White Tile Love in a Bathroom

I love this selection of white on white tiles, don't you. The marble top on the sink with exposed plumbing is beautiful too. Have a great rest of the weekend. xo

via

Return Home

Bathroom Beauty

This is perfection. I wouldn't change a thing. The floor appears to be old wooden floors that were painted gray. I love the shiplap walls and everything else. Yes, every single thing. via

Return Home

A Prince Charles Caricature + A Movie Recommendation

This made me laugh. I found it in a humorous article. 

©The New Yorker.

I watched this 1982 movie last night on Acorn and absolutely loved it. It is available to watch other places too. Here is a Google Search to find your place to watch 'A VOYAGE ROUND MY FATHER'. It is based on a true story. Enjoy and let me know if you liked it too.

The movie is in many places on YouTube.

Mowed Yesterday, Just in Time!

Yesterday. Back yard with blooming Wisteria. The red showing through is my barn garage. It was a perfect day, not too hot, but the grass was still wet from a Monday night rain. I waited until mid afternoon to start so it wasn't that much of a problem for my walk-behind mulching mower. Early spring grass is always the easiest mowing of the year.

Today. This is a view from the sliding glass door where the new acquisition with 16 drawers lives in my mom's old sitting room. I bought a John Deere used riding mower from a neighbor this year to do the rest of my property all the way down to the way back. I have to wait for another lesson from my neighbor so I know exactly how to operate it because it isn't like my last one. I had a large John Deere at my two previous homes but this one is much smaller and I think it's going to be perfect.

Home Page with Newest Post + Updated Old Posts

Most Amazing Kitchen EVER ! ! !

This interior photograph looks like a Dutch painting, doesn't it? To see all the detail and study it, click photo to enlarge. It is actually an advertisement for an English brand called NEPTUNE. Their spring collection is all about the neo-rustic style in English country houses. I might have to save each and every photo to study more closely and swoon over. Yes, I know. I find the best things to share with you. You're welcome. xo

HOME PAGE with Updates + Newest Post

My DIY Compost Bin

I have had recycling kitchen scraps on my mind for a very long time and a week ago I ordered a countertop bin and I love it. I have tried other methods with an old copper cannister and coffee cans but they were harder to use when chopping veggies and wanting to dispose of the waste and stuff got slimy and stinky before it was time to empty. This little item I bought lives on top of my double bin step-on garbage on top of the side I seldom use. I can open it even if my hands are full and the lid opens and closes with a one-finger touch. There was no odor after 5 days of refuse I dumped in my compost bin yesterday. It is the perfect size for me and I hunted down every single kitchen scrap that passed me by. I filled it almost to the brim in 5 days while I scoured the internet for the perfect DIY to make from a plastic storage bin. I already have two large old bins that were empty and waiting and more filled with junk in the loft over my garage. The one I used is old enough to be marked Made in USA rather than China. I would have looked for a black one if I were purchasing new but this is a win win way to recycle the bin I already owned.

I drilled holes on all sides and on the bottom for air flow and drainage.

I searched so many DIY sites and decided on this size holes because I felt some of the other sites used holes much too large. I have brick-sized blocks on the bottom to keep slime from forming. As I mentioned before, there are random holes drilled all over the bottom too. I put a metal tray with sides to catch the overflow after a rain. I bought it years ago from a lady who used it for pizza but it was too big for my oven or under my sink. I am finding uses for all my junk this year. I put my bin outside my basement door in the shade. If I had put it in a sunny location, it would have dried out too quickly.

I followed this funny lady's suggestions except for the size of the holes. Her little dog made me laugh. There were many, many other DIY sites that used holes the size of mine. I have a plug-in drill and it worked perfectly. The tub was much harder to drill than I expected and I was glad I had the power of an electric drill. I honestly didn't even know I had it until I discovered it last week in my garage while I was organizing there.

Here is my original Google Search for DIY Compost Bins. The first one that caught my eye had big holes drilled in the lid and bottom only. I opted for the holes all over approach. I can't wait to open it to see what is happening inside but will wait until my little kitchen bin is full before I do. Then I will stir things up before adding my second batch of stuff that is appropriate. Here is a pictorial link for the things I can  and cannot use. I was surprised to see dryer lint and hair or fur are allowed. Now I can clean out my hairbrushes too and leave some of my DNA in my finished compost. 

Little bin atop my step-in garbage. It comes in white too which I would get white if I wanted it to live on my kitchen counter. The gray one is perfect here and within easy reach when I want it on the counter.

My first layer in my newly-drilled bin was dried leaves. My second layer was dirt. My third layer was my first load of kitchen scraps that I covered with fresh grass. I am new at this and will keep you posted. xo

Return Home for Updates & New Posts

Apple Hand Pies

These look absolutely delicious and they are beautiful too. via

I had a busy day working outside making a compost bin for my kitchen scraps. More about that later. xo

NEW POST ABOUT MY DIY COMPOST BIN IS UP AND RUNNING.

Home Page with Updates

Missy is Back. Weekend visitor.

Missy is so calm and polite. I am in the process of mixing her breakfast kibble with hot water in this photo and she's not jumping around, drooling, or whining with excitement. She's just calmly waiting! She gobbled it right down though. She arrived on Friday morning and will probably stay until Monday morning. Have a great weekend and Happy May First. xo

HOME is where the ❤️is.

Vintage House Plans - House with A Sleeping Porch

United States, 1929: Design for an Eight Room House A 1.5-story house with a library, washroom on the main floor, and sleeping porch For Home Lovers by National Lumber Manufacturers Association, 1929. (St. Paul, MN, USA)  Images found here.

Home is where the heart is.

A Garden in Bunny Mellon's Compound at Oak Spring Garden

So Pretty! Found on Instagram.

Home Page

New Acquisition with 16 Drawers

There are no words that can express the turmoil of the last two days buying and arranging pick up and delivery of this 7'4" wide oak piece with 16 drawers and wonderful original brass pulls. But I did it thanks to two good friends; one with  with big truck and a trailer and both with strong arms. I had the perfect wall down on my lower level where my mother lived until 2012. I have just been using that entire lower level where she lived as storage but buying this piece is giving new life to that area. I have enjoyed being down there because I can walk out of this particular room and be on ground the level with my nesting bluebirds. 

It's cooler down there too and I think I will enjoy it immensely this summer. These tired bones are ready for bed now. xo

The quality of the antique brass drawer pulls is unsurpassed. They are very thick and even the screws are beautiful. This piece was originally in a science lab in a New England girls' college.

New Pitcher for My Collection with Hound Handle

I added a new pitcher to my collection, the one on the right. I took this photo with the overhead light on and it's not the best but I wanted to share. I bought from a delightful couple who live in an 18th century house and they used it for lemonade. So meet my new (old) lemonade pitcher.

See this old post for the other pitchers in my collection and another older post for the story of my copper pots on the top shelf.

Home Page with Latest Post and Updates.

Lady's Mantle This Morning with Raindrops

Early spring is my favorite time for Lady's Mantle as you can see from the photo I took this morning. We had a much-needed overnight rain that quit way too soon. You can click to enlarge this photograph for an up close look at the fringed leaves and trapped raindrops. Enjoy your Sunday.

I just finished a wonderful series on Acorn TV called The Hour and I loved it. It's an old BBC production that has been likened to Mad Men. The acting was wonderful as was the entire cast. I have loved Romola Gairi since "I Capture the Castle". xo

Home Page with Latest Post

Portrait Sketch of Prince Philip 1961

This wonderful portrait of Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh was found on @thewindsorfamily on Instagram. It was drawn from life at Buckingham Palace by Dr. Stephen Ward at a sitting especially granted to The Illustrated London News for their front cover published on June 24, 1961. I think this amateur artist captured his essence perfectly. See all posts by The Windsor Family here.

Home Page with Latest Post

Cornbread on My Counter

I will do anything to keep from going grocery shopping until I am out of everything and I am almost to that point, but not quite. I added a can of drained whole kernel corn to the mix this week and it is delicious. The cocktail tomatoes on the vine are just for making this photo a little more exciting and colorful. They will make for a delicious sandwich later. Happy Friday. xo

Home Page

Mini Daffodils at My Cottage

These mini daffodils have been so lovely this year. This photo doesn't include all of the clumps that are to the right of the corner with my hellebore in my front walled garden. They were a gift from a realtor who was conducting an open house and every year I thank her for them. I thought this was the greatest present ever that keeps on giving. I have already started dividing the three original clumps and now there are six.  It was below freezing last night and I brought my potted geraniums inside for the next couple of days and nights. We are having a very dry April so I guess the April showers are being pushed back to May. 

HAPPY EARTH DAY. xo

HOME

My Mom Anna's Daffodils at My Cottage

I am so happy I dug up these daffodils my mother planted, from a spot I couldn't see without going outside, to a spot I can see from my kitchen window. Last spring was their first year and this year I do believe they have already multiplied. They are a later booming variety too and I like that. The daffs I transplanted in an area close by with a sundial have already almost bloomed out.

How does your garden grow? I am having such a good time outside this time of year. I have been organizing my barn/garage too, no easy feat! xo

Home Page w/ Newest Post

A House with Curb Appeal

This house certainly has everything going for it, doesn't it? It's close to the street yet still manages a curved walkway. I love it! via

Home Page for Latest Post

Great Books Recently Purchased

I was out and about one day last week and I found the three red leather bound books with wonderful decoration on the spines to go with with set I already had in black. I love the sporting themes. They were in a very unlikely place in a resale shop that sells mostly clothes and accessories. I am thrilled with these antiquarian books to add to my collection.

I have been working furiously outside while the weather is still cool and enjoying everything about the hard work except for the ticks. I will soon be down to nothing but mowing with much less danger. I put up another bluebird box far away from the one near my house to hopefully attract another family with no competition from the nesting couple already in residence. 

See you later. xo

Home Page with Latest Posts/Updates

Absolutely Beautiful Kitchen

Too beautiful for words.

This looks like a painting.

Extreme kitchen love ❤️

via

Home Page