Happy Valentine's Day

Here's hoping you have a secret admirer. via

This cover by Charles Addams never fails to make me smile on Valentine's Day. Don't eat too much candy!

MLK: The Dream Continues

The Dream of Reconciliation via The Huffington Post featuring the cover of the New Yorker.

Heartbreak in Paris

The French satirical magazine was named after Charlie Brown. My heart is broken too by the dreadful terrorist acts. The flag in my town is flying at half mast. 

via

Time Magazine Cover: Eat Butter

Wow. I can't wait to read this article. Scientists labeled fat the enemy. Why they were wrong.

This is a screen shot I took with my iPhone on Instagram from Time Magazine's feed. Don't you love one of the 561 comments? REJOICE. 

Tucking in now. Good night. xo

After and Before from Country Living

I thought I'd shake things up and show you the after project first. From Country Living Magazine.

This is what the house looked like three years before the above photo was taken. That's how long the restoration took. I can't find a link to show you what it looked like inside. These photos were on Instagram today. You can't beat good bones, can you. Like the before, love the after.

The snow I had this morning quit by noon and didn't amount to much, thank goodness!

1825 Mississippi Farmhouse Restoration Before and After

This is the before picture of a circa 1825 Mississippi home.

Here's the stunning after photo of the Mississippi home, following a three-year gut renovation.

Old stairs.

Stairs AFTER.

View all 15 before and after photos and read the inspiring story here in Country Living Magazine.

Prince Charles Quietly Takes Charge

HRH Prince Charles in Birkhall, the private residence of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall in Scotland. photographs by Nadav Kander for TIME

Read short article here. I must look for this magazine at the library. I love Prince Charles.

Kitchen Inspired by A French Bakery

From House Beautiful: A lovely kitchen in Tennessee inspired by a French Bakery. It's lovely. I got my mowing done and I'm tired. Can't wait to jump between the sheets and watch TV. I'm sure I won't be able to stay awake for any of my shows so I'll probably watch something I've already recorded. Image Source

Entertain on a Carpet of Green Grass

This garden designer loves the idea of a path that leads to an open tapis vert, or green carpet. The path is lined with boxwood hedges and a mix of annuals and perennials. The "carpet" is surrounded with taller bushes and trees for privacy. Angus McRitchie photo via Canadian House and Home May 2009 issue.

Inside and Outside: An Oceanfront Deck

I love the feeling of being inside and outside at the same time so I would choose to sit on the covered porch. The sun lovers can bake on the open deck. photo by pieter esterohn via architectural digest. Have a great weekend. Summer is finally here.

Fabulous New Hampshire Traditional Home

New Hampshire mountain home built and decorated with antiques by a transplanted Texas couple with fabulous taste.

Lovely hallway appointed with antiques, oriental rugs and books.

Tiger maple secretary bookcase filled with lusterware pitchers and other wonderful things. You will be thrilled with this wonderful article in Traditional Home Magazine with a 22-photo slideshow. I had to contain myself from putting all of them on my blog. Click here for my favorite house tour ever.

DIY: Gingham-Checked Painted Walls

WOW, what a great look! Click on the following link for detailed instructions, in four simple steps, on How To Paint Gingham-Checked Walls from Southern Living. I love the plain upholstery, draperies, carpet and accessories with the only pattern coming from the walls. It's really stunning, agreed?

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The Lure of Books c.1911

‘The Lure of Books’ 1911 by Coles Phillips.
Life magazine (June 8, 1911)

Over one hundred years later, it is still impossible to clean around books without getting distracted. via

Country Living Photo of a 24" Aga Range

Here is that photo I was looking for but couldn't find until a reader told me she was sure I saw it on page 79 of the July-August 2012 issue of Country Living magazine. She was right and it was on my coffee table. Doesn't this baby Aga look great?

my iPhone photo

Wild Looking Frog

What would you do if you came upon an Amazon Horned Frog? They are indiscriminate eaters and grow to be the size of a small plate. via National Geographic, photo by George Grall I love his markings and think he looks very sweet.

DIY Toad Abode from Old Flower Pot

I copied this photo from Garden Gate Magazine. They have a delightful article you can pull up on your computer if you google:

inviting toads to your garden Garden Gate Magazine

I've tried including this link in my posts and some are having trouble figuring out how to view the PDF. Try it yourself from your own computer and see if you can pull it up. The photo is pretty self explanatory showing how you can to make a toad happy. You might have to use tile nippers to make the hole in an old broken flower pot bigger. 

Wonderful Garden Path

Glorious Garden Paths -- Create a memorable walkway for your yard. See 19-photos from Better Homes and Gardens.

Plant Quality Seeds

Photographed from the April 2012 edition of Country Living Magazine

Spectacular Bedrooms from Architectural Digest

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which one is your favorite? There is something special to love about each one. 

Surprised Hen

 

Jenni Oliver