I wish I had a shearling coat like this! I put a blanket over my fire screen to keep the heat in my cottage from going up the chimney and the house finally seems warmer, thankfully. The only time I am truly toasty is when I am in bed under my eiderdown comforter made in W.Germany. More snow is predicted this week too. Wow, what a winter we're having. Stay warm. xo
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Broccoli Cornbread the Day After
This photo is right out of the iPhone camera with no editing and yes, the cornbread tastes as good as it looks. I had an 8:30 dental appointment and this was so good when I got home, split and toasted in the toaster oven and then spread with Kerry Gold salted butter. Recipe in yesterday's blog post.
Monday, January 1, 2018
New Year's Day 2018
I looked through my posts over the past year and came up with this layout for my best nine photos of 2017. The one in the center with my mother is my favorite. The only resolution I made this year is to drink more water and it's one I think I can keep.
I ate blackeyed peas, greens and cornbread for good luck in 2018. Actually, I cheated a little since I didn't have any leafy greens like kale or collards that are traditional so I made Broccoli Cornbread and it was delicious. I used olive oil instead of melted butter and used only 1/2 cup. Next time I will use even less and it needed a little more salt. I cooked it in an iron skillet and since my gas oven is a little off temperature-wise, I set it at 400° and cooked it for 40 minutes and that was perfect. It was more like a quiche than cornbread but it was still good with the peas. I had a big bag of broccoli so I just took out what I thought was a good amount and chopped it when it was almost defrosted and it measured 2 cups.
I got up pretty early even though I stayed up until midnight to ring in the New and started undecorating my house while the coffee brewed. By 8:30 it was all done. The boxes are back in the attic but not in my Christmas closet yet. I will do that tomorrow when I get back from the dentist for my first cleaning of the year. See you after that. xo
Sunday, December 31, 2017
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018
HAPPY NEW YEAR, DEAR FRIENDS
My your new year be filled with nights full of stars, good health, and much happiness in 2018.
My New Roof (Side View) + A Good DVD
Not wishing to bore you, but here's another view of my cottage showing my bedroom wing so you can see my many different roof levels. My bedroom is small, but not as tiny as this wing suggests as the room extends into the next level. I have been recharging my battery with mindless things like watching DVDs and old movies ever since my roofing crew left on Friday afternoon.
11.22.63 (DVD)
On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy was killed, and the world changed. What if you could change it back? Based upon the bestselling novel by Stephen King, 11.22.63 is an epic thriller from J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Prods. James Franco stars as Jake Epping, a high school English teacher who, encouraged by his ailing friend (Chris Cooper) travels back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Delving into the darkness of the American dream, viewers are transported to the world of 1960s Texas as Jake explores the mystery surrounding the supposed gunman Lee Harvey Oswald, his family and associates. But Jake’s mission faces threats not only from Oswald, but from Sadie Dunhill, a beautiful librarian he falls in love with, and from the Past itself … which doesn’t want to be changed. And if the Past doesn’t want to be changed, it will push back…often violently.
Tonight I am looking forward to watching New Year's Eve Live on CNN with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen starting at 8:00. I love both of them and together they really are a great pair. I hope they survive the coldest year-end ever, since this celebration began at Times Square.
Friday, December 29, 2017
New Roof for My Cottage
My roofers came on Wednesday in the bitter cold but it was their choice. I was skeptical at first but they work the year round so it was fine with me. They almost finished today and are coming back next week to complete the area where the man is working on the other side. I could not be more pleased. The crew was very hardworking and I like that. They came at 8:00 and left at 5:00 for three straight days. They did a first-class job too and I am so pleased. There is one section of my cottage to the left behind the picket fence that does not show the fifth level of my roofline.
We had a bad wind and rain storm on the 5th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy in November and I had a leak in my roof that penetrated my plaster ceiling in the hallway outside my bedroom. My neighbor is a roofer and his men came over to try to locate the source. They had to come back a second time and told me my roof was in sorry condition due to improper installation. The guys that did it weren't roofers, but carpenters. I decided to replace it and agonized over roof shingles for about a month. I drove to see different jobs, went to new house open houses, watched YouTube videos, and finally made a decision. I am that way about almost everything. I do extensive homework first and am rarely disappointed with the final outcome. I am thrilled with the way my Certainteed, Grand Manor, Colonial Slate roof turned out. Click on the photo to enlarge. I am looking forward to the weekend to undecorate my house. See you tomorrow. xo
Early House with Porches in Snow
A simple house with fancy porch and balcony, so beautiful in the falling snow. via I don't have foundation plantings and this house doesn't either. They would certainly interfere with the windows so close to the ground.
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Asprey Campaign Photo: Old Westbury Gardens Long Island NY
Asprey Campaign, Old Westbury Gardens (New York) shot by Bruce Weber via Google Images.
At first I thought this might be a very spoiled child's birthday present but it turned out to be a photo shoot for Asprey
Marie-France: Tour Her Parisian Home
Marie-France’s home in Paris is deeply rooted, and elegantly dressed, in old world charm. Today, she invites us and shares what turns a house into a home. See many more photos and read the article here.
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Americana Christmas Tree
I thought I would be anxious to start taking down my Christmas decorations now that Christmas has passed but I'm not. I think I'll wait until New Year's Day. This tree is nice. via Here's hoping all of your celebrations were as nice as the one I attended at a friend's new home.
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Decorating with Snow
Pretty as a picture. via
Mother Nature is the best decorator.
It's raining today at my cottage and I'm thankful it isn't snowing. See you later. The countdown to Christmas is in full swing, isn't it? xo
Friday, December 22, 2017
The Milky Way
Is it just me, or can you see the faint outline of Santa and his sleight being pulled by reindeer in the Milky Way?
Ode to Joy To The World video
If this doesn't get you in the mood for Christmas, nothing will. Smile. It is a very beautiful and joyful presentation, isn't it?
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Open Fire and A Christmas Tree
A simple old fashioned Christmas tree next to an open fire. So nice! via I hope this paneled room is a library.
Nature's Christmas Decorations
Mother Nature changes her tree-decorating mind daily. On this day, she decided on a combination of light snow and a heavy hoar frost. I like it! Photo by Christian A Schaffer
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Simplicity: Lovely Christmas Tabletop
So Lovely. I love the simplicity of this Christmas table. The initialed cookies instead of place cards are so imaginative. The sitters can take them home and hang them from their tree or eat them on the spot. I like the hanging ones overhead too, mobile style. via
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