Portland Bungalow

Portland home by architect Brian Hanlen -- house plan details here.

Elephant in Golden Light

Golden Pachyderm by Morkel Erasmus Click image to enlarge. Gorgeous photo of a gorgeous animal.

Wonderful Oscar-Nominated Animated Romantic Video

This is the most charming thing I've seen in ages.

PAPERMAN is a full length short film from Disney Studios. I promise you will love it. Chick here if you can't see it on my blog. This will be the best six minutes of your day. Read more about this Oscar Nominated film here.

Boat House

Love the oar handles on the doors. via

Spruce Bough in Fog

I took this photo this morning after a walk in the fog and mist. Webster and Tabitha went with me as usual. We are pretty worried about the coming storm bringing hard rain and wind overnight. We got a bulletin from the town in our email saying they are going to be in emergency mode along with the power company. They want people to secure things that might blow away like garbage can lids and snow shovels. I hope we don't lose power again. See you tomorrow. 

Tip #3 from Tabitha the Cottage Cat

Never admit your guilt. Always feign innocence.

Potted Plants Inside

I love the rustic table just inside this conservatory. There are no saucers underneath any of the pots so maybe it's faux bois. It looks like real wood to me though. Photo from a slideshow at House to Home in an article about 10 decorating ideas to energize your home.

Toasty Toes

My toes were very toasty on Sunday night. I lit a fire late in the afternoon and tended it until it was time to jump in bed and watch Downton Abbey on the flatscreen in the bedroom. The last glowing embers had just slipped beneath the grate when I put the fire screen back in place before closing down the living room. I'll be tucking in early tonight as soon as I clean up the dirty dishes. I've already walked Webster. It was raining very hard at the end of our walk. Tabitha was with us too and the animals were both soaked. Luckily I had my umbrella. See you tomorrow. xo

my photo, my feet

DIY Origami Heart Page Markers

I love these origami hearts to mark your place in a book. Tuck a few inside any Valentine's Day cards you give or mail. Especially great for avid readers.

Here's the finished product marking a page corner. Full tutorial from How About Orange.

Laundry Day in the Country

Is she doing laundry or dyeing fabric? I can't tell and I want to know more. I love the house and the setting. I'm sure this rustic scene is in England, right? Andrew Montgomery photo. via
UPDATE: The lady is Polly Lyster and her firm is Dyeworks. I have the best researchers working for my blog. Thank you!

Use your strength wisely.

I absolutely love the artwork of Douglas B. Jones. I've been displaying two of his creations on my sidebar ever since I started my blog 4-1/2 years ago.

Jane Austen's 'Pride And Prejudice' At 200

Today is the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I learned this by listening to Fresh Air on NPR.

You can read the article and/or listen to the six-minute podcast here. I would choose listen if I were you. It's a very interesting book review of The Real Jane Austen A life in Small Things by Paula Byrne. I love having articles read to me. You can listen while doing other things. I'm listening again as I write this blog post. You can also read an excerpt of the above-pictured book.

Didn't you love the part about the 200 pound orangutan at a zoo in Poland who refuses to go to sleep at night unless his keeper reads aloud 50 pages of Pride and Prejudice?!!!

Happy 200th Book Birthday P and P.

Paul and Linda McCartney - Heart of the Country

Here is another delightful music video with footage of Paul and Linda McCartney doing what they did best.

Heart of the Country. Click here if you can't see the video.

Sign of The Day

I would definitely have to go inside for another cup of coffee, wouldn't you? Sometimes you need a pat on the back for just getting out of bed and coffee is the ultimate reward.

Babington House - Somerset UK

Two and one-hours outside of London is a place for those who want to enjoy the countryside but don't want to give up any urban luxuries. I've never been to a spa because I'm not the type who likes to be pampered. I would however like wandering around the 18-acre estate at Babington House. Website here in case you want to book a room or become a member. More large photos here. I'll see you in a couple of hours at Downton Abbey.

Seed Saving Envelope to Print

My original post featuring this envelope can be viewed here.

An Amazing Image of Sand and Sun

This beautiful photograph is almost surreal. I thought the image was perfect for a quiet Sunday morning. via

Tabitha's Design Tip #2

Make sure there is always polar fleece on my pillow in cold weather. Preferably in a color that becomes me. Click here if you can't see this short video.

YES to Boxwood in Pots Flanking Stairs

This looks amazing. I've never had luck with boxwood in cement pots. My zone must be too cold. These terra cotta pots wouldn't stand a chance either. They would blow up immediately. I still love the way this looks. The staff here can simply put them away to winter over in the greenhouse if this estate is in an unprotected cold zone. Sigh. via

Knock, Knock.

I love finding unusual door knockers to show you. Tabitha wants this one on our front door but I would be afraid of looking at a mouse in any form every time I came inside. We got a dusting of snow overnight and it's still cold. It was 7 degrees when I first woke up so I put the covers over my head and slept until it got in the double digits. It's 14 now and partly sunny. Stay warm and have a good Saturday. via

Goodnight, Everyone.

Sleep tight.
See you tomorrow.
Have a great weekend.
I took this photo several weeks ago.
We have an almost full moon now and snow.
Goodnight Moon.

Interior Design by and for A Cat

Tabitha's Interior Design Tip #1:
All loose pillow back sofa cushions should be poofed like this for emergency cat naps all over the house.

[my photo]

California Giant Redwood Trees - 1915

Each morning since Hurricane Sandy I wake up to the sound of chain saws and wood chippers. The trees in my area were hit hard and the cleanup continues. I never fail to be impressed by photos of lumberjacks working by hand a century ago.

 

The photos are part of the Ericson Collection, a series of pictures from northwest California from the 1880s through the 1920s by Swedish photographer A. W. Ericson. Read more about this exhibition here. 

Amazing Elephant Portrait

What a beautiful animal. I never tire of looking at elephants, and this photograph is my favorite. via

Gorgeous Bedroom

I think it's perfect in every respect, don't you? The headboard is beautiful and the chosen linens are wonderful on this bed. I'm quite sure the rest of the room is amazing too, just by looking at the windows. via

More Sliding Barn Doors

I love the lemon yellow sliding barn doors on this pavilion/breezeway. This area is perfect in any kind of weather. It's fun to be inside and outside at the same time, isn't it? via

Nothing Warms Like an Open Fire

Click Photo to Enlarge

I haven't been able to get really warm all day. About an hour ago I lit a fire and now I'm toasty. Why did I wait so long? Webster has been fed and walked in the 18 degree temperature and my soup is warming on the stove. All's right with our world. Tabitha has one of the sofa cushions properly squished and she's fast asleep in her nest. We are watching a repeat of last night's edition of Charlie Rose. It comes on at 5pm on PBS and that's what I usually watch until the nightly news. 

Budget DIY Sliding Barn Doors

Do you love inside sliding barn doors but hate the cost of the hardware? This clever young lady in North Carolina substituted plumbing pipes overhead and put rolling casters on the bottoms of this pair of recycled doors. Total cost including the doors was $78.00. Genius. Slideshow from Country Living.

Sundial at My Cottage

I took this photo of the sundial near my front door recently. The snow had melted into a puddle on the top and I liked the reflections. I was in and out all day in this frigid weather and don't look forward to going out twice more with the wonder dog. He's looking at me right now sending me messages that he wants his dinner. So off to the kitchen I must go. 

It's Cold Outside

Brrrr! It is really cold for the first time in over 2 years according to the weather people. I know they must be right because the animals don't stay out very long. It's cozy inside the cottage, so that's where we will stay! via

L'Odyssée de Cartier

This is the most amazing commercial I've ever seen.

Click here if you can't see it. I promise you will be blown away!

Katharine Hepburn in 1967

She was a true character in real life. via

Fabulous Architecture in Connecticut

This new construction in Connecticut is fabulous. I love this small outbuilding with the wonderful entrance. Robert Courturier photography

Enjoy watching Downton Abbey tonight. I can't wait!

Webster Loves Sunday Mornings

My breakfast sandwich is almost ready. The egg and the Canadian bacon are waiting for the Ciabatta roll to toast in the skillet.

Webster has been waiting patiently for the sandwich to be assembled.

So he can lick the pan. He pronounced it to be delicious. And it was!

Perfect Entrance Hall

I love the use of the library table full of antiquarian books. Black lampshades on brass bases are my favorite lamps. Love the artwork, the plants, the artwork, the antiques, the oriental runner, and the sisal carpet on the stairs. There staircase is monumental. Absolute perfection on all counts.

Tabitha has really settled into being my cat. She's really more like a dog in many respects. She knows exactly how to tell me what she wants and her wish is my command. She was relaxing on top of a loose sofa cushion this morning when I snapped this photo. Darkness has descended on the cottage and she just led me to the door to let her out for a before-dinner walk. Webster just finished dinner and I'll be walking him in a few. Have a good weekend. See you tomorrow.

Paul and Linda McCartney

This is a delight - a photo shoot with Linda photographing Paul singing. She harmonizes a little too. It's a very intimate glimpse into what they had together as a couple.

Click here if you are unable to see this charming video or if you want a larger view. She was so beautiful. Have a great weekend.

Country Kitchens with AGA Cookers

Delightful kitchen by Blackstone Edge Studios. via

Here is another Aga from a real life kitchen complete with dog in a basket. via

Friday Morning Sunrise at My Cottage

Click photo to enlarge.

Wow. I looked up just a few minutes ago and this is what I saw. You have to be quick to capture the early morning colors. They are gone in an instant. I used my Nikon for this beautiful sky. 

HaHa - Good One!

via

Château de Vaux le Vicomte

Did you know that the Château de Vaux le Vicomte, to the east of Paris, was one of the main sources of inspiration for the Château de Versailles? It is surrounded by the most elegant and geometrically harmonious of all high Baroque gardens. Have you been? via

Mini Ice Storm at My Cottage

 

Everything is covered with a thin glaze of ice and it's a very gray day. Nothing has melted even though it doesn't seem that cold when I'm out in it with Webster. I took these photos mid morning and now it's mid afternoon. The salt trucks were out this morning so the roads are black. I took the first two photos with my iPhone while I was outside and the second two with my Nikon from inside the house.

Great Outdoor Shower Head

I have to restore my outdoor shower this year....for sure. I have a big shower head but not this big. Love the vine too. via

Black and White Kitchen

Here is a delightful kitchen and butler's pantry all decked out in black and white. I love the collection of Staffordshire dogs on the windowsill over the sink and the fabulous basket on wheels next to island. Actually, I can't find one single thing I don't like. It's absolutely perfect. I woke up to a surprise dusting of snow this morning with small icicles hanging everywhere. The animals weren't wild about putting their warm, toasty paws on the front walk and they didn't stay out very long either. via

How Not To Write A Novel

This is hilarious!

SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A NOVEL - Click here if you can't view this video. Originally discovered here. So funny! I love the computer generated voices.

Red and White Checks

I am partial to blue and white but decided to give some equal time to red and white checks on a kitchen floor and on cabin beds.

I prefer black and white or gray and white on floors, but this looks nice for a change.

I usually prefer blue and white checks in a bedroom but I have to admit these bunk beds look wonderful in red and white. Sorry I don't have source links. I'll try to add them later.