A Blue Jay Portrait

I have been trying to get a good photograph of a blue jay ever since I started feeding the birds last fall. Today was the day he stopped right outside my door to the balcony and I got a great shot. A good friend nearby sent me the name of a plow person and I have hired him for tomorrow. Today I will work on digging out my car and my generator. We might get another three inches of snow today so tomorrow is the perfect day. xo

Snowed In

I took this photo this morning late and it's still snowing at 7:30 pm. We have over 2 feet of snow it is not going to quit until Tuesday evening. The roads are plowed but I am not and don't know when I will be dug out since I always do it myself and don't have a regular plow person. Oh well, I should be out by spring. I did dig a path to the bird feeder to fill it up so the birds will have a full tube in the morning.

Scalamandré’s Leaping Zebra Wallpaper

Zebras was originally designed for Gino of Capri, a New York City restaurant that opened in 1945. Read more about the history of this iconic wallpaper design in Architectural Digest.

DIY: Cat Window Perch by Martha Stewart

This is the greatest cat window perch I've ever seen. It's not surprising that Martha Stewart designed it and provided DIY instructions here, is it? Let me know if you decide to make one. It actually looks pretty simple after you get the wood sized to fit your cat's favorite window.  You could also start your flower and vegetable seeds on a "greenhouse" shelf like this! xo

The Flame Trees of Thika on Acorn TV

My current obsession. The Flame Trees of Thika miniseries on Acorn TV is absolutely wonderful. It was filmed on location in 1981 in untamed Africa. If you liked "Out of Africa" you will love it. The movie is based on a Memoir by Elsbeth Huxley so it's also a true story. Enjoy the YouTube preview and be convinced.

Photos Around My Cottage

I walked around outside yesterday and this was the only "color" I could find.

I photographed a lovely female cardinal this morning on my balcony railing.

This is a little glimpse of my upstairs attic office. Right now I have papers and files everywhere as I have just started working on my taxes.

Night-Time Reading: Moley in the Library

"It’s not the sort of night for bed, anyhow.“  

Kenneth Grahame 

Night-Time Reading: Moley in the Library, inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s ‘The Wind In The Willows" illustration by Chris Dunn. via

Painterly Landscape Photograph

It's lovely, isn't it? I love the golden glow in the sky and the snow on the water. via

Blue and White Tile Mural

A Baroque Interior with Azulejo Tilework 

a·zu·le·jo A kind of glazed colored tile traditionally used in Spanish and Portuguese buildings. via

Lovely Cat Portrait

Do Animals Pose for Their Portraits?

Yes, they do!

Isn't this cat beautiful?

via