Content in a Cottage

Behind the Tall Hedge

2012-05-28T19:00:00.000-04:00

It hurts me to look at this because it's almost too beautiful to be true. I don't think I could even dream about something this lovely. by Helena Bernáld Photography

Picnic on the Front Porch

2012-05-28T12:05:00.003-04:00

Waiting for the parade to go by! I know it's a catalog photo but it's perfect for this Memorial Day porch picnic with watermelon. I love the painted flag from Pottery Barn.

Delightful Garden Shed

2012-05-28T07:58:00.002-04:00

I love this tiny garden outbuilding made from salvaged materials, don't you? The arched gothic windows are fabulous. Happy Memorial Day. via

Daisies are such delightful wildflowers.

2012-05-27T19:00:00.000-04:00

They come up by themselves and require no care. I don't have enough yet to make a daisy chain. I took this photo yesterday on a walk through my field with Webster.

Vintage Memorial Day Postcard

2012-05-27T13:30:00.000-04:00

How will you celebrate Memorial Day tomorrow? Parade, cookout, what? Kiss a veteran if you can. Be sure to honor those who serve and remember those who have passed on. Google Images

Can you see the face in this house?

2012-05-27T09:00:00.002-04:00

Actually, it's all I can see. It's a happy house and it's smiling! Have a great day. via

DISAPPEARING SUN | SO DISAPPOINTED

2012-05-26T17:00:00.000-04:00

I hope you are having more luck with the sun than I am. I know it's still in the sky thanks to this iPhone capture on the bed in my guest room. It didn't last long and now it looks as if there's going to be another shower. Have a good Memorial Day Weekend no matter what the weather.

Fabulous Colonial Kitchen for Today

2012-05-26T11:30:00.000-04:00

I wouldn't change a thing except the name on the deed. It would be mine! via

Have You Planned Your Weekend Escape?

2012-05-26T08:39:00.001-04:00

This elephant is planning his by measuring the jump. via photo by Judit Szabó

Wonderful Garden Path

2012-05-25T16:10:00.001-04:00

Glorious Garden Paths -- Create a memorable walkway for your yard. See 19-photos from Better Homes and Gardens.

View from Farther Away

2012-05-25T13:46:00.000-04:00

Here is a view of an earlier post from farther away during a moment of sun recently. I have 3 peony bushes and they are not all the same. So far only one variety is blooming. The watering cans keep Webster from breaking them. I have a whole vase full of broken stems at the kitchen sink that he broke while trying to take a shortcut.

Spring Flower Collage

2012-05-25T09:32:00.002-04:00

I should have called this collage remembering sunshine! We can't seem to change the weather pattern we've been in all week. Can you believe it's Memorial Day weekend already? Have a good one.

Peony with Watering Can Protection

2012-05-24T19:49:00.001-04:00

The watering cans make a great fence to keep the wonder dog from "watering" the peonies when I'm not looking. Enjoy your evening and I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.

My Very Own Peony ! ! !

2012-05-24T16:50:00.000-04:00

And my very own handwriting. I used to have such good penmanship. Must practice! It's not that easy writing with your finger on an iPad.

BEST BEDROOM VIEW

2012-05-24T13:00:00.000-04:00

This has got to be the best view I've ever seen from a bed. I love that one of the floor-to-ceiling windows is actually a door to the patio. It's heavenly, isn't it? via

Tabitha Grazes without Getting Her Paws Wet

2012-05-24T10:30:00.000-04:00

Tabitha has a morning routine she follows each day without fail. She goes outside with me when I take my mom her morning coffee and open the curtains on the sliding glass door. She loves to eat a bite or two of some tough grass that grows on the edge of the deck. She hates to get her paws wet from the morning dew or overnight rain so she hangs over.

She is giving me a silent message to leave this spot long the next time I mow. Maybe I will and maybe I won't. When it's short all over she is forced to touch the ground. She avoids all outdoor exercise as you can see from her round form. When we go for a walk to the way back I usually have to carry her down there so she has to walk back.
People are always asking about Tabitha. I usually have on my pajamas when we go through this early morning ritual but today I had on my jeans and my iPhone was in my pocket.

Puffy Protective Hen and Her Chicks

2012-05-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

via

Portland Home of Jessica Helgerson

2012-05-23T16:30:00.000-04:00

It's always interesting to see what an interior designer and her husband do when they restore their very own fixer-upper. I love the vintage stove in this delightful Portland kitchen. Click here and follow the arrows for a complete house tour. You'll be so glad you did.

A Picture to Sweeten Your Day

2012-05-23T08:47:00.002-04:00

via

Pinewold Cottage

2012-05-22T20:45:00.000-04:00

A 1915 foursquare cedar-shingled cottage, nestles into a slope after its exquisite transformation by the Knickerbocker Group. I featured a front porch view of this cottage recently (shown below) and everyone loved it.

Click here to see more views of Pinewold inside and out. Use the arrow to scroll horizontally for the tour.

Another Awesome Flower Video

2012-05-22T16:00:00.000-04:00

Click here if you are unable to view this video. View full-screen for the most impact. This video is especially stunning when viewed on the new iPad with its retina display. Flower photography by Magda Indigo.

Yellow Kitchen Love

2012-05-22T10:30:00.000-04:00

This yummy yellow kitchen is in a guesthouse at Martha Stewart's farm in Bedford, New York. It seems to be an awful lot of kitchen for a guesthouse, doesn't it? I love every inch of it though and wouldn't change a thing except I would have Webster dog instead of the Chow. This is where Martha houses her collection of 19th century yellowware mixing bowls. Read more here.

Great Room with Neat Shelves

2012-05-21T19:00:00.000-04:00

If you've been yearning for some built-in bookshelves but don't know where to start, these shelves would be a good alternative. I think they look very nice, don't you? via

Peony in the Rain at My Cottage

2012-05-21T15:12:00.001-04:00

The rain let up for a minute or two and I ran out front and snapped a few quick photos of my peony buds that are opening slowly. I hope the week isn't as bad as they are predicting with rain every day. I no sooner get ahead with my grass cutting than I'm way behind again. Oh well, what can you do? At least it's not hot yet.

Studio Flowers Video

2012-05-21T10:57:00.001-04:00

Click here if you are unable to view the video.