The Perfect Beach House

An early house in a seaside setting: what could be better? Did you see the movie "Summer of '42"? This reminds me of that beach cottage. Enjoy August as the last days of summer whiz by. via

Milkweed Plant, Monarch Caterpillar, Limelight Hydrangea

This Limelight hydrangea is three years old and 7 feet tall. WOW. I love it so and it's wonderful to have something showy blooming in August through the fall. The pink flowering plant is a Milkweed that planted itself. The pink flowers are lovely and the leaves are food for the Monarch butterfly caterpillars. I saw my first ones today and took a video. I don't know how to do it on Blogger but it's easy as pie on Instagram. Click here to see my monarch caterpillar video. Click on the arrow in the center of the photo to start the movement. I am so happy I am helping save the Monarchs. Milkweed is their primary food source and it is being eradicated by farmers who consider it a nuisance. Did you know each Monarch lays 500 eggs in one season and only 20 survive? I hope my little plant, in a very protected location, has a better ratio of eggs to butterflies. See you later. xo

The Best Medicine

MADISONSAFERILLUSTRATION: A little warmup sketch.

My Wish for You

I love this calligraphy and its message. via

Nicest Canopy Over Doorway, Ever

This is the best design I have seen for adding some protection from the weather over a doorway without building an addition. Found here on Instagram from the firm in England that made it and the zinc planter also.

Hello, August

August 1939

Good Housekeeping Magazine

I photographed this in a used book shop.

My photo.

HELLO, AUGUST!

Turn Your Life Into A Story

via

I like this quote very much.

Don't forget, tonight is the finale of Grantchester on PBS, Sniff. Sniff. Here is a preview. 

Masterpiece. Grantchester. Season 3, Episode 7, the finale. Tonight on PBS.

A True Rocking Chair Porch

This could possibly be the front porch at an Inn or a Bed and Breakfast and it's lovely. via

Small House Big Gardens

I love the brick paths leading to the porch and gardens. The yard, surrounded by hedges, divides the lawn from the cutting garden. How very nice. Love! via The house looks nice too and very manageable.

Ivy Covered Estate with Pool

Swim anyone? This looks very refreshing on a hot, humid day. If it were mine, I would prefer the pool farther away from the house so it wouldn't be an eyesore in the winter.

Most towns require a fence anyway.

The mature landscaping is perfect.

This luxury estate is very lovely, isn't it?
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Home Office Entrance

This must be an extraordinary home office. I wonder if these plaid chairs are in the conference room or the home dining room? via

A Fabulous Potting Shed

I absolutely love this room.

Don't You?

I wouldn't change a thing.

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Nasturtiums in my Garden

I sowed nasturtium seeds in a large outdoor planter this year and I am really enjoying them. The edible flowers are often described as "peppery" but mine are easily as strong as horseradish.  Wow, talk about clearing your sinuses. I love the lilypad leaves too. I am going to save the seeds for planting next year. They are such cheerful flowers! Enjoy your Sunday. xo

My Baby Robin and A Pot of Corriander

I had a robin's nest with 5 baby robins under my balcony on top of one of the brick pillars.

This is the only fledgling who is keeping in touch. Don't you love those eyebrows?

I planted organic coriander seeds in this pot and am enjoying my harvest.

A larger view of the baby bird visit yesterday.

You can see more of him on my Instagram.

Dahlias in Asheville

Originally cultivated by the Aztecs, dahlias are perennial mountain flowers that survive until frost.

The Technicolor whorls of a Café au Lait dahlia.

Read the article about this Asheville NC Dahlia Farm: FOR THE LOVE OF DAHLIAS

“Cosy Corner”. Carl Larsson, 1894

“Cosy Corner”. Carl Larsson, 1894. This rendering still looks very timely except for the pipe. via

Cottage Near Me with Hollyhocks

I've been meaning to stop and photograph this sweet cottage I pass when going to the Post Office to pick up my mail and today I pulled over. There were a few cars behind me and I waved for them to go around me so I could get a decent photo. The cottage is close to the road so I cropped out the asphalt. I love the old-fashioned flower garden with beautiful hollyhocks, don't you? Click on photo to enlarge.

Nice Formal Living Room

Formal but cozy. I like the conversation area around the fireplace. Found here.

Cutest Farm Cottage

Very nice, indeed.

It's awfully close to another dwelling though.

But I like it.

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The Perfect Summer House

The Blue Awnings and Blue Shutters are perfect for this house. I love the simple plantings and the window boxes too. The Chippendale railings are pretty as well. Have a great weekend. via