My Dream Gardener

Does such a person exist in real life? I would so love to have a caring worker to help me around the cottage. ~sigh~ Webster and I took our first walk to the "way back" today in the spring-like temperatures and a giant tree limb had fallen right in the middle of our path. This man could help me deal with it and I'll bet he would use a hand saw instead of a chain saw, don't you? He would know I don't like leaf blowers either. He would whistle while he worked and always know what to do without asking or being told.

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe from Pure Green Magazine

I love illustrated recipes and this is a great one for Sweet Potato Pie.

The creator of that recipe is an illustrator for Pure Green Magazine which is new to me. It looks like a wonderful on-line publication. Have fun reading it this weekend.

Spring is In The Air Today

Today I am removing the pine cone wreath from my front door. I undecorated it after Christmas but now it's time to take it down and pack it away. I went out last night after dark and I was amazed at the number of people who still have outside Christmas lights blazing away. I am declaring that it's time to take those down too...especially the colored lights. 

Fabulous Kitchen Decorating Ideas

If you like the four kitchens I picked to show you, you will definitely love this wonderful slideshow from Country Living Magazine. The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Decorating ~ with decorating ideas and tips to help you create your dream kitchen. Ideas for Decorating Your Kitchen

Fabulous Laundry Room/Plant Room

It was unseasonably warm today and more of the same is predicted for tomorrow. I can hear the call of the clothes line and the watering cans. I can't even remember the last time I hung clothes outside to dry on the line since we've had deep snow on the ground since the day after Christmas. It's going away slowly. I love this laundry room/plant room from ElleDecor, don't you?

Owl Love Bite

I keep finding the dearest photos of owl couples and this one shows how affectionate they are with each other. Have a sweet Thursday. via

Fear of Twitter

This is without a doubt the funniest thing I have ever seen. I honestly can't stop laughing. Found here -- and of course I'm following her now.

The Changing Face of William Shakespeare

"Artist unknown, The Cobbe Portrait of William Shakespeare, ca. 1610, oil on panel. Collection of Archbishop Charles Cobbe (1686–1765); Cobbe Collection, Hatchlands Park."

In 2009, when the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon unveiled a previously unknown portrait painting with strong claims to be the only surviving life-time portrait of William Shakespeare, it created an international sensation. The Jacobean painting had hung unrecognized for centuries in an Irish country house belonging to the Cobbe family. Click on the following link to read more about this portrait and current exhibit at The Morgan Library/Museum - The Changing Face of William Shakespeare 

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II, Page 33

Another page from a favorite book. More good advice from a father to his son.

How To Fold Your HERMES Scarf -- 21 Diagrams

I never knew there were so many different ways to tie a scarf. You might learn something useful if you have lots of scarves in different sizes. You can make halter tops, purse straps, belts, headbands and many other items. Click here for the Free PDF Download from the Hermès website. Have fun tying yourself up in knots.

Love Stamp Series Slideshow

Here is a nice little slideshow featuring a collection of LOVE STAMPS from previous years. I don't buy many stamps these days since I learned how to pay my bills online. I've shown my favorite one above. Love Stamp Series Slideshow

Dreaming of Tulips

"A Group of Tulips" from Robert Thornton's The Temple of Flora published in London in 1799. I scanned this image from the cover of one of my reference books on flower prints from 1799-1900. It's nice to think there are tulips beneath all of this snow that will be blooming in a couple of months. 

We had a rather balmy day yesterday with the thermometer hitting 60 degrees. It's cold again today though. I decided to tackle shoveling the snow from my balcony off the living room so I could get to the bird feeder. The snow was over a foot deep and it was wet and heavy because of the melting temperatures. It was a rather difficult task because I had to throw the snow over the railing and it was pretty strenuous. I did it ~ wonder woman that I am. Now I don't have to worry about the melting snow dripping through the floorboards on the patio below and freezing once again. One more job I can check off my list.

American Silver Nutmeg Grater

I've never seen an antique American Silver nutmeg grater in this classical urn form. From the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Details here. 

EAT MY WORDS ~ This Book Looks Good

"It’s a wonderful book which reaches far beyond recipes (or receipts as they were called long ago) and into the social lives of women, the struggle for equality in regards to learning how to read and write, and the struggle of women to become published authors." via

Travel Poster: Siena - Tuscany

A wonderful early travel poster circa 1910 promoting Italian tourism from the print collection of The Boston Public Library. Subject: Tuscany - Siena.

Vintage Bathroom

I love the tiled ceiling and double pedestal sink. This bathroom is timeless, isn't it?

A Valentine's Day Surprise

I hope there's a Valentine's Day surprise under your door today.

Sunflower Hearts

Happy Valentine's Day. I took this picture a several years ago and I still marvel at the heart-shaped stamens. This is an actual photo right out of the camera. I didn't even notice the heart shapes until I copied the photos to my computer or I would have taken more. I have never seen another sunflower like this either and I always look when they start to bloom. This one self-sowed and came up near the birdfeeder. Read a previous post about this flower.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

I'll have this song stuck in my head all day now. It's such a nice graphic, isn't it?

Giraffe Love

Too dear for words. I've always loved giraffes, the tallest of all extant land-living animal species. via

Pablo Picasso Illustrated Quote

I love this quote by Pablo Picasso and his self-portrait too. You can only learn something new by trying.

The Roofs of Paris 1886

Here is a wonderful image of Paris to brighten your Sunday.
Vincent-van-Gogh-The-Roofs-of-Paris-1886