Thursday, October 2, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Oliver Airedale ~ Financial Dog and Industrial Leader . . .
The Ordeal of Oliver Airedale
or
To the Dogs and Back
A Satire with Teeth in It
Written and illustrated by D. T. Carlisle
New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1941
There are always lessons to be learned from old books!
As always, you can enlarge either of the photographs.
Take care of your antiques and they'll take care of you.
New York City, September 26, 2008, Sotheby's Americana Sale. This carved walnut compass-seat Philadelphia stool circa 1750 brought a whopping $5.2 million. The figure above includes the buyer's premium.
The pre-auction estimate for this rare object was $200,000/500,000.
Ex-collection Rear Admiral Edward P. Moore and Barbara Bingham Moore.
Antiques really are a good investment. Buy the best you can afford, use them, admire them, care for them, and at the appropriate time in your life pass them on to the next steward.
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Hearts are hiding everywhere . . .
Vine with heart-shaped leaf. All the leaves will soon be on the ground. My rakes are standing by!
Yellow flower with hearts in the center. A repeat photo from a July post for new readers to enjoy.
I continue to discover hearts on my walks and will share as I find them. Enjoy your day.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tribute to a life well lived . . .
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Pumpkin patch in the yard . . .
It looks as if we are in for a rainy weekend. Not good for the annual Fireman's Auction and Sale in New Vernon. Most things are under a tent...but some of the donations are in a big uncovered field. I hope they keep all the books dry. I'll wear my wellies and walk around in the mud. I always find a treasure.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
My diminutive bookcase . . .
Over the summer I finally found a bookcase for my overflow of antiquarian books. I am thrilled with the size and style. I love the graduated shelves with waterfall sides, the bottom drawer with brass pulls, the legs with brass castors, and there is even an inlaid conch shell on the back panel. I found it at an estate sale nearby. I was not one of the early birds either. Luckily, this treasure was piled high with junk and the other lookers passed it by.
I just wanted to drive home the point that the best homes are not decorated overnight. I went to a realtor open house yesterday that looked as if all the furnishings were purchased on the same day. Not a good look in my opinion.
Don't be in a rush. Slow down and enjoy the hunt.
All things come to those who wait!
New Dollar Bill . . .
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
My favorite things . . .
I am very pleased with the way the apple "pops" against the dark background. I hope these apples are available for a long time. They are unwaxed and don't have those awful stickers. Just the way I like them.
Pretty soon I will be wearing these wellies each time I go out for a walk. The fall season will soon be in full swing. I am putting all the gardens to bed and am looking forward to another blogging season. My first one (summer 2008) was fabulous. I hope you will join me for my next chapter!
I am very happy that all of my favorite TV shows are starting up again too.
Monday, September 22, 2008
My kitchen has gone to the dogs . . .
He is the greatest pot licker in the East. I fixed scrambled eggs with cheese this morning and he thoroughly enjoyed the job of cleaning the skillet.
He wanted me to post the recipe for his favorite all-natural snacks.
WEBSTER'S HOMEMADE DOG TREATS
2-1/4 cups cornmeal
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup dry powdered milk
3 Tablespoons molasses
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 eggs
--------
Mix everything together and knead into a ball.
Place on a floured surface and roll to desired thickness.
Cut dough with cookie cutters (bone-shapes are available).
Sometimes I just roll into a log and slice.
You can prick your dog's initial with a fork. A "W" is easy.
Bake on greased cookie sheets for 20 minutes at 375.
Enjoy all the licks and kisses you will receive from your pet.
Don't have a pet? Boo Hoo!
Make some for your canine friends. All dogs love presents!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Gwyneth + Mario in Spain on PBS ~ Premiers 9/20 . . .
You can view the listings for your area on this PBS site and see lots of photos and video clips. I don't think you have to be a foodie to enjoy this program. The scenery looks amazing. The stars are Gwyneth Paltro, Mario Batali, Mark Bittman, and a Spanish actress named Claudia something. So that's two actresses and two chefs.
I hope you read this in time to see the first episode. I should have posted about it earlier. Better late than never. Enjoy!
Friday, September 19, 2008
FREE DOWNLOAD Seed Saving Envelope for 2008 . . .
Friday is usually an off day for blog viewing so I decided to give something away. I made a pdf document of the seed saving envelope shown above. It is fresh off the presses...I designed it this morning. You will see that it prints beautifully in a nice large size. Use it for big seeds or as a master envelope for the smaller ones I made for you earlier in the year. Search for them on my blog. They are filed under "seedpacket pattern".
FREE DOWNLOAD ~ SEED SAVING ENVELOPE FOR 2008
Save some seeds this weekend and remember me!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Collector's Kitchen with Transferware Backsplash . . .
I though I would share this clipping from an old Renovation Style magazine with you. The antique blue and white Staffordshire plates have been permanently grouted in place on the backsplash behind a commercial range. I think they look stunning against the solid white tiles laid in a herringbone pattern. The moulded tile picture frame sets them off quite nicely. The remaining white tiles are laid subway style.
This collector looked everywhere for decorative tiles to set off the plain white ones and finally gave up. Her husband suggested using some of the plates she had collected over the years. The end result is highly personal and beautiful.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Martha Stewart Show ~ All Bloggers Today . . .
I don't get Fine Living Network but I am pretty sure this show will be rebroadcast there tonight. Check your local listings.
I was following the live posts from Geek in Heels and WeddingBee in case you want to read their comments from the audience.
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Brown and White Transferware Plate . . .
A brown and white Staffordshire transferware plate in a Willow Pattern (most often seen in blue). Another item that was sold some time ago. I wish I had saved all of my photos; but unfortunately I was not blogging and figured I would never need them again. So many lovely things were permanently erased from my hard drive. What a shame.
A miniature portrait on ivory from my collection is in the background.