Huntboard Nook in My Kitchen

This is a corner of my kitchen, snapped this morning, that backs up to my attic staircase. My refrigerator is to the right and above that is a lookout window from my attic into the kitchen below. There are interior shutters if I want to close it off for any reason but I usually leave them open. It helps with the airflow when the central air is running and in the winter, the rising heat helps keep it warmer up there. Last night's rain from Henri wasn't too bad and for that I am so very grateful. Be safe if you are in the eye of the storm today. xo

KAREN HOLLINGSWORTH Oil Paintings

Don't you love them? I first discovered this artist on Instagram and just had to find out more. At first, I thought the realistic work was photography but learned she was a talented artist and did realistic oil paintings. See more of her work here. Her website is amazing and has many links within to see her work. Enjoy and have a great weekend. xo

 

Stormy Sky Over My Cottage

This photo is practically live since I just went outside to show you the storm clouds over my cottage. My weather app doesn't call for any more rain so I suppose they will burn off. It's not that hot outside but it's very stuffy so I am still running my central at a high setting. I didn't wake up during the very heavy rain last night, probably because my all the windows were closed and I didn't hear it. xo

More Laura Stoddart Art

I ran across an empty card box in my attic office today, and look what I found. I knew I liked this artist and had some of her artwork already. I used my scanner to show you this clever birthday party invitation. I don't remember ever sending out this card so maybe it was always an empty box filled with buttons or other smalls at a garage sale. Anyway, I will keep it in one of my sewing drawers and find a use for it. xo

Yesterday's Dahlia After My Evening Walk

I worked outside almost all day yesterday and was amazed at how much I accomplished. I got a good photo at day's end of a dahlia for those of you who aren't tired of seeing them. I am glad to have something personal to offer since time is limited this morning because I have to look like a real person today instead of a farm hand for an office meeting. The latter is my preferred mode of dressing. I donate lots of my things on a regular basis but never old clothes because I wear them until they are threadbare and then they go in the rag bag after I remove the buttons. You can't get any real work done in good clothes and I was trained as a child to change into play clothes so I wouldn't ruin my good things and I still do it. On the days I stay "dressed up" I accomplish nothing constructive once I get home. So now I do the opposite; I wear work clothes at home and change into better things to go out. xo

My Kitchen This Morning

I took this photo of my kitchen standing in the doorway next to my attic door and this viewpoint shows my ceiling beams and lighting fixture as well as the shiplap boards. This was 2 rooms (a dining room and small galley kitchen) when I purchased my cottage in 2001. The attic space above was too low to stand up so I decided to incorporate it into my country kitchen. These beams are old floorboards from that space and I have never regretted this decision. The cabinet top over my stove in the corner was the old ceiling height and if I had not vaulted the ceiling I wouldn't have been able to stand my tall case clock anywhere. This was a happy accident. August is half over and I still have so much to do. Onward and upward! xo

Click here for Other views of my kitchen showing the ceiling.

Side View of My Hanging Files

This is the final view of my hanging file so you can see the shape of the file boxes. You are also allowed to peek into my living room in a seldom seen corner.

Thank you to Lisa Smith for identifying this artist as LAURA STODDART 

https://www.laurastoddart.com/

Her website is wonderful.

I used my scanner this morning to duplicate a group of gardeners I liked on a page I ripped out of a magazine. I've always liked this unknown artist and his long-legged characters.

It's nice and cool today and all of my windows are wide open once again. Happy Sunday. xo

Attic Door Closed in My Cottage

This is a portion of the hallway showing my attic door closed and the coat closet door closed and a tiny bit of the window opposite.

Here is a side view. The weekend is in full swing and so is my cleaning/ organizing/ rearranging frenzy. I'm enjoying it and am determined to keep it up until I run out of steam. Enjoy your weekend too. xo

Yesterday's Organizing Find

Thursday seems to be my lucky day to find things to make my life easier when I donate items and shop at the same charity's retail outlet. Yesterday I found this metal hanging file to go on the back of my attic's batten door. I usually have the stairs piled with things that have to go up to be shredded or filed away. I usually have the half basket full of mailing labels I have ripped off the junk mail and I will still use it for the small ones. But now I have a place for the full-size sheets to be destroyed. I try to shred every single item with my name and address on it to prevent identity theft. I surprised myself by hanging it today instead of just propping it against a wall for ages as I have been known to do. I have a closed attic and I had to go outside to take this photo through a raised window. I couldn't back up enough in the hallway to get the full door and staircase. I can't believe how perfect it is. The area to the left is my living room's fireplace wall and my kitchen's huntboard wall is to the right. Happy Friday. I am late in publishing my daily post because I was invited out to have breakfast with friends. Happy Friday. xo