Happy Christmas by Beatrix Potter

A Happy Christmas to You

The greeting is very faint and Beatrix Potter signed this rare watercolor with her initials only HBP circa 1890. This rabbit family is getting ready to enjoy their Christmas Pudding! See the full-size image and read the provenance ©Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Radiator Tray for Brass Candlestick Collection

Notice the unintended self portrait reflected in the watercolor above the tray. I picked up this old tin tray in the garage at a nearby estate sale about a month ago. I intended to use it under potted plants being overwintered indoors but it turned out to be a perfect fit atop a living room radiator. So now it is the perfect container for brass candlesticks that were scattered here and there. The heat won't harm them either. I am so pleased with my $2.00 purchase! Smile.

Hello Novmber

I posted this image one year ago a tan color HERE. So far, I have posted January through November in Red. The description for the tan one at Harvard can be read here. 

We had a horrible rain and wind storm overnight and I woke up to a tall tree from my next door neighbor's property over the part of my driveway leading down to my red barn and the canopy of the tree with no leaves in my front garden. No damage was done and a tree person said my part of the cleanup will be very inexpensive. It was horrible just after midnight when I woke up to see what was happening outside. And then I heard the crash but could not determine the source. I slept soundly somehow and found the tree when I opened my front door. Power never went off and many people all around me had much worse damage. All that on Halloween night too. Yikes. Hope you didn't have any damage. xo

Dining Room Gallery Wall

I always love looking at framed art and the way it's arranged in private homes. Tour the house above here.

Etchings Exhibit at the Met in NYC

This creepy 15th-16th century etching is entitled “Death and the Devil surprise two women.” The antiquarian print shows Death and the Devil interrupting the lives of two wealthy women. Daniel Hopfer, 1470?-1536, is the artist. This exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum on The Renaissance of Etching opens on October 23rd. 

More Information here.

OCTOBER, already?

I should have posted this yesterday but I hit the ground running and never stopped. I had my furnace checked out and serviced for the upcoming winter and my generator too. The service man came at 7:30 and I was shocked that my furnace came on when I set the thermostat to the heat setting. I still have my windows open and don't plan to have my radiators cranking for some time.

I am so enjoying my garden claw and the ease it has given me in pulling my tall weeds. It's rather like wrapping spaghetti around a fork. If you ever see one at a garage sale, grab it. It does take a bit of upper body strength, but I have plenty of that so it's not a problem. Men would probably like this tool too.

Beatrix Potter Red Squirrel Watercolor

So sweet.  This is another delightful watercolor that is new to me by our favorite artist, Beatrix Potter. via

Artwork in My Bathroom

I am in the nesting mode again and this corner of my full bath got an antique etching of The Hague in the Netherlands and fresh flowers on an old walnut tray yesterday. I love the new look. I was up with the chickens this morning to get caffeinated and drove around before eight o'clock to put out my Open House signs early. Now I can relax before I have to leave at noon. Have a great Sunday and wish me luck. xo

Hand Decorated Chest of Drawers

Dibs. I saw it first! I photographed this lovely paint decorated chest at a broker open house recently. I would love to have this in my cottage. Swoon.

Scrimshaw Double Heart Mourning Pendant

Scrimshaw double heart mourning pendant, 1807

“Beauty and youth in vain to these you trust

For youth and beauty shall be laid in dust.“

This quote is so true. Growing old gracefully rather than trying to turn back the clock is quite a challenge at times. 

Delightful Cat Painting at Christie's

Noted for her paintings of cats and dogs, artist Henriette Ronner-Knip lived surrounded by her favourite subjects who played and watched on as she worked.⠀

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Henriette Ronner-Knip (1821-1909), 'Kittens at Play' (detail). Estimate: £12,000-18,000.

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British & European Art: European Art – 11 July at Christie's London.

I love the colorful needlework on the stool mama cat is curled upon, keeping watch on her little ones. The geranium in the clay pot is pretty wonderful too. Found on Instagram.⠀

Birthday Card Request + The Death of Brown Furniture

Here I am again after a few days off wearing my Realtor Hat and working harder than you can even imagine. I am a member of NEXTDOOR, a neighborhood app where members can post and share. I am amazed at the questions, mostly looking for recommendations on home repair, good hair cutters, and child care workers. I especially love the photos of free things they are giving away!

The post below touched my heart:

I have my birthday card to this veteran who is turning 100 all filled out and ready to mail. I enclosed a dollar bill too, just like my grandmother always put in my birthday cards, ho matter what my age.

I typed out his address below if you want to send him a card as well. I love Hendersonville and my family always vacationed there. Doesn't Sunnybrook sound like a nice place?

Let's all help this 100 year old Veteran get 100 birthday cards!!!

Mr. Art England

Sunnybrook Assisted Living

Apartment 211

306 Spring Street

Hendersonville NC 28739

Now on another note. You know how much I love antiques and most of you do as well. This article that appeared in YANKEE MAGAZINE will break your heart. THE DEATH OF BROWN FURNITURE 

For those of us who still love old things with rich histories, it is a buyer's market. For those of the antique collecting community who paid premium prices for their possessions, it is very depressing. I rarely miss an episode of The Antiques Roadshow on PBS where they freely speak of the depressed market for fine antique furniture. I can't help but think the trend for "staging" homes that are for sale is partly responsible too. Having home sellers replace their possessions with rented furniture to go with gray walls with white trim might be sending another message. Maybe the buyers think they can't keep what they have but need all new furniture in order to move. I could go on and on but will get off my soapbox now. I am turning this platform over to you now!

Elegant Kitchen Decor

This is a very formal kitchen sink arrangement and it's quite beautiful too. At first I thought it might be in a bathroom but the "instant hot" faucet on the left made me think it must be a kitchen. I love the deep white porcelain double sinks and all the collections on the shelf.

Rabbit with Peonies

"My soul can find no staircase to Heaven unless it be through Earth's loveliness." Michelangelo

The Wonderful Artist: Koo Schandler's Homepage

The peonies here at my cottage are standing tall but have no buds yet. They are aching for some sun but there is none on the horizon for the upcoming week. They can't complain about lack of rain though because we have had plenty. Have a great weekend no matter what the weather.

💦💧💦💧💦💧💦UPDATE: I was wrong. All of my peonies have small buds. Yay!

Wonderful Dog Portrait

He's gorgeous, isn't he? I adore animal paintings. 

Head Study of an American Pointer by Maud Earl, 1932.

found here

or

English Pointer by George Percy R.E. Jacomb-Hood, 1882

found here

Doyles Auction House NYC March 24, 2009 HERE

The PERFECT Living Room

I wouldn't change a thing. Teleport me there now. 

Hunworth, Norfolk, UK © charlesplantex

Table as Island in Kitchen

I love this long antique table used as an island in this gorgeous kitchen. The tabletop is painted with a diamond design as is the floor. I love everything I see in this photo I found while surfing Instagram.

Lazy Nook by Carl Larsson

Just perfect, but I don't need the pipe for my own arrangement. via I searched Google Images for photos of Carl Larsson's home it's all wonderful. Enjoy. xo

Spring Forward: Daylight Savings Time

Did you remember to set your watches ahead today? I still have to set my stove, my radios, and my tall case clock.

The moving chart above is a Volvelle or an early paper rotating analog computer.

Peter Apian, 1495-1552. Astronomicum Caesareum, 1540.

Houghton Library, Harvard University

Geraniums 1888

GERANIUMS

Childe Hassam

1888

via