Thursday, December 8, 2011

Door Decor

Have you decorated your door yet? I have not. I was so happy that my energy level stayed high today after my illness. I missed being productive. This arrangement of holiday greenery is lovely. via

Yummy Looking Holiday Drink

I have no idea what this is but I want it right now. I've had a very busy day so far...my mom had a "well" checkup this morning and then I entered super highway land to get my car inspected. I stopped at the bank to cash a check after the doctor and left the money on the kitchen counter so I couldn't stop anywhere for a bite of lunch. I'm back home now and the cupboards are literally bare and I dread the thoughts of food shopping. But I don't see how I can possibly put that chore off for even one more day so I'm off again. I wish I had one of these drinks for mood and energy.

Snowy Night

It rained really hard all night long but quit sometime before morning's early light. The sun is in and out of the clouds and there is a little blue in the sky. The weather people had us all geared up for rain turning to snow but thankfully they were wrong this time. I'm not quite ready, are you? This city snow scene is lovely to look at from afar. via

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Lost in A Book


Young girl reading a book she got for Christmas.

'Christmas Books For Sale Here' circa 1895 via

Favorite Book or Movie? 84 Charing Cross Road

I loved the movie but must confess I have never read the book. It’s the true story of a woman (Helene) who lived in New York in the 1950s, and wrote letters to a bookseller in England (Frank). Frank specialized in second-hand books and rare editions, and after seeing an ad for the shop, Helene started a correspondence requesting books she couldn’t find in the U.S. “I am a poor writer with an antiquarian taste in books,” she explained. “If you have clean second-hand copies of any of the books on the list, for no more than $5 each, will you consider this a purchase order and send them to me?” Over a period of 20 years, she and Frank exchanged stories of their lives and sent parcels to one other. The book is the collection of these letters.
There is a wonderful slideshow showing the author with Anne Bancroft, meeting the Queen Mother at the premier of the film, and several other stills from the movie. VIEW SLIDESHOW AND ARTICLE FROM THE TELEGRAPH HERE. Be prepared for chills and a delightful read.
See the movie trailer here.

Dog Day at The Cottage


It is raining pretty steadily here at the cottage and Webster has decided to test all of his favorite sleeping/resting places within earshot of the radio. He loves to listen to NPR and I do too.

Webster's Dog Bed

It looks best when he's sleeping on it.

Give Books for Christmas

Books are the perfect gift. via

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Cat Wearing a Ruff

I adore this vintage piece of ephemera featuring a cat wearing a ruff...a projecting starched frill worn around the neck, characteristic of Elizabethan and Jacobean costume.

Scrimshaw Double Heart Mourning Jewelry Circa 1807


A lovely memorial for a departed loved one. "Beauty and youth in vain to these you trust For youth and beauty shall be laid in dust."

~~~via~~~