Pink Geraniums Make Me Happy Today

I am so happy my house plants are thriving all around the cottage. The geraniums are blooming their hearts out since I brought them inside. 

The Star of My Power Outage

I bought this vintage stovetop Revere Ware Drip Coffee Pot years ago at a garage sale simply because it reminded me of my grandmother. I never knew I would grow to love it so much at the time. Luckily I have a gas stove and could boil a pot of water and start my powerless days with nice hot cups of coffee. Strangely enough my grandmother used hers to brew the best iced tea in the world. I am looking forward to having a day filled with tasks involving plugging things in wall sockets.

I dreamed last night or rather had nightmares about buying a new TV and figuring out how to set it up in my bedroom. I'll have to make some colored-coded labels for the tangle of wires. I'm in no rush. I watched a program or two last night in the living room before going to bed with my fascinating new book -- STORYTELLER The Authorized Biography of Roald Dahl by Donald Sturrock.

I picked it up at a library used book sale and it is a brand new hardback. I started reading it when I went to Town Hall to charge my iPhone on Sunday evening. Since the Irene disaster, they decided to be open 24/7 during all power outages so residents can get warm, charge their devices, and read while waiting. The library offers more during business hours with wifi too. There was also a working garden hose for bring home buckets of water to flush since we are all on wells. Looking forward to a normal day -- see you later.

Happy Halloween | I Have Power Again

My power was restored after being off for over 48 hours and that is my halloween treat for sure. The flat screen tv in my bedroom appears to have been fried and I am not at all pleased about that but it could be worse. I am really exhausted from being a lumberjack and pioneer woman. I know I will sleep like a log tonight. I haven't checked my email or comments yet -- I am just so glad to be back to normal. See you tomorrow. This barn is nearby and I took this photo several years ago but I still love it.

First Fire on the First Snow Day

Trees and branches down everywhere. We got at least 8 inches of snow and it still hasn't stopped. Lost power too for several hours. I had my first fire and it's still going strong. I'm glad I have a nice fireplace in my living room and lots of dry firewood for emergencies like this. Poor Webster was on his own today. It was really too dangerous to go outside with all the tree limbs snapping like firecrackers. Nothing major though. The roads are constantly being plowed and it's supposed to be nice tomorrow with temps in the mid 40s and lots of melting. I'll dig out my snow shovels then. Stay warm and cozy and be safe. 

I'm Loving Tartan Plaids for Some Reason

 

 

 

 

 

For some reason I am drawn to red plaid in all forms lately. It just seems to be so perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Agreed? Which one is your favorite? I honestly want them all. via The link sends you to my boards on Pinterest. I've pinned each of these recently. My lights keep flickering with this blizzard....yes I said blizzard because that is what it has become. I'm nervously charging up my iPhone just in case the power goes out with fingers crossed that it doesn't. Webster went back to bed like a smart dog.

First Snow 2007 | Video Slideshow at My Cottage

I hope the first snow 5 years later isn't this bad. There are a lot more leaves on the trees this time around and the maple tree at the end of my driveway out back near my red barn garage has green leaves that haven't even begun to turn colors, much less turn loose.

Do I Really Care If This Happens?

Not really...but I would prefer that all snowflakes hold off for at least a month or so. And you? via

It has actually started here even though it's 39 degrees. The tiny wet flakes are falling fast and furiously but aren't sticking...yet. Boo Hoo.

PS: A yellow county dump truck with a snowplow on the front and the back piled high with salt just drove past my cottage.  :(

Embrace Your Inner Child This Weekend

I have groceries and I don't need to go anywhere this weekend so I'm going to pretend I'm a kid again and do fun things inside this weekend if it snows. I spent every Saturday morning of my entire childhood watching TV with my brother and loving every minute of it. via

Boo

I have a black metal cat head with marble eyes in my front door window. This is an extreme closeup taken w/ my iPhone. I wasn't really this close...I just cropped it this closely. I love how the images are inverted in the clear glass marble eyes.

Pinch Me, I'm In Love

I absolutely love everything I see in this room by m. elle design, especially the door with the hinged window. It's brilliant!

Lisa Hannigan | I Don't Know

This is wonderful. Make sure you watch it all to see what becomes of all of those scissor cuttings at the end. Found over at Crush Party.

Jethro Coffin House | Nantucket Massachusetts

The 1686 Jethro Coffin House on Nantucket defines the features of the New England saltbox with its small, medieval windows and long sloping rear roof. The house also features an inverted horse-shoe chimney decoration which, some say, was intended to keep witches from flying down the flue. I guess this historic home is all set for Halloween.

I photographed this page from the same book as my previous post and once again I praise the lack of foundation plantings. 

The Hoxie House in Sandwich Massachusetts

The circa 1675 Hoxie House in Sandwich is believed to be the oldest surviving house on Cape Cod. It is in many ways representative of the early New England colonial style with its simple, sturdy construction and steeply pitched roof.

I photographed this page from one of my favorite books:
American Colonial Homes
A Pictorial History

by John Burdick

I love the simplicity of this house and the lack of foundation plantings in keeping with the original landscape style of the day.

Silence is A True Friend

Please tell me when you are sick of my iPhone photos and I'll stop.

Today is a perfect day to curl up with a book. It's foggy and rainy and will be that way all day long. We had some late afternoon sun when I walked the wonder dog around 4pm yesterday. He just came in from a bathroom break outside and decided to go back to bed. I'm thinking that's a pretty good idea myself -- maybe it's a pajama day. I'll let you know later.

Webster Would Love A Job Like This

 

Good job. I often see people training these border collies in a big open field nearby. They bring real sheep too. People with ponds and lakes use this breed to chase away the geese. via

Geraniums in Bloom

I brought all of my geraniums in on time this year before the frost got them. Last year I almost lost everything due to laziness in bringing them indoors to winter over. I've heard having house plants improves the air quality of a home and I know they improve the quality of one's spirit.

Royal Dogs in France

Royal or not we have always valued our dogs, haven't we?

Japanese Proverb

This acorn is ancient and is a reminder for me to gather more soon while they are in season.

Thomas Nast House in Morristown NJ

I had a dentist appointment today in Morristown and stopped to photograph the historic Thomas Nast House on a lovely fall day. I love always having a camera in my pocket. I have to admit that when my iPhone rings it always scares me. I finally have a phone I can hear and I love talking on speaker. It rang when I was in a thrift store around the corner and you will be pleased to know I try to keep the conversation short when I'm in a public place. I don't want to become one of "those" people. 

Thomas Nast is probably most famous for his Santa Claus illustration in the late 19th century. This page from an old Harpers Weekly was in my collection long ago.

Watch this interesting video filmed at Macculloch Hall Museum across the street from the Nast House.

Something to Crow About - Tuesday iPhone Fotos

Who cares about looking at a house when there are barns and chickens? The rooster followed me from his coop into the barn and posed so nicely for me. I'm thrilled to have a new feathered friend.