Dog People Are Lucky People

This professional portrait of two dogs dated 1919 is one of my favorite things. I love the fact that the owners of these two pets took them to a studio and posed them in front of a landscape backdrop. They're very sweet, aren't they?

Research shows that people with dogs tend to be happier, live longer, and suffer fewer illnesses. Aren't we lucky to be dog people? I know I am!

This framed portrait hangs in my living room much too high for Webster to see and be jealous.




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Life's Little Instruction Book page 148

This evergreen bough is to remind you to keep watering your tree if it is a real one. It must be getting very dry by now if you put it up before Christmas. My holiday was wonderful and I hope yours was too. Webster loves his new polar fleece blanket so much he won't get out of his bed this morning. That's a first! He usually rushes back to my bedroom to jump in my bed while it's still warm when I get up to make coffee. Have a great weekend. Be back later, Rosemary




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Reflecting on Christmas

"When the (Christmas) celebration is over may you turn in your memory the love, the giving and the receiving." An illustrated quote from the book, A Christmas Blessing.

I have to say my Christmas was absolutely wonderful. Hope yours was too. Rosemary




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A Christmas Blessing | Book

My mother gave me a wonderful illustrated book for Christmas. A Christmas Blessing by Welleran Poltarness. I'll be scanning more pages for you later. This post features the front and back covers. It's magical.

Merry Christmas, Rosemary




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Nat King Cole | The Christmas Song | Video

This classic Christmas song is one of my favorites. Nat King Cole's voice is so beautiful. Merry Christmas, Rosemary

Here's the link in case this video isn't showing.

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God Bless Us, Every One | Tiny Tim Christmas Quote

I added the quote to this image from "Dickens' Children, Four Drawings by Jessie Willcox Smith" that appeared in the December 1910 issue of Scribner's Monthly Magazine. It is of Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit on Christmas Day.

"In came little Bob, the father, with at least three feet of comforter, exclusive of the fringe, hanging down before him; and his threadbare clothes darned up and brushed to look seasonable; and Tiny Tim upon his shoulder."

I'm sending my best Merry Christmas wishes to you and yours from my cottage on Christmas Day 2009.




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Mark Twain Food Quote . . .

Mark Twain (1835-1910), American Author and Humorist.
This sounds like an excellent idea to me, especially at Christmas with food everywhere.

photo: Time Magazine Cover July 14, 2008 (cropped)




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Mayo Clinic Music Fun | Video

You have to promise me that you will watch this video of a charming older couple playing the piano in the atrium of the Mayo Clinic. They are proof positive that music keeps you young. The gentleman is 90 years old. They are so cute together. You will feel very happy and energized enough to get through the busy day ahead too. Enjoy, Rosemary

PS...Here is an interview with these Octogenarian Idols that appeared on Good Morning America. Please share.




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Gift Bags I Made Last Year

Last year I made these fabric gift bags for some hard-to-wrap presents. Sometimes I even impress myself. I'm not doing anything so ambitious this year. Just brown paper packages tied up with green twine. I'm keeping it very simple. How about you? Finished yet?




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Lonny Magazine | Volume II

The second issue of Lonny Magazine is waiting for you on your virtual newsstand. Don't forget to make time to click through it online when you get a breather after Christmas. Internet only.




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Sir Walter Scott | Christmas Wish

"Heap on the wood - the wind is chill

But let the wind whistle as it will
We'll keep our Christmas merry still."

This image is from one of my antiquarian books. I thought it was very fitting to illustrate this lovely Christmas quote by Sir Walter Scott. Agreed? Have a great day. Mine is going to be very busy.

Happy Birthday Stacey. I will drop off your gift later today. Save me a big piece of that yummy carrot cake you baked for yourself.




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Hark The Herald Angels Sing + Video

St. Paul's Cathedral, London.

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Dog Waiting For Santa | Video

My friend Jill just sent this to me. It's the cutest thing I've seen so far this year. Watch. Believe me when I say Webster doesn't have this much self control. He would have eaten all of the cookies and Santa would have left him a bag of coal. Merry Christmas. Don't forget to buy a present for your dog.

A Little Bird Told Me To Wish You A Merry Christmas

I digitally added a Christmas wreath around this cute little wren peaking out of his house photographed at the cottage over the summer. He's sending his best wishes for a Merry Christmas and hoping all of you remember to feed the birds.

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Illustrated Quote | Prince Charles and the Monkey

Image scanned from one of my antique prints.

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Vintage Christmas Card Art of the Cartoonist Roy Doty . . .

If what you see above interests you, click here to read more about the interesting life, times and career of Roy Doty (1922- ) and many, many more of his wonderful Christmas cards from the past 50+ years.

Each of the thumbnails (in the new link) can be enlarged so you can view the full-size illustration. What a treat; a real trip down memory lane.




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