Thursday, January 29, 2015

A Federal Beauty: New Home, Looks Old

Entry portico of this new classical house.
G. P.Schafer, Architecture
View 9-photo slideshow of this amazing new construction. When page loads, click on NEW CLASSICAL HOUSE in left column. Be prepared for a real treat!

Nice Cave.

I love this interesting sofa with the adjustable back. You can flip it up or down depending on your mood. Want to lean back? Flip it up. Want to throw your arm over the back? Flip it down. And I love the arms that are like tables. The rug is fabulous as well. I know this is probably designed by a stylist as an ad and it all works, doesn't it? via

Ducky Weather

I am amazed at how well animals cope with the cold weather. Mine go out willingly and seem to enjoy a romp but are glad to get back inside to defrost. Isn't this a great photo of the duck looking through the chicken wire covered by a hoar frost? via

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Happy Snow

This is the kind of snow I like. Soft and fluffy and not too deep. Sun burning through the morning mist to cast long shadows is always nice too. Poor New England and Long Island got the brunt of the storm this week. I heard the entire island of Nantucket was without power!!! Juno shifted direction and went 50 miles east to spare my part of the world. I hope all is back to normal for everyone soon. Lovely snow scene found here. xo

Four Sheep and A Ruin in Northern Ireland

These beautiful sheep seem to be posing for the camera in front of this sadly neglected stone house. They look almost like big fat stuffed toys, don't they? via

'Tis The Season For Snow Buntings

Link: both images.
Snowflake or Snow bunting illustrated by R. Bruce Horsfall from ‘Bird Biographies’ (1923) by Alice E. Ball (1867-1948).

Snow Bunting (1890–1948). Watercolour by Charles Emile Heil (1870–1950). Image and text courtesy MFA Boston.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Cottage in Lower Slaughter England

It's delightful, isn't it and it looks to be a 2-family house. Love the gardens. Found on Pinterest. I hope I dream about the cottages in England tonight instead of waking up every hour to look out the window on blizzard watch. The wind is still howling but we have had no snow since morning. Sweet dreams. xo

No Blizzard Here!

What blizzard? Webster has been keeping an eye on the weather ever since he got up this morning. He and Tabitha went out earlier but didn't stay long. There is a very fine snow that is still falling at a pretty fast clip but it's not supposed to amount to much. I am going to wait until it stops completely before I shovel my walk and clean off my car. My plow man has already been here so my driveway is fine. It was all much ado about nothing in my area and I'm so relieved. Hope all is well where you are. xo

This kept it away.
Why is it that when I am totally prepared in every way for whatever Mother Nature brings my way, nothing happens? I took a bath before bed last night and left the water in the tub in case there was a power outage. I have a well and there's no water for flushing if there is no power. I feel that I am personally responsible for keeping the blizzard at bay. Smile. I absolutely love my 1930s corner Kohler bathtub. 

Monday, January 26, 2015

Belton House - Grantham, Lincolnshire England

It's gorgeous, isn't it? via This manor house has nothing to do with the Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey. I'm really enjoying Grantchester on Masterpiece Mystery. Are you watching?
So far the blizzard hasn't arrived at my cottage. I'm hoping it's more of a coastal thing and won't be as bad as the reporters are saying it might be. The heavy snow and winds will be here after midnight. Be safe and warm. Fingers crossed for us all. xo

Great Workspace with Cupboards

I like this setup very much. File drawers on the left with cupboard doors above. Built-in bookshelves on the right with drawers below. Two windows for daydreaming. Good light. Hopefully there's a hidden electrical outlet and the lamp indicates there is. Love it. via
My morning snow has stopped and it's getting brighter outside and the roads are black. The worst will happen tonight and tomorrow. So far, so good. Hope you can say the same. Be safe and warm. xo