Four Bundles of Laughter to Brighten Your Day

I don't know where I found this but I just had to post it. You should bookmark this video and watch it every time you need a bad day cure. You simply can't watch it and keep a straight face. How does this couple get anything done? Wouldn't you just want to play with these beautiful happy babies all day long? Too cute. Laughter really is contagious, isn't it? -Rosemary

Life's Little Instruction Book Page 143 + A Drawing by Beatrix Potter

The original drawing is by Beatrix Potter. I don't know anything about the history but I like to think this was her cottage bedroom. You know how much I love her! I must have been dreaming about being in this bed because I slept much later than usual this morning. - Rosemary

Emotional Dog Welcomes Soldier

This is so sweet. Who says dogs don't have feelings? This 37-second video will really warm your heart. Gracie the dog is so glad her soldier father has finally come home. I'm happy too. -Rosemary

Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Happiness Quote by Elbert Hubbard + A Free Font To Download

Elbert Hubbard 1856-1915 was a writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher. He was an influential exponent of the Arts and Crafts movement in America. The wonderful font I used is called 'Hill House' and it's a free download here.

2010 Calendar 12-Sided Geosphere | Free Download

This was my #1 favorite download last year. The 12-sided calendar is also known as a regular dodecahedron. The upcoming year (2010) will be my third year with one of these on my desk. It's pretty tricky to assemble - especially at the end when you feel you need another set of hands. All you have to do is to remember to do NOVEMBER last. It is the only month that doesn't have any fold-over tabs. It is helpful to have a chopstick handy to poke inside to assist in securing anything that's not sticking or properly aligned. This prevents bending the paper. I used card stock and scored all the dotted lines with the sharp tip of a compass guided by a see-thru ruler. Cut out whole design before scoring and folding. Cut solid lines, score dotted lines. I also had to adjust the pdf to "fit to printable area" since without that correction some of the outside edges did not print on my printer. Experiment first with regular paper before jumping to cardstock. I am publishing this extra early this year in case you want to make some for holiday gifts. People love them and everybody needs one. You can't beat the price either. One sheet of paper, some glue and your time. The ultimate home-made present that will be used every day next year. Perfect!

Download PDF

I don't know if I can correctly call this origami because it requires glue. I highly recommend Acid Free YES Paste. A $10 one-pint tub lasts forever.

If you want to practice on a 2009 calendar, go to to my popular post from last year. Have fun. Rosemary

Download 2011 Calendar here. My newest post.

Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Sunday Is My Favorite Day

I am so happy that I found a quote written in the 16th century that perfectly describes Sunday.

Henry Carey was the son of Mary Boleyn fathered by King Henry VIII. I enjoyed the movie, The Other Boleyn Girl starring Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman two of my favorite young actresses. I love the portrait of Henry. If it's a miniature, I'll take. It would look wonderful with the others in my collection. Enjoy the best day of the week. Rosemary

Click If You Love Corduroy

Hail the wale! Corduroy lovers gathered this week for a night of appreciation. I've always loved corduroy too. I sewed my own clothes all the way through school and quickly learned to cut all the pattern pieces facing the same direction or I would end up with a two-toned garment. On 11/11 the day that most resembles corduroy, the Corduroy Appreciation Club met in Brooklyn. The entrance fee for the 4th annual meeting was $11.11, the price that most resembles corduroy. Refreshments included celery and Ruffles potato chips, foods that most resemble corduroy. Rebecca Allen, pictured above is a member of the Main Squeeze, an all-female accordian orchestra, the instrument that most closely resembles corduroy. Love her outfit! I really appreciate all the humor that went into the planning of all things corduroy, don't you? Want more? Continue reading the complete article and see the 6-photo slideshow from The New York Times. Have a great weekend. Rosemary

Lady Giant's Laundry

Can you imagine running into this site while playing in the woods? Especially after just having read Jack and the Beanstalk. I guess the giant's wife had to do some laundry. via

Wonderful Quote About Money and Books

This certainly rings true for me. This sounds like the perfect way to manage your budget so there's always enough money for another book. Read a short biography of Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus.

Boy Uses Dishwasher To Wash Bikes [Video]

Now this is one interprising young man. This ad made me laugh. Rosemary

These Shoes Weren't Made For Walking

These paper shoes were made by Jennifer Collier, a very talented artist from the UK. She also makes the following paper items: dresses, aprons, bibs, gloves, boxes, ties, hats, jewelry and other things as well. Click here to view her thumbnail gallery. Aren't they all wonderful? I am always excited to see things made from old paper and found objects. It's the ultimate in recycling. Thanks for stopping by the cottage to see some things that caught my eye. ~Rosemary

Formula For Living: Cary Grant

I think he had a lot of fun with the in between part. The photo in the little 2-seater BMW was taken in 1954. Over a half century later these tiny cars are hot once again but not nearly as hot as Cary Grant 1904-1986.

Fear of Friday The 13th

Did you know that Fear of Friday the 13th is called two of the biggest words I've ever seen? They are paraskavedekatriaphobia + friggatriskaidekaphobia. Thank goodness for copy and paste! Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.

I didn't even realize it was Friday the 13th until I looked at my calendar just now. I am not superstitious since my birthday is September 13th and I have had a few fall on a Friday. Nothing bad has ever happened. As for today, so far so good! Hope the same holds true for you too. Rosemary

Brown Pelican Removed From Endangered List

I was very excited to hear on the news last night that after nearly 40 years on the brink of extinction, the Brown Pelican is coming off the endangered species list. It's so good to hear something positive about the environment every once in a while, isn't it? Read more.

John James Audubon would be so happy that these pelicans did not go the way of the Carolina Parrot and the Passenger Pigeon and become extinct. Thanks for stopping by the cottage for today's natural history lesson. ~Rosemary