Webster's Watercolors

I remember this day well. It was a nice summer day 2-1/2 years ago when I had a cottage in town under contract. I had to go over to wait for a home inspector and I took my mother and Webster with me. We sat on the front stoop to wait for the man and watched the locals walk up and down the street, with and without dogs. Webster was an angel. He never left the yard and was so happy as you can see from the expression on his face.

I should have doctored up the original a little bit to decrease the contrast so his eyes would show. I just wanted to show you some of the available choices. He looks so happy in all of them. I had an office meeting this morning and all of the agents were so excited when I showed them the watercolors of my listing. I had to make a few for the manager so he could post them on one of his listings too. Nobody could believe how easy it was! Love that Waterlogue app.

Stay warm. Looks as if we are all cold together on the east coast! I heard about the ice and snow in Birmingham, Alabama....I used to live there when I was young. Very tough for those of you not used to driving in it. Stay home and be warm. xo

My Cat, Tabitha

She doesn't turn around and look out very often. She usually just curls herself up in a ball and sleeps. She doesn't stay outdoors very long in this cold but she goes out willingly when I make her. I understand a lot of animals put on their brakes and refuse. Webster and Tabitha never do and I am thankful for that. I'm the one that refuses. Brrrrr.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 60

A few more suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

717 is a good one. "Remove your sunglasses when you talk to someone." Most people don't.

MacAulay - Scottish Clan and Tartan

The MacAulay Tartan, watercolor version

MacAulay Scottish Clan History on left. Motto: Danger is Sweet. This brass running dog paperweight is one of my favorite things.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 59

A few more suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

714 - When opportunity knock, invite it to stay for dinner.

Heading Home

Webster is so hard to photograph outside. He's all business doing his tracking. We were just finishing our last walk of the day having walked the perimeter. He sticks his nose deeply into some of the tracks, probably those of our fox family. That's his job and he's very diligent. Webster is the best security guard ever. Happy Monday.

Flaxseed Muffins with Dried Cranberries

Cranberry Flaxseed Muffins

Recipe from Pastry Affair

Yields 1 dozen muffins.
My muffin pan only makes 11 and I ate 2.

3/4 cup (95 grams) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (90 grams) whole wheat flour
1/2 cup (53 grams) flax meal
1/3 cup (66 grams) brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil (I used Olive Oil)
1 cup (235 ml) milk (I used unsweetened Soy Milk)
1 cup (120 grams) dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease a muffin tin or line with baking cups.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flours, flax meal, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center of the bowl and add the egg, vegetable oil, and milk, mixing until the batter is evenly incorporated. Stir in the dried cranberries.

Divide batter evenly between baking cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Serve with a small pat of butter or spread of jam.

They were delicious. I cranked up my wonky gas oven to 400° and that was perfect. My enameled cast iron muffin pan gets nice and hot and holds the heat after you take them out of the oven. I cooked mine for 20 minutes and let them cool for 10 minutes and they were done in the middle. I ate the first one hot with butter and the second on later with a cup tea and a spread of strawberry jam. 

Great quote by John Steinbeck

Love!!! - found here

New Snow on My Balcony

The snow on the decking is new because I shoveled the deep snow a few days ago. The accumulation on the top of the railing has already melted away and I hope the sun will do the floor too. I only shovel out there when it's unusually deep. Enjoy this lazy Sunday morning and let me know when you are tired of my Waterlogue watercolors. See this morning's photo here.

Interior Design Watercolor using an App

I had a request for an interior watercolor from a photo using the Waterlogue App for iPhone. This is the front hall of my real estate listing. I used the "technical" setting because it looks like the graph paper architects use. I like it, don't you? Request granted. Someone from Pinterest wanted this.

Wall of Architectural Prints

I like this wall of architectural prints in thin black frames. via It's been snowing lightly since noon and I think we've gotten about 3 inches or so. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to shovel after it stops. Stay warm and cozy and enjoy your Saturday night.

Watercolor of The Cottage

Here's another iPhone photo of my cottage converted to a watercolor. It was a gray day with a sky much like we have today as we wait for another dusting of snow. I saved many different versions, the app is very addictive that way. Have you downloaded Waterlogue yet? I love that it shows Tabitha's little body so well on the front walk. I keep repeating John Lennon's quote as I play. Have a great weekend!

via

Homemade Yeast Rolls

I can almost taste and smell these rolls, can't you? This photo really takes me back to the days when they were part of every Southern homemaker's Sunday or company dinner. My mother's were the best. via

Recent Instagram Photos

My Instagram @contentinacottage

I have been trying to drink more water and I like drinking out of glass. This French Limonade stoppered bottle holds almost 4 cups. I try to drink at least two of them during the day. Last night, I noticed lots of bubbles had formed inside for some reason even though it was tap water.

Strong morning shadows on my kitchen wall. I love the radiator key projected on the wall.

Long afternoon shadows from the kitchen window on the gable end.

A vintage handmade clothespin apron from Scotland. I love the embroidered heather.

This is a closeup of the writing on my water bottle. Happy Friday, it's almost the weekend!

A Watercolor for My Real Estate Listing

One of today's comments suggested that I make watercolor portraits of the houses I sell as gifts and I will. The photo above is Piggy's house and it's for sale. I posted this watercolor portrait on the MLS as the primary listing photo yesterday. I have the regular photo there too. I can't wait to see if it generates any appointments. I feel like a broken record because I've talked about nothing else lately. Anyway, I wanted you to see this.

I also sent two watercolors to my buyers of their new house and they loved having them on their phones so they could show it off. I plan to make notecards for myself of my own cottage and I will print and frame one too. Now if I just had a robot to vacuum my house while I am playing on the computer, my life would be perfect!!!! 

xo - see you later.

Sundown at the Cottage

I haven't walked Webster down to the back of the property for several days. It has been too cold. We both miss our long walks but I'm being extra careful with him since his breakdown a couple of weeks ago. He doesn't seem to mind too much. I had my real estate closing yesterday and it went smoothly. I'm glad the nail biting is over and I can relax for a while. I've always loved January for its laziness, but this one has been very busy for me.

Paper Crane - Fishing

I love this clever animated gif.

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More Watercolors for You

A watercolor of my cottage. I took the photo on the very first day I got an iPhone back in October 2011. Click here to see the photograph.

American Robin ~ Click here to see the photograph I took in back in April 2011. Did you download the Waterlogue app yet? I love it and can't stop playing with it!

Great Door and Overhang

Such a beautiful entrance. Love the paved walkway too. Simple and elegant. via