Happy Halloween

I scanned this skull crest from one of my antiquarian books to wish you a Happy Halloween.



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Fifth Avenue Terrace in NYC

The views overlooking Central Park must be beautiful this time of year and it's warm enough to sit outside today. Simple and beautiful or simply beautiful.

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Nice Stonework

I love the landscaping and stonework in front of this home. I especially like the decorative element in the pavers replicating an antique stone mill wheel. They are so very expensive and this pattern really works.

Have a great week.

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Barter Books in Britain

Have you ever been to Barter Books in Alnwick England? I have not but it's on my list of places to visit if I ever set foot in the UK again. It looks like my kind of place billed as one of the largest secondhand bookshops in Britain.



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Fall Hydrangeas and a Bluebird

I think hydrangeas have to be one of the best landscaping plants around. They just keep on giving from spring right through the fall. I wish I could say they were mine but they aren't. They belong to a friend. I photographed them this morning after feeding and walking her dogs.

I will claim total ownership of this bluebird that was one of many flying around the cottage earlier this morning. I hope it's one of the youngsters born here his spring. These birds never fail to thrill me. He was all puffed up with pride about his beauty. Isn't that color spectacular?



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Bedroom with Fireplace and Bookshelves

I slept late this morning and woke up to an almost spring-like Sunday morning. It's absolutely beautiful but can't yet be considered Indian Summer because we haven't had a killing frost. I still have a lot of outdoor work to do so I hope that dreaded frost holds off for a bit.

Don't you love the bedroom I found for you? I think it is my favorite one ever. Books within easy reach, a window and a fireplace too. I'm envisioning a comfy club chair and ottoman on the other side of the hearth and another bookcase. TV person that I am, I would require one on the wall opposite the foot of the bed. The roofline isn't very steep so the cathedral ceiling still feels cozy and I'm glad the boards and beams were stained, not painted. I have a very similar oriental rug in my kitchen. If I were designing a bedroom from scratch this would definitely be it.

Enjoy your Sunday. See you later.



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Earth In A Pinch

Earth, in a pinch . . . part of a contemporary art sculpture exhibit at the Parc de Chaudfontaine, Belgium. This giant clothespin, dubbed Pinching Earth was designed to inspire action to save the planet. Earth's Clothespin
Artist: Uysal Mehmet Ali (Photo: Mmarsupilami/Flickr)



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Exploding Milkweed

This milkweed photo bring back so much nostalgia for me. When I was a kid these grew everywhere and I used the puffy stuffing for my doll-bed pillows and other fun sewing projects. I've transplanted a few here at the cottage since they grow wild nearby. But nothing compares to the fields and fields of them I remember when I was in grammar school.



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20 Wonderful Bedrooms | Architectural Digest Slideshow

The prints on the bedroom walls are all from Audubon’s original folio, and most of the birds on view, such as the passenger pigeon and the great auk, are long extinct. The owner/designer says, “I put them there to remind me every morning of my environmental responsibilities to the world.”

I like the bookcase bed and I imagine the view out the big window wall has spectacular views of the countryside in upstate New York.

View more wonderful bedrooms in a 20-photo slideshow.



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Brain Scan

Typographical Anatomy of Our Brain via

The "Where I Put My Glasses" part of my brain is broken. The rest of it is still fine. :-)

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Onteora Club | 100 year old letter

I found this delightful letter in an attic years ago and it continues to delight me. Could an email ever replace getting a letter like this in the mail? Richard certainly was busy with his egg business and his bookkeeping too. He wasn't doing too well in math because 117 dozen = 1,404. I wonder if that old Pope Toledo is still around in an antique car collection? Click on the letter to enlarge it for easier reading. Boo Hoo, Old Father Rabbit is dead.

The Onteora Club in Tannersville, NY was founded in 1887. Today it is a private enclave with more than 80 cottages, 6 clay tennis courts, and a private golf club. This young boy's father [E. S. Godfrey] was the superintendent in 1910. The website is divided: members and visitors. Mark Twain is pictured below.

Have a great weekend full of Rest and Relaxation.

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Arrow Points The Way To A Great Fall Weekend

Turn left when you see this arrow and you'll be guided towards a wonderful weekend.

Photo ©Mr. dale on Flickr



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Benjamin Franklin :: Secret Quote

Benjamin Franklin continues to amuse me. I scanned this image from one of my favorite books. I love the wood engraving showing fashion, interior design, and antiques of the period.

Happy Friday. Have a great weekend.

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Attic Kitchen

This is a beautiful kitchen and the article is about maximizing the extra space in your attic. I can't imagine running up to the third floor to cook even if the room looked like this. I prefer to think this is a kitchen wing on the ground floor with skylights. Wherever it is, I like it -- a lot.



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Cat Companionship

These two cats seem to be enjoying each other while catching the last few rays of sun before dinner. I'll see you in the morning. Sleep tight.



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