Posted by MAKMU ta
On Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The one that was lying down in the first photo stayed behind and let me get pretty close with my Nikon and its telephoto lens. Luckily Webster didn't know what I was up to since he was on the bed taking a nap. He can't stand for them to set one foot on 'his' property. He's very territorial.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Monday, March 26, 2012
Webster and I just got back from our last walk and I had to run back and grab my ski hat and mittens to go with my down jacket and scarf. The wind is howling and it's very cold. All the fruit growers are worried about the blossoms on their trees. It's supposed to get down into the 20s and it feels like winter again. This is a porcelain cold water faucet handle from my box of vintage hardware. How's the weather at your house?
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Saturday, March 24, 2012
I took this photo several years ago in Basking Ridge, NJ. It wasn't that far away from a great old farmhouse so the homeowner could run outside and tend the garden easily. Don't you just love barns that become garages, potting sheds, and great dry storage lofts?
I can see the light at the end of the tax tunnel.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Saturday, March 24, 2012
Some of the trees in my area have buds and some don't. My grass is greener than this barnyard and I already feel as if I'm behind in my yard work. My riding mower is being picked up on Tuesday for a spring tuneup. I'm in solitary confinement on the third floor this weekend until I finish my taxes. I was hoping for a rainy day but it's gorgeous. Webster has been offering moral support and keeping me company up there with his head on the windowsill looking longingly outside wanting me to finish too. I'm pretty organized [finally] and I'm on the homestretch.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Thursday, March 22, 2012
I love the fireplace in this room. It's time to start thinking about moving outside again with the nice early spring weather we've been having. I think the lawn mowing season is just around the corner and way too early if you ask me! via
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Monday, March 19, 2012
I ventured out beside a little stream (slippery iPad in hand) to show you the skunk cabbage that is growing by leaps and bounds in the wetlands surrounding my property in the way back. Pretty soon the peepers will sing me to sleep at night. Spring has sprung! If you've never heard of skunk cabbage and want to learn more about it click HERE.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Monday, March 19, 2012
Webster was off looking for snakes when I snapped this photo with my new iPad. It's very awkward I must say and slippery too. I can't imagine taking this anywhere except around my own property as a camera. If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful cutting garden or lots of interesting things to photograph around your own home you are in fat city. Otherwise, it's much easier to use your iPhone. It slips into your pocket and doesn't have to be babysat. The new iPad is capable of capturing great pictures though.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Sunday, March 18, 2012
Our gray morning blossomed into a full blown beautiful day. Webster and I hope yours did too.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Saturday, March 17, 2012
I always look for four and five leaf clovers but hardly ever find them. The 5-leaf clover is a mutation like the 4-leaf clover that does appear occasionally, but is less common than the 4-leaf clover. It has been estimated that there are approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover but that shouldn't stop you from looking. I keep mine in an antique miniature chest of drawers.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Thursday, March 08, 2012
Piggy isn't here but we still talk about him. My mother was eating some chocolate and he didn't get a bite because dogs aren't supposed to eat any -- but he did get to lick the soup bowl. I hope he misses us. Webster doesn't seem to care one way or another. He likes being only dog or guest host equally well. It's supposed to be 66 degrees today with spring in the air.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Saturday, March 03, 2012
We have fog and rain this morning. Webster went outside all by himself, ran back home, wolfed down his treat (a big bite of leftover cornbread), and then went back to bed. I told you he was a smart dog. I might follow his lead after breakfast. It is a perfect day for being lazy. via
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Saturday, February 04, 2012
I had a real estate showing this morning and on my way home I stopped to visit and photograph these animals.
George the donkey and Penny the horse. She gets her name after the copper coin.
George was the first to come closer. His namesake is George Washington.
The two goats in the background never moved an inch. The white goat is Rufus and the black one's name is David. His human often takes him for a walk leading him with a leafy branch. I think I'll invite both of these goats over this summer to eat some of my weeds.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Thursday, January 26, 2012
I do like this mudroom off the kitchen in New Hampshire. The fine woodworking is wonderful. I love the built-in boot bench and the paint color too. Designed by Smith & Vansant Architects. via
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Saturday, January 21, 2012
Many of the homes around me have these cattle grates across the driveways to keep the deer out with extensions on the fence posts to make them higher. It is almost easier to plant the things they don't like in my opinion. Rumor has it there are more white-tailed deer in this country now than when the Pilgrims landed. I don't care what they eat at my house but wish they would keep the deer ticks to themselves. I've had Lyme disease several times and it was awful.
I scanned this image from an old magazine and just discovered it on my computer. It's a very pretty farm, isn't it? We did get snow overnight..about 5 inches of powder. I am shoveled out, plowed out and my car has been cleaned off with my trusty rubber broom so I'm all set. Have a great weekend with or without snow.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Saturday, January 14, 2012
I was up with the sun this morning standing at the kitchen sink getting the coffee going. The day got off to a colorful start but quickly turned overcast and gray. As this Saturday progresses I see blue skies, white puffy clouds and some bright sun starting to appear.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Wednesday, January 11, 2012
I love this repurposed antique iron headboard that is now a beautiful gate. PURE GENIUS!!! I hope they were able to use the footboard somewhere too. via
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Friday, January 06, 2012
You can always get warm in the winter if your human throws a wool blanket over you after you arrange the pillows the way you want them. You can't always get cool in the summer. Life is good here at the cottage. Have a great weekend. Goodnight.
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Thursday, December 29, 2011
This grand old tree came down a few days ago for no apparent reason. There was no snow or wind...just some hard rain in the night. I was so sad when I drove around the corner on my way to the post office and saw the whole upper half of this beauty on the ground. It took a smaller evergreen down with it. I guess it was damaged when we had that freak snow while all the leaves were still on the trees in the fall. This area is still recovering from that storm and the tree people aren't able to keep up with all the work it created for them. The local Shade Tree Advisory Committee is starting to rethink their stringent rules for homeowners after so many were without power for over a week in October. I took this iPhone photo yesterday when the sun was going down late in the afternoon. (click photo to enlarge)
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Monday, December 26, 2011
Webster just wanted to show everyone that HE doesn't have to sleep in a crate. I think the reason he is so good with Piggy is because he doesn't have to share the bed with him. It's always good to have your own private place, isn't it?
Posted by MAKMU ta
On Monday, December 26, 2011
No more Christmas decorations. This stately manor looks perfect to me with nothing extra. Great architecture is like that. I would love to see more, wouldn't you? via
Are you venturing out to return any gifts or buy anything on sale? I'm not. Be careful if you have to travel home again in the next day or two. It's a lovely morning here at the cottage. Webster has already been out but Piggy is still fast asleep in his crate. I always drape my polar fleece bathrobe around most of the cage to keep out any drafts and he loves his warm cave. We have him for one more week...hooray! See you later.
