Great Weathervane in England

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Weather Cock in the Snow, Aldridge, Walsall, England

My Morning Mantra

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Mine was delicious this morning. I still have to power up and shovel my front walk and clean the new snow from my car. My driveway has been plowed so I can get out for a noon real estate showing. Wish me luck. xo

Amazing Screened Porch

I love the architectural details in the screen panels, don't you? Swoon. via

Sorry I'm so late posting today. I had to take an all-day mandatory real estate course that started at 9:00 this morning and I didn't get home until after 4:00. The instructor shortened our lunch and breaks so we could get out a little early because of the snow. I'm so glad to be safe and sound in my cozy cottage. Have a great weekend. xo

Lovely Living Room

How nice. No sofas, just beautiful comfy chairs. via

Two Cute Pet Photos

Passed out puppy. via

Good day to play outside. via

Life Changing $1.00 Purchase

Yep. I have one of these things you see advertised on TV. I've always been curious about whether or not they work and as luck would have it, I found a Stonewave Microwave Cooker unopened in the original box at the church rummage sale for one dollar. I pounced on it and have used it numerous times every day for the past two weeks. The hardest thing for me to do in the winter is to eat green vegetables. This little nuclear cooling tower is perfect for frozen broccoli florets. Arrange as many as you can get in the container and still be able to get the top on snugly. Pop in the microwave for four minutes and they are perfect. Piping hot and not mushy. Dessert? How about a baked apple? Core one and cut it in pieces. Four minutes and it's the best dessert ever. No need to add sugar but some cinnamon is nice. I had broccoli tonight and then I heated up a bowl of chili. Onions are fabulous too. I cooked my chopped onions for the chili in this little thingie with some of my liquid aminios. Delicious. It's super easy to clean too. I have had string beans and peas and spinach, but broccoli is my favorite. I buy it in a big bag with loose pieces that have been flash frozen. The big bags from Costco are Organic. I really have eaten a nice helping of green veggies every day and I couldn't be happier. I want to try fresh cauliflower next. via

I searched all over and Bed and Bath has these cookers for $4.99 each. I'm going to buy two three more so I can keep things hot while something else is cooking. My local store has them in stock and I have a 20% off coupon. The size is perfect for portion control too. If I had heated up the whole pot of chili I might have gone back for seconds. You can top whatever you're cooking with grated cheese, put the top back on, and it melts with no additional microwaving. I think every household should have a set of these. You're welcome. xo

Nice Brown and White Kitchen

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I wish I could see the location of the refrigerator. Everything else is well thought out so I'm sure it's near the island. I like an island that's all work space without a cooktop or a sink. This one is command central, for sure.

Great Idea

My little thing was making chili today.

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Houmas House Plantation Batchelor Quarters

Burnside Plantation (Houmas House), Darrow vic., Ascension Parish, Louisiana . From the Library of Congress' Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South. Date 1938

Structure as it looks today. I think every house needs one of these, don't you?
Two story hexagonal brick and stucco structures built as bachelor’s quarters, presumably to keep the peace and quiet in the main house, consisting of a sitting room downstairs and an upstairs bedroom.

Measuring the east garconiere for the Historic American Buildings Survey, April 1936. via

Unlikely Friends

A dog and an owl. It doesn't get much sweeter than this, does it? They clearly love each other.

by Tanja Brandt

George Inness: Home at Montclair 1892

George Inness, American, 1825–1894

Inness painted the landscape around his property in Montclair, New Jersey, in many of his late works. In this winter scene, he captured the stillness of twilight in layers of thinly applied paint, evoking an atmosphere rather than recording topographical details. The artist’s son wrote of the painting: “There is nothing startling in this great work of art, and yet you are filled with a sense of bigness, grandeur, and the very conviction of truth and nature.”
The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown MA

Not Tonight, I Hope.

I hope this doesn't keep me awake tonight. Smile. Fingers crossed. xo via

Museum Portraits Taking Selfies

Fun at the art museum. via and via

Aren't these clever? Are you smiling yet? 

Two Workspaces I Like.

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I like to display favorite things to delight my eyes in my workspaces too.

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This whole room is nothing short of amazing. Love the window and the desk.
Happy Presidents' Day: be careful if you go out.. Bright sun is shining on the cottage and it's very calm outside this morning. I need some things but I won't be shopping today. I'll wait until tomorrow when I can combine a trip to the supermarket with my office meeting, mailing a package at the post office, and a routine dentist appointment. See you later. xo

Another Bathroom with almost No Grout

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The only grout here is around the floor tiles. I like it except I wouldn't enjoy those bare light bulbs shining in my eyes. I have decided that my own bathroom is pretty much devoted to tub baths now and that is working out quite well. My hair likes this system too. When I shower I never wear a shower cap and my head always gets soaked even if I'm not washing my hair. With a tub bath, my hair just gets the humidity and my little bit of natural wave and slight curl is responding quite nicely. When I shampoo, I go downstairs and use the stall shower. My bathroom is looking neater too so it's a win/win. I decided to let the new grout cure as long as possible before it gets wet. Three hours until Downton Abbey and four hours until Grantchester on PBS. Can't wait. Enjoy your evening too. xo

Perfect Cottage Patio

This is all happening under the snow wherever this delightful garden cottage is located. via

Microwave Peanut Brittle

I love peanut brittle.

I honestly wish I hadn't seen this. It looks so delicious and so easy. I would make some but I don't have any peanuts or corn syrup. It's probably better than anything you can buy. Picture tutorial and recipe here. You're welcome. xo

Letterpress Valentine Cookies

These are too beautiful to eat, aren't they? via

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's hoping you have a secret admirer. via

This cover by Charles Addams never fails to make me smile on Valentine's Day. Don't eat too much candy!

Colonial Silver Valentine

Wonderful Early American Love Token via

Samuel R. C. Moffat

of Portsmouth New Hampshire

New England

in North America

Perfect for Valentine's Day