Portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Pietro Annigoni

'Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Regent' by Pietro Annigoni, 1954-5.

Copyright The Fishmongers’ Co.

I love this portrait; she looks very Napoleonic, doesn't she?

"The Queen: Art and Image," organized by the National Portrait Gallery, comes to London following a highly successful tour to Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff.

“The Queen is the most represented individual in history, but she remains an enigma. All we really have are images. This exhibition explores the creation of the queen’s public persona and the way such images reveals a world of changing ideas and values,” said Paul Moorhouse, curator of "The Queen: Art and Image," and 20th-century curator at the National Portrait Gallery. Read more...

19th-century Wardian Case

Isn't this the best architectural-form Wardian Case you've ever seen?  It reproduces the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London in 1851. via
Terrariums are generally credited with being invented by a gentleman named Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward. He invented them during the Victorian era and created a style of glass case with a metal frame that was very popular during the era. These terrariums were called "Wardian Cases" after Ward.

Double Decker Porch

When one porch is not enough, stack them. via

Cooling the Pies

If you close your eyes and inhale deeply, you can smell these pies cooling on the windowsill. via

Ivy Covered Dream House

Here is another classic country house with more cooperative ivy than the last one I posted. It's lovely, isn't it? I woke up to another cool rainy day. It seems the British weather has come to America. I enjoyed watching bits and pieces of the Queen's Jubilee yesterday with similar weather. Have a great week. via

Jessie Wilcox Smith illustration

This looks like a good idea. Hope you had a good weekend. Goodnight. via

Moth on Window Screen at My Cottage

I still use my Nikon SLR for photos like this. I couldn't have captured this moth on the screen in my bedroom with my iPhone. It's good to have more than one camera. 

Piglet Rescues Tiger

Piglet cures broken heart of Tiger Mom. Click here for full story. Awwww.

No Mow Cottage

I'm drawn to this image since I spent the better part of two hours late yesterday afternoon 'mowing' my front lawn with my electric weed trimmer. The grass so long after all of the rain we had I had to whack it before I can mow it. This looks like a great solution, doesn't it? via
I must say this delightful photo makes me dislike house numbering in certain areas. Thank goodness we have normal house numbers where I live thanks to the town fathers that refused to go by the system shown on this old house. One can imagine this one is located is a very rural location and not in on a street where there are 1,014 houses before you get to this one. Maybe it's 1,015 miles to town center. Who knows? I think it deserves a lower number because of its age, don't you?

Best Sunroom Ever!

Deborah Leamann Interiors - From the floor to the ceiling and everything in between, I love it all. Have a lovely Sunday.

Ivy Covered

Right ivy to left ivy, "I'll meet you in the middle." via

DIY Garden Gate

I love this idea!!! You should be looking for inexpensive gardening tools at garage sales to make this clever gate for your garden. via Unconsumption

SNAPSEED Photo Editing App | Free Download

This doesn't happen very often. I got my copy while it was free for one day several months ago and I love it. This is an award-winning photo editing App for iPhone and iPad normally priced at $4.99. It's still the best one too so be sure to grab it while it's free!!! Found here.

Apple's FREE App of The Week: Download link.
HERE IS A GREAT SNAPSEED TUTORIAL IN PICTURES. Pay no attention to the $4.99 quoted price.

Everything is Buzzing in England for the Jubilee

I thought it would be fun to post this photo again of a Royal Foot Guard getting a haircut. Don't you wish you could be in London for the next 4 days to be a part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee? I've been looking at old pictures of her 60 years of service ever since I got up this morning. Now I love her more than ever!

http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/

Emma Bridgewater Mug via

Weekend at The Lake

Abolyont Lake...Wonderful photo © Ömer Dindar

Wonderful Window Wall with Door

 

Isn't this a spectacular floor to ceiling window with concealed door? It is cool and windy and feels almost like fall after that heat wave a few days ago. Mother Nature can't make up her mind. via
Have a great weekend.

Limeade Leftovers

Photo is mine.

I made a big pitcher of limeade yesterday and today I'm drinking limewater made from what was left in the bottom of the pitcher. Just like Martha!

A Magnificent Entrance

One can only imagine the loveliness at the end of this long drive. via

The Cat with The Heart-Shaped Whisker

It's a very sweet image, isn't it? I makes me sleepy just looking at it and it's way too early for me to be thinking about going to bed. We had a very lovely day today with sun and the first blue sky I've seen in ages and very comfortable temperatures. I was so happy to turn off the A/C before retiring last night. See you tomorrow. G'night. via

Great Quote for the Disorganized | A .A. Milne

                                                                                                 I made this.

dis·or·gan·ized/disˈôrgəˌnīzd/
Adjective:
Not properly planned and controlled.
(of a person) Unable to plan one's activities or surroundings efficiently.


Listen to A. A. Milne himself read from Winnie-The-Pooh in 1929 on a gramophone recording. This video is delightfully illustrated with family photos and illustrations from the book. Click here if you are unable to view.