Saturday, March 19, 2011

Webster Says: This Bed is Not Big Enough for Two Dogs


Webster got up and left after I took the first picture giving the whole thing to Piggie who goes home tomorrow. As soon as he found out he could take over Webster's bed, The Pig got up and went back to his own.


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Reach for The Sky This Weekend

When I was a kid I used to love to swing and could go so high that the frame would leave the ground. Try to reach for the sky too this weekend. 

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Friday, March 18, 2011

Perfect His and Her Bath | Betty Lou Phillips

Betty Lou Phillips has created a wonderful his and her bathroom in her own home. Monsieur and Madame monogrammed towels and mosaic on the floor to clarify who stands where.

Go get your own towels. HIS are in a wonderful shower shown in the complete article. The zinc tub, marble floors, walls, and window surrounds are fabulous.

An old medical cabinet was refurbished and is perfect in this bathroom for storing marked terry cloth bath linens. I have a similar one in my attic studio but there is no room for it in my bathroom. Read more...


Books by Betty Lou Phillips
This post should not in any way make you dislike what you have. I just wanted to show you something amazing to inspire you. Maybe you got an idea or two. Hope so!
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Geranium

One of the geraniums I wintered over has started to bloom. How nice. I'll be putting them outside again in a month or so. They are pretty hardy and can stand some cold nights. Enjoy your weekend. Photo by me.

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Cut Flowers for Your Table

I love the clear vase with interesting twigs in bloom showing through below the lip. This flower pot shape is nice too. It could do double duty as an ice bucket. via

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A Frenchie Takes A Sun Bath

We just returned from a nice walk. It's still a little too chilly to sun yourself outside but the rug in front of the kitchen sink is perfect. Plus a piece of food might fall from the sky. A hungry dog is the best kitchen cleaner around. Piggie is like a Roomba, one of those little round robotic vacuum cleaners.


Happy Friday.
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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Shamrock Shake Recipe


McDonald’s® Shamrock Shake Copycat Recipe via
3 cups good quality vanilla ice cream (I would use Breyers)
1-3/4 cups 1% milk

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Green food coloring if desired

1. Blend all ingredients in a blender until completely thick and smooth.

2. Pour into glasses and serve!


I've never had one but this looks good, agreed? Even if it's not St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day Illustrated Quote with Dog

I scanned the dog from my antiquarian book on Royal Crests. After inserting the quote and putting it on a bed of shamrocks it became perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

Daffodils for You

Many of you already have daffodils. For those of you who don't (including me) here they are. This image would make a great screen saver for your computer, wouldn't it?

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Green Tea Latte for St. Patrick's Day


*Matcha green tea and milk, lightly sweetened served over ice*
I'm having my morning coffee right now but if I were out and about I might consider stopping at Starbucks® for an iced green tea latte. It looks very refreshing, doesn't it? Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Goodnight | Tucked in Tight

Piggie is out cold with all of his favorite toys and Webster's blanket. Actually the toys are Webster's too except for that pink thing that resembled a pig at one time. See you tomorrow.

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Wooden Coat Hanger Clothes Dryer Conversion

Isn't this a great idea? Forget the cards...I'm going to hang socks and unmentionables on mine over the shower curtain rod. All you have to do is screw some "eyes" into a wooden hanger and thread them with twine that is looped through some wooden clothes pins. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for more of these at garage and estate sales. I think they would make great gifts, don't you? Everybody has to drip dry something every once in a while. via

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The Little Prince Drawings on Automobile

I so love Le Petit Prince drawings on this little French automobile. ©Muddy LaBoue Le Petit Prince, published in 1943, is French aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s most famous novella.

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Piggie, The French Bulldog

He's still here. My puppy-sitting will be over this weekend and Piggie will be missed. He'll miss us too for sure. He and Webster have really bonded this time around and love to play together. This little dog has an appetite that won't quit and should be renamed Starvin' Marvin. The kitchen is his favorite place and he's ever hopeful for a pan to lick or a piece of food to fall on the floor. Webster lets him have first dibs on everything. They are very cute together. 

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A Carpet of Spring Flowering Bulbs

Planting all of these bulbs must have been a labor of love. What a delightful reward each year it must be as these bulbs divide and the carpet gets thicker and thicker. ©Véronique Coutié It is dark, gloomy and raining pretty hard here at the cottage. This image really brightened my day and hopefully yours too.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Aga Love - Pictures of Beautiful Dream Kitchens

Designer Kitchens - Pictures of Beautiful Dream Kitchens - House Beautiful In a kitchen designed by Susan Tully, an Aga range works beautifully with the spare aesthetic. The simple black-and-white color scheme adds a nice touch. Don't you love the subway tile backsplash? Kitchen perfection!

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Small Gallery Kitchen

I love this gallery kitchen or gallery in a galley kitchen. There is nothing on the walls but framed black and white photographs and cooking utensils. Nice!

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Farmhouse Kitchen with Corner Windows

I love this kitchen with the deep farm sink and a corner window. The galvanized shelves are perfect for a window herb garden. It might be inconvenient having two separate faucets but what a pretty picture they make.

There was a heavy frost on the ground when I got up this morning but it melted as soon as the sun came out. I'm off to an office but I'll be baaaaack.


Monday, March 14, 2011

The Emotional Life of Chickens | A Great Story

My friend Victoria (The Queen Vee) sent me this wonderful story from The Telegraph one day last week. Did you know chickens are capable of empathy - not to mention jealousy, selfishness, love and lust? The article is about a rescued chicken and how she made herself popular after being adopted by a wonderful woman who named her Lucky. It is a short story all on one page and I promise you will love it. Read more...

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Cardinal in Flight

Isn't this an absolutely amazing photo of a beautiful cardinal in flight? via

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The Lake District, England

Oh my goodness. Have you ever seen anything more beautiful? No wonder Beatrix Potter loved this region so much. Photo of Wasdale Head, UK by Michael. I love the caption he put below his photo on Flickr.
Rocks are banned.
Was the gate to keep the rocks out or the scenery in?
HaHa, good one Michael. Don't you know those rocks are just dying to get in?

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Sunday, March 13, 2011

Paper Mache Teacup Tower

I like these paper mache teacups that aren't trying to look like something they're  not. They are made of newsprint that shows through the thin colored wash. These would be wonderful filled with Easter grass and colored eggs. I think I'll go put on the kettle and have a cup of tea now. via

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Blue and White Antiques Love

You know how much I love blue and white textiles. I have a blue and white checked wool blanket on my bed right now and I have blue and white curtains on the windows (see clickable photo in my sidebar). I own an antique spongeware pitcher like the one on the dry sink and I would dearly love to have that stunning gameboard. via

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A Room with A Beautiful View

Webster woke me up at our regular time with very loud barking at an invisible intruder so my plan to get an extra hour of sleep went out the window this morning. 

Isn't this a wonderful image I found to start your Sunday? It's definitely a Room With A View. via

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