Ants have Aphid Friends: Who Knew?

“Ants and the Aphids” (© Prathamesh Ghadekar. All rights reserved.) Winner, Natural World. Aphids and ants coexist in a symbiotic relationship: The aphids suck the sap of plants and then secrete a substance called honeydew that feeds the ants, who in turn protect the aphids from predators.

The above photo was the winner of the Natural World Category. See all the winners🏆 of this contest -- Smithsonian Magazine Announces Winners of Its 19th Annual Photo Contest Be sure and click on the link. Each and every photograph is absolutely wonderful. xo

Folk Art Cat - Winter Show @ The Armory in NYC

"We generally cast our affections with dogs in the pet department, but there’s something pretty lovable about this c. 1840 watercolor gray-and-white cat. Poor mouse …"

I think this cat looks exactly like a dog. 😊

Offered by: David A. Schorsch and Eileen M. Smiles American Antiques booth at Winter Show.
Click on link to see many more photos of the wonderful antiques and folk art being offered at this annual event. Article from The Magazine Antiques.

Nut Pie Crusts - Who Knew?

I read an interesting article about last minute pies at Food and Wine magazine online.

I have never heard of these nut crusts that are shelf stable, have you? I always use frozen pie crusts but my freezer is jam packed right now and can't hold one more item. These prepared nut crusts might be the answer to my problem. I must look for them the next time I go food shopping. Both photos by Sarah Crowder.

Magazine Photos waiting For New Watch Battery

Best wedding cake ever!

The only magazine in the Morristown Jewelry Store where I stopped in for a new watch battery was New Jersey Bride. I loved the photo of the wedding cake. Who wouldn't want to go to a wedding where there was Pumpkin Cake with brown sugar buttercream and cranberry preserves and macarons? Yum.

MLK Day 2019 The Dream of Reconciliation

I posted this New Yorker cover in 2015. MLK leading a peaceful march for racial equality. If only.

Beautiful Sun Porch with Chintz Chair

When it gets too chilly to sit outside, come in and sit in the sunroom. I hope this lovely chair in beautiful chintz is facing a fireplace. Image from House & Home Magazine. 

I am way ahead of the chilly season at my cottage. I have already put my deck furniture in the barn. I washed my front windows on the outside yesterday and I am not going to put the screens back in until spring. The rooms are so much brighter without them. 

Thank you all once again for all your positive comments. It's good to know how many of you are tuning in daily and that matters to me and I shall continue trying to find something interesting or beautiful to bring you as often as I can.

xo 

Creating A Space for The Dogs

THE NORTH FRONT

This 18th Century house was 'turned around' in the 1870s, with the north front refaced as the main entrance.

Simon Upton Photo - THE HALLWAY

An eighteenth-century console from Jamb provides shelter for two dogs in this house.

THE ENTRANCE HALL

The spacious entrance hall was originally the drawing room in this 18th Century house. 

All photos by Simon Upton.
Traditional Interior Design Ideas. House and Garden UK

Jessie Willcox Smith 1930s Covers

A very sweet Good Housekeeping Magazine cover dated June 1930 by Jessie Willcox Smith, one of my all-time favorite illustrators.

Here we have Picking Strawberries dated June 1931

Both covers found on Google images.

Queen Elizabeth's Eating Habits

She's not a foodie. She's pretty indifferent to food. She only cares about horses and dogs. Read more about her eating habits in an interesting article in Food and Wine Magazine. She HATES garlic and it has been banned from all her residences. Queen Victoria's pots and pans from the 1800s are still in active use. 

Scottsdale Arizona Rustic French Country Kitchen

This Rustic Arizona Kitchen Feels Like a French Countryside Vacation. The steel French doors are my favorite part of this construction project. Do want! See more inspiring photos and read the article in House Beautiful. This empty-nesting couple really downsized in style.

Horace, The Housebroken Irish Hare

 

 

You will enjoy the vintage photos from and old Life Magazine featuring Horace, the housebroken hare. He was the pet of Cecil S. Webb, Director of the Dublin Zoo in 1956. What a character! Click to read the entire article with MANY MORE PHOTOS. 

https://www.life.com/animals/life-with-horace-the-housebroken-hare/