It's Almost Time For My First Fire

I found this photo in my files. I'm posting it to remind me to clean out the ashes from my fireplace and set up the wood for my first fire of the season. It will soon be time.



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Decorative Purple Kale for Fall

I'll have to buy some decorative kale next week for several planters in the front that now contain geraniums with no flowers. I like kale much better than mums in the fall because the plants last a lot longer. The mums get zapped with the first killing frost but the kale just keeps on going and growing because it's a cold weather crop.

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My Antique Silver Hedgehog Pincushion

While we are on the subject of hedgehogs, I decided to take two more photos of my little antique fellow since he sun was shining so brightly on my marble kitchen counter.

He's a solid silver hallmarked pincushion in the shape of a hedgehog. The marks indicate that it was made in Birmingham England in 1903. I got it on an an antique house call years ago and it's one of my favorite things. I had to provide all the quills; the straight pins aren't antique. The stuffing is some kind of coarse animal hair (probably horse). He's pretty wonderful, isn't he?

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Happiness

I've had this wonderful quote saved in my photos forever. Back then I never thought to save the source information . . . sorry. I love this, don't you? I must admit that I am an expert at looking beyond the imperfections.



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Narcissistic Hedgehog

Hedgehog in autumn checking out his reflection in the water. I think he's very pleased with what he sees, don't you? Hedgehog via Pixdaus.



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Anthology Magazine | Preview with Video

The set for the room in the video below to launch Anthology Magazine was papered with pages from old books and magazines.

Anthology Magazine presents a stop motion trailer launching the new home and lifestyle print magazine. Inaugural issue comes out in October 2010.

Print Is Not Dead

Preview the first 16 pages of Anthology's premier issue coming out soon.



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Gardens at the Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, Seine et Marne, France

Absolutely amazing living graphic design in these Gardens at the Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, Seine et Marne, France [photo via Pixdaus].

More fabulous views of this Chateau.

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Happy Times Alone In The Garden

I scanned this image from one of my books "A Garden Blessing " and added the text myself. It's perfect, isn't it? I love the sunlight and shadows in the garden and on the side of the house.

Have a wonderful weekend.



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My Peaceable Kingdom

I just had a delicious dinner and the deer and turkeys are dining together on the lower forty. There are 4 turkeys but you can only see 3 clearly because they are at the bottom of a hill and one is pecking away at the acorns. Both of the bucks have antlers. How exciting. Click to enlarge photos.

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Homemade Bisquick Mix Recipe

I was so happy to find this recipe. I'm going to make some cheese biscuits to go with my turkey meatloaf tonight. FOLLOW UP: I made them (added grated cheddar cheese) and I declare them to be the best biscuits ever! I am so excited because I can have them 5 more times. Yippee.

You can make pancakes with this mix too. They are supposed to be delicious; sort of a cross between pancakes and French toast.

HOMEMADE BISQUICK MIX
5 cups flour
1/4 cup baking powder
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 cup butter or margarine
Mix together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.

Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.
Store in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks or in the freezer for longer storage.
Makes approximately 6 cups.

TO MAKE BISCUITS
Mix together 1/3 cup of milk for every 1 cup of mix. Drop onto un-greased cookie sheets and bake @ 450ºF for 10-12 min.

*Add any additional ingredients you wish such as grated cheese or herbs before adding the milk.
* 1 cup of mix will yield about 6 biscuits.

Read more Homemade Bisquick Mix (source of this recipe)

I found another site with some excellent coffee cake recipes using Bisquick. Scroll down when you enter the site.



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The Cottage of My Dreams

I've always loved this cottage watercolor. It's on the cover of a very old address book I picked up at a tag sale. Every time I look at it I start daydreaming about what the interior is like. Don't you love the sculpted hedges? Sigh.



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Read Instead

This made me laugh. I actually like to do both.

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Iveraray Castle, Scotland

Iveraray Castle, Scotland a magnificent Scottish castle and ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll provides a unique Scottish visitor experience. The Castle is a remarkable and unique piece of architecture incorporating Baroque, Palladian and Gothic ... read more When shall we leave?
Photo via Pixdaus



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It's Raining Cats and Dogs At The Cottage

I got soaked to the skin just now coming home from the grocery store. Webster had a second bath and he did not like this one. I bathed him in the bathtub this morning and he moved not a muscle. He loved it. I've already pulled up all the cleomes because of the crab grass invasion in this front area. They were once beautiful. The spruce trees are enjoying the shower after a long hot dry summer.



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Maple Leaves with Fall Color

Fall is starting to show its face at my house. The maples are just starting to turn.



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Very Nice Wall of Framed Photos

I like the arrangement of these framed black and white photos on this sea-foam teal wall. The frames are a combination of black and white as well. Very nice!!!



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