Images from my iPhone

I have had a very fun Monday playing around with the "Layout" app on my phone. I posted these on Instagram. See my feed here.

The sky when I woke up this morning.

Marbled paper in two old books.

Blossom on my limelight hydrangea.

Tabitha sunning herself.

Wonderful Antiques

Not my photo, but it could be. It has all of my favorite things in it. My newly polished sterling silver trophies are lined up on my mantle. Photo found here.

Beautiful Custom Bookcases

via

These floor to ceiling bookcases are absolutely gorgeous as are the antiquarian books within.

Fireplace flanked by Bookcases

This looks like the perfect cozy spot to sit and enjoy the fire or curl up with a good book, doesn't it? If a nap is called for, you're in the right place. via

Shakespeare. 1st Folio Book Tour. USA

I knew about this tour but didn't know when it was happening. Drew University in Madison was selected as the sole New Jersey location and will host the exhibit for a month during the fall of 2016.

Where will this exhibit be shown to your state? Check the full list here. Once you find out the location, you will be able to search for WHEN yourself as I did for Drew. You're welcome!

Antique Bookcase Table

Please. Thank you, Santa.

This is the only thing on my list.

Swoon. via

A Corner of My Living Room

Another peek into a corner of my living room that never gets any direct sun. We have a bright sunny day here at the cottage and I'm planning so many things in my head right now. Enjoy your Sunday too. xo See detail of the transferware punchbowl here.

Amazing Built-in Bookcase

These people were so smart to put in a bookcase instead of a raised panel. It's perfect for their larger antiquarian books. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes.

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. Anna Quindlen"

These homeowners managed to do both!!! photo source

Fancy Alphabet circa 1650

Like what you see so far?

Want to see the rest?

Click here. This alphabets falls under the works which have now fallen into the public domain, that vast commons of out-of-copyright material that everyone is free to enjoy, share, and build upon without restriction. Enjoy!

New Dog at My Cottage

He doesn't eat much, is very quiet, and he's house broken. Don't you love my new lamp? Found after having lunch with a friend yesterday when we stopped in a shop before I took her back to her marketing director duties at the Westmont Montessori School in Mendham. We stopped at The Grand Bazaar and we both found tons of treasures awaiting us. Next time we are going to pack a lunch and eat it on Sue's porch so we will have more money to spend on Christmas gifts and wonderful things to decorate our cottage homes. My lamp needed a little doctoring because it had just arrived and needed a little help. I was capable of doing the repairs myself and got a good price for adopting him. I love dog rescues of all kinds. Webster would have been happier if this little guy were alive to keep him company when I'm out having fun. Maybe some day. 

My Bedroom Bookshelves, Decluttered

The lower three shelves on the left side have been pared down considerably. I'm getting a lot of pleasure looking at this new arrangement from my bed which is reflected in the TV screen. Little by little, I'm helping a good cause and they are helping me in return. The annual auction and sale in tents and outdoors at the firehouse is less than two weeks away and I'm getting nervous about missing my chance to donate. Books are first. Wish me luck. xo

Living Room Corner in My Cottage

I haven't posted any photos of inside the cottage lately. Here's a corner in my living room near one of the French doors leading out to the balcony. It has been cool and breezy for the past couple of days and I have done some quality mowing. Tomorrow I shall deal with the weeds in places too tight for the mower. Weed whacking is something I enjoy once I get set up with all of my long electric cords. I put it off as long as I possibly can because it's a pain. Have a great weekend. xo

A Wonderful Library

I hope there's a library ladder somewhere to help reach the books up high. This appears to be full of antiquarian books with fine bindings, my favorite! I like the carpet, the art, and the furniture too. via Have a great weekend. I can hardly believe tomorrow is the beginning of August. That month always seems to fly because it's the end of summer.

Wonderful Library Wall

via

This looks like a fabulous room and I think there's a fireplace to the left. Don't you love the secret book doors? I want to see more of this antique home. Look at the size of those floor boards!

Literary Cats, So Fabulous

All of these fabulous photos were found here.

Library Doubles as Dining Room

It would be hard to eat without reading something in this wonderful library full of antiquarian books, wouldn't it? via

Wall to Wall Books and Antiques

Yes. Isn't this the perfect room? via I've been thinking of having another wall of shelves built in my guest room. This one would be perfect! We got about 6 inches of snow overnight and it is quite lovely. The animals have been out and are both in after-breakfast food comas and the house is snug and warm. Now that my furnace has been fixed, I realize that I was having a problem for quite some time. I can remember thinking for a long time that my house was cold. The furnace wasn't clicking on when the temperature dropped. It finally broke totally and now that it is working properly the cottage is back to being its old cozy self. I can't stop looking up at this library and have decided to work on my books today and maybe some taxes. Be safe and warm this weekendwe. xo

Winter Antiques Show in NYC. Will you be going?

via

via

POTTER, Beatrix. The Tailor of Gloucester. Privately printed in London for the author, December, 1902. Original pictorial pink boards. Housed in a custom chemise and half morocco slipcase. Offered at $32,000. Read more.

Click here for the list of exhibitors.

Fire in The Sky and A Book

This photo stopped me in my tracks this morning. Can you imagine waking up to a sunrise like this? It would be like being on top of the world, wouldn't it? via

I had a very interesting weekend. On Saturday morning I woke up to a very cold house with no heat. I immediately called the emergency hotline at the gas company and arranged an appointment for service by or before noon. Later, I was notified he would be much later. Then I called my plumber as a backup. The gas company guy came around 1:30 and it took him a while but he finally located the problem. I was thrilled. The pilot light was out and he needed to replace a defective thermocouple, whatever that is. The bill was very reasonable too. I called and canceled the plumber.

I started a roaring fire in my living room fireplace in the morning and kept it going until I went to bed. It was so nice. The pets liked it too. All is well this morning with a freezing rain. I'm on the last 100 pages of a great book so that's what I'll be doing until I finish it today. 

"A fast-moving tale about the world of rare books. A wonderful story with absolutely superb casting." read more here. It's a nice fat book too -- 466 pages. I really don't want it to end. See you later.

Great Reading Area Under the Stairs

Isn't this a clever use for an entrance hall. I love the bookshelves going up the twisting stairs and on the landing. More interior photos of this 18th century farmhouse here.

Have a great weekend. See you later. xo