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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Christmas Scene in My Living Room

I have draped almost all of my paintings with cranberry garlands. I'm enjoying this new look very much. Maybe next year I'll tuck a few evergreen cuttings behind some of the frames, especially this one. Baby steps. I cleaned pretty thoroughly today and did all of my food shopping so I am just about ready except for a little more wrapping. I don't know how people with large families get through this time of year. It must be a big blur.




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Give Your Cat A Special Christmas Treat

We always got Good Housekeeping Magazine when I was growing up. I've always loved the illustrations by Jessie Wilcox Smith depicting children doing domestic chores. This early cover reminded me that I should get out my finest antique pitcher and matching shallow plate and pour Tabitha a little warm milk on Christmas morning. She'd like that. I don't think she'd stand for that big red bow around her neck though. She doesn't know it yet, but Santa is bring her a brand new polar fleece blanket to line her wicker basket. She will be so happy. Webster is getting one too.




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One Word Weather Report :: COLD

I'm sitting upstairs with my first cup of wonderful hot coffee dreading my morning walk with the wonder dog. I don't think he's too anxious either. Here's hoping your heat is working and your house is cozy as mine. I had a big roaring fire yesterday after I finished my shoveling and it was so nice. This vintage porcelain fixture was in my bathroom when I bought the cottage in 2001. When all the plumbing was updated I wasn't able to use it. I've been saving it and one day I'll turn it into a hook or something cool or should I say cold? Stay warm. Be back later, Rosemary




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Antique English Christmas - New Year's Card

I bought a desk out of a house 25 or 30 years ago and it was full of antique cards, letters, postcards, etc. kept by the family for generations. They did not want anything in the drawers and some of the ephemera was wonderful.

I framed my favorite card and photographed it through the glass to share with you. I preserved the inside of the card by affixing it to the back of the framed artwork.

The scene on the front is a small hand-colored lithograph of an old woman smoking a pipe and walking a pig through the snow. She is wrapped in a red shawl and has a basket of something on her back. There is a small cottage in the background with smoke coming out of the chimney. Maybe that is more firewood in the basket. The leash for the pet pig is nothing but a string tied in a bow around its hind leg.
Signed lower left: Ethel Parkinson

The caption hand lettered in gold says,
"MAY YE NIVER WANT AUGHT NOR A FRIEND TO SHARE IT WI YE"

The card is small, measuring 4.5" x 2.75" ~ see inside greeting below.

To: All Readers of my Blog

MY WISH
May God's twin stars of Hope and Happiness
Your Christmas brighten
And your New Year will bless.

From: Rosemary and Webster
Content in their Cottage!




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Chairs Upholstered With Snow

I still haven't set foot outside. I took these snow easy chairs from my bedroom window through the glass and screen. I can't face shoveling just yet. Stay warm. Rosemary




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Another View of My Christmas Tree

It's too early to go outside and not quite light enough to start taking snow pictures. So here is another view of my tree showing the corner of the room. I did everything on my list yesterday and ended up having quite a nice day watching the snow fall. Thankfully, we didn't get as much as they predicted. Check in later for photos. Enjoy your Sunday morning. Rosemary




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