Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year 2014



I love a good fireworks display, don't you? I posted this exploding ball on July 4th and it's perfect for New Year's Eve too. Have a lovely last night of 2013.
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The Morning of New Year's Eve


I went food shopping yesterday after I cleaned out my refrigerator and forgot to buy black-eyed peas to eat on New Year's Day with cornbread and greens. Do you have a tradition of eating anything special on the first day of the year? My meal is very Southern - history here.
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Monday, December 30, 2013

An Irish Blessing


I had a pretty busy day and am getting ready to climb into bed for some TV viewing. I thought this Irish Blessing was perfect day's end. See you tomorrow. 
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Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 56

More fatherly advice.


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Melting Evergreen


Almost all of the snow has melted around here except for a little bit here and there that's waiting for more later in the week. I want to clean out my refrigerator and get all new food for the new year. Doesn't that sound like a good idea? Webster is almost out of kibble so he will get a new bag for 2014. Wow, that's the first time I have typed next year's date and it's right around the corner too. I don't have snow on my spruce trees today -- I took this photo a while back. See you later.
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Sunday, December 29, 2013

Karin Blake: Her Malibu California Home is On The Market

Interior designer Karin Blake's Malibu, CA residence is for sale. Her two bedroom / two bath cottage with a pool is located across the street from the ocean. $3,795,000.





All images from Architectural Digest.
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Rainy Day


It just started raining and I haven't walked Webster yet so I guess I'll have to go out in it. Why didn't I do it earlier so I wouldn't have to put on rain gear? Too busy being lazy, I guess. Hope you are having a lazy Sunday too. 

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Lovely Christmas Tree and Wreath

I love the tree and wreath in green and red against the paneled door. via

I just saw an ad for one of my favorite programs on PBS. Call The Midwife is having a Holiday Special tomorrow night from 7:30 - 9:00. Details and short video here.
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Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Pages 54 and 55

I told you I would post more!


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Friday, December 27, 2013

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 53



More sage advice from a father to a son. It's been too long since I posted from this book -- over a year. I will post weekly until this volume is finished. I'm working hard on #695 trying to get my upstairs office in order. It has been too long since I gave this space my attention. My big PC is up here and it contains all my files for posts like this and my Photoshop editing software. I've been working downstairs from my laptop and neglecting my desktop. I know everyone will be happy to see Life's Instruction Book once again. I'm getting a jump on my New Year's Resolutions. 
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Astronaut Chris Hadfield sings - Space Oddity

A revised version of David Bowie's Space Oddity, recorded by Commander Chris Hadfield on board the International Space Station. Click here if you can't see the video below. He has got to be the coolest astronaut ever.

I was listening to Chris being interviewed on NPR today promoting his new book, "An Astronaut's View of Life on Earth". I have only heard clips of his now famous performance of the David Bowie classic - Space Oddity. Over 19 million people have viewed it so far and now we have too.

Watch the original 1969 video by David Bowie below.

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A Tall Drink of Water


Tabitha will only drink water from Webster's dish. I think she likes it because it's nice and tall and she doesn't have to bend over to drink from it. If the water level gets too low, she lets me know. If it gets empty, Webster brings it to me for a refill. 
I worked upstairs for a long time yesterday trying to make sense of the attic again and I can see light at the end of the tunnel already. Today I must shred papers for tomorrow's recycling. I will set the timer on my iPhone and spend another hour up there this morning. See you later.
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Thursday, December 26, 2013

My Paperwhites


My paperwhites are beautiful and I'm loving the way they act as a natural room freshener. Some people think their scent is overpowering but I like them. 
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Ice Skating and An Open Fire

via What could be better than ice skating in the snow with your friends

via and then warming up before an open fire?
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Lazy Day after Christmas


Here's hoping you don't have to work today and were able to sleep a little later than usual, as I did.

Webster doesn't like having a late breakfast. He's always famished and likes to eat early.

They have both eaten and gone outside and have now gone back to bed.

Are you enjoying the day after Christmas too? I have always loved this day and I'm looking forward to spending it indoors puttering around the cottage. 

Today is "Boxing Day" in England and Canada. I always pictured men in boxing gloves and never understood this holiday until today. It seems that the servants who had to work on Christmas had the day after Christmas as their day off and their employers presented them with boxes of presents when they departed. Thus, it became known as Boxing Day. How nice! I wonder if we will see this played out on Downton Abbey? 
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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

How to gift wrap a cat

This just struck me as funny. I think I could have done this yesterday if Tabitha had gotten in my way when I was in super-drive-wrapping-mode.

Merry Christmas


I hope Santa was good to you.
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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Santa Claus by Thomas Nast 1881


Merry Old Santa Claus
Harper's Weekly January 1, 1881
I had one of the originals and this is my photo of the lithograph which was sold long ago. The historic Thomas Nast House is in nearby Morristown, NJ. I accomplished just about everything I set out to do today and delivered lots of local packages wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string. Really! I hope Santa is good to everyone. Merry Christmas.


I took this photo of the Nast House from my car with my iPhone in the fall.
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The Rush is On


I have so much to do today. It's Christmas Eve and I have presents to wrap, a small tree to decorate, and dishes to prepare for tomorrow. I added a border to this print I posted last year of the Christmas Hares. Maybe I'll have time for something original later. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
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Sunday, December 22, 2013

Prince Charles playing with delight in 1949

Princess Elizabeth, the Duchess of Edinburgh, playing around with her young son and heir, Prince Charles, in 1949.




It's easy to see he was adored by his mother. I love these animated gifs, don't you? Imagine what fun they must have had at Christmas!!!! via
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