Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Cat Wearing a Ruff

I adore this vintage piece of ephemera featuring a cat wearing a ruff...a projecting starched frill worn around the neck, characteristic of Elizabethan and Jacobean costume.

Scrimshaw Double Heart Mourning Jewelry Circa 1807


A lovely memorial for a departed loved one. "Beauty and youth in vain to these you trust For youth and beauty shall be laid in dust."

~~~via~~~

Encourage the Beautiful

"Encourage the Beautiful, for the Useful encourages Itself." Goethe
From A Collection of Bookplate Designs. Boston 1907: W. Porter Truesdell.

Christmas Tree in Waiting

I pulled up three white pine seedlings from the shrubbery bed at my real estate listing this past summer. I planted them in various locations here at the cottage. Two are doing great. This one has really taken off. So happy. Free is good.

A Cabin and A Cottage


This one would be a good vacation getaway. via


I prefer the architectural style of this one. via

Monday, December 5, 2011

Piggy and Clover

Piggy's mom sent me this cute picture of The Pig napping with Clover, the newest addition to their family. She was acquired over the summer. Piggie is coming soon...alone. I'm not good with 6 pound dogs that are needy :) Other friends are lining up to take care of her so all is well. I'm going to bed soon to watch The Good Wife on my DVR and a recorded Masterpiece on PBS. Goodnight, see you tomorrow.

Gray Day iPhone Photos





So far nobody has asked me to stop sharing what my iPhone and I see in and around the cottage. Webster and I just got back from a nature walk to the way back and we found tree bark to be the main topic of interest for the first Monday in December. Then we played with the soccer ball and did some crazy runs.

Do You Believe in Magic?

I got my foggy morning.

The air temperature must be warmer than the ground temperature this morning so we have the fog I've been wanting. I think it has gotten thicker since I first got up as the day gets warmer. Have a great week. 

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Looking in My Cottage After Dark

Tell me when to stop posting my iPhone photos. It's always in my pocket and this is the last thing I saw after Webster's final walk of the day. That's his disgusting bed behind the sofa that I never see from inside the room. I think the Wonder Dog deserves a new blanket, don't you?

White [Kitchen] Christmas

Who doesn't love a Christmas all decked out for Christmas? via

Chalk Board Kitchen

This chalkboard behind the stove gives new meaning to being an artistic cook. My house smells so good. I made a double batch of yellow corn cranberry muffins so I could use my giant muffin tins. I had fresh cranberries left over from Thanksgiving that I did not want to go to waste. So they will be going to my waist (haha). via

Here they are right out of the world's worst oven. I will never buy a gas stove with a gas oven again. I hope these are done in the middle after cranking up the heat and adding 10 minutes to their baking time. I'm sure they will be fine and I like burned crispy bottoms.

Taste test complete. My mother ate 3 muffins which is remarkable in and of itself because she eats like a bird. They aren't too sweet. I think most people would prefer more sugar. They would be great with an orange juice glaze. Success! The muffin photos were taken with my iPhone.

The Owl and the Pink Post-it

Confused little owl appears to be thinking,
"Someone has left a pink post-it for me and I don't know what I should do with it." via

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Count Down to Bed Time

I had a full day in the outside world and cannot wait to jump into my bed. I was at the free rabies clinic at public works garage this morning with Webster and Tabitha for dog and cat rabies shots. They were both very brave and didn't even flinch when the vet shot them in the neck with a long needle. I'm glad that's over for another 3 years. Then we stopped at the post office and I had to run in my real estate office to pick up something for afternoon showings with customers.

I told you I was going out yesterday but had second thoughts and decided to nurse my cold for one more day. I'm so glad I made that decision because today was perfect. My head has dried up and my sore throat is completely gone. I am beyond thrilled. I was on the go all day and I felt fine. Have a great rest of the weekend and I'll see you tomorrow.


Snow is Magical in The City and The Country


December in London via

December in the Magical Woods via

Tiny Viking

Isn't this tiny Viking Range the most wonderful thing in this small kitchen? I like the hood too. Someone must really like to cook. I like the tiny tellie too. This gourmet has very good taste and insisted on the best appliances. Have a great weekend. via

Friday, December 2, 2011

WOW -- What a Nursery

Isn't this the best nursery you've ever seen? So sophisticated for the baby boy explorer. Love, love, love it. Goodnight sweet prince. via

How Do You Gift Wrap A Live Chicken?

It's not too early to start looking for boxes, bags, containers or cages for those hard-to-wrap items on your list.

No Fog in A Long Time Here at The Cottage

I love a good foggy day if I'm home to enjoy it but I know it's dangerous for those on the road. I wake up each day feeling a little better than the day before so I think I'm winning. Any days you can trim from the back side of the normal duration of a cold is good. There is an old saying that if you nurse a cold it will last 2 weeks and if you do nothing and let it run its course it will last 14 days (haha). I think that if you catch it early enough you can get over it much quicker. I have to go out today to run a few errands and preview several houses for showing tomorrow. Today will be a dry run for how I really feel. Wish me luck. image

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Be Patient

Patience is definitely a virtue. I was cranky today so that must mean I'm getting better. I actually got dressed too and took Webster for a walk out back. He was ecstatic. I'm going out into the real world tomorrow. Thanks for all of your kind get-well notes. via

A Perfectly Elegant Setting

This really is a perfect setting with beautiful understated decorations, right? Sit me down in that chaise, cover me with a nice throw, and wake me up when it's Christmas. via

Heavenly Coffee


My first cup was heavenly this morning. I moved from the bed into the living room to drink my first cup. I loved the way the sun was shining translucently through the rim so I grabbed my trusty iPhone. Today begins day three of the sickness files and I'm feeling better thanks to the Neti pot and gargling with Bragg's unfiltered vinegar from the health food store. I dilute it with water because it's strong medicine! Thanks for all of your notes with get well wishes. Katie mentioned Bragg's so I thought I'd better tell you it is also on my holistic list of sore throat busters. 

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Did I Mention That I Am Sick?


I woke up on Tuesday morning with a vicious sore throat and I took to my bed.
While rummaging around in one of the bathroom cabinets looking for something to relieve my symptoms I discovered this very Neti Pot and packages of a saline mixture. I had forgotten all about having it. I immediately started irrigating my sinuses every couple of hours and I think it has had a marvelous result. I've been able to breathe and I think this little device is going to keep the cold from traveling into my chest. Fingers crossed. It has been years since I've had been sick and I blame it on this warm weather. 
Other things that are helping: watching movies in bed and drinking plenty of liquids. I was glad I could bring my laptop into the bedroom so I could still manage my blog. I hope I can stay awake to watch Revenge tonight. See you tomorrow.

Wonderful Bookplate

This is great, isn't it?
via

Too Gorgeous for Words

Could anything be lovelier?
via