Friday, June 4, 2010

Amazing Views, Inside and Outside

Which view is your favorite? Inside or outside? Or inside looking outside? I feel calm just looking at the photo. Here's hoping you find beautiful views this weekend.



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Thursday, June 3, 2010

House Tour Today




Garden Club of Somerset Hills 2010 House and Garden Tour
Pictured Above: Dunwalke East, a magnificent Georgian manor designed by the architect Mott B. Schmidt in 1938 for C. Douglas Dillon, the son of Clarence and Anne Dillon. Oops, someone forgot to put away the broom. Click to enlarge each photo.

I was the guest of my friend Jill. This event is held every 2 years and after box lunches at the Essex Hunt Club we drove ourselves -- thankfully we weren't bussed. We had a great time touring 4 fabulous homes that weren't designer showcased. It was a hot day but I think we lucked out because rain is predicted for the next 4 days. I had my point and shoot and these shots are right out of the camera. I really wish I had lugged my trusty Nikon but decided to be just one of the girls today. I have some fabulous shots in my head and ran into a few old friends I hadn't seen in ages. Thanks, Jill. My treat in 2012.



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Compact Writing Studio + Library Adjacent To Main House





Compact Writing Studio and Library On The Adjacent To The Main House Site | DigsDigs: "This building is a private wrting studio and a library for a historian. It’s compact and located on the adjacent to the main home site. Only stand of trees separates these two buildings. The simple structure of the library is clad in copper and shifts color depending on the light of the day, the viewing angle and the seasons. The cooper can appear reflective and bright, as well as matte and dark. The interior is defined by douglas fir and books. Thanks to large windows and great position of the building it is filled with natural light. All that makes the interior comfy and great place to work and relax."

I wouldn't get any writing at all done here. I'd be too busy photographing birds and other wildlife through the windows, watching movies on the flat screen, or reading books. Great blogging studio too.



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Some Unusual + Quirky Lighting Fixtures To Make


These are awesome. We all have these elements hanging around the house. I've never even considered making a hanging light fixture using even one of these, have you? I love the blue canning jar -- wouldn't several look great in a pantry?

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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Watch TOXIC AMERICA on CNN June 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. ET



Dirty dozen' produce carries more pesticide residue, group says - CNN.com:
Is enough being done to protect us from chemicals that could harm us? Watch 'Toxic America,' a special two-night investigative report with Sanjay Gupta, M.D., June 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. ET on CNN.
This two-part TV show tonight and tomorrow night should be a good follow up to my recent post about the Dirty Dozen/Clean 15.



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Fabulous Cottage and Garden

Nice! Looks like spring, but it was summer! My kind of house and garden gone wild.



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1915 Architectural Design for The American Foursquare







The American Foursquare: Click to enlarge any photo.
The American Foursquare was built between 1890 and about 1935. After 1900, it was one of the most popular house styles in both rural settings and on small city lots. They were sensible two- to two-and-a-half-story homes that were economical to build, comfortable to live in, and aesthetically pleasing in their simplicity. The Foursquare takes its name from its simple, cubic shape and floor plan which is divided into quarters on each floor.

I predict that this post will be as popular as the 1917 Architectural Design for A Colonial Home to Cost $12,500. with house plans. Which is your favorite?



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Tuesday, June 1, 2010

University Library in Sweden

Somewhere in Sweden there is a lovely ivy-covered University Library.



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I Need A Cat Nap Right Now

I've been running around like crazy all day long and could use a little cat nap about now.



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Booklover's Cottage

Booklover's cottage. Pull up a book and stay awhile.



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Monday, May 31, 2010

Owl Eyes

Whooo has owl eyes? 

Roasted Vegetable and Black Bean Quesadillas Recipe


Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas | WholeFoodsMarket
Ingredients
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cups sliced red, green or yellow bell peppers
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
6 flour tortillas
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
3 tablespoons butter
Chopped lettuce
1/2 to 1 cup salsa
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup guacamole

Try layering shredded roasted chicken, pulled pork, or sliced skirt steak with the onions and peppers in these quick and easy stovetop quesadillas. For vegetarians, sautéed mushrooms are a great addition, too.

Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss onions and peppers with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in oven, tossing occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes, or until golden brown. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons cheese on each of 3 tortillas. Top with roasted onions and peppers, beans and remaining cheese. Arrange remaining tortillas on top. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium high heat and, working in batches, brown both sides of each quesadilla until cheese is melted. Cut into quarters and transfer quesadillas to plates. Serve with lettuce, salsa, sour cream and guacamole on the side.
Serves 3 to 4.

Nice alternative to hot dogs and hamburgers for your holiday cookout. You can probably do all the grilling outside. I would skip the butter and use olive oil instead if I were cooking these inside. Or brush lightly with olive oil if using outdoor grill. Yum.
Click on the link for nutritional information.



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Be Patriotic Today Inside and Out

This would be nice to see when you first walk in a house, wouldn't it? Don't forget to honor our veterans and soldiers today and go to a parade if you can. Have a great Memorial Day.



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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Pink Columbine Flower (Aquilegia)

Simply stunning, agreed? Columbine (Aquilegia)



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The Poppies of Flander’s Field

In Flander's Field by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

"In Flander's Field" is a memorable poem that was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in a cemetery in the Flanders region of Belgium on May 3, 1915, the day after the death of his young friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer.

Perhaps the most famous poem written during World War I, these simple but powerful fifteen lines, and the poppies they immortalize, have come to symbolize fallen soldiers. Learn more. I thought this was a perfect remembrance for Memorial Day.

Image: Painting by Willy Werner



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