Decorated Envelope Flaps

These decorated envelope flaps are so beautiful and inspiring for all letter writers. via

Gorgeous New House Charlotte, NC

Pursley Dixon Architecture. 

New House in Charlotte NC

Bella Loren Photography

Pursley Dixon Architecture, Inc

House Tour Here

Just wonderful!

Greenhouse Envy

Who could ask for more? This greenhouse is perfect in every way, isn't it? I love the hardscaping too. via

Very Nice Home Office

The arrangement of this home office is very pleasing to my eye. The large mirror on the wall enables the sitter to see who is entering the room even though the chair is facing the wall. This chair placement is against all the rules of feng shui: 

What a “Study Desk Back Facing Door” Means in Feng Shui. Your back should be supported by a solid wall when sitting at your study/office desk. If you have your back facing the door, it will have negative effects like: It will give you a sense of insecurity and you will be easily distracted. 

I have also read this chair placement is back luck because someone can sneak up on you and stab you in the back. And if you love watching mysteries as much as I do, you know this is true. Smiley face.

Image source. 

Gorgeous Kitchen Cupboard

This built-in cupboard is wonderful. The kitchen would still be lovely without it but it really makes the room and is well worth the effort. Love it! via

Bluebill Duckling Love

A darling fluffy bluebill duckling to start your Monday with a smile. via

End of A Perfect Weekend

This photo personifies the end of a perfect weekend, doesn't it? Hope you had one too. via

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY 2020

Be safe and have a great (new normal) holiday weekend. I'm getting my essentials ready!

Hummingbird Nest with Umbrella

Birds are so smart. I love this mama hummingbird's inginuity. via

H A P P Y   F O U R T H   O F   J U L Y

Poppy Seed Pods

I gathered these seed pods yesterday morning and I couldn't believe the size of this bunch after only three days. Needless to say, I will have plenty of seeds for next years poppy patch. Have a wonderful July 4th.

My Cottage Photographed from Way Back

My cottage from the back 40 showing all the natural landscaping since I haven't mowed this section in about 3 years. I still mow my walking path though. I posted this on Instagram several days ago. My dry spell is over and everything is as green as can be and the wild raspberries will be ripe soon. Happy summer. xo

Hello July. Pool + Garden in Normandy

I am blown away by this wonderful place to swim in Normandy France. I love the natural tall grasses planted as a hedge around the wooden decking. This is where we shall have our virtual swim this week to welcome in July and July 4th. via

Cozy Cat in A Box

via

This photo makes me so sleepy. Good night to all. xo

Blackberries in a Basket

My mother and I used to love to go blackberry picking. We knew a huge patch where you could stand in one spot and pick enough for a pie. Sadly, it has been developed and the blackberries are gone. Sob. via

Best Pool

Time for a virtual swim and this is the pool I have chosen for mine. via

Swan Lake: A Terrier in Paris

via

I'm assuming this is somewhere in Paris. The little dog seems very calm, doesn't he?

P E R F E C T I O N

If this isn't perfection, I don't know what is!

via

Have a great weekend!

Beautiful Entrance

This door surround is stunning. I love looking at architectural details and wish I could see more. Have a great weekend. xo via

Sheep Admiring the Poppies

I guess you know why I liked this photo, right? via

Happy Bunny with Vegetables

What a wonderful garden and a pet rabbit too! via

Lacecap Hydrangea and a Poppy Pod

I took this photo late in the evening last night before putting the house to bed. My lacecap hydrangea is covered in beautiful blossoms after a dubious beginning. As you can see from the burned leaf edges, it suffered twice from killing frosts in March. This woody shrub blooms on last years growth so I didn't cut anything back and I am glad I didn't. I shall cut it back quite severely after the blooms die off this year and give it plenty of time to put out new growth for next year's flowers.

I will harvest this seed pod soon to encourage more blooms on my poppies. I already have quite a few for planting in the fall or early spring. These flowers are giving me great pleasure every time I look out any of my rear windows. They are responding to my nurturing too.

Antique House Random Photos

You all know I love a good painted floor and this round rag rug is no exception.

Same room showing the decorative painting on the woodwork.

Is there no balm in Gilead?

Custom Adirondack chair reflecting the owner's love of dogs and a life well lived raising and training them. I do love seeing old houses that were never "modernized" in an attempt to keep up with trends. I listened carefully to the comments from the public about the things they would do and I hated all of their suggestions but said nothing. I took customers but stayed behind after they left to take my time and will go back again next week for the broker open house. xo

Borzoi Father's Day

If dogs celebrated Father's Day, this would be a happy day in this Borzoi household. They are also knows as Russian Wolfhounds. It's a wonderful family portrait, isn't it? via And a great article about this breed here.

Rogue Poppy and Raindrops

We had a nice overnight rain and I have a rogue poppy with an all yellow center. I'm not complaining but I was a little surprised since all the other centers are black. We shall see if blonds have more fun.

My Lady's Mantle was very happy this morning after capturing so many raindrops from the overnight showers. It is drought tolerant but was looking a little puny as it always does after showing off so in the spring. It is prized more for its leaves than for its flowers. Have a great weekend. xo

Happy Friday

Yesterday afternoon in my poppy patch.

Here is the same flower showing the beautiful black center in portrait mode. I'll try to find something else to post today besides poppies! See you later. xo

Illustrated Quote by Khalil Gibran

I love to go outside in the morning in my bare feet to look at what happened overnight in my garden. Windy days are a favorite too as long as they aren't the dangerous kind. via

Another favorite quote of mine along these lines is:
“The best fertilizer for a piece of land is the footprints of its owner.”

Lyndon B. Johnson

I can honestly say that my footprints are on nearly every inch of my land.