Golden grasses in my woods on an overcast day. The trees are bare thanks to the windy days we've had lately. I actually got out my giant shop vac yesterday and sucked up lots of leaves around the perimeter of my cottage and barn in the back. It was too cold in the shade to do the same thing in the front. I'm saving that task for tomorrow. Enjoy your Sunday. xo
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Ural Owl in The Forest
Ural owl, native to Europe and Northern Asia,
He's looking cautiously around the corner from his forest lookout. This is a beautiful owl and a beautiful photograph. It's somehow comforting to look at this peaceful image as I watch the news this morning about the carnage in Paris.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Pages 64 and 65
A few suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.
More advice from a father to a son when he went off to college.
Amen.
I like all of these, especially the one about the Thanksgiving turkey. I haven't posted these pages in a very long time and I'm glad to see them again.
Pantry with Repurposed Screen Doors
This pantry door treatment is a great idea for a country kitchen. The extra storage behind the raised panels is very clever and so handy in this location near the range. via Pinterest
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Another Wonderful Barn Owl Portrait
Regal by Jennifer R. Graevell Photography on Flickr. via The Vintaquarian
Oak Leaf with Rain Drops
Photographed on Tuesday morning on my first walk of the day with Webster the Wonder Dog. We haven't been out yet this morning and he's waiting patiently at my feet for his breakfast. It's raining softly again now and is supposed to continue all day. I feel sorry for my neighbors who are putting on a new roof. They got all the new plywood on yesterday so they are buttoned up. Isn't this always what happens? Beautiful weather for weeks at a time until you schedule outside work. I still have to pinch myself about my unbelievable luck two years ago in September 2013 when I had my house painted and woodwork repaired with storybook beautiful weather every day until the job was finished. I think that will result in my paint job lasting for a very long time.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Lovely Pennsylvania Entrance Hall
New home in Willistown, PA. Peter Zimmerman Architects, Berwyn. Looks beautiful outside too, doesn't it? The large mirror behind the windsor bench looks almost like a window.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Kitchen: natural wood ceiling/floor
I really like this kitchen, a lot! It's nice and bright despite being sandwiched between the dark ceiling and floor. Sign me up. The flush under-cabinet lights are very well hidden, recessed under the thick shelving. I like that! via
Geting Your Garden Ready for Winter
I thought this article in The Guardian had some very good pointers. Our days for working outside are numbered, aren't they?
I liked this article too on resisting the urge to tidy your garden. Leaving some seed head for the wildlife is a good thing. I adore this photograph of poppies that have gone to seed. Less is more when it comes to cleaning the garden this late in the year.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Frost at My Cottage this Morning
Frost is one of my favorite photography subjects. My hands were freezing when I took off my gloves but all the while I was wishing I had gone outside just a little earlier. The morning sun had already started melting the frosty outlines of the leaves.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
A Corner of My Living Room
Another peek into a corner of my living room that never gets any direct sun. We have a bright sunny day here at the cottage and I'm planning so many things in my head right now. Enjoy your Sunday too. xo See detail of the transferware punchbowl here.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Wonderful Architectural Details for the Back of a House
If this is the back, what can the front be like?
Prettiest back door ever.
Wonderful patio with pergola.
Amazing back yard. I honestly have never imagined a quad filled with just grass. I always figured you had to have lots of clipped boxwood. I love this idea.
Photos: GSMLS Have a great weekend. xo
Friday, November 6, 2015
Red Leaves: Too Pretty to Rake
These beautiful leaves were decorating the lawn at a real estate showing yesterday. The intense color of these red Japanese maple leaves was unreal. If they were at my house, I wouldn't rake them either!
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
A New Little Pitcher for My Pantry
Today's thrift shop find: Stoneware creamer $3.50
Tiny little chip on rim.
Love the dogs.
Now this little pitcher is hanging out with all the other items with handles in my pantry. The white teapot has a small chip on the underside of the spout. I usually don't buy damaged things but these two were meant to be together.
Wooden Spoons
The season for spending more time in the kitchen is fast approaching. We want comfort food! Just a quick shot of some old wooden spoons in my kitchen to remind me to use them more. Not today though because it's going to be in the mid 70s and I think my mower is calling me. See you later. xo
Monday, November 2, 2015
Spiced Apple and Walnut Pie Recipe
I found this recipe in an old book dated 1991 on Country Kitchens that was published in the UK. This recipe was in the last chapter and I thought it sounded very good and so easy to throw together. I just happen to have a small bag of self-rising flour in my cupboard too. I must now go to my friend's house to pick some apples for this Georgie Porgie Puddin' and Pie. I don't know what vanilla essence is but it must be pretty strong since you only need one drop. I'll just use my regular pure vanilla extract and add about a teaspoon. I'll use raw Turbinado sugar and Avocado oil. I don't have any walnuts but I have a big bag of pecans. What do you think about this sweet batter pudding that looks like a pie or flan? You can google instructions for making your own self-rising flour if you don't have any. Will let you know how it turns out with all of my substitutions. Do you do that too? Some people I know are afraid to improvise in the kitchen. Not me!!! xo
Sunday, November 1, 2015
My Handsome Companion
Webster loved being outside yesterday in the nice fall weather. He "helped" me rake leaves and he slept like a log after being out in the fresh air and so did I. We both woke up this morning before the alarm went off even though we "lost" an hour because daylight savings time ended.
I really did adjust the position of my sundial yesterday when it was in full sun. It registered 1:00 and I turned it back to noon. I'm always amazed at the accuracy of this timekeeper.
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Lamb's Ears in My Garden
Lamb's Ears are the perennial that keeps on giving. This is a cropped detail of the photo below. The tall flower spikes from the summer have been cut down ~ the bees loved them.
I have thinned and moved these plants three times and shared them with friends since 1976. Are these plants still being sold in garden centers? I have no idea. I probably got my first mother plant at Well Sweep Herb Farm in Port Murray, NJ
Thin Ice This Morning
There was a very thin layer of ice this morning on the birdbath. Can you see it? I went outside in my pajamas with bare feet and I was very surprised to see anything frozen because it didn't feel cold at all. The weather this year is perfect for Halloween trick or treating. Don't eat too much candy!
Friday, October 30, 2015
Gorgeous Day at My Cottage
We have a glorious week ahead of us. No rain for 7 straight days and daytime temps in the 60s and 70s. Yippee. I see a lot of raking in my future and maybe some mowing towards the end. I like to crunch up the leaves with my Snapper in certain areas instead of raking them. The American chestnut has dropped all of its leaves on my lower driveway and I must rake them because all of those dreadful pricker balls are hurting poor Webster's feet. He tries to dodge them but there are way too many.
Vintage Halloween Photo from NJ
Isn't this a wonderful photo? There was a story yesterday in the Star Ledger about Vintage Photos of Halloween in New Jersey and this one was my favorite. It was taken at a Halloween parade in Dover NJ and is undated. I hope the person who was pushing this Pumpkin Pram was in costume too. The pumpkin boy's expression is hard to read but I don't think he's too happy about being trapped inside this fabulous hand-made costume. I think it's adorable and perfect for keeping him nice and warm.
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