Cozy Snow Day at My Cottage

I am all set for a lovely snow day. My cottage is right on the line between 5"-8" of snow and 1"-4" of snow. I think we have about 2" so far but it's hard to tell because of the wind blowing sideways. I added another blanket to the top of my fireplace and I'm all set with a stack of DVDs from the library and a good book. I went grocery shopping yesterday too. I hope you are all safe and can stay indoors until it stops. That's my plan. I live on a county road and the snow plows come by really often. My roof got finished yesterday so I am all buttoned up and can report the blanket is working nicely to keep the heat in my room instead of up the chimney. Why didn't I think of this sooner? I actually hired a plumber to put in a gas line so I could get gas logs and have a fire anytime I wanted. But you know me, I have to research everything to the Nth Degree and I learned a lot. You have to install a clamp that keeps the damper open a little in case you forget to open the flue when you want a gas fire. Actually, it was highly advised to keep your flue open ALL the time if you have a constant pilot light burning. So I talked myself out of this notion and canceled the plumber. The money I saved was applied to my new roof which turned out to be a better investment. See you later. xo

My New Roof (Side View) + A Good DVD

Not wishing to bore you, but here's another view of my cottage showing my bedroom wing so you can see my many different roof levels. My bedroom is small, but not as tiny as this wing suggests as the room extends into the next level. I have been recharging my battery with mindless things like watching DVDs and old movies ever since my roofing crew left on Friday afternoon.

The following is a recommendation or a 2-disc set I really enjoyed.

11.22.63 (DVD)

On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy was killed, and the world changed. What if you could change it back? Based upon the bestselling novel by Stephen King, 11.22.63 is an epic thriller from J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Prods. James Franco stars as Jake Epping, a high school English teacher who, encouraged by his ailing friend (Chris Cooper) travels back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Delving into the darkness of the American dream, viewers are transported to the world of 1960s Texas as Jake explores the mystery surrounding the supposed gunman Lee Harvey Oswald, his family and associates. But Jake’s mission faces threats not only from Oswald, but from Sadie Dunhill, a beautiful librarian he falls in love with, and from the Past itself … which doesn’t want to be changed. And if the Past doesn’t want to be changed, it will push back…often violently.

Tonight I am looking forward to watching New Year's Eve Live on CNN with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen starting at 8:00. I love both of them and together they really are a great pair. I hope they survive the coldest year-end ever, since this celebration began at Times Square. 

MI-5 BBC TV Series My Current Obsession

This is the first time I have gotten involved in trying to watch 10 seasons of anything. Thank goodness for the library. I watched Season One from the shelf of my favorite library. It ended with the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers and I wanted more. BUT my library didn't have the rest of this series in 10 parts. Thankfully, they have been able to get subsequent seasons thru inter-library loan. I just finished Season 5 and Season 6 has been ordered. It's the most exciting thing I have EVER watched. I love British Spies, you know!

The acting is superb and the head of this counter intelligence agency is Peter Firth and he's wonderful. I enjoyed seeing him last night in the finale of Victoria on PBS. He played Duke Cumberland.

The actors come and go and are replaced by equally superb characters.

Have you seen this series? It was on PBS, I believe. It started in 2002. Anyway, it's on Hulu if you subscribe and it might be on Acorn. Thankfully, my library has been able to find them all for me, so far. Each season is very expensive to buy, selling for as much as $80 per season. 

It is/was called SPOOKS in the UK.

Look for it. You will NOT be disappointed.

Garrow's Law - BBC TV Series in 3 DVDs

I am on the last DVD disc of the final series and do NOT want to see this BBC Scotland series end. It is beyond fabulous and I am so glad I found it at my favorite public library in Madison NJ. The lighting is beautifully filmed in what appears to be total candle light, but you know it's not. I so enjoyed the Georgian London architecture, the period antiques in period paneled rooms, the costumes, and more. The stories are quite gripping too. I wasn't sure I was going to like it but was hooked right away in the first few minutes of the chapter of the first disc. You can probably stream it on Acorn and other streaming services. I prefer DVDs.

Read more about this series on Wikipedia here.

Set around trials at the Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court) in Georgian London against a backdrop of corruption and social injustice, Garrow's Law is a legal drama inspired by the life of pioneering barrister William Garrow. He is credited with coining the English phrase “presumed innocent until proven guilty” used in common law.

Ladies in Lavender -- DVD Movie Recommendation

I watched this movie over the weekend and LOVED IT. For some reason I decided to look in the Foreign Films section at the library and it was filled with movies made in Great Britain in English with no subtitles. I was so happy!

Maggie Smith and Judi Dench are wonderful as is the story and the scenery. Look for it at your library or find it on Netflix. You can thank me later! Click the second photo to enlarge and read the description. xo

Beautiful Cinematography :: Coco Before Chanel Movie

I haven't seen this movie about Coco Chanel have you? It looks pretty wonderful. Here's the official movie trailer.

Coco Before Chanel DVD

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The Real Fantastic Mr. Fox

Have you seen the movie Fantastic Mr. Fox? It's a wonderful animated film based on the book by Ronald Dahl. He called the story a fantasy adventure for children but it's certainly one adults can enjoy as well. I watched the DVD recently and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

An urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation. George Clooney plays Mr. Fox and Meryl Streep provides the voice for Mrs. Fox.

Fantastic Mr. Fox on DVD




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The Miseducation of Carey Mulligan

The miseducation of Carey Mulligan: How this actress become our favorite leading lady:
When Carey Mulligan was nominated for an Oscar for her amazing role in the film AN EDUCATION, the first thing she did was call home.

But instead of the squeals of delight she might have anticipated from her mother, the young actress received a rather more level-headed response. ‘I phoned up,’ she says, ‘and said, “Mum, mum, mum! I got nominated for an Oscar!”

‘And she said, “Oh fabulous, I’m just with a student – can you call me back in 45 minutes?’”

And in that calm reply lies the key to the down-to-earth appeal of the 24-year-old with the elfin smile who is set to become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.

Isn't it wonderful that she's so normal? I thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

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The Botany of Desire | PBS

The Botany of Desire: Based on the book by Michael Pollan | PBS
This is airing on PBS in the New York area on Sunday, 4/18 at 9:00 pm. Click on the link and watch the preview, then go to the "watch" tab to check the schedule in your area. I can't wait to see this documentary. I've already set my DVR to record it. Free is good. I love PBS.


You can also watch the preview here.




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Beatrix Potter With The Real Peter Rabbit

This is a genuine photo of Beatrix Potter with a pet rabbit on a string leash.


I highly recommend the DVD on her life called MISS POTTER


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Perfect Day | Miriam Stockley | Rare Version

So hauntingly beautiful. This is the high quality, rare version. Here's hoping you have a Perfect Day today. This was the theme song for the BBC Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit and Friends Series from long ago. This wonderful version was found by: worryknot via Twitter. Thanks!

Enjoy any beauty you can find. Rosemary

The Beatrix Potter Collection


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Hedgehog pincushion + Beatrix Potter | Perfect Day + Peter Rabbit BBC Videos

I know, I know, I wrote about this fantastic hedgehog pincushion yesterday. I think this is a better picture so that you can appreciate his real beauty. I found a wonderful video on YouTube that shows him in real life in a few shots. I don't know how I could possibly have missed this television series.

It was produced by the BBC and was called: The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends. One of my readers told me about it in a comment on one of my previous posts about Beatrix Potter. No, this is not a blog about Miss Potter...she just keeps coming up lately for some reason.

Anyway...this video is in two parts. Let me know if you like it.

The show's theme song 'Perfect Day' is also on YouTube. It is hauntingly beautiful and I recommend it highly. Here's hoping today is your perfect day!

You will enjoy the DVD boxed set The Beatrix Potter Collection based on the BBC Series


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Miss Potter returns!

Just had to share this with you. I cannot claim authorship for a wonderful article with tons of photos of Beatrix Potter drawings on BibliOdyssey's Blog today. Please look. I have added a permanent link for this blog under my heading called Sites I Like. I will continue to share wonderful findings from time to time. This will definitely delight one and all. Here is the link. Enjoy!

One of my earlier posts was a rave review of the dvd movie entitled MISS POTTER. If you are a fan of her books and artwork, this film is a "must see". I am always pleased to receive comments. That's all for now. More later.




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