Saturday, May 16, 2015

Outside Fireplace Deck: NC Mountains

This elevated covered deck with a fireplace wall in the mountains of North Carolina is fabulous. I'm sure many chilly evenings will be enjoyed there by the owners and their guests. There's just something about an open fire, right? via

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Antique Window Mirror in A Bathroom

I love the repurposed mirror. It's quite stunning in this fabulous bath or powder room, isn't it? via

Busy as a Bee

I have been very busy outside all week long and things are shaping up very nicely. The weather went from 20 degrees above normal for this time of year to below normal and I like that. I can work all day without stopping if it is breezy, cloudy and cool as it was yesterday. My peonies are up and the buds get a little larger each day. via

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Very Nice Screened Porch

I like the sliding door, the outside light, and the decorative woodwork to protect the screening. A friend of mine calls this the XO pattern.

Lovely House, Lovely Landscaping

Simply gorgeous. via
Aren't the PeeGee hydrangea standards perfect?
I found a great tutorial for hydrangea propagation here. Keep scrolling down to see all the helpful hints readers have provided. I like the last method best. Here's the home page with helpful information on the enjoyment and care of all hydrangeas. Happy gardening.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Potted Topiaries

Look at the size of those pots. They don't look so large in the distant views. There's a lot of clipping going on in this landscape. Small hedges, huge hedges half-round spherical standards and perfect grass. I wonder how many gardeners take care of this property. I'm sure this is just a small portion of a much larger estate. It's spectacular, isn't it? via

Barn Before the Rain

We really need some black storm clouds around my cottage to water the grass. Tomorrow will be two weeks since I cut grass for the first time this year and it hasn't grown very much. Usually you can't keep up with it in the spring but we had a very dry April and May hasn't been much better. We've had a spritz or two but we need several days of soaking rain. The temps we are having this week are 20° hotter than normal to boot. Webster doesn't like hot weather one bit. Tabitha loves it and I am holding up okay. Off to an office meeting this morning. See you later. via

Monday, May 11, 2015

Traditional Kitchen in Nova Scotia

This home in Bedford, Nova Scotia is a coastal retreat in the city. The owner overhauled her kitchen to incorporate an upper level of cabinets, polished concrete counters, cork flooring and vintage-look taps. The island functions as additional workspace and adds a rustic touch to the space. The lantern is a fabulous find from Stadacona Lodge, a military hall in Halifax. via House and Home

Beautiful Outdoor Window Treatment

I absolutely love every single thing in this photo. The stonework, the window, the windowsill and especially the arched iron and wirework canope for the vines to climb on to give shade in the summer. via

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Here's Tabitha, By Popular Demand

She was asleep in a little ball on the wood chips. When I opened the door to take her picture, she woke up and wanted to come inside. She loves the nice weather we've been having and so do I. Enjoy your Sunday evening. Tonight I'll be watching Call The Midwife, The Good Wife and Mad Men. I couldn't get interested in Wolf Hall. It seems more like a series for winter. 

Doc Martin, Season 7, Filming Now

We've all been waiting but will have to wait a little longer. The UK viewers might get to see Season 7 by the end of this year but American lovers of Doc Martin will have to wait well into 2016. I'm just happy to know they are actually filming right now in Cornwall and will finish in July. Read one article here and another one here. I have watched every episode and can't wait to see how they wrap up the final season. I love all the quirky characters in the quaint little village on the Cornish coast and there's something going on with each of them. For those of you who are new to this series, you have planty of time to catch up. Are you happy now? In the meantime, I'm enjoying Caroline Catz (Louisa) on DCI Banks.

Wisteria at an English Hotel

Wisteria, Judge’s Country House Hotel, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire England
I hope lots of British mothers are being treated today at this beautiful place in honor of Mother's Day. The wisteria is fabulous, isn't it?

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Friday, May 8, 2015

A Wonderful Country Kitchen

I love the super large window over the farm sink and the built-in stepback cupboard next to the range. I'm sure the owners love this room and spend lots of quality time there.  It's the Belgian kitchen of interior designer Walda Pairon. Her husband celebrity chef Roger Souvereyns.


Another view of the kitchen without the table. See more photos of this home here.

My Wisteria is Dripping with Flowers

My ancient wisteria standards are all dripping with the most beautiful long blooms. It's a short season before they go wild again, putting out long tendrils trying to climb on something. 

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Dogs in Their Human's Bed

This photo is so dear and brings to mind the old days when Webster could still jump up on my bed and get really comfy.

Webster the Wonder Dog in his youthful days on my bed. His muzzle is completely white now but he's still very spry for his 13 years. He is loving his new grain free Salmon and Sweet Potato kibble from Costco and it really agrees with him. It got rid of his gas completely and that's a wonderful thing.

I took this photo this evening after our walk. Now to watch the evening news. See you tomorrow. xo

Beautiful Retro Bathroom

If you do a bathroom like this the first time around, you'll never have to remodel. It's a timeless classic. Wilmette vintage bath, Chicago. JK Design. Judy Klein photo. via

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Beauty in The Forest

I would love to have an outside lamp post crafted exactly like this. Mother Nature is the best designer, isn't she? via

Monday, May 4, 2015

Baby Birds and Spring Blossoms

via
There's nothing sweeter, is there?
I have house wrens nesting in one of my Williamsburg bird bottles on the back of the house and blue birds nesting in the blue bird box. I love the chitter chatter of the wrens. The bluebirds are very quiet. I planted two limelight hydrangea a few days ago, one in the back and one in the front. If they are half as good as they are supposed to be, I'll be happy. I got a big pot at a local garden center for a good price and when I got it home, it turned out to be two plants growing very close together. I was thrilled I was able to separate them. Read about this variety here.

HRH Princess Charlotte of Cambridge

She has a name: Charlotte Elizabeth Diana
The newest UK royal, a girl born on Saturday, has been named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

The middle names, of course, hark to her great-grandmother, the current queen, and her paternal grandmother, Princess Diana, who died in 1997.

Charlotte, a feminine form of Charles, is likely a nod to her grandfather, Prince Charles. via

Sunday, May 3, 2015

The Princess with No Name

She's a beautiful baby, isn't she?
This Telegraph article contains the odds on her name.
Everyone's waiting to hear and it should be soon.
Such a happy occasion for the young royals.
Wonderful slideshow here.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Guinea Pigs Gardening: Beatrix Potter

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These two Beatrix Potter watercolors are new to me. Have you ever seen them? These gardening guinea pigs are in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.