Lily Pad Pond

I photographed this water garden last week on a real estate showing. Unfortunately, I didn't see or hear any bullfrogs. The house had a screened-in porch and I'm sure the owners enjoyed sitting out there listening to them croak on hot summer nights. my iPhone photo

I can't even tell you how weary I am of researching products for my upcoming house painting project. I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as a good waterborne stain. I think I'm just going to have my clapboards and shingles and trim painted white. Sherwin Williams is having an end-of-summer sale with 30% off thru September 2nd. I am just going to bite the bullet and paint everything with their thick white paint that goes on like buttermilk. It's called Duration. Case closed, fingers in ears, la la la la la. Can't hear you.

Pink Hollyhocks Climbing to The Sky

How much do I love this photo? via

Door for A Walled Garden

How lovely is this garden gate/door with a round opening? I like what I see of the walled courtyard too. I have someone coming later this morning to give me an estimate on painting and repairing my cottage. I love the color of this door and am considering going "dark" or "all white". I'm leaning towards dark because my cottage is near the road and next to deep woods. Road dirt and mildew would be less visible on a darker color. Will update you later. Have a great day. xo via

Beautiful Hollyhocks

These hollyhocks are a beautiful study in pink and green, aren't they? Sorry I haven't been posting as much as usual. I've been mowing and weeding and all sorts of cottage catching up. Front and back mowed yesterday and today and it looks fabulous. Real estate continues to keep me busy too. Fall is definitely in the air and we are having a very cool August. 

I really enjoyed the second episode of Broadchurch last night. I've been searching for more full episodes for those of you who don't have BBC America. So far, no success. The DVD has been released in the UK so it's only a matter of time before it's available here. It really is a wonderful series. Good night, see you tomorrow.

Another Blue Cottage Door and Window

This one is lovely too. I like the little trap door within the door for getting mail and packages and seeing who is there. Of course you could always look out the window, couldn't you? I love the roof and the brick walk and the giant plantings. Good night friends. Sleep tight. via

15 Gorgeous Formal Gardens: Charleston

A series of garden rooms at a lovely home in Charleston’s historic district conjures the charm of the Old South. This is the first of 15 photos. Click here for the rest.

Maze in the Morning Mist

This man appears to be yelling for help because he's lost. Isn't this an amazing maze? I want to know more. via

Wattle Arched Rose Arbor

I love it. What a fun project this would be. Buy here if you live in England.

Stunning Hollyhock

This photo leaves me speechless. Isn't it stunning? via

Raised Beds in a Kitchen Garden

These raised beds look very substantial and I like them very much. The copper edging is a nice touch. Found here (scroll down to last photo).

Entertain on a Carpet of Green Grass

This garden designer loves the idea of a path that leads to an open tapis vert, or green carpet. The path is lined with boxwood hedges and a mix of annuals and perennials. The "carpet" is surrounded with taller bushes and trees for privacy. Angus McRitchie photo via Canadian House and Home May 2009 issue.

Beautiful Oakleaf Hydrangea

I took this photo yesterday at my friend Kelly's house. Her oakleaf hydrangeas have really taken off this year and they are beautiful. I learned through some internet research that this variety and the Annabelle are the only two varieties that are native to the US. I love planting shrubs that are natives, don't you? I want to plant several of each and the Annabelle will be in honor of my mother Anna.

Lacecap Hydrangea

My lacecap hydrangea is blooming! So happy. my iPhone photo

The Milkweed is Blooming

My milkweed is blooming and it's so pretty. I adore the pink stems. I'll keep you updated on the progress of the pods when they begin to form. my iPhone photo

The Potting Room

If I had this wonderful space devoted to plants and gardening, I wonder if I would still end up at the kitchen sink the way I do now? The stainless steel farm sink is pretty wonderful, isn't it? Did you see the moon last night? It was big and beautiful but tonight is going to be THE night to look up in the sky for the "super moon". Another Sunday morning has come and gone without my being able to sleep in thanks to a certain cat. She is determined to make me into a morning person. Yawn. See you later. via

Amazing Terraced Landscape in Paris

Click photo to enlarge and then pick yourself up off the floor. WOW.

A page from the book 'Paris in Bloom' photography by Christoper Baker

Landscaping in Shades of Green

My favorite landscaping contains no color other than shades of green to accent the architectural elements.

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Great Potting Sink

Look at those big dovetails. This sink and drainboard are made of wood!!! I don't know why there are four faucets and please notice they are all different. Maybe the interior is tin or zinc lined, but I can't really tell. I love seeing these relics from the past that are still in use, don't you? via

Cast Iron Frog in My Garden

I took this photo early one morning last week. Ribbit. He's a big old one and I love him. I got up before the cat for some reason this morning and decided to start watching PBS Masterpiece recorded from Sunday night. I love Inspector Lewis Mysteries and this episode is the  beginning of Season VI. Here is a review from Forbes Magazine. See you later.

Gorgeous pink Cosmos

Photo by crescentmoon on Pixdaus. Now that my peonies are gone, this photo makes me wish I had a nice stand of cosmos. We all went back to bed and now we are all up again. I watched a movie, put it on pause halfway through, cooked breakfast and ate it while finishing the movie. It was The Clearing with Ann Mearin and Robert Redford. I tuned in after the first 20 minutes and didn't miss too much. It was very good. Then I dozed off again and now I feel great and ready for a nice afternoon. Tabitha wants lunch and Webster wants a walk so I must tend to them both. See you later.