Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Yellow House Love





I missed the open house tour when this home was first listed and it's already under contract so I'll never get another chance. Boo Hoo. Isn't it the best one you've seen in ages? I'm off to my weekly office meeting this morning and maybe I'll see something amazing afterwards but I doubt it. See you later.

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Monday, February 21, 2011

Colin Firth interview 'Inside the Actors Studio'

I watched this interview on Bravo hosted by James Lipton recently and enjoyed it very much. I found it on YouTube in four parts for those of you who missed it or do not have cable. You should watch 'Inside the Actors Studio' before the Oscars since The King's Speech has 12 nominations. Colin Firth should definitely win the award for Best Actor. He was wonderful and so was everyone else in the movie. Enjoy.


Part I


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


King George VI

The King's Speech - Movie Poster

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A Fox Visits The Cottage Today






I saw this fox with the strange tail outside my bedroom window this morning. I shot the third picture first and got the back end so you can see that a lot of the fur is missing from his tail. I ran to another window for the first, second and fourth pictures. Luckily Webster didn't know what I was doing or he would have had a fit. The car is cleaned off and the walk is shoveled. Both tasks were done with absolutely no enthusiasm. See you later.

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Oh No ~ More Snow

Just when we were hoping it was all over too. I know how this little guy feels. I couldn't believe my eyes either when I woke up this morning to about 4 inches of snow. It looks pretty light and fluffy so it won't be hard to shovel but I am not at all thrilled with this batch of white stuff.
snow day with squirrel by ron lacey

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Sunday, February 20, 2011

Wonderful Hanging Bookshelves

I love these painted hanging bookshelves. And the rest of the room plus furnishings too. Hope your weekend was as lovely as mine. Is tomorrow a holiday for you or do you have to work? Some people will be off for Presidents Day. 
image source unknown

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Buy Good Goods


I love this quote by Ray Eames and I 'm crazy about this little plywood elephant too.

The Eames Plywood Elephant was designed in 1945. Conceived both as a children's toy and as a decorative interior object, this newly reproduced Plywood Elephant catches the eye with its cheerful curves and flowing shapes.




This post gets longer and longer as the day progresses. I found this great animated film about these toy elephants called A GATHERING OF ELEPHANTS. It's wonderful!

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

Have A Wonderful Weekend

Have a fun weekend whether or not you are lucky enough to be in Paris. It is a long weekend here in the US because of Presidents Day which is celebrated on Monday. Some of you don't have to work or go to school so try to have some fun. It's still cold at my house and the wind is howling fiercely. We shall see what tomorrow brings. Goodnight. 
image via  flickr

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A Simply Wonderful Bedroom

I love this bedroom but think I'd prefer a reading lamp beside the bed rather than in the ceiling above. I would also need a tv on the wall opposite the headboard. It would be nice to have a window on both side walls too so I could get a nice cross breeze in the spring and summer. I have bookcases in my bedroom and am so glad I built them in when I did my cottage restoration.

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Friday, February 18, 2011

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.

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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.

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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

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Thursday, February 17, 2011

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

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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?

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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

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

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.

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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 


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


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

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