He is Your Dog . . .

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Laundry drying in my kitchen . . .

I did a load of wash yesterday and hung it outside on the line. It was still very damp when I brought it inside and threw it hurriedly on my antique wooden rack. There is a big cast iron radiator directly behind the dutch door to quickly finish the job. All the small items are hanging on a folding floor rack.

I can't remember the last time I used my gas dryer. I absolutely love the way clothes smell when they've been outdoors -- so nice and fresh. This was my first winter with a clothes line. I wondered if I would break down and resort to modern conveniences. So far, so good. I am pretty determined to continue my pioneer ways.

Chai Tea with Soy Milk (Recipe) . . .

I found this recipe for Chai Tea in my clippings drawer. I love chai and this is a great recipe. Can't tell you where it came from because there is no magazine name on my ripped page.

I have used the vanilla soy milk and added some extra real vanilla extract because I don't like the vanilla bean step. I don't usually have them in my cupboard but I always have everything else. The vanilla soy milk is sweet so you might be able to reduce the honey. I have also used organic sugar instead of honey. Play around with the recipe and enjoy.

The difference between cats and dogs . . .

That's my cat Tabitha.

Quote with strike through.

 

  If you don't find it in the index, look very carefully through the entire catalogue blog.

Quote by an unknown author with my own correction. Image from my Royal Book of Crests.

Isn't this a a great idea for getting new readers? 

Antique Bookplate . . .

This is a wonderful little antique bookplate from my collection with a great message now that Spring is quickly approaching.

No wealthy monarch can possess
A greater store of golden hours
Than can be found in happiness
Of birds and books and flowers

I couldn't agree more! Actual size: 3" x 2.5"

Life's Little Instruction Book, pages 40 + 41 . . .

...To be continued...

Antique Mosaic Design ~ Tilework from Pompeii . . .

I can't tell you how much I love this graphic design. It's a mosaic floor sample from sketches made by the author in Pompeii.

Scanned from OWEN JONES, THE GRAMMAR OF ORNAMENT, 1865.

I Believe in Impossible Things, Do You? . . .

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Sleepy Sunday Morning . . .

One Sunday, the first day of daylight saving time, a sleepy-eyed congregation watched their young pastor ascend the pulpit of a lovely country church. Not looking very wide-awake himself, he began, “As you all know, we lost an hour last night because of daylight-savings time. I don’t know which hour you lost, but I lost the hour in which I usually write my sermon.”

Set your clocks AHEAD tonight for Daylight Savings Time . . .

Spring forward, fall back. I always have to say this to myself when adjusting the time before I go to bed when daylight savings time begins or ends. It officially begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning when most of us will be fast asleep. Luckily all of our electronic devices such as computers, cable boxes and DVRs will reset themselves automatically. We'll have to do our clocks and watches manually.

Did you know we have Benjamin Franklin to thank for this unnatural thing? It all happened while he was living in Paris.

Ben Franklin couldn’t abide wastefulness. Les Parisiens, he complained, stayed up late into the night and awoke at noon, wasting 96 million pounds of wax and tallow each year because they squandered daylight.

He proposed a mandatory awakening at 4 a.m. from mid-spring to mid-fall, an idea that laid the groundwork for our twice-a year time change. He even suggested posting guards outside shops to prevent people from buying candles.

“Every morning, as soon as the sun rises, let all the bells in every church be set ringing,” he proposed in 1784. “And if that is not sufficient, let a cannon be fired in every street to wake the sluggards effectually.”

So, if you wake up groggy Sunday, just remember that it could be worse. Cannon fire could have roused you.

I think it's too early this year so I am not a fan! What about you?

Keep an eye on your enemies and trust your friends . . .

Moving panorama in the most amazing antiquarian bookshop in the world . . .

Click to see the huge panorama.
Move your mouse around to see the entire shop.

I have no idea where this wonderful establishment is located but I want to live there...right in the bookshop! My guess is it's in Paris. Nothing but huge walls full antiquarian books and prints, my idea of heaven. Don't forget to pan the camera by moving your mouse around to see everything including the entire ceiling.

Fat Dog Quote with Bulldog . . .

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