Lacecap Hydrangea at My Cottage

The first blooms on my lacecap hydrangea are just appearing and the bush is lovelier than ever this year. It's in the perfect location and last year I was careful to cut back all the stems with blooms after they finished because this variety blooms on last year's growth. It looked a little haggard after I pruned it but the new growth filled in rather quickly. I love the almost perfectly round shape of this woody shrub as you will see in the next photo.

I took this photo this morning before I started mowing the way back. As you can see from the sky, it was overcast all day and cool, never above 70°. I finished mowing around 1:30 and 5 minutes later it started to sprinkle rain. I have mastered my John Deere Garden Tractor and I absolutely love it. I'm not afraid of it anymore and it does such a great job. It took an extra day this week to get it all done. The first day it was blazing hot and I ran out of gas before I finished all of the back yard. So yesterday I finished that and quit so the grass in the back meadow could dry out more. Today was such a perfect day and now I'm finished for a while. Have a great weekend. xo

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My Peonies

While scrolling Instagram this week I learned the true botanical name of my white peonies. Introducing Jan van Leeuwen. I picked what's left and have little bouquets all over the house. The hard rains earlier this week were not kind to peonies in full bloom😔

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1903 Illustration: The Wonderful Baby

THE WONDERFUL BABY

A 1903 illustration from the Crimson Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Illustrated by H. J. Ford. You could lose yourself looking at all the wonder in this vintage children's fairy tale book illustration, couldn't you? Click to enlarge image.

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Beautiful Lavender Colored Bird

Wouldn't you think a bird named Plumbeous Water Redstart would be red? Instead he's a lovely shade of lavender.

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Dogs in Windows and One Cat

I adore all of these dogs in windows and one cat in the center frame. People watching must keep them entertained all day long. via

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Before and After Cottage Renovation in Vermont

BEFORE

AFTER - front

AFTER - back

ORIGINAL SINK - saved.  Love it❤️

Read the article from This Old House. More photos too. From Fixer-Upper to Refined Farmhouse

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Recipes from National Trust UK

Just start scrolling through this National Trust recipe site and you will definitely want to come back and save or try some of the recipes. Here is the link for the National Trust Fruit Scones pictured above. Enjoy!

Here is the link for converting the measurements and oven temperatures from UK to US. 

https://whatscookingamerica.net/equiv.htm

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Gray Cat on A Bed, Posing

She's beautiful, isn't she? The gray blankets set her off and the blue pillows accent her eyes. via

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Pancakes or Japanese Hot Cakes + Recipe

Don't they look delicious????? These Japanese Hot Cakes look like a stack of English Muffins, don't they? The recipe is easy and most of you will already have all the ingredients on hand. I can't wait to make them for breakfast. Recipe here. YUM!

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Peony in A Friend's Garden

I took this photo yesterday in a friend's garden. She has many different varieties, including a large Tree Peony but this blossom was my favorite. I darkened the background to make it even more exciting with my photo editing software. Mine are drooping in the rain right now but three days of sun are on the way to dry them out. Spring flowers are the best, aren't they?

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