Sunday, September 30, 2012

Autumn Leaves at My Cottage


I took this photo with my iPhone while walking the Wonder Dog after dinner in the way back. The setting sun was shining brightly on this cluster of oak leaves. 

Scarf Weather is Almost Here


This photo makes me want to dig out my knitting needles and whip up a new scarf for the cooler weather. My favorite gray cashmere knit scarf has so many moth holes I don't think I could ever mend them. Nothing else in my closet or drawers has a single one so I guess my moths are particular. I still use it though for yard chores and with my pajamas when I'm watching TV in bed on chilly evenings. image 

Meet Pyewacket the Cat


The players: Chloe the miniature long-haired dachshund, Winston the Cairn Terrier, and Pyewacket the beautiful black and white cat.

She is a barn cat that occasionally goes in the house for a little R&R. Webster is sad that his job has ended. We're getting another gig for a few days next week. He doesn't know yet and he will be happy to learn it will be in-house.

The rest of my Living Room


Here is the rest of the room where my recent panoramic view left off. Have a nice Sunday.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Painted Screen As Wall Mural


I photographed this large folk art painted screen recently at an open house. It was the focal point of the entrance hall. The house was beautiful and the furnishings were lovely. It sold right away and the new owners have already moved in. 

Be Still


Isn't this the perfect image to illustrate this beautiful quote? Are you doing anything exciting this weekend? As soon as I have another cup of coffee and finish my 'ground hog day' chores I'm off to the annual fireman's auction and sale in town. We only have trash day once a year and the firemen pick up donated 'good stuff' to sell in tents, fields, and in the firehouse. It's always a fun day terminating with all the books being really cheap after 4pm. You get to fill a big grocery bag full for a dollar or two. This is a great opportunity to get all of your winter reading lined up. There is food on the grill too. I usually come and go several times throughout the day since certain areas are like an archaeological dig. Who knows what could be hiding at the bottom of the pile? See you later. Have a great weekend. image source

Friday, September 28, 2012

Goodnight World


This photo illustrates how I feel right now perfectly purrfectly. I can't wait to jump in bed and fire up the DVR for some quality TV watching. I'm sorry I've been neglecting my blog and the comments of late but there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything. This time of year is a busy one for most of us so I know you understand. Have a great weekend. See you tomorrow. Goodnight!

Carving Nautical Pumpkins w/ Templates


You will definitely want to jump over to Completely Coastal to view these wonderful pumpkins you can carve. There is a slideshow, a tutorial, and free templates to download. I think they are fabulous!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Rufus Porter Mural


I loved seeing this mural in the style of Rufus Porter earlier this week. It looks so nice! My photo [click to enlarge].
Rufus Porter was a traveling folk artist and inventor who decorated walls with stenciled images and original paintings throughout New England during the first half of the 1800s. via

Auction of Brooke Astor's Possessions

Lot #67 A VERY GOOD READING LIBRARY OF STANDARD AUTHORS MOSTLY 19th C.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000 USD
LOT SOLD. 74,500 USD
(Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)
including Voltaire, Casanova, Sir Walter Scott, Joseph Conrad, Washington Irving, William Makepeace Thackeray, Edward Gibbon, George Eliot, Charles Darwin, William Shakespeare, George Meredith, James Fenimore Cooper, Honore de Balzac, Ivan Turgenev, and a set of The British Poets, mostly bound in full or half morocco or calf. Approximately 711 volumes. 
I'm so happy her things brought so much more than the pre-auction estimates, aren't you? Click here to see some prices on other things. Animal things, including dogs here. via Sotheby's

More Ivy Under Control


Now this is impressive! One can only imagine the task of keeping this ivy so beautifully and artistically maintained. WOW.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Cozy Room for Autumn


I adore this room with its deep stone walls and the stove inside the fireplace looks so inviting, doesn't it? That time of year has finally arrived at my house and I'm so glad. via

All White Kitchen


Tudor Revival house by architect Donald Lococo and designer Darryl Carter. Architectural Digest. via I love the dark floors and the beamed ceiling in this restoration, don't you?

Monday, September 24, 2012

What's Behind the Green Door?


The green door works with this house, doesn't it? I love the eyebrow windows. via

Hydrangea Leaves


I love photographing these leaves in bright sun. The veining is so beautiful. 

For The Birds


A lovely littly ivy covered cottage for the birds. Did you watch the Emmys last night? I stayed up until the very end. I was very happy for Homeland but a little disappointed that Mad Men was completely shut out. Did your favorite show get an award?
my photo

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Late September Sky


The late September sky was absolutely amazing today with lots of white puffy clouds. I love always having a camera with me (iPhone photo). I took this sometime between 3:30 and 4:00 in the afternoon.

I like the sun rays in the corner of this shot.

We Want Our Biscuits


Webster has been babysitting his friends this week. Before we leave everybody goes inside for biscuits.
We go to their house for feeding and walking. Webster is such a good dog buddy. He's always happy to get work and I'm glad for the photo opps. 

Amazing Home and Courtyard Garden


There are no words. I have been clipping my boxwood so I can really appreciate the work involved here. It's wonderful and so is the house. Have a wonderful Sunday. via

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Smooth Sailing


I'm not a sailor but if I were I wouldn't mind being on this boat. via

Have a Restful Weekend


Doesn't this look like the perfect place to enjoy one of the last weekends of summer? Or is it the first weekend of Autumn? Webster and I have already been out for a morning drive with a stop at the Post Office to grab our mail. See you later. via

Antiquarian Books and Prints

They are always perfect together, especially in such a lovely bookcase. I plan to reply to the comments left on various blog posts over the past two days this weekend. via

Friday, September 21, 2012

Panorama of My Living Room


I just updated my one year old iPhone 4S software to IOS 6 and now I can take panorama photos just like the new iPhone 5! I'm having so much fun. Starting with my fireplace on the left and panning to the right you see almost 3 complete walls and the hallway leading to my bedroom. 
I worked so hard outside yesterday I was a zombie all day today. I needed this diversion to perk me up. Have a great weekend. See you tomorrow.

Look Down When You Walk

You never know what you might find. My iPhone photo snapped this afternoon on a walk with Webster and my mom.

Amazingly Delicious Baked Chicken


Mix 1/2 cup sour cream with 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
Spread over chicken breast in a baking dish.
Sprinkle Italian bread crumbs on top. 
I made this two days ago and it was amazing. I used the frozen chicken tenders from Costco. I did not defrost them first. I had a wedge of hard Italian cheese in the fridge and I coarsely grated it with my box grater. I used one cup of sour cream and about 3/4 cup of cheese. I didn't have any Italian bread crumbs so I crumbled a big piece of left over cornbread and it was perfect. I cooked at 400 since the chicken was frozen and I extended the cooking time. I just kept checking until I thought it was done. This was honestly the best chicken I have ever tasted. I found it on Pinterest. Original recipe here.

Storybook Cottage


Goodness.Gracious.Alive -- This is too good to be true. Have you ever seen anything more enchanting? I have not! via

Tree Silhouette

The Tree of Life by Norby on Flickr via Jersey Lady on Pinterest

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Autumn Leaf


Just a beautiful leaf on a shrub turning to show it's autumn colors.
my iPhone photo

Colonial Christmas


I bought a fabulous book at a house sale over the weekend that was originally $60.00 and I got it for $7.00. I'm sure it's out of print -- American Home From Colonial Simplicity to the Modern Adventure by Wendell Garrett, David Larkin and Michael Webb. It's a big fat volume and I love leafing through it. I took this lovely photo with my iPhone. There will be more from time to time. I'm rushing around this morning because I have a helper coming and we are going to work outside all day long. See you later. 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

William Morris Wallpaper

I love this pattern. Wallpaper by William Morris called “Marigold”. via

Spectacular Art Deco Owl

Wonderful Art Deco Owl above the door of the center reading room on the fifth floor, Library of Congress John Adams Building, Washington, D.C. Owls and libraries go together perfectly, don't they? via

Elegant Entrance

Isn't this the most elegant entrance you've seen in ages? It's an example of fine woodworking at its best.  via

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Sleep


This is such a sweet peaceful photo. I'm on my way to clean the kitchen so I can get in bed and watch TV. See you tomorrow. via

Red Velvet Dog

Webster would never do anything like this at least I don't think he would. It appears to be all in a day's work for this hilarious dog. via Dog Shaming

Antiquarian Books Still Life


All of my favorite things in one photo that looks like a painting. via

Ivy Under Control


I'm sure there is a lot of clipping involved to keep this nice ivy arch maintained. The whole scene is perfectly lovely! via

Monday, September 17, 2012

Brooke Astor's Dog Paintings

Side staircase in the late Brooke Astor’s Westchester, NY estate, Holly Hill. I wonder if these wonderful dog paintings are in the auction on September 24 and 25? All copies of the Sotheby's printed catalog have been sold. I found a few of her dog items here. Photo above found here.

Beautiful Bookplate

Ex-libris by Alphonse Inoue designed for Yoshiki Yamamoto. Alphonse Inoue is the pseudonym of a Japanese artist, known for his sensuous bookplates. via

Morning Dew

This beautiful photo inspires me to keep weeding to make way for something beautiful. I wish I knew the name of this plant with leaves that capture the dew drops in such a lovely way. Happy Monday! via

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Virginia Creeper


The Virginia Creeper vines are starting to turn red, a sure sign of autumn. I made a real dent in my weeding this weekend and did a big mowing from the road to the rear all yesterday afternoon. Weeding is being done piecemeal so I don't burn myself out. That job is somewhat demoralizing if you know what I mean.
my photo

floating Ivy


Look carefully and you will see the tiny roots on the ivy just waiting to attach to something. It is very determined!
my photo

Saturday, September 15, 2012