My Picture Post Card Back Yard

Sorry I haven't been around much lately. I've been so busy outside and with real estate. I mowed the back yesterday and today and it looks fabulous, doesn't it? We are having some nice low humidity weather and I thought I should take advantage of it. I honestly can't believe today is the last day of July. I always try to savor August, the last full month of summer. my photo

Maxfield Parrish Clouds at My Cottage

We've had some very nice sunset cloud formations lately here at my cottage. I ran outside to capture this one with my Nikon last week because it reminded me of a Maxfield Parrish illustration in a book of fairy tales. Agreed? Click photo to enlarge.

Wild Grape Vine Detail

     Photographed here at the cottage one day this week while on a nature walk with Webster. I love the shape, color and intricate design on wild grape leaves and this one is perfect. Stay cool in this heat wave. Ours is supposed to break on Sunday and I cannot wait. I am so tired of having the air conditioning on 24/7. It's okay during the day, but I really miss sleeping with my windows open.

     The big walk-in closet is empty downstairs. I cleaned it top to bottom yesterday and it looks so nice. I took a break for a few days but now I am moved to continue dealing with my mother's ground level dwelling. I have donated most of the clothes and am feeling good about that. She had the best taste in classic dresses and jumpers that never go out of style. I put aside a few of my favorites and I have them airing outside. Don't ask me why but one day I'll know the reason. 

     There was an interesting segment recently on NPR about "The Global Afterlife of Your Donated Clothes". I didn't know that 80% of all donated clothing ends up in the hands of textile recyclers. Anyway, it's better than having them end up in the landfill. Article and podcast here. Read it and weep.

     Have a great weekend and try to keep cool. I'll see you later.

Webster On The Move

Click photo to enlarge.

Webster and I just got back from a walk after a brief shower. It's so muggy out there you can hardly get your breath. My camera lens was fogging over after a minute or two but I did manage to get a decent picture of the Wonder Dog. Did I ever mention he's addicted to air conditioning? Last night was the first time this year I left it running all night long. I think I'll leave on tonight too. Good night all. Have a great July 4th.

Two Cool Moon Photos Last Night

This photo of the moon was on auto-focus and then posterized.

This one was focused manually and then posterized. It really is a supermoon. It's the largest and brightest full moon of 2013 and it will be an official full moon tonight. This celestial event started last night at sunset and that's when I took my photos. my Nikon photos

My Bathroom Window

I took this photo with my Nikon yesterday morning while the sun was shining on the top of the radiator and a gentle breeze was blowing behind the curtains. Hopefully the rain we have been having to make this the wettest June on record is behind us. I see bright sun for 5 consecutive days on my iPhone's weather app. Let's hope it's right because we really need to dry out!!!

Dragonfly on My Front Walk

Click photo to enlarge.

He is still out there basking in the hot sun. The photo straight out of my Nikon was very boring against the bluestone background so I played around with the saturation and a few other things and got this. We don't have any cicadas but I can hear them singing faintly in towns nearby. When you drive through those towns, the sound is very loud. This lone alien dragonfly suits me just fine.
I took my best dragonfly photo back in 2009. Click here to see it.

Delightful Children's Bedroom

Click photos to enlarge.

I have been very busy with real estate last week and this week with a new listing that went on the MLS yesterday. This is one of the bedrooms shared by two little girls. Isn't it fabulous? I had a broker open house today and everyone loved it. Cross your fingers for me and the sellers. my photos

Webster, The Guardian

Webster loves to sit outside and guard the house. He doesn't need a leash because he knows he would never find a better home. He's very protective and he knows the boundaries. He doesn't like for other four legged animals such as the fox trespassing on HIS terrain. He will chase them to the edge but he won't go off the property. He is the best dog ever. He has misinterpreted the name of the lush flowers nearby. He thinks they are 'Pee-on-these' so he does. Ha.ha. Click photo to enlarge so you can see how lovely the peonies are since they have opened fully. It's raining softly now and many white petals are on the ground so they are on their way out. Boo Hoo.

Coffee with Dog Biscuits

I start each morning with soy milk heated in the microwave for my coffee. Webster starts his with four dog biscuits from this container. The sound of the lid being removed from the glass base brings him running. If I forget, he stands at the counter beside the sink and barks for his treats. my photo

My Kitchen Sink with Daffodils

In a previous post, I blogged about the history of my recycled white porcelain double farm sink. I was just looking through some old photos and came across the lead photo with two big bunches of daffodils on the ledge. My mother and I picked them at an old abandoned farm house where we used to go to pick lilacs in the spring. I forgot to do it this year. I don't remember picking my own daffodils either. Next year, I shall. If you missed it, read more about my wonderful sink here. my photo

Cat Naps Are Wonderful Things

Especially after breakfast on a cool, damp summer morning when the grass is too wet for outside sleeping. I have chores to do or I would jump in with her. Webster is stretched out on the rug in the guest room so it's very quiet around here. I think that heat wave we had wore everyone out! 

Folding Deck Chairs - Curbside Find

I found these very nice folding deck chairs someone put out for curbside pick up. I like them a lot and they are in perfect condition. They are ideal for the far side of my balcony. I never cease to be amazed at what people toss out. They are the same color even though the one on the right looks more golden because it was in the sun. They fold into a nice tight package and will take up almost no room in my garage when the season is over. See you tomorrow.

First Peony 2013

I was rewarded for getting out of bed this morning with my first open peony. It must have been waiting for some hot weather. I am so happy. my Nikon photo

Peony Bud

One of these days the tight pods on my peonies will open. I'm in no hurry though. I like the upright buds. When they bloom, they will droop. Besides, I'm not going outside again anytime soon in this heat. It's 90° right now and I can hardly believe I had the heat on two days ago. my Nikon photo

My Birdbath in the Early Morning Light

Now I know why photographers prefer the early morning light. Everything just looks better before the sun has gotten very high in the sky. I took this photo a few minutes ago from the balcony with my Nikon. Of all my birdbaths, this one is the favorite for some reason. It serves as a perch too for the birds looking to pounce on an insect. See you later. Webster is whimpering to be fed.

Bluebird Spotting Today at My Cottage

Any day that starts with a bluebird spotting is a good one in my book. This one was pretty far away and I'm thankful my Nikon with the big telephoto lens was near the window. 

Yellow Jacket at Work

This is the third paper nest this year I've had to knock down. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw this one going up at the top of the door jamb between my living room and the balcony. That's a little too close to home for me. Doesn't he look positively wicked? The yellow jackets make the gray paper themselves by chewing on slivers of wood. The young are hatched and food is stored in the nest’s center or "core" of hexagonal cells. That's today's science lesson from the cottage. my Nikon photo

Another View of My Front Garden

click image to enlarge

I hope you aren't getting tired of seeing my new wood-chipped creation. This shows how close to the road I am. But when I'm sitting in that swivel chair between the two column it's as private as can be. By being close to the road, I have full use of my property. I have a huge grove of spruce trees to the right that protects my cottage otherwise. I have new neighbors diagonally across the street and they are very nice. The inside of my cottage is a disaster. I've never been able to take care of the inside and the outside at the same time. But eventually everything gets done. See you tomorrow.

My Budding Peony Plants

Peony bud at my cottage this morning after a day of rain yesterday.

My peonies are doing so well this year. This is their third year at my cottage since I dug them up with permission from a lady who was having a garage sale prior to selling a house. She was the daughter of the deceased owner and she said her mother would be pleased someone wanted them. I have three plants and each variety is different. They get so much more sun this year thanks to Hurricane Sandy.