Lake District Scenery-ENGLAND

Beatrix Potter's home used for movie "Miss Potter" starring Renee Zellweger. They would not allow photographs inside her home and I was disappointed about that. The home had beautiful antiques but the most interesting observation was how dark the inside of the home was. If you have not seen the movie it is very good.

I saw more sheep on this day than I have seen in my entire life. They were so beautiful. Everything was so green and healthy.

There are many lakes in this area.

Our tour stopped at this spot and I made pictures of people enjoying the beautiful day.

I made a picture of this house because the flowers were so pretty!

You can see the snow covered mountain top in the distance.

I am joining Susan for Outdoor Wednesday .

Just met Laura from Happy Homemaker in the UK and enjoyed her post about Beatrix Potter. Check out her September 29 post here.

The Lake Country- ENGLAND

Cream Tea near Beatrix Potter's home.

Joining Tabletop Tuesday with Marty @astrollthrulife@blogspot.com

Susan for Outdoor Wednesday's @a southerndaydreamer.blogspot .com

Susan for Tablescape Thursday @betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

Michael Lee for Foodie Friday@designsbygollum.blogspot.com

                

A few of my favorite summer things

Being at the beach with our grandchildren is at the top of the list of my favorite summer things.  It was a special time. This is Shell Island, adjacent to Panama City Beach, Florida.  It was very beautiful and we were so thankful the oil spill had not reached this area.

The Morgan family loves peaches.  

 Summer means the hummingbirds will arrive and fascinate us. They are amazing tiny creatures and so much fun to watch. I have so much to  learn about photographing them. 

I like reflecting on special times and memories of summer.

Laura is having a fabulous giveaway of a beautiful turquoise necklace. Visit her wonderful blog for details.

I am joining the fun at  Outdoor Wednesday @asoutherndaydreamer .Visit and enjoy all the wonderful outdoor posts.

Tis the season for spiders!

All things bright and beautiful,

 All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful: 

The Lord God made them all.

Cecil F. Alexander

Hymns for Little Children, 1848

 

Aunt Pauline and Aunt Margaret

These are my mother's two sisters. Aren't they beautiful?

Mama Dot's Brown Sugar Cookies

Most of these ingredients you probably have on hand. 

These cookies are simple to make and delicious.  This is a friend's family recipe.

                                                      Brown Sugar Cookies

1 cup softened butter                                

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

3 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups chopped pecans

Cream softened butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour to which cream of tartar and baking soda has been added. Add chopped pecans and mix. Make into a ball and divide into four parts. Roll into four logs and chill throughly. After dough is very cold cut cookies 1/4 inch and place on baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes at 325 degrees. For crunchy cookies bake a few minutes longer.

Mixes so easily in no time.

Divide this into four equal parts and roll into logs.

I placed each portion on a piece of wax paper and rolled it into a log. Chill until very cold.

Use a cerrated knife to cut the cold dough. Easy!

Bake in a 325 degree oven for 12 minutes or several minutes longer for a crunchy cookie. 
This recipe makes around 120 half dollar size cookies. More if you can resist not eating some of the dough.  Cool  and twist slightly to remove from pan. Freezes well. Enjoy!

I am joining Susan for Foodie Friday @designsbygollum.blogspot.com

Cloche Party Outside

I bought this beautiful cloche from, A Gardener's Grate, at Scott's Antique Show in Atlanta. She had a lovely booth.

This is the parsley the monarch butterfly caterpillars have been working on. One year, I picked all the caterpillars off not knowing what they were. So this year, I decided to let them eat my plants. Would you believe I witnessed from the window a beautiful pair of cardinals feasting on the monarch caterpillars? Of course, my camera was not ready with a zoom lens and  I missed a good picture. Maybe they will come back.

While I was playing in the garden with the cloches I remembered a book I have, "Antiques from the Garden". It was interesting to read about cloches. The book just makes you drool over the beautiful antique urns, plant stands and garden benches.

I learned that cloches or bell-glasses, originated in France.

Playing in the cloches was fun. It did make me want at least one more large cloche to group together inside. I do have two baby ones that are so cute! Marty, I am getting crazy about cloches!

I am so excited to participate in Marty's Cloche Party@astrollthrulife. I am a little late but I have been having so much fun viewing all the entries.