March 2018 Blizzard at My Cottage

I took this photo at 3:00 this afternoon. It's almost 9:00 pm now and it has finally quit The amount you see in this photo has about doubled. It is over my boots and over my knees. I guess we got about 20 inches. My power went out at 6:30 this evening and my generator kicked in. I got an alert on my landline that the whole area is without power. My neighbors across the street hired a front end loader to do their driveway. It's way too deep for a regular truck with a plow blade on the front. I shoveled my walk when I took this photo but you would never know it. I will work a little each day and will be careful so don't worry. I cannot tell you how comforting it is to have a generator. I am so glad I made the leap and got one. This is the most snow I have seen since I bought my cottage in 2001. See you tomorrow. Be safe. xo

Small Outbuilding for Garden Tools

Delightful tiny outbuilding with a slate roof.

Side view. Don't you love the architectural detailing? I finally got to see this little building I've always loved today at a Broker Open House.

The Sheep Have Not Noticed

Real or Photoshop?

I think the latter but it's amusing anyway.

via

Horace, The Housebroken Irish Hare

This photo is from a delightful article that appeared in LIFE Magazine back in 1956. 

It is the usual fate of the Irish hare, a wild strain betwixt the Scottish and European varieties, to sleep by day in the hedgerows and by night to scurry through plowed fields in search of leafy delicacies. To live long he must be a wary hare, on guard always against man, his guns and dogs.

This might have been the life of Horace, the loveable hare, had he not fallen three years ago (1953) into the hands of Cecil S. Webb, director of the Dublin Zoo. Webb and his wife took Horace into their home to study the ways of small wild animals. They kept him on ... because they had acquired a wonderful pet, as intelligent, playful and domesticated as any dog.

There are many more delightful photos for your viewing pleasure in the article and link mentioned above. This is an early St. Patrick's Day present for you! Enjoy. xo

March really Marched In

I am obsessed by Hellebores but whenever I see them in person in someone's garden, they are never this beautiful. They usually look like salad fixings that have been in the crisper drawer too long. Maybe I just haven't seen any that were planted in the right spot. I think the individual flowers are really beautiful. Here is a link to learn more about these late winter bloomers aka Lenten roses.

image source

More hellebores. The foliage is evergreen. via

Kitchen Doors that Open Out

Hmmm. Would this work at my cottage? If my two French doors were divided and opened out, I could have full-length draperies to block the blinding sun in the summer and the cold drafts in the winter. I must investigate this idea. The only time it might be a problem would be during a deep snow. I like the teak flooring squares on the balcony floor too. Nice! via

All is calm at my home this morning after a day of frightful wind yesterday and last night. I lost power for a short period four times and appreciated having a generator. Some large trees came down in the woods but not on my property. The wind after I went to bed was the worst. It sounded like a freight train but I diverted my ears to the TV and watched The Nun's Story on TCM that I had recorded earlier in the day. I had never seen it and enjoyed it very much. Audrey Hepburn was great. Have a peaceful weekend and be safe if you live on coast where the tides are going to be a problem this morning and this evening. See you later. xo

My Little Whisk Broom Collection

Anytime you have three of something, you have a collection! The tiny one is my favorite.

My grandmother always used to use a little broom like this to brush off my grandfather's coat before he went out. She never got behind in any housework or outside chores. This was what she said about procrastinating. "It's easier to keep up than to catch up." 

She kept a perfect house too. She would devote one week to each room for spring cleaning. That was back in the day when women washed walls and waxed floors and removed old wax so they could wax them again. We have it so easy now. 

Black and White Kitchen

This kitchen would work for me, very nicely, if I were a city girl. I love the huge window over the sink looking out on another townhouse. I don't think I would need two sinks so close together though. Robbins Architecture, Winnetka, IL. via

It rained all night at my cottage and so far, the weather hasn't been out of the ordinary. BUT the worst part is going to be from 8pm until midnight with high winds and I'm not happy about that. I am not going out for anything except to walk to my mailbox after the mailman comes. I have a generator now in case I lose power and my new roof is the icing on my cottage. I made a new batch of yogurt in my Instant Pot yesterday and I went to the market and bought new food for my clean refrigerator. SO, I am prepared for what comes. Thankfully, I am not on the coast. Be safe if you are, my friends. See you later. xo

Snowdrops: Storm Ready

This clump of snowdrops by my front door has open flowers that I don't want to get trampled if we have really hard rain along with the wind if the Nor'easter comes my way. So I went out to my garage/barn and located a cloche to protect them.

Now I can relax because these early blooming spring bulbs will be fine! They are also called Galanthus.

Moonrise Last Night

At dusk yesterday, there was a large "day moon" high in the sky in my woods. All is calm this morning here at the cottage but there is a Nor'easter coming late today into tomorrow. Today is the first day of March so here come the winds. I have to admit, high winds are about the only things that frighten me after superstorm Sandy five years ago. It is supposed to be more of a coastal storm so maybe my area will be okay. Fingers crossed. Will report more later. xo

Some DIY Garden Trellis Projects

This one is very nice.

See many more here.

Gorgeous Martha's Vineyard Kitchen

View the other rooms in this barn-like structure in Menemsha Beach, Massachusetts here. Enjoy the last day of February. xo

Cleaning My Refrigerator

I have been in a cleaning frenzy lately. My refrigerator was today's project and boy, did it ever need it. It took me a long time too. I started out this morning thinking I would just do a shelf or two and ended up doing the whole thing, and the two freezer drawers down below as well and it felt to good! Weekend before last, I tore my bedroom apart and cleaned it top to bottom. It must be something in my starts. I get this way every now and then and I hope it continues. I put this photo on Instagram today and it seems nobody likes to clean the refrigerator. It is one of those dreaded tasks and it's a pretty thankless job. 

You know what they say about housework: "It's something nobody notices until you don't do it." HaHa.

Butler's Pantry Envy

This could be my kitchen if I put my Instant Pot in there! via

Elegant Home Office in a Hallway

Living with antiques. This home office in a hallway filled with bookcases is beyond fabulous. I don't know that I could do messy things like my taxes here but paying monthly bills would be a snap. I am just about ready to start spreading out papers everywhere to get my tax documents in order for the accountant. And you?

via New home in northern New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Misiaszek Turpin Architecture & Planning. Traditional Home.

Very Sweet Cottage

This sweet cottage has already welcomed spring. via

My Kind of Room

Strike a match and light the fire and this room would be perfect on this cold, rainy Sunday. via 

Don't forget, tonight is the final episode of Victoria, Season 2 on PBS. Sniff, sniff. I love it so!

Peaceful Saturday Images for You

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Love birds.

via

Bedtime Stories with cats. Art by Bettina Baldassari

Wishing all of you a peaceful weekend. xo

Henry David Thoreau: Great Quote

I think he was ahead of his time, don't you? via

I Love This Marblehead Kitchen

Marblehead cottage renovation, MA. Molly Frey Design. Eric Roth photo.via

I took this photo yesterday of my mature rosemary topiary that has tree bark on the trunk! It isn't that old either, maybe four years, and I started it from a cutting I rooted in water. It had a few tiny purple blooms over the winter that looked like tiny orchids. I have some of her cuttings rooting right now and I have four with tiny roots that I planted in a pot along with a geranium. I often do this so they can get encouragement from another plant until they harden off. How does your indoor garden grow?

Best.Porch.Ever

Porch season is almost here. Today it's going to be in the 70s but will get cold again with rain for four straight days. Isn't this a fabulous porch? One can only imagine the happy times spent there. via

Blue and White Chairs and Rug

I love this cozy room and especially the fabric on the two easy chairs. So cozy. Nice living room, family room, or library. via

Bird on A Rusty Hook

I love this photo found here.

Corner Bookcase to Love

Embrace your corners and fill them with things you love. via It snowed last night and we got about 9 inches but it's melting fast because it's already 41° at noon. Time to go outside and clean off my car after I shovel the walk. See you later. xo

Spring is Trying: Snowdrops

I will soon have blooming snowdrops. They are coming up everywhere. This clump nearest my cottage is the most advanced. Can't wait! Quote below found here. Have a great weekend. xo

Wonderful Award-Winning Short Film

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If you cannot see the video above, click here. Enjoy.

Happy Valentine's Day

I have always loved this USPS stamp and wish it were still easily found.Happy Valentine's Day everyone! See some of my old Valentine posts here.

The Real Picasso

He's still quite recognizable. via

Don't you wonder what he would think of this photo?

I think he would like it.

Really Gorgeous Kitchen Cabinets

Westport CT Island House. Read more here.

Photo by Shelter Interiors LLC 

Dark Paint Color in Entrance Hall

I found this photo on Instagram and added the text. I really like this entry with the shiplap siding painted a dark charcoal color. How about you?

My Set of Antique Copper Pots with Monogram

I discovered this matched, graduated set of old copper pots at an outdoor antiques show years ago. Each one has this monogram on the front opposite the handle. Somebody was really proud of them and so am I because they look wonderful on the top shelf of my pantry. The large dovetails are beautiful too. The bottom of the biggest one is marked on the bottom with an incised E. I don't know what that signifies but it's probably a maker's mark. I didn't look on the bottom of the others. They fit inside each other nicely in a nest for easy storage. I like them lined up better. At my former house, they were displayed on a standing pot rack. The insides need to be re-tinned so I don't use them. Plus they are really heavy! I have posted this photo on my blog in the past but in view of questions about them, I decided to post it again. This set must have belonged to a gentleman cook with the initials B.M. Jr. 

I shall enjoy this rainy Sunday. All of the snow has melted so I will be seeing more snowdrops soon and maybe some blossoms too. xo

Another Peek into My Pantry

I found a beautiful brown transferware pitcher on Thursday at a rummage sale.

Here it is on display in my pantry. There is a window to the left behind the geranium.

Here is the other side showing my little downstairs desk where I work on my blog with my laptop. This little room is a favorite place because it's small and has two windows. The one with the desk looks out to my front garden and the one behind looks out on my barn/garage in the back. When I bought my cottage, it was a tiny screened porch.

I have enjoyed a rainy Saturday baking muffins and just being generally busy doing inside chores and reading. More rain is predicted for tomorrow too. Have a great weekend. xo

Modern Farmhouse: Anne Decker Architects

I like it.

Love the interior too.

You are in for a treat, click on this link to see much more, inside and out. Enjoy. 

Gordon Beall Photography

Door Knob with Heart

I have always loved old brass door knobs in any shape. This one is especially beautiful because of the hand-carved wooden backplate. What a wonderful love token. via

The Snowdrop Fairy

The Snowdrop Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker

Cicely Mary Barker (1895-1973) was an English illustrator best known for a series of fantasy illustrations depicting fairies and flowers. via

Robin with Snowdrops

It's snowing again at my house and is supposed to turn to rain later. I love this photo by Warren Photographic of an English robin sitting on some snow covered moss with snowdrops nearby. via

I found a large clump of snowdrops near the foundation of my cottage yesterday, very close to my front door. They were newly planted last spring when I found them growing wild in the woods. I think it will be a while before they bloom but it's still exciting to see the spring green shoots. They are right on time too, because it's February. 

Queen Elizabeth's Eating Habits

She's not a foodie. She's pretty indifferent to food. She only cares about horses and dogs. Read more about her eating habits in an interesting article in Food and Wine Magazine. She HATES garlic and it has been banned from all her residences. Queen Victoria's pots and pans from the 1800s are still in active use.