Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Small Outbuilding for Garden Tools

Delightful tiny outbuilding with a slate roof.

Side view. Don't you love the architectural detailing? I finally got to see this little building I've always loved today at a Broker Open House.

Monday, March 5, 2018

The Sheep Have Not Noticed

Real or Photoshop?
I think the latter but it's amusing anyway.

Horace, The Housebroken Irish Hare

This photo is from a delightful article that appeared in LIFE Magazine back in 1956. 

It is the usual fate of the Irish hare, a wild strain betwixt the Scottish and European varieties, to sleep by day in the hedgerows and by night to scurry through plowed fields in search of leafy delicacies. To live long he must be a wary hare, on guard always against man, his guns and dogs.

This might have been the life of Horace, the loveable hare, had he not fallen three years ago (1953) into the hands of Cecil S. Webb, director of the Dublin Zoo. Webb and his wife took Horace into their home to study the ways of small wild animals. They kept him on ... because they had acquired a wonderful pet, as intelligent, playful and domesticated as any dog.

There are many more delightful photos for your viewing pleasure in the article and link mentioned above. This is an early St. Patrick's Day present for you! Enjoy. xo

Sunday, March 4, 2018

March really Marched In

I am obsessed by Hellebores but whenever I see them in person in someone's garden, they are never this beautiful. They usually look like salad fixings that have been in the crisper drawer too long. Maybe I just haven't seen any that were planted in the right spot. I think the individual flowers are really beautiful. Here is a link to learn more about these late winter bloomers aka Lenten roses.
More hellebores. The foliage is evergreen. via

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Kitchen Doors that Open Out

Hmmm. Would this work at my cottage? If my two French doors were divided and opened out, I could have full-length draperies to block the blinding sun in the summer and the cold drafts in the winter. I must investigate this idea. The only time it might be a problem would be during a deep snow. I like the teak flooring squares on the balcony floor too. Nice! via
All is calm at my home this morning after a day of frightful wind yesterday and last night. I lost power for a short period four times and appreciated having a generator. Some large trees came down in the woods but not on my property. The wind after I went to bed was the worst. It sounded like a freight train but I diverted my ears to the TV and watched The Nun's Story on TCM that I had recorded earlier in the day. I had never seen it and enjoyed it very much. Audrey Hepburn was great. Have a peaceful weekend and be safe if you live on coast where the tides are going to be a problem this morning and this evening. See you later. xo

Friday, March 2, 2018

My Little Whisk Broom Collection

Anytime you have three of something, you have a collection! The tiny one is my favorite.

My grandmother always used to use a little broom like this to brush off my grandfather's coat before he went out. She never got behind in any housework or outside chores. This was what she said about procrastinating. "It's easier to keep up than to catch up." 
She kept a perfect house too. She would devote one week to each room for spring cleaning. That was back in the day when women washed walls and waxed floors and removed old wax so they could wax them again. We have it so easy now. 

Black and White Kitchen

This kitchen would work for me, very nicely, if I were a city girl. I love the huge window over the sink looking out on another townhouse. I don't think I would need two sinks so close together though. Robbins Architecture, Winnetka, IL. via
It rained all night at my cottage and so far, the weather hasn't been out of the ordinary. BUT the worst part is going to be from 8pm until midnight with high winds and I'm not happy about that. I am not going out for anything except to walk to my mailbox after the mailman comes. I have a generator now in case I lose power and my new roof is the icing on my cottage. I made a new batch of yogurt in my Instant Pot yesterday and I went to the market and bought new food for my clean refrigerator. SO, I am prepared for what comes. Thankfully, I am not on the coast. Be safe if you are, my friends. See you later. xo

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Snowdrops: Storm Ready

This clump of snowdrops by my front door has open flowers that I don't want to get trampled if we have really hard rain along with the wind if the Nor'easter comes my way. So I went out to my garage/barn and located a cloche to protect them.

Now I can relax because these early blooming spring bulbs will be fine! They are also called Galanthus.

Moonrise Last Night

At dusk yesterday, there was a large "day moon" high in the sky in my woods. All is calm this morning here at the cottage but there is a Nor'easter coming late today into tomorrow. Today is the first day of March so here come the winds. I have to admit, high winds are about the only things that frighten me after superstorm Sandy five years ago. It is supposed to be more of a coastal storm so maybe my area will be okay. Fingers crossed. Will report more later. xo

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Cleaning My Refrigerator

I have been in a cleaning frenzy lately. My refrigerator was today's project and boy, did it ever need it. It took me a long time too. I started out this morning thinking I would just do a shelf or two and ended up doing the whole thing, and the two freezer drawers down below as well and it felt to good! Weekend before last, I tore my bedroom apart and cleaned it top to bottom. It must be something in my starts. I get this way every now and then and I hope it continues. I put this photo on Instagram today and it seems nobody likes to clean the refrigerator. It is one of those dreaded tasks and it's a pretty thankless job. 
You know what they say about housework: "It's something nobody notices until you don't do it." HaHa.

Butler's Pantry Envy

This could be my kitchen if I put my Instant Pot in there! via

Elegant Home Office in a Hallway

Living with antiques. This home office in a hallway filled with bookcases is beyond fabulous. I don't know that I could do messy things like my taxes here but paying monthly bills would be a snap. I am just about ready to start spreading out papers everywhere to get my tax documents in order for the accountant. And you?
via New home in northern New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Misiaszek Turpin Architecture & Planning. Traditional Home.

Sunday, February 25, 2018

My Kind of Room

Strike a match and light the fire and this room would be perfect on this cold, rainy Sunday. via 
Don't forget, tonight is the final episode of Victoria, Season 2 on PBS. Sniff, sniff. I love it so!

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Peaceful Saturday Images for You

Love birds.

Bedtime Stories with cats. Art by Bettina Baldassari
Wishing all of you a peaceful weekend. xo

Thursday, February 22, 2018

I Love This Marblehead Kitchen

Marblehead cottage renovation, MA. Molly Frey Design. Eric Roth photo.via

I took this photo yesterday of my mature rosemary topiary that has tree bark on the trunk! It isn't that old either, maybe four years, and I started it from a cutting I rooted in water. It had a few tiny purple blooms over the winter that looked like tiny orchids. I have some of her cuttings rooting right now and I have four with tiny roots that I planted in a pot along with a geranium. I often do this so they can get encouragement from another plant until they harden off. How does your indoor garden grow?

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Best.Porch.Ever

Porch season is almost here. Today it's going to be in the 70s but will get cold again with rain for four straight days. Isn't this a fabulous porch? One can only imagine the happy times spent there. via

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Blue and White Chairs and Rug

I love this cozy room and especially the fabric on the two easy chairs. So cozy. Nice living room, family room, or library. via

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Bird on A Rusty Hook

I love this photo found here.

Corner Bookcase to Love

Embrace your corners and fill them with things you love. via It snowed last night and we got about 9 inches but it's melting fast because it's already 41° at noon. Time to go outside and clean off my car after I shovel the walk. See you later. xo

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Spring is Trying: Snowdrops

I will soon have blooming snowdrops. They are coming up everywhere. This clump nearest my cottage is the most advanced. Can't wait! Quote below found here. Have a great weekend. xo

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Happy Valentine's Day



I have always loved this USPS stamp and wish it were still easily found.Happy Valentine's Day everyone! See some of my old Valentine posts here.