New Picture Arrangement in My Living Room

 

It has been pouring rain for the last 2 days so I thought I would show you my back wall. The botanical print of a Jack in the Pulpit wildflower in top center is a rather new purchase and I like it there. I had a very large framed antique map there shown in my last photo. It had been there for 20 years and I thought it was time for a change to show more of my paneled wall.

The small oil painting underneath was taken from another room.

Closer view of both artworks.

This is an old photo showing the antique map. The new botanical is hanging on the same picture hook if I ever want to put it back. I don't think I ever will though because I like showcasing my custom woodwork. The first two photos were taken with a newer iPhone camera and the wall color is truer. This older iPhone photo has more of a green tinge. My woodwork is painted with Benjamin Moore Bennington Gray and it's a true putty color. 

April Showers are right on time this. I'm so glad Easter Sunday was a beautiful day and I hope you all enjoyed the day whether or not you celebrated. XO

Me & My Shadow + More Photos Outside My Cottage

Me and my shadow two days ago on an afternoon walk around my property. The sun was getting low and the sky was still blue. We have rain at the same time today ending at sunset. I had an outside inspection for a real estate customer and got it in before the rain started.

This is a photo using the wide angle lens on my iPhone.

This is the beginning of what I call the "way back".

This is my cottage from near the end of the way back.

The snowdrops are popping up along my brick wall.

Every year I transplant clumps and am always surprised when I see snowdrops thriving in a new location. It seems like Friday but it's only Thursday so enjoy what's left of the day.

xo

A Collection of Small Shells I Just Purchased

I have another small jar of figural shells similar to these in the 6" dish. They are somewhat larger too. Found before Christmas in a charity shop. I am just now looking at them and admiring these miniature miracles from the sea. Aren't they beautiful? I wonder how long it took to collect them? Are they easy to find? I have no idea since I haven't had very many seashore visits in my lifetime. My family vacations were always in the mountains. I'm having a rainy Thursday with a repeat tomorrow but both days are in the 50s and mild with no sunshine until Sunday and Monday. I keep looking for things to do so I won't have to deal with my mess in the attic. Hope you enjoy these shell photos.

xo

Miniature Arrow Back Rocking Chair + Sweet Potato Recipes

I picked up this little handmade painted rocker years and years ago at a garage sale. The lady didn't know anything about it and sold it to me for a song.

Side view.

Rocker next to a miniature picture frame. Rocker is 6-1/4" high. Frame is 2-7/8" high. Unknown gentleman in frame reminds me of my grandfather. 

I bought a mesh bag full of sweet potatoes on Wednesday. I scrubbed six of them and put them in a cold oven and turned it on 350° and set the timer for 90 minutes. I used my downstairs electric oven because it has a more even heat. I usually cook these for one hour at 400° but they were much better cooked slower and longer. I ate two for lunch and they were soft and sweet and really delicious. Butter wasn't required but I put a dab on each for good measure and sprinkled on a light shake of pink himalayan salt. I'll never bake them any other way from this day forward. This was a perfect lunch for a Sunday that turned out to be a rainy one. My kitchen range has a gas cooktop and a gas oven as well but the oven has uneven heat. I'm glad I have the choice of both. xo

UPDATE -- TRY THIS RECIPE TOO

Slow Roasted Sweet Potatoes from Smitten Kitchen

Read the article and get the recipe HERE. 

She cooks hers at 275° for 2-1/2 hours!!!

Enjoy. Sweet potatoes are very plentiful right now.

xo

Recent Photos Inside and Outside

My kitchen table wasn't prepared to be photographed so this is a real life photo. I walked in and was stunned by the way the sun was shining on the apron of my farm table and luckily I had my phone in my hand.

This is probably a weed of some sort but the bright green color wass beautiful on a drab overcast day.

A new branch is forming on the blue spruce near my bedroom.

This wall near one of my French doors was photographed last night on "night mode" and doctored a little with Snapseed.

Have a great weekend.

xo 

First Day for Wearing Mittens

These red berries really pop on an overcast day with no shadows.

Thawing ice in the birdbath. Love the bubbles!

A gathering of river rocks with water, leaves, and ice.

Handle and knot hole on my bunker door.

The dahlia tubers are inside overwintering.

A favorite brown & white transfer plate in the Aesthetic Movement style. I love the animals in the border, especially the dog. I'm getting Missy for a few days late Thursday afternoon. 

Today was the first day that felt like winter. I wore my mittens when I went to the grocery store. I took these photos when I got back around 3:30. I should have gone out early when I got up to take frost photos but I didn't. There will be other opportunities for those on another day.

Last night I finished the last episode of HOPE STREET on BritBox. Luckily Season 2 premiers in a few days because it Season 1 ended with a real cliff hanger. Then I watched Miss Scarlet and the Duke on PBS Video.

That's all for Tuesday with rain on the way. xo

Monday Evening Pics

Close-up of the tip of a Blue Spruce showing tiny cones.

A recent golden hour in the back woods.

This is how I found a suspended stray feather last week.

That's all. Short and sweet. Had a very busy day and now I'm headed to my bedroom to stream the Sunday night Masterpiece shows from PBS. Miss Scarlett and The Duke will be first. Then Magpie Murders and Annica if I can stay awake. xo

Today's Photos Around & In My Cottage

After 2 days of rain I get a lovely Saturday like this.

These are the logs from the tree stump with the weathervane.

The puffball is decaying and a spotted lanternfly is eating it.

More leaves (yawn).

One of the miniature portraits on my nook wall.

Here's another one.

I took this photo minutes before this post.

I am still playing around with camera settings.

I never tire of trying to get things just right.

I never get discouraged either.

Now for a story. I went into my favorite charity shop to benefit my local hospital on Thursday and tried on a necklace marked $25.00. It was pretty and I really didn't need something to wear once a year at the office Christmas party but I noticed a really insignificant maker's mark on the back. I could make out a Script Letter E. I was standing next to the volunteers' room and asked one of the ladies if she could decipher the hallmark and she invited me in. Another lady heard me say "E" and she said she hoped it wasn't Elizabeth Locke because it would be grossly underpriced. The other lady took a photo of it and uploaded it to Google Images and it came up as a genuine piece of Elizabeth Locke designer costume jewelry priced at $575.00. This designer makes gold jewelry too but this was in her costume line. I immediately told the ladies they could reprice it and I would relinquish it so the hospital could get some serious money from someone who would appreciate it. They were thrilled and I was happy I made a discovery for them. If I hadn't asked and purchased it for myself I never would have known. It would have just lived in the drawer with all the other jewelry I don't wear. 

Isn't this a great story?

xo

Fall Photos First Day of Daylight Savings Time

I went out about an hour before the new 5:30 sundown and went deeper into the woods for this vine photo.

Overnight raindrops on lambs ears never disappoint.

There is still quite a lot of fall color still hanging on.

Don't forget to look up.

The beauty of green against a drab background.

The long view to my house never changes but the sky does.

Walk over. Wonder what today will bring?

We are having an unusually warm November going up to 75° today but dropping to a high of 56° for Tuesday. 

Don't forget to vote!

xo

Landscape: 'Duned', Zeeland, Netherlands By Nico Brons

Read this great article about a contest for iPhone photography. I love this one. Have a great weekend. xo

Red Gazania Unfurling Sunday Morning

In case you are tired of Peonies, I will share another African Daisy that was showing off in my front garden this morning. I love watching the petals as they unfurl. They are such fun flowers! Have a great Sunday. xo

Sunday Morning Cottage Photos

My favorite Watering Can.

First wisteria blossoms after many others were killed TWICE in May when overnight temperatures dipped below freezing. I spent the day yesterday hacking down a huge clump of my weeds by hand and will finish today with no motor sounds to intrude on Sunday silence. Enjoy your Sunday whatever you do. xo

Photos Around My Cottage

A little iron bird awaiting real birds in the birdbath, photographed in portrait mode.

Daffodils I can see from my kitchen window photographed after a rain. These were dug up from the woods and transplanted in February during a mild winter's day.

Lady's mantle yesterday, on a rainy day on my way to the mailbox. This perennial plant never ceases to amaze me the way it captures raindrops.

My mother's daffodils transplanted where I can see them from all my back windows. Enjoy your weekend. xo