Living Room Towards Rear of House

The rain has been pouring most of the day and the wind has been howling. I never lit a fire because of the wind and didn't get a nap either. But I had a nice day puttering around the cottage and playing on the computer. Hope you can say the same. The brown blob on the rug in front of the sofa is Webster. Maybe you can see the raindrops on the French doors leading out to the balcony.

Sir John Soane's Forgotten House | For Sale

©Roy Parkhouse

House for sale Chepstow, Monmouthshire, South Wales UK  | Country Houses £2,000,000 A romantic ruin now in need of complete restoration. The house stands in about 129 acres of historic landscaped parkland.

Sir John Soane's forgotten country house | Piercefield House, Piercefield Park - Chepstow, South Wales, UK, This neo-classical house, which probably dates from Tudor times, or even earlier, has late 17th/early 18th century additions attributed to William Talman. Much of what is seen today is the work of Sir John Soane. Doesn't this look like a fun project [or life's work]? Let me know if you buy it so I can come to visit. I've never been to Wales.

Don't fail to check out Sir John Soane's Museum. Soane designed this house to live in, but also as a setting for his antiquities and his works of art.

Rainy and Cold Today at My Cottage

Today is a good day for one of the last fires of the season. I just returned from walking the Wonder Dog and he went back to bed. It's hard to decide what to do---light a fire or take a nap. 

Book Dominos - Ireland's Library Association

This is really wonderful. Sit back and watch the books fall domino style. Here is the link in case you can't see my embedded video. Watch here. I went to the library at the end of the day yesterday and loaded up on books on tape for my mom who has macular degeneration and is legally blind. My favorite and most valued card in my wallet is my library card. I could live without a credit card but not my library card. Really!!! 

Cutest Otter Baby Ever

Such a happy image. Made me smile. Have a charming weekend.

Woodchester Mansion - Unfinished/Abandoned/Haunted Since 1870s

Woodchester Mansion is an unfinished, Gothic revival mansion house located in Woodchester Park near Nympsfield in Woodchester, Gloucestershire, England. It was formerly known as Spring Park. The Mansion was abandoned by its builders in the middle of construction, leaving behind a building that appears complete from the outside, but with floors, plaster and whole rooms missing inside. It has remained in this state since the mid-1870s. Is it haunted? No one knows for sure but one theory is that it stands on the site of three previous buildings and it is haunted by the ghosts of each of those structures. Read more...

Refreshments and A Garden Bench

Doesn't this look refreshing? Lemonade in the garden on a beautiful day. Too bad there's no place to sit because the pillows are hogging the bench so I'll just stand and smell the lavender. Have a great weekend. There is rain in my forecast for tomorrow but I don't mind. I'm still very busy inside my cottage. -*-

Too Many Dishes -- I'll Wash, You Dry

I'm feeling so much better today after a day of industrial-strength cleaning, rearranging and organizing yesterday. I still have miles to go but my sense of order is feeling so much better. I like closed door cupboards, especially in my kitchen. Having all my possessions staring me in the face every time I stepped in there would make me feel uncomfortable. I'm craving the 'just moved in, haven't unpacked yet' look right now. What about you? -*-

Fabulous Kitchen and A Loft Home Tour

This stunning kitchen belongs to Rob and Jill Brinson. He is a photographer and she is the Creative Director for Ballard Designs. I love the double sinks; they remind me of mine without the divider. More photos ~ Loft Home Tour

1949 Chevy Bookmobile Survivor

I can't even tell you how much I love this old bookmobile from the Anderson, SC Library. It was in continuous service until 1991. Found on A Pretty Book. View complete history of this traveling library here: Bookmobile Survivor The only thing that could possibly bring more joy would be an ice cream truck. 

A Sunshine Yellow Kitchen

I think I could cook up a storm in this yellow kitchen. I'm happy to report that the sun is shining brightly at my cottage this morning. Finally.

Very Soothing Bedroom

This would be my pick as the perfect place to sleep tonight. I'm tucking in extra early tonight because I stayed up way too late last night. It is beautifully soothing, isn't it? ...

A Red, Red Robin and A Red, Red Door

This harbinger of spring landed on my garden wall early in the afternoon looking for spring but couldn't find it anywhere. I'm so glad my camera was handy for capturing such a handsome Robin.

I wonder if the snow has melted yet at this 18th century New England Saltbox house with the amazing side door and window? I hope so. —

Less is More

I am feeling very overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I own. Cleaning out closets and cupboards and feeling like a hoarder. Less is the word of the day.  « 

Fabulous Bedroom with Map Wallpaper

I have decided to sleep in the bedroom tonight. Don't you love everything about it? I especially like the map wallpaper. Goodnight. Bedroom Perfection

Villers-la-Ville Abbey: Belgium’s Most Beautiful and Haunting Monastery Ruins

Villers-la-Ville Abbey: Belgium’s Most Beautiful and Haunting Monastery Ruins ~ Image via Pixdaus

Piggy The French Bulldog Came To Visit

I forgot to mention that Piggy came over for a visit yesterday. He just celebrated his first birthday and Webster wanted to give him a present. He ended up staying until bedtime and they both had so much fun together. Exhaustion doesn't begin to describe their state at 7:30 when I took The Pig home.

Open Air Cabin

I'm really into open air this morning since I slept with my bedroom windows wide open last night for the first time this year. It was wonderful. I love the way this sliding door with a built-in window slides open to bring the outside in. I have my weekly office meeting this morning followed by broker open house tours. Several "over the top" residences are on the list but I'd rather have this cabin any day country girl that I am. via Home and Hearth

Summer Cottage Love

Isn't this the sweetest cottage all decked out for summer? It must be really beautiful when the morning glories are in bloom. This photo makes me want a screen door on the front of my house. via

Bach On a Giant Wooden Xylophone In a Forest

This is the most amazing thing you'll ever see or hear. Please watch -- I promise you will love it.
Bach’s Cantata 147, ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’ Played On a Giant Wooden Xylophone In a Forest 

"The video is a commercial for a phone of which there are only 15,000 being made. By combining who knows how many pieces of wood, they were able to make a long, downhill track in a forest in Southern Japan that was able to reproduce Bach’s Cantata 147, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. This is a pretty phenomenal achievement and a beautiful piece of art."

Bluebell Woods | England

Loughborough, Leicestershire, England ~ So beautiful!  

Bluebell Woods 

Daffodils - Four More Popped Open Today - Yay

Art Nouveau Bookplate Ex Libris Louis Rhead

© Nancy Ellis ex libris Louis Rhead I adore this art nouveau bookplate.

Louis John Rhead (November 6, 1857 – July 29, 1926) was an English-born American artist, illustrator, author and angler who was born in Etruria, Staffordshire, England. He emigrated to the United States at the age of twenty-four. The Rhead family had operated and worked in the Staffordshire Potteries for at least three generations. Louis’s father George W. Rhead worked in the pottery industry and was highly respected gilder and ceramic artist. In the 1870s, George Rhead taught art and design in Staffordshire schools. He founded Fenton School of Art. Read more ...