The Almost Perfect Reading Room

Add one ottoman and this room would be perfect. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. xo

photo source

Thank-ful Pie for Thanksgiving

I should have posted this earlier instead of on Thanksgiving Eve. There is a template for this design and a recipe for pie crust so you can embellish a FROZEN pumpkin pie from the supermarket. Tutorial and recipe here. If you are baking your own you could just use strips of dough and make these letters by hand.

H A P P Y   T H A N K S G I V I N G   xo

A Real Rocking Chair Porch

I like a porch with a floor low enough to the ground to not require a railing. That makes it so much easier to sweep and eliminates a lot of upkeep, i.e. painting. The view from this one is spectacular! via

Christmas Stars from Paper Bags: Video Tutorial

This is the best and easiest video tutorial I have ever seen. You can make Christmas stars from brown paper lunch bags and craft glue. You will need scissors and ribbon for hanging. Nothing else. The hardest part is waiting for the glue to dry. Found on Instagram @clausdalby.

Stunning Bathroom with Tile "Rug"

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This could be my favorite bathroom ever. Yes, I do think it is. I love its elegance and simplicity and the woven tile rug on the floor is spectacular.

Foolproof Pie Dough w/ Video Tutorial

I always look at and read recipes for pie crust but have never found one that is foolproof. I think this one might be it. The recipe makes two crusts. It looks pretty simple and straightforward and I plan on making one pumpkin pie and freeze other round of dough. 

Jump straight to the recipe and print it here.

Read the lengthy article and watch the video tutorial here. There are lots of delicious pie recipes at the end as well. This is one-stop-shopping for pie ideas. Enjoy. xo

Beautiful Pie Crust

This is too gorgeous for words. It looks like the best pumpkin pie ever! Tutorial for this braided lattice top crust with recipe and 5 more decorations for pies HERE! You're welcome.

Red-bellied woodpecker at my Feeder

He is my favorite bird thus far and the showiest because of his size and beautiful red head. I hope he won't hold it against me when I get my sunflower kernels only bird seed without any peanuts and other tree nuts in the mix. Otherwise, I would be headed to the poor house in no time. This large woodpecker has an easier time at my feeder than the much smaller Downy Woodpecker who doesn't always latch on a perch the first try. But he perseveres and eventually lands and feeds. I am a happy bird lady and will continue to show you photographs whenever I get a great one. Happy Friday. xo

Row of Trees with Fog

This is a lovely portrait mode photo of a stand of trees, perfectly spaced. When planted long ago, someone had a vision and knew how far apart to plant them so they could mature in place and not be crowded. This is the way trees are supposed to look, flared at the base. It always upsets me when I see landscapers covering the natural flare with mulch volcanoes. via

Thanksgiving Shopping: Beatrix Potter

I am always happy when I find another new to me image by Beatrix Potter and I love this one. Have you started your Thanksgiving shopping yet? Some of these animals are enjoying friendship outside the store to catch up on the local gossip before going inside. Won't it be nice we WE can do this once again? xo

Topiary Heaven in France

This courtyard in France is stunning. See more photos and read Habitually Chic's blog post about the renovation of a ruin called Les Ramades in Provence here. I am partial to all of the outdoor photographs.

Activity at My Birdfeeder

As you can see, the birds have discovered my feeder. I have identified goldfinches, several nuthatches, cardinals, downy woodpeckers, red-headed woodpeckers, starlings (ugh), bluejays, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and mourning doves. Some are ground feeders only to clean up the mess on the decking for me. I am enjoying having them around once again and my new arrangement is working beautifully. I don't have trees near my balcony so there are no squirrels and that's a big plus. No bears can get up there either and yes, they are in my area. I thought I might have to take the feeder in at night but I don't. I am definitely going to have to hunt for less expensive bird food and will go to the bulk feed store nearby to see what they have. I don't want the unshelled sunflower seeds for sure because of the debris I would have to sweep up. I took this photo with my Nikon to get the action. I'll keep you posted on new bird sightings as the weather gets colder. The bluebirds have been going in and out of the bluebird house. They stay all winter and it's always a thrill to see them. See you later. xo

Gorgeous Cat Wearing a Sweater

She wears it well and that color is purrfect. via

All You Need is Less

This is very timely since emailing a friend back and forth this morning regarding her quest to simplify her life by downsizing. via

Outdoor Dining At Its Best

This would be a delightful setting for a wonderful outdoor Thanksgiving dinner, wouldn't it? via

White on White Painted House

I love an all white house and am planning that no-color palate when my cottage is painted again. I have similar architectural pediments over my front windows for interest without color. When I washed my house recently and released the shutters to clean behind them, I noticed they are deteriorating on the reverse side and will soon need replacing. The spiders will just have to find someplace else to live!
via @Upcountryliving on Instagram

The goldfinches that have discovered my feeder cannot read and do not realize their food is no waste. They are still throwing shelled sunflower seeds everywhere on my balcony floor. I am sweeping it up with the dustpan and transferring to a dish in my front garden. This experiment is not going as planned but is still enjoyable. xo

Bird Feeder on My Balcony

I went on a possible listing appointment this week and fell in love with the house and the amazing property. There were bird feeders everywhere and the birds were abundant. The owners introduced me to a "no waste" bird mixture that peaked my interest. I went to the nearby store they mentioned (Ace Hardware) and found bird food that met my needs. The label said it was for decks, porches, and patios and was no waste. All the seeds and nuts are shelled so there are no hulls to fall to the ground that might attract mice. I attached one of my tall step-in poles to my iron railing with two zip ties and pointed the hook toward the house. Any debris that might fall could be easily cleaned up. No birds have come yet because it has been years since I fed them. But they will eventually discover this feeding station that overlooks my catbird seat on the sofa and I might put another one closer to my kitchen window. I'll keep you posted on how long it takes for the birds to arrive. Happy Sunday. xo

Two Staircases: Polar Opposites

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An architectural masterpiece built by hand before power tools existed.

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No handrail. Better than a ladder but almost as steep. I am so happy to see nobody ever changed this.

Elizabethan Black Rabbit

Who doesn't love a beautiful rabbit wearing a ruff? via

Urn Topiary in France

 Jardins du Bâtiment, Thiré Vendée, France by Denis

This urn within an urn is beautiful.

Rabbit Wallpaper and Antiques

If you stare at the burning candle, you don't really see the rabbits but just feathery swirls. This wallpaper is a bold choice, but I like it as a background for lovely antiques. via

Pony, Horse, or Unicorn Mittens

These Unicorn mittens and pattern from Ravelry are adorable and I would certainly wear them. I like the white ones. If you are not a knitter you could easily add a mane to existing mittens and weave in some color on the thumbs and embroider the eyes. Cutest idea I've seen in ages. If you are an equestrian person, choose your horse's color when buying the yarn and use the mitten pattern you already have. xo

Lamplight on My Living Room Ceiling

When the sun goes down, the lamps go on at my cottage. I love the way this small one reflects on the ceiling in my living room. We have been having the most delightful weather for November with temps in the 70s but that will change toward the end of this week and some much needed rain. I am all caught up with my mowing, both front and back and it felt good to work outside for three straight days last week. I just finished all three seasons of The Good Karma Hospital on AcornTV and really enjoyed it. Happy Monday. xo

Delicious looking Cowboy Cookies

These cookies have my name written all over them. Jump directly to the recipe here. Read the article and look at many more yummy photos here. They remind me of oatmeal bars my mother and I used to make with all of these ingredients except for the flaked sea salt sprinkled on top. I dare not make them unless I have to take a dessert to a gathering and those are few and far between in the days of Covid. Enjoy if you dare make them.

Winter Textiles are the Best

Getting dressed in fall winter is so pleasurable with all of the wonderful textiles to choose from in the form of sweaters, scarves, and woolen jackets. I somehow made it through the summer with a limited wardrobe and I was happy to put those clothes away in favor of socks, mittens, and tweed blazers. I'm all caught up with my yard work and will take advantage of the nice weather we are still having by washing some sweaters and putting them outside to dry. I got my flu shot today, did you get yours yet? xo

Leaves to Rake and Late Dog Dinners

I spent the last three days working for hours on end outside and it felt so good. My listing sold on Monday and I can stop looking at my phone, at last! It was a very difficult two months with a happy ending so I really can't complain.

Dogs tell time by their stomachs and you can't fool them by turning the hour hand back an hour. This made me laugh and I have no idea where I found it. 

Best Courtyard Garden!

This landscape design is simply stunning. It's simple yet sophisticated. Perfection! I am particularly fond of the wattle fencing around those blue flowers. Are they forget-me-nots?  The potted primroses on the leaning fence-like shelves are pretty wonderful too. via

Nicest Kitchen Ever

I   really love this kitchen. The cabinetry is beautiful and looks like antiques that were built in. What beautiful fine woodwork. I like the combination of wooden countertops and black honed granite. The ceiling beams are wonderful and so is the lantern. It's really special, isn't it? via

18 Wonderful Black Bathrooms

Be sure to view all 18 of the dramatic black bathrooms here. I particularly liked this one.

Raised Hearth Fireplace: So Nice!

This entire image says cozy, doesn't it? There must be a window nearby for birdwatching to complete the picture. The all white paint on all interior surfaces extends the ceiling height so the mantle decor doesn't look cramped. I see some fireplace equipment for open fire cooking too. Perfection!

I have already wasted over an hour trying to change the time on my watch. So much for daylight SAVINGS time. I have a Swiss Army water resistant watch and the bezel is locked down. You are supposed to twist it counterclockwise until it pops out but it's not working. I always have this problem so I'll just have to keep trying. I have tweezers but they aren't helping. Wish me luck. xo

Halloween Bat

I probably posted this last year but I love it so here it is again. I took the photo from my antiquarian book, The Royal Book of Crests, and added the text myself. Be safe tonight and don't eat too much candy. I am turning off the lights early and will be watching movies in bed. I voted today and placed my mail-in ballot in a designated drop box in front of a police station. I really wanted to vote in person but decided this way was safer and ever so much easier. Count Dracula would have loved this crest. xo

Black Cat Halloween Kitten

Boo! Are you scared yet?

I love the roof ridge decor.

via

Painted Floor with Diamonds

Big Black Diamonds.

I haven't seen a good painted floor in a while.

Until Now.

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN

H A P P Y   H A L L O W E E N

I adore these folky hooked rug snippets with halloween themes. This images was found on Instagram @glendoghalcottage. Look at more Halloween posts here. This is her bio: Waveney Whitney, A Highland lass at heart. Antique collector, interior designer, artist, stitcher, Gardner, & traveler. dog and animal lover. Don't eat too much candy tonight. xo

Gingerbread Skeletons for Halloween

What a clever idea! Turn your gingerbread men cookies into Halloween Skeletons. The placement of the piped icing makes all the difference. Love! Found on Tumblr.

Cloud Pruning, Who Knew?

Yesterday's post about those ancient plantings at Powis Castle opened up a whole new world of CLOUD PRUNING. I have often been drawn to unworldly-looking images of clipped evergreens but never knew the name of the technique called cloud pruning. There are 12 beautiful examples in this article about Jake Hobson who trained in Japan. He's not just any old topiarist but an expert in niwaki, or ‘cloud pruning’, the highly esteemed art of neatly clipping trees into a series of soft cloud-like shapes. The photo above is my favorite. It's #5 in the 12-photo slideshow. Read the fabulous article here. xo

Ancient Plantings at Powis Castle in Wales

No words.

Surreal plantings that have stood the test of time.

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See many more photos and read more about Powis Castle

Halloween Humor

Love the vacuum cleaner.

Both images found on Tumblr.

Hooked Rug and Painted Furniture

I adore every single thing in this photo posted on Instagram by @patrickbell.oldehope, one of my friends when I was in the antiques business too.

Pumpkins and Gourds

Plant some seeds next year and grow your own fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving decorations. Those small sugar pumpkins make the best pies. photo source

Bathroom with No Tile

This delightful bathroom has wooden floors and walls. It looks old fashioned, yet modern and I love it. No grout always wins for me! photo source

Storage: Shaker Style

You can never have too many pegs.

This article is wonderful. There are 12 fabulous photos from Canterbury Shaker Village illustrating the ingenious storage ideas that can easily be incorporated into our lives today. Enjoy.

Current Obsession: KINGDOM on AcornTV

I just started watching this series on AcornTV last night and I'm hooked after three episodes. Watch trailer here. You can stream it on Amazon too, all three seasons. 

Stephen Fry (Jeeves and Wooster) stars in this "charming" (Examiner.com) British dramedy as Peter Kingdom, a compassionate solicitor running a law practice in a quaint and beautiful Norfolk town. As he handles the cases of his oddball clients, he also contends with the mysterious disappearance of his brother and the return of his wayward sister (Hermione Norris, Cold Feet).

Hoar Frost with Sheep

It's coming says Jack Frost. I do love a good hoar frost and a winding path full of sheep. The autumn leaves on these massive old trees have yet to lose their leaves so warm days are still possible. Found on Instagram @wolfypic  He photographs in Scotland and England's Lake District. This is probably the Lake District where Beatrix Potter raised sheep. xo

Lavender in Wicker Baskets

I always stop to look at beautifully planted wicker baskets. These two full of lavender are gorgeous. I see a boxwood in the background planted in a basket with handles. This looks like a gorgeous dwelling too. Wish we could see more. Photo found here.

I have been busy working outside. I literally washed the outside front of my cottage today and it looks and smells sparkling clean and rid of all the road dirt and mildew. I have a long telescoping pole with a bar at the end that is wrapped with lambswool-like material only it's cotton. It wasn't hard and I actually enjoyed it. It's much kinder than power washing and doesn't knock the paint off.

Perfect 1727 Colonial

Yes, please.

Such perfection has taken years and years to achieve. Someone had a vision when the shrubbery was planted and knew just how to take care of it. Circa 1727, Essex Connecticut. Just lovely! via

Copper Pots in a Great Kitchen

How high can you reach? I should do this with all of my old copper pots that live in my pantry. Don't you love all the blue and white porcelain? This photo was found on Victoria Magazine's Instagram feed.