Cutting the Cord: I did it!

My two year contract was up with Verizon and I absolutely could not get my monthly bill down to a reasonable amount so I decided to get rid of my landline and cable and have WiFi only. A wonderful supervisor helped me. I decided to buy a new router from them because they will stand behind it should I have problems plus on new contracts they have started charging $12 per monthly rental fee. The new router came in 2 days and I hooked it up my self easily. With this new system, I can always add on services if I change my mind or feel deprived but I don't think I ever will.

I returned all of my old equipment for my three television sets and my multi room DVR to UPS with my order number and they boxed and returned everything. This was very painless. Last September I purchased a new in the box indoor HDTV antenna. The box is pictured above. I paid $1.00 for it and it works! At Walmart, it costs around $18.00. I moved my kitchen TV to the attic where I have a wonderful work space and so far, this is the only TV that works in my home. I stream everything else to my iPad(s). I get all of the networks including PBS and so much more. The only thing I have sacrificed is Turner Classic Movies but I can live without it. It took me a while to find the perfect way to position the ears and the circle and the direction (towards NYC) for bringing in PBS. I was able to get all the other stations easily but I guess PBS was the farthest away. Now I get several PBS stations and I won't miss anything on Sunday nights. I even found a local TV guide on "nocable.org".

I have found Pluto.TV to be much better than I ever imagined for streaming movies ON DEMAND. I honestly didn't ever explore anything on Pluto other than live TV. The on demand movies are awesome and the two or three commercials are extremely short. REALLY. I watched a 2006 movie with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson called "Last Chance Harvey" and it was wonderful. Pluto is a free streaming service for your computer, ipad, phone, and other devices too for android users. I don't have a password or anything. It's so easy. One of these days I will get a ROCU or other device so I can stream to my TV but for now I am fine. I actually love watching movies on my iPad in bed. You can pull up all the movies on your computer here. Look at the banner across the top to switch to "live tv". You will need to download the app from the APPLE APP STORE for iPhone or iPad. Or Google for android devices. If your devices are too old, you might not be able to get all the services available. On my iPad 3 I cannot get on demand movies, just live tv. On my new iPad 6th Generation I get everything and can use my Apple Pencil which is amazing. Later. Ask me questions. I shall try to answer. xo

This is a view from one of my attic windows this morning showing my beautiful geraniums. Sorry this is a little rushed. I haven't been present in your lives lately with all my tree work and more. Have a great weekend. I will try to fill in the details about cord cutting and let you know how it's working out for me. xo, Rosemary

DIY Organic Blended Strawberry Yogurt

This is the most delicious and economical way to eat all organic blended fruit yogurt if you don't mind mixing it yourself. My huge jar of Organic Strawberry Spread from Costco seems to be lasting forever. The Organic plain European Style yogurt from Trader Joe's contains 4 cups. My parfait glass holds about 3/4 cup so I get at least 5 servings of yogurt. I think it is $2.99. The cost for the strawberry spread is $6.59 and it really tastes homemade. It's a "loose" spread and blends easily. You can adjust the amount of flavoring to add according to your taste buds. One Tablespoon has 40 calories. I put a bigger blob than usual for this post. The amount I usually use probably has only 20 calories. I use a long handled iced tea spoon as my measure and mixing spoon. I eat the yogurt with it too and it's really delicious. This method is good for the environment too. The Kirkland product comes in a glass jar. One Trader Joe's tub equals quite a few individual yogurt cups. I like to make a small serving in a teacup if I just want a taste of something good.

PS--Regular strawberries are in the dirty dozen, the 12 most contaminated foods in the food chain. Yuck. Any time you can find organic strawberries, you should jump at the chance.

My Staffordshire Transferware Punchbowl

The inside decoration on my huge Staffordshire punchbowl is every bit as fancy as the outside. The wide banding is repeated on the interior as well.

This transfer is on the bottom of the bowl's interior.

I'm wrapping up the semi-final stage of a real estate transaction today so all parties can breathe a sigh of relief and get on with their lives until early next year when we close. I don't know which end is more stressful, the buying end or the selling end. I'm on the happy side, representing first-home buyers. I'm really shocked at how busy we are for this time of year. It's a good sign for the economy and I'm proud to be helping. 

The story of The Migrant Mother

“Migrant Mother” was one of thousands of pictures Dorothea Lange took on assignment for the federal government, documenting the poverty of the Dust Bowl. Before it had that iconic title, the 1936 photo was captioned “Destitute peapickers in California.” But this was the one that stuck, coming to symbolize all those suffering in the Great Depression. Later, Lange would rage, “People think I haven’t made anything else!”

As you all know, I am a huge fan of NPR and rarely listen to anything else on my radio. I watch a little morning tv while I'm having coffee and then it's NPR all day until the evening news and the tv goes on again. I listened to the story behind this iconic photograph this morning on Studio 360 and then listened to the podcast again on my laptop while I was unloading the dishwasher. It's very interesting in case you want to tune in when you have 9 minutes to spare -- or you can just read the article. Podcast and article at Studio360.org. There is also a slideshow with 5 more views of this migrant worker's camp featuring Florence Thompson and her family.
This photo never fails to move me. It has become the symbol of hard times but has been exploited by the advertising industry to sell products from perfume to luggage. That should make you want to listen and I hope you will.

Genius Block Soap Dispenser/Grater

I love this soap grater invented by Nathalie Stämpflia, a design student. I use a micro-plane grater to grate my soap for my homemade laundry detergent. I'd love to have one of these in my kitchen. I've never been a fan of liquid hand soap because the containers are way too unattractive for my taste as well as being expensive. More photos and information about Nathalie's invention here.

Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Make Do and Mend -- Again

My grandmother used to take outgrown hand-knitted garments apart and reuse the yarn for other knitting projects. Rush over to The Homely Place to see more versions of the "Make Do and Mend" slogan that is so timely once again. Elbow patches are all the fashion these days so don't throw away your worn garments. Patch and be proud.

Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Picasso Brings $106.5M, Most Espensive Painting Ever Sold

$106.5m buys the most expensive painting in the world: "A 1932 painting by Pablo Picasso has set a world art auction record, selling for a staggering $US106.48 million, the auction house Christie's announced in New York."

The New York Times reports that Picasso dashed this painting off in one day in 1964, not 1932. Regardless, it is now the most expensive painting ever sold. It is called Nude, Green Leaves and Bust. Read the fascinating article when you have time.

Now I'm off to plant some herbs that cost $1.99 US.




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Ammi Phillips Double Portrait Auctioned For $782,500

Two children, a dog, and a cat; what could be better? A 43" x 40" oil on canvas folk art portrait by Ammi Phillips (1788-1865) of Theron Simpson Ludington (1850-1922) and his older sister Virginia Ludington (1846-1865), circa 1852, sold for $782,500 (includes buyer's premium) at Christie's in New York City on January 22, 2010.

Rare Double Portrait by Ammi Phillips (1788-1865)
The lead highlight of the Americana Week sales is an exceedingly rare, full-length double portrait of Theron Simpson Ludington (1850-1922) and His Older Sister Virginia Ludington (1846-1865) by the prominent 19th century American portrait artist Ammi Phillips (pictured page one, center; estimate: $300,000-500,000).
Unknown among Phillips works until earlier this year, this dynamic, even humorous portrait of two young siblings has been passed down through generations of the Ludington family of Goshen, CT until the present day. Phillips was commissioned sometime around 1852 to paint the family’s members, which included formal portraits of the children’s parents, Theron Daniel Ludington (1826-1900) and Eleanor Bailey Ludington (1826-1863), also to be offered in the sale (estimate: $12,000-18,000).
The full-length double portrait of the children is unusual for its departure from the conventional poses Phillips typically employed in his formal single portraits. Here instead, in a moment of playfulness and insight into the sibling’s relationship, the artist depicted the younger boy leaning away from his older sister to hug the shaggy dog by his side, while a small grey cat bites at a single strawberry that has fallen from the bunch in Virginia’s hand. While hundreds of single portraits by Phillips survive today, only a small number of full-length double portraits of this type are known to exist – a measure of rarity that is sure to attract collectors.

The buyer was Atlanta, Georgia, dealer Deanne Levison. I remember when she worked at Israel Sack in New York. Christie's photo, listing information. The good things always command high prices. This would be lovely above my fireplace.

Take care of your antiques and they will take care of you."




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

American Silver Punch Bowl Sells For $5.9M

A HIGHLY IMPORTANT AMERICAN SILVER PUNCH BOWL
Made by CORNELIUS KIERSTEDE, NEW YORK, 1700-1710

Pre-auction estimate $400,000 - $800,000
Sold January 22, 2010 Sotheby's New York.
Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: $5,906,500 USD
This is wonderful news for dealers and American Coin Silver collectors alike.

"Take care of your antiques and they'll take care of you."

Doesn't this make you want to polish your sterling hollowware? Read more about Cornelius Kierstede, the colonial silversmith.




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Rare Queen Anne Stool Auction

A QUEEN ANNE CARVED WALNUT COMPASS-SEAT STOOL PHILADELPHIA, CIRCA 1750

Auction: 21 - 25 January 2010 at Christie's New York, Rockefeller Plaza Pre-auction estimate $300,000/500,000.

The mate sold at Sotheby's Sept. '08 for $5,234,500.

The 56th Annual Winter Antique Show at the Park Avenue Armory is the flagship event for Americana Week in New York City. Patrons, dealers, and customers flock to the auction houses also. The circa 1750 Philadelphia Queen Anne Stool in the first and second photos is the piece to watch at Christie's. Do you think Albert Sack will buy this one too? Wouldn't it be wonderful if these two fine period stools ended up together once again? Fingers crossed.

"Take care of your antiques and they'll take care of you."




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Top Ten End-of-Year Home Office Upgrades

You know I almost never urge anyone to go out and shop but this article is well worth reading if you have a home office as I do. There are only 5 shopping days left in 2009 if you count today. Is there anything that would enhance your work space and make you more productive? Need some ideas or suggestions for items that you can probably write off? Read more.




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Use it up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without

 I grew up hearing these words from my grandparents who were adults during the first depression.

 I was reminded of them while I was busy designing today's quote.

 Webster's coat was ripped on one side and I patched it for him over the weekend. Now he will be wearing it for years to come. Aren't you impressed that I am following my own advice?

Make Do and Mend

Love this.

I grew up sewing and still keep my machine set up all the time for quick mending. I've never owned anything but a Singer. We always had a black one.
Clare Owen Illustration.





Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Black Friday Illustrated Quote

I'm celebrating Buy Nothing Day today. Buy Nothing Day is your special day to unshop, unspend and unwind. Relax and do nothing for the economy and for yourself - at least for a single day. After such a busy day yesterday, the day after Thanksgiving is a perfect do nothing day, especially since the refrigerator is full of leftovers and I don't have to cook. I created the image with the holly for the inside of my 2007 Christmas card. Enjoy your Friday whatever you choose to do. Thanks for stopping by the cottage. Rosemary

Soup Kitchens for Pets . . .

Pet soup kitchens are becoming more popular, as more people -- and welfare organizations -- seek to establish a cheap, community-based means of supporting pet owners in need.

To learn more about pet food pantries, please watch video story here.

Pets are people too. My own dog endorses all projects that provide for animals.

Thanks for stopping by the cottage today. ♥Rosemary and Webster

Photo Courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society

Mahatma Gandhi Objects Top $2 Million at auction . . .

Mahatma Gandhi's circa 1920 pocket watch, Gandhi's sandals, bowl, plate, glasses, and images of Gandhi with letters of authenticity realized $2,096,000 in New York City at Antiquorum Auctioneers' sale of important collectors' wristwatches, pocket watches and clocks on March 4 and 5, 2009.

The auction room was unusually overflowing with collectors, enthusiasts of horology and members of the press — curious to see the outcome of the bidding on Mahatma Gandhi's pocket watch and personal belongings.