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.

Happy Sheep Family

Adorable. I never tire of looking at sheep. via

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

Portrait of a Barn Owl

Too beautiful for words! via

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!

Where's The Kitchen Laundry Room?

Can you see it now? Very clever, indeed. Tour the entire remodeled home here.

The Joy of Books (and Coffee)

via Book Porn

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

Nice Laundry Room w/ Sliding Barn Door

I really, really like this laundry room!

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design in Portland Oregon via

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

Red Leaf Still Life

This one was too pretty to rake into the pile so I set it aside for a photo session. 

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. 

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!

Vintage Halloween Postcard Video w/ Music

Click here if you can't see the embedded video above.
H A P P Y   H A L L O W E E N

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.

Topiary Study

Love the big scissors too. via

Morning Mist Rising

It feels like a September day instead of the end of October. The morning mist was still in place at the lowest point of my long and narrow property when I got up and headed for the coffee maker. I'm a big fan of fog as long as I'm not driving in it. 

Haunted House?

I'm sure these people don't get many trick or treaters! It really does look spooky, doesn't it? via

Listen to the Quiet

This is the perfect photograph for this quote, isn't it? via

Oak Leaf Hydrangea Leaves in the Fall

I took this photo at a realtor open house on Sunday. I do love the shape of these leaves and they way they change color in the fall. So lovely. It's cool and overcast today and will rain tomorrow. I really can't complain because we need it. xo

The Tiny Kitchen That Could

This arrangement would work for me. via

Wonderful New Old House

Is this a new house or a restored old house? I can't tell but I love it. I hope there is a staircase into the tower so the owners can climb up and look out. The wrap-around porch is fabulous, isn't it? via

October Apples

Old-fashioned ugly apples right off the tree are one of my favorite things about October. I have two friends with trees that are laden with fruit this year. I'm about ready to pick another batch this week. They are so delicious. photo source

Amazing Built-in Bookcase

These people were so smart to put in a bookcase instead of a raised panel. It's perfect for their larger antiquarian books. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes.

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. Anna Quindlen"

These homeowners managed to do both!!! photo source

Colorful Maple Leaves Reflected

The glowing maples in the woods next to my cottage look prettier reflected on my car windows than they do in person. They look like they are on fire! 

PS: I posted about a great 2007 movie I watched recently called The Water Horse. I found the complete movie on YouTube. WATCH IT HERE. Yay!