Friday, January 14, 2011

My Stack of Leather Suitcases

These vintage leather suitcases have been in various locations around the cottage ever since I moved in. The one on the bottom and the middle one were under the bed in the spare room. I bought them both in England ages ago and I love them. The top one was purchased at a local estate sale. The entire case was covered with a canvas protector which I removed except for the one on the handle.

They look nice at the end of the sofa, don't they. The following photo inspired me to bring my vintage luggage out of hiding to make my own stack. The brass doorstop against the sofa skirt is to prevent Webster from rubbing against it since this is a favorite napping spot. I'm making a real effort to keep this one clean. He has done a number with the skirts of my other two sofas but he's so dear I've let him get away with it. Not on this one however. I put books on the cushions before I go to sleep at night too.

Another stack of vintage leather suitcases belonging to someone else. via Green Wellies

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Keep Calm and Put The Kettle On

There's really nothing else you can do in this weather, is there? via


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Thursday, January 13, 2011

View From My Kitchen Window

The sun was going down when I snapped this scene from the side window in my kitchen. I have a three-tube bird feeder hanging from a big limb on the tree to the left. So far there are more birds than squirrels feeding there. This time I bought the bird seed that is a blend rather than 100% sunflower seeds. It's half the price and the birds seem to know this is recession food and don't mind. What are you feeding your fine feathered friends?


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Bedroom Perfection

Looking, looking, looking but I can find no fault with this wonderful bedroom's design and furnishings, can you? *


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Decorative Alphabets for You to Save and Use

 
Jessica Hische of the Daily Drop Cap invites all of you to save and use her numerous decorative alphabets on non-commercial projects. How wonderful! You can click on each individual letter after going to the site. The photo above is just a small sample. I love her work because you know how much I love fonts. Have fun!


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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Enthusiastic Bather

Goodness, gracious this bird is really enjoying his bath, isn't he? I love to see them splashing around so enthusiastically in nice weather. Birds are so entertaining to watch with or without field glasses.


My own photo taken years ago.
I am watching the news and Brian Williams on NBC just said there is snow on the ground in 49 out of 50 states. Florida is the only exception. That is pretty amazing, isn't it? Is there really snow in Hawaii?


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Pug Mug Shot


Hilarious. *

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White Icing at My Cottage

Doesn't the picket fence look beautiful covered in snow? I love the scallops. I went to sleep last night with snow falling furiously and woke up to bright sun and a driveway that was already plowed. I am enjoying my coffee and will get on my shoveling shoes after I putter around the cottage for a while. I'm guessing we got about 8"or so but I can't really tell. My road is absolutely clean down to the pavement. Living on a county road is the best. Their equipment is so much bigger and better than the trucks used by the township. As I typed that last sentence they drove by in the big yellow truck with the shiny red plow on the front twirling salt in both lanes.

I wish someone would tell me when you are supposed to get your car washed in the winter. This is way outside my area of expertise. It seems futile until the snow melts, right? Stay warm. I hope you lucked out in the third snowstorm of the year the way I did. See you later.


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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Princess Margaret Showhome 2010

How do you like this clubby game and media room? It's one I really like in the 2010 Princess Margaret Showhome via Canadian House and Home Magazine. Click on the link to see a slideshow of the whole decorator showcase house. I love these dark bookcases that make the media center almost disappear and the books and artwork 'pop' making them the focus when the TV is off. Nice.


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Cutest Puffin Ever

Puffins have always been some of my favorite water birds. Don't you absolutely love this happy little guy? Photograph by Andreas Mulder.


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Flowers and Plants in The Kitchen

Don't you wish you had flowers to arrange at the kitchen sink instead of dirty dishes.

DOT the movie


Click here to watch the movie DOT
starring the world's smallest character.

Shot with a Nokia N8 cell phone. This smartphone has a 12MP camera with Carl Zeiss lenses. I think this is going to be my next phone.
I wasn't able to embed the movie in my blog. When you click on the link there are several fascinating short films to watch and be amazed. Anyone who sews or knits will be especially entertained.


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Potting and Tool Shed

Posted on 1/11/11 at 11:11am because I couldn't resist. Don't you love this composition? I am glad for a break from gardening and have happily traded these tools for a snow shovel. And you?


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Seeing Double

A beautiful image to start or end your day depending on your time zone. I've got a rather busy morning ahead with an office meeting, some broker open houses and a showing with a customer at noon. There is the added excitement of the frenzy before the snow storm that's coming. As usual, I'm running late. See you later.


Monday, January 10, 2011

Sleeping With Reindeer


Mongolian Nomad sleeping with the reindeer.
Isn't this an amazing photo? Found on Pixdaus. I'll be tucking in pretty soon myself. Goodnight.


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Let It Snow, I Don't Care

I'm so glad Webster's bed his hidden behind the sofa so this garish blanket isn't the first thing you see when you walk in the room. It's a very preppy hot pink and green and Webster loves this thrift shop find. The weather people keep talking about significant snow tomorrow night but we don't care as long as there's power and dog food.


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Downton Abbey on PBS

Aristocrats and servants face a changing world in the new PBS period drama Downton Abbey. This excellent Masterpiece Classic series (in four parts) follows an aristocratic British family and its servants in a drama set in the early 20th century.
Masterpiece | Downton Abbey | PBS

I watched the premier episode last night and loved it so much I just wanted to crawl inside the TV. "Downton Abbey" is all that "Upstairs, Downstairs" was, and more. It is being repeated at various times all week long or you can watch Episode One on the PBS website. This series was a huge hit in the UK, that's why the DVD is already available.

Did you see it and like it as much as I did? Please watch this series.


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