Countdown to Oscar

This is the site for Everything Oscar. I'll be watching, will you? Are you having an Oscar party or just eating popcorn in front of the TV? I'll be using my top of the stove vintage Felknor's Theater Popcorn Popper and doing the latter.

I had a hard time finding an original classic Felknor which for some reason is no longer made but I finally got one a couple of years ago and love it. I use olive oil for regular popcorn and sometimes I make kettle corn which is also delicious. I'm told the Whirley Pop is almost as good even though it doesn't have the tapered sides. You'll never eat microwave corn again once you go back in time and make popcorn on your stovetop. If mine ever breaks, I might buy one of these from Lehman's.

Same Tree 8 Hours Apart at My Cottage

This is the black walnut tree I saw from my front door this morning at 7:00 am when I first got up and let Webster out. I did not convert the photo to black and white. This is a color shot and as you can see it was a very gray and rainy morning.

I just got back from walking the wonder dog and I wanted you to see how different the same tree looked at 3:00 pm. The wind is howling but at least it has stopped raining and the sun looks nice when it's not hiding behind a cloud.

Balbegno Castle | UK Scotland | Wellies Provided

Balbegno Castle

They even provide wellies, just in case anyone forgets  to bring them. 

Doesn't this look like the perfect place for hunting and fishing? Don't you absolutely love this rolling shelf in the hallway? 

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II, Page 35

I agree with both points. I usually find something to ponder on almost every page of this wonderful little book and hope you do too.

Windsor Smith's Home in House Beautiful

Windsor Smith's Stunning LA Home - House Beautiful
Pottery Barn sconces and an antique French repoussé mirror add a little romance to the master bath. The sink is skirted in smoky gray-and-white silk from the Silk Trading Company.

How lovely! I can only imagine what a water-spotted mess this sink skirt would be if I had one. Silk is for the very neat, brave and daring, or a little-used bathroom.

Eat More Fruit

This colorful image could be a poster for all the fruit growers out there, couldn't it? I bought a big bag of navel oranges and two cantaloupes today. I already had red and green apples in the crisper so I'm well on my way to eating more fruit.

Queen Elizabeth II of England's Parents

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother). By Popperfoto/Getty Images via VanityFair.com

I don't know about you but I want to know everything about these two royals since seeing The King's Speech. I loved this article and slideshow in Vanity Fair From Sketch to Still, A Visual History of The King’s Speech Sets and Costumes. It's a very good pre-Oscar read. Enjoy.

Cats Really Know How To Get The Best Views

I have never seen a cat sit like this, have you? Hopefully this delightful photo will get your day off to a happy start. :)))

St. Andrews Church in the Cotswolds Village of Naunton

St. Andrews church in the cotswold village of Naunton, in the Windrush valley, Gloucestershire, England. ©flash of light

Don't Stray From The Beautiful Path!

Here is another fabulous photo I love. The light at the end of this canopy is beautiful, isn't it? Don't Stray From The Path! by WullieS

Pink Freud Meets Pink Floyd

image

I haven't heard Dark Side of The Moon by Pink Floyd in ages. I thought it was perfect to go along with Pink Freud. It's a little early in the morning for this kind of music so you have my permission to save it for when you're wide awake.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II, Page 34

Yes, you should always put something in the collection plate when it is passed around.

Yellow House Love

I missed the open house tour when this home was first listed and it's already under contract so I'll never get another chance. Boo Hoo. Isn't it the best one you've seen in ages? I'm off to my weekly office meeting this morning and maybe I'll see something amazing afterwards but I doubt it. See you later.

Colin Firth interview 'Inside the Actors Studio'

I watched this interview on Bravo hosted by James Lipton recently and enjoyed it very much. I found it on YouTube in four parts for those of you who missed it or do not have cable. You should watch 'Inside the Actors Studio' before the Oscars since The King's Speech has 12 nominations. Colin Firth should definitely win the award for Best Actor. He was wonderful and so was everyone else in the movie. Enjoy.


Part I


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4

King George VI

The King's Speech - Movie Poster

A Fox Visits The Cottage Today

I saw this fox with the strange tail outside my bedroom window this morning. I shot the third picture first and got the back end so you can see that a lot of the fur is missing from his tail. I ran to another window for the first, second and fourth pictures. Luckily Webster didn't know what I was doing or he would have had a fit. The car is cleaned off and the walk is shoveled. Both tasks were done with absolutely no enthusiasm. See you later.

Oh No ~ More Snow

Just when we were hoping it was all over too. I know how this little guy feels. I couldn't believe my eyes either when I woke up this morning to about 4 inches of snow. It looks pretty light and fluffy so it won't be hard to shovel but I am not at all thrilled with this batch of white stuff.
snow day with squirrel by ron lacey

Wonderful Hanging Bookshelves

I love these painted hanging bookshelves. And the rest of the room plus furnishings too. Hope your weekend was as lovely as mine. Is tomorrow a holiday for you or do you have to work? Some people will be off for Presidents Day. 

image source unknown

Buy Good Goods

I love this quote by Ray Eames and I 'm crazy about this little plywood elephant too.

The Eames Plywood Elephant was designed in 1945. Conceived both as a children's toy and as a decorative interior object, this newly reproduced Plywood Elephant catches the eye with its cheerful curves and flowing shapes.

This post gets longer and longer as the day progresses. I found this great animated film about these toy elephants called A GATHERING OF ELEPHANTS. It's wonderful!