

This is too charming! I really want to go inside and look around to see if the inside is as perfect as the outside. via

Golden Laced Wyandotte Chickens

These golden laced wyandotte hens are absolutely stunning. Their patterned feathers in shades of gold and brown brown are so very beautiful, designed by Mother Nature. via

Mind Your Manners for Children

I love this.

Every parent should save this and print a copy for each child. via

Gentleman's Closet Extraordinaire

I hope this beautifully fitted walk-in closet doesn't have a door, for it's far too lovely to be out of view for even a minute. via

Rustic Shed with Attached Greenhouse

The rustic shed was built with wood recycled from a car dealership that was being demolished and the windows were found in the garbage. The conservatory top was probably the only really expensive item. It's a pretty wonderful DIY project for this handy gentleman and his sheep, isn't it? via

Ferns at My Cottage

The ferns are still going strong in the woods surrounding my property. The skunk cabbage is dying off and I consider that one of the first signs of fall. The crab grass is at its peak and it's the weed I dislike hate the most. I am slowly getting rid of it next to my front walk so I can put down more wood chips. This is not a fun job either. Webster and Tabitha like having me out there in the cool of the evenings before we all turn in. I slept like a log last night and that's an excellent benefit, right? Enjoy your Sunday. xo my photo

So Many Things To Love in This Kitchen

Where do I start? Dutch door, island, nail-studded stool, floor + ceiling, wall cupboard beside the sink, the window over the sink, and on and on. I love it all. via Elle Decor Have a great weekend.

Greenhouse with Potting Cottage

Greenhouse : The handsome attached brick structure has a slate roof, flower and bulb rooms, and a half bath. I always like the outbuildings better than the mansions. photo source MLS

Wonderful Outside Room / Greenwich CT

Landscape architects Conte & Conte, Greenwich, CT via

Hollyhocks, Tall and Beautiful

This photo looks like a painting. These hollyhocks are perfect against this brick wall and near the weathered shutters. They are my favorite old-fashioned flowers. via

Free Range Chicken + Envious Dog

Maybe the chicken is wishing the dog could come out and play.

They seem okay with each other and the dog looks calm and wishful too. Both are beauties. Source

Clipped Hedges w/ Potted Orange Trees

This is a really lovely walled garden. I'd like to see a bird's eye view to see the entire geometric design. via

White Galley Kitchen

This tiny kitchen works because of the window. via

Beautiful Greek Revival Estate

Di Biase Filkoff Architects Click through to photo #4 and continue for a few more views of this delightful compound.

Elephant Slide: Girona Spain 1975

Have a fun Sunday.

What a great beach jungle gym for these lucky kids.

Boy, I'll bet that metal slide is hot!

via