Rose Cottage Ltd

If you want to add a bit of warmth and style to your fall backyard entertaining, how about one of these Chimineas? All are on sale right now – some items with Free Shipping!

This high quality cast aluminum chiminea is a perfect gathering place, outdoor heater, and grill. This small chiminea is perfect for a small patio or deck, handles up to 12″ fire logs, and has an adjustable door on the bottom to adjust airflow. Remove the stack to reveal the hidden grill. In addition to its durability, an aluminum chiminea is more lightweight than its cast iron cousins. It will be easier to maintain and can be quickly stored during off-season times.

Size: 33″H x 15″Dia. 28 lbs.

On sale – under $200! Also available in Green and Charcoal tones.

Etruscan Cast Aluminum Chiminea (Gold Accent)

Snuggle up to the vintage style of the Gatsby chiminea. This medium sized chiminea is perfect for the avid antique collector. It has the feel of the Gatsby era combined with the durability of cast aluminum. In addition to its durability, an aluminum chiminea is more lightweight than its cast iron cousins. It will be easier to maintain and can be quickly stored during off-season times. Finally, because aluminum does not rust, it will last through years of harsh weather and rain. Cast aluminum is strongly suggested for areas of the USA that have cold snowy and rainy winters or wet seasons.

Features include a beautiful antique design, non-rusting solid cast aluminum alloy body with a decorative removable rain lid, neck insert for grilling, carry handles for easy arrangement, hinged mouth spark screen, spark arrestor neck insert, and a cast iron bottom grate to support the fire.

Size: 44″H x 20″ diameter. 65 lbs. Also available with Gold accent.

Gatsby Cast Aluminum Chiminea (Charcoal)

Note: Always use a non-combustible hearth pad or brick pavers underneath a woodburning chiminea or fireplace on top of combustible materials such as wood decking. This will protect against fire or heat damage.

The large Venetian Cast Aluminum Chiminea makes an excellent centerpiece for outdoor entertaining. Gather round to roast marshmallows or try your hand at open fire grilling, a large grilling/baking insert is included. The extra large size handles a full size fire log and an extra large mouth opening for full view of the fire. Remove the stack to reveal the large hidden grill. In addition to its durability, an aluminum chiminea is more lightweight than its cast iron cousins. It will be easier to maintain and can be quickly stored during off-season times.

Safety features include a spark arrestor neck insert and a hinged spark screen. Includes bowl handles and a decorative matching rain lid. Burn wood or artificial logs.

Optional weather cover and gas conversion kits available.

Size: 54″H x 23″Dia. 90 lbs.

If you think it’s impossible to find products made in the USA you’ll want to look at these USA-made and eco-friendly houses and feeders for birds. A few 50-degree mornings have it SRO lately at my local bird feeders. Birds are gearing up for the winter they know is coming.

Eco-Friendly Wren House

A hit with wrens, chickadees and nuthatches! The wren house that lasts forever!

That’s because recycled plastic lasts forever, is more hygienic than wood, and will never warp, crack or discolor. This house is built tough with sturdy all-screw construction! Watch the nesting begin in a clean, safe and secure home for wrens and other small birds.

Side cleanout, green and tan plastic with 10 inch vinyl coated, steel hanger.

Entry hole is 1-1/8inches.

Size: 4-1/2 x 6-1/2 inches tall.

Eco-Friendly Orange Fruit Feeder

Entice orioles into your yard! Not just for Baltimore Orioles fans either!

Nothing attracts orioles like the color orange. Hang this vibrantly-colored feeder and stock it with an orioles’ favorite food; oranges!

Skewer an orange half onto the center rod. Orioles can feed from four convenient stainless steel perches. Constructed of Eco-Friendly recycled plastic that’s easy to clean and keeps its good looks for years to come.

Hangs with a 10″ hanger with built-in loop. Dimensions are 9-1/2 x 11″

Eco-Friendly Bluebird House

The secret to happy, healthy bluebirds!Start with the right housing!

Hygienic, recycled plastic has the requirements bluebirds need: proper ventilation, floor size, entry hole and predator guard. And it’s attractive and durable. It has a wood-grained finish, sturdy all-screw construction and is completely impervious to weather. A clean, safe place for bluebirds to raise their families!

Pre-drilled for mounting, tan and green recycled plastic. Entry hole is 1-1/2 inches.

House measures 7 x 8-1/4 x 12-1/2 inches high.

Looks for dozens of other products for your feather friends at Duncraft. Great for gifts too!

I am constantly amazed at the cost of nearly everything these days. My sticker shock would be even worse if I lived in a location other than Central North Carolina. If you define “luxury” by price alone – you might find that you can get 4 bedrooms and 10 acres in one location or, 2 bedrooms and a 6′ by 12′ balcony in others.

Here are a couple of rather extreme examples of what $2 million will buy you today…two entirely different properties:

Let’s start with this Sotheby’s offering of a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment on Park Avenue, New York City.

2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a admittedly magnificent view. You also get a doorman/attendant, have elevator access and a Health Club/Gym.

The apartment is gracefully proportioned and includes a working fireplace, soaring ceilings, an intimate dining area, and two bedrooms with ensuite baths. The gracious foyer leads to the light-filled living room and dining area. The large kitchen includes a washer and dryer. The building’s spectacular planted terrace faces Park Avenue.

If you are in a real hurry, contact the realtor.

Property Number Two comes in at $1,999,999 – but who’s counting? Here we get 5 bedrooms and 5 baths – over 8,000 sq ft on 2 acres in Asheville, North Carolina.

This spectacular 8000+ sq ft home on 2 acres has spectacular views of Biltmore Estate (decent neighbors!) Three kitchens plus plan for outdoor Carolina Kitchen. Granite countertops, Viking appliances. Open kitchen, breakfast & keeping room.

Other features:

++ Elevator
++ Mexican marble
++ Two offices
++ $75K home theater
++ Billiard room
++ Library has cherry herring bone floors
++ Mahogany doors
++ Security system w/camera

Contact this property’s realtor for details on this remarkable home.

Whatever your budget, do your research and make sure you are an expert on your preferred location. Whether it’s $200,000 or $2 million – make sure you get the best value for your dollars. What that means is up to you.

What is the first day of “Fall”? And along with that, what does “Autumn” mean?

Here are the answers: Fall & Autumn

Don’t worry about that changing clocks thing quite yet though. We don’t “fall” back one hour until November 3, 2013…

I love statues and stones in a garden. As long as they are sized right for the environment and not too overdone – statues and stones can add a bit of character and interest nearly anywhere. Some are very simple with very clean lines and some are unbelievably intricate.

Here are a few ideas…click on any image for full details…

I need one of these “Fairy of Lost Things” statues – inside AND outside…

While these products above are each available for less than $50, I have to add one more that costs a bit more – just because it is so beautiful!

And here she is – the Grand Fairy of Kensington! “She” is sold out at the moment – and I can see why…

Find them all plus some special savings and free shipping options at…

I wrote a post back in June about what seemed to be a really bad year for ticks and fleas. My dog Cato was just miserable and I was also finding fleas on myself. Misery shared is no solution let me tell you.

In desperation, I contacted my/Cato’s trainer to ask for advice. She recommended Capstar. Here’s a image link via Amazon for anyone who wants to order. Make sure you order the pills right for your dog’s size…

Even though this is the last week of Summer 2013, fleas in particular will still be active. The trick with Capstar is to use it properly. You don’t just give one pill and “BOOM” all fleas are gone.

My process was to treat the home and yard environment for about a week before giving Capstar. I also timed it to be given about 2 days after I’d applied the liquid Frontline. You’ll still need Frontline or whatever you are using on a monthly basis to kill fleas. In a really bad infestation you can go to a once every 3 week cycle – without harming your pet.

So you treat the home and yard – hopefully setting up a “die” zone for fleas, you have the liquid anti-flea medication applied, and THEN you give a Capstar. Why?

Capstar kills the fleas and ticks on your dog for around 24 hours. If they manage to just jump off to a untreated area, 25 hours later they jump right back on your dog. You are then thinking Capstar does not work. It does – when used as part of a process – not the whole solution.

I still don’t know why the products we’ve been using against fleas for years no longer seem enough. But when the dog is miserable, so am I – and Capstar adds the needed quick fix to ensure you and your dog have a flea-free year. I had to go through the process with 2 Capstar pills – about 2 weeks apart but, as you can see from his photo – he’s not scratching!

I’ve had a few specific items I needed to purchase in recent weeks and I have to say that my offline shopping experience was not much fun.

There was a item or two that I thought would or should be in my local WalMart or Target. I made trips to both stores and did enough round trip “drive-bys” of several aisles that any neighborhood watch group would have reported me to the police. In both instances I was not able to find what I wanted – either the item, or the desired size and color, were not available.

Other shoppers and store employees are also frequently obnoxious. Between the people thumbing phones instead of watching where they are walking, to stores with a dozen employees standing around chatting while customers wait in line wondering why the other available 15 registers are seemingly never opened – it can get frustrating.

Some large shopping centers are like other planets. I went to one huge center that had store after store, and almost couldn’t figure out how to get out! Who comes up with these traffic patterns, and why are there so many dead ends?

I won’t even get into the question of how so many people in this country can be either unemployed or under-employed – and the shopping centers are packed. It does help explain why shopping in the middle of the work week in the middle of a work day is nearly as crowded as shopping on the weekend.

Anyway, I came home feeling I had definitely wasted my time, found the couple of things I needed online, ordered, and will probably have both by Monday – waiting on my doorstep when I get home. There are few instances when I can’t do this since I don’t go shopping as a social experience and I don’t feel I have to “pre-touch” every purchase.

I realize some people live to shop and won’t have a clue what I’m talking about here but I think just as many people feel the same way I do. My goal for the coming holiday season is to purchase 90%+ of gift items online. I’ll be posting some great values and interesting gift ideas in the coming weeks. If there is free shipping – you’ll know it. Big sale – I’ll tell you.

Maybe I can help a few others retain their shopping “sanity” this coming gift season!!!

Happy Weekend…

Do you know someone who really likes the outdoors? Do you know someone who likes to watch birds and other animals around their property? Here’s a gift idea (or two) for you. None will break the budget and gifts will be most appreciated by recipients long after the Christmas tree is down and the leftover turkey is gone!

8.0-megapixel Infrared Digital Motion-detection Camera

This infrared version provides clearer nighttime images without use of a flash. Equipped with a 50-degree wide-angle lens, an adjustable (on/off) 30-foot flash or infrared emitter range, and test mode.

Features 24-hour operation, burst mode for multiple exposures, four time-out settings between activations, minimum focus of 5 feet, AVI video capability, and time/date/moon phase stamps on each image. SD card slot for memory accepts up to 32-GB card (not included) for thousands of images.

Also available: 5.0 Megapixel Infrared Digital Motion-detection Camera

This one is on sale right now – over 50% OFF!!

Audubon BirdCam

Look at your backyard in a whole new way with this motion-activated 5-MP digital camera. “Smart sensor” technology and laser aim let you photograph birds and wildlife without disturbing them. Because the camera is activated only when an animal is detected, you’ll have fewer empty frames and a longer battery life.

No tools, wires, or software is needed to get your weatherproof camera up and running. Several mounting options available: attach to a post or tree with included stretch cords, or simply set it on the ground. No flash; daytime use only.

You’ll have to invest a bit more in the next gift, but the rewards will last a lifetime. The night vision binocular would be a great gift for that person on your list who already seems to have everything!

National Geographic Night Vision Binocular – 5x Magnification

This lightweight and compact night vision binocular extends your explorations to the once unknowable realms of darkness so you can see what wildlife roams at night. The state-of-the-art intensifier tubes provides the brightest image possible with 5X magnification.

If you need to see in complete darkness, switch on the powerful integrated infrared illuminator, which works even at low battery voltage. Multicoated glass optics allow 53-foot field of view at 200 feet and feature precise click-ocular focusing. Housed in a rubberized, ergonomic, water-resistant body.

Also available: National Geographic Night Vision Binocular – 2x Magnification

No time like now to start thinking about gifts for the holidays. As fast as time seems to be moving, it will be Thanksgiving before we know it! Shop more than 150 new items in the National Geographic Store!

YEAH! 59 degrees in North Carolina this Saturday morning and it feels GREAT! Time to start a check on sweaters for what’s to come in Fall/Winter 2013.

++ First Day of Fall: 22 September 2013

Here are some fantastic options:

Men’s Casa del Moral Alpaca Sweater

Check out the colors on this beautiful Alpaca sweater!

Artisans in Arequipa adapt some of Casa del Moral’s architectural details into this jacquard-knit baby alpaca sweater in shades of sky blue, smoky gray, and marigold.

Just under $150

This Norwegian Quarter-zip Wool Sweater even LOOKS warm!

Enjoy the timeless style, durability, and warmth of pure wool in this Norwegian sweater by Devold, the oldest manufacturer of knitted goods in the country, in business since 1853.

Around $250

One of my favorites from last year is this Wool WWII Military Sweater.

Wool and cotton twill in a classic military mechanic’s sweater. If it was good enough for them, it’s good enough for me!

Part of standard-issue military wear during WWII, sweaters like this olive wool pullover were popular among servicemen for comfort, durability, and easy pullover warmth. The shawl-collar style buttons up to cut the cold just as it did onboard aircraft carriers in the ’40s. Cotton twill canvas-reinforced elbows add durability. In Navy or Olive.

Under $150.

Going walkies? This Scottish Wool Walking Sweater will come in handy!

The walking sweater is a tradition in the British Isles that dates back more than a century. This classic outdoor style uses 100% Shetland wool fiber for its warmth and natural moisture-wicking properties. Built to withstand Scotland’s vigorous, often fast-changing weather, it has suede patches at shoulders and elbows for durability and reduced wear and tear from backpacks or camera straps. Crafted in a 19th-century mill on the banks of the Annick Water in rural Ayrshire, Scotland.

Under $200

Look for more colors and styles…