Isn't this breakfast table in the Netherlands absolutely stunning with the addition of potted bulbs in full bloom? I ate my breakfast standing over the sink in a huge rush to meet an early morning customer before the office meeting. In my mind I was sitting at this table. Enjoy the lovely day.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
A Kitchen To Love
This kitchen is new but feels original to the home. The old-meets-new design was achieved with sage-coloured, Shaker-style cabinets, a tongue-and-groove ceiling and vintage-look hardware. A footed cabinet houses the appliances, and sets it apart from the rest of the room. Meanwhile, the paneled dishwasher to the right of the sink cleverly masquerades as drawers. Photo Source I think this kitchen is amazing, don't you?
Boathouse with Unique Exterior Sliding Doors
You know how much I love to blog about sliding barn doors so I was really blown away by the genius design of this Hood Canal Boat House. The building is only two doors wide and the tracks extend beyond the building like wings so doors open completely allowing full access to the inside. What a great idea! Click here to see all of the wonderful full-size photos of this 2008 project by the Pacific Northwest Architectural Firm Bosworth Hoedemaker. I'm giving this project two thumbs up.
Your Dose of England for Today
"Milldale Cottage, Peak District National Park, England." I know you all love this little cottage as much as I do, right? The photo by Johnny Fez is very painterly, isn't it? via
William Arthur Ward Illustrated Quote for Monday
Pretty soon we will be seeing oak seedlings everywhere. The acorns have been buried all winter and are about to spring forth very soon. Gardeners who plant their gardens from seeds can relate to this quote by William Arthur Ward (1921-1994). I scanned the acorn from The Royal Book of Crests, one of the antiquarian books in my collection.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Dreaming of England . . . Again
Awaiting teleportation to: The Dovecote in the Pigeon House Garden at Rousham Park House near Bicester Oxfordshire photographed by ©Paul Felix
Audrey Hepburn Illustrated Quote for A Sunday
Piggie Licks the Oatmeal Pan
Here is our house guest with his head in the oatmeal pan. Webster usually gets to lick it but he has generously allowed Piggie the opportunity because he doesn't think 'The Pig' gets to do this at home and we have a total lack of pieces of food dropped on the floor for him to forage. He has 4 juvenile owners who drop and spill things all the time. This will have to be Piggie's snack replacement here at the cottage. We have a very rainy Sunday today. Enjoy your day whatever the weather.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Rossetti Oil painting: 'The Day Dream' in The Victoria and Albert Museum
The Day Dream painted in 1880 by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood painter, artist and poet. The sitter for this painting was Jane Morris, the wife of William Morris, who often posed for Rossetti. At the time this was painted Rossetti was involved in an illicit love affair with Jane. He shows her sitting in the branches of a sycamore tree and holding a sprig of honeysuckle. This sweet-smelling climbing plant symbolized the bonds of love for the Victorians, and Rossetti may have included it here as a subtle reference to the relationship between artist and model. Rossetti was also a poet, and the title relates to his poem of the same name which ends:
She dreams; till now on her forgotten book
Drops the forgotten blossom from her hand.
This painting is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Sweetest Little Blue Flowers Ever
I've never been able to get such a good photo of the blue forget-me-nots that grow wild around my cottage. Can't wait to see them again. via
Have a Lovely Weekend -- Or Not
This photo would be my first choice of how I'd absolutely love to spend my weekend. I woke up early to let Webster and our guest dog Piggie out and found it was drizzling rain so unfortunately I'll be in the next photo all day.
This seems to be ideal weekend to work on my taxes. So when you think of me today rest assured I will be in my third floor studio working with files and stacks of papers. This dreaded task has been weighing heavy on my mind so I might as well bite the bullet and just do the inevitable so I can get them to my accountant next week. See you later.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Yet Another Secret Garden
Dogs at Rest | This Sofa is Taken
I love this winning photo from Garden and Gun Magazine's Dogs at Rest contest. I dare not show it to Webster who is not allowed on my similar sofa. I'm picking up Piggie this afternoon for a 2-week visit while my friends go on a spring-break vacation. Remember him, he's our French Bulldog friend. I wonder how he will react to my new rule?
Something tells me I will be outnumbered when Webster and Piggie get back to their old routine here at the cottage.
1947 Saab | Back To The Future Car
This is the first Saab ever. It's the Saab 92001 or the UrSaab. Doesn't it look futuristic and so ahead of its time? It just screams Road Trip, doesn't it? I hope you have a great weekend. Rain is predicted for Sunday in my neck of the woods.
Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II, Page 36
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Beautiful Twin Beds
I think I'll sleep in one of these twin beds tonight. I can't remember the last time I slept in a single bed but these look very inviting as does the room. Are they metal? I love the spreads and linens. Goodnight. See you in the morning. -via
An Insect Alien
You will never convince me that this praying mantis is not an alien, and an exhibitionist as well. Agreed? The Animal Blog
Plaid Infinity Scarf | Tutorial | DIY | Handmade
I love this beautiful wool infinity scarf or cowl. It's very easy to make too; I've already made one this morning (in my mind). I have some red silk and might make one to wear with my black velvet blazer for an upcoming affair. These would be great made from a light flowery fabric for dressing up spring outfits, especially on a chilly morning. One in a madras plaid would be fabulous too. I like the way this one looks on the headless mannequin. Happy sewing!
Tutorial from H is for Handmade.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Time To Hit The Hay
Time to hit the hay and watch some prime time television. I discovered 'Doc Martin' on PBS recently and it's one of my favorite programs. Thankfully, my station is airing Season One even though Series Four has already been completed. I'm recording it right now on WLIW-21. It is one of those quirky English programs set in Cornwall. Doc Martin (he prefers to be called Dr. Ellingham) is a socially awkward village doctor who had to quit surgery in London because he suddenly became sick at the sight of blood. He relocated to Portwenn, a small Cornish town full of characters. It's filmed on location in the real town of Port Isaac. I'm off to watch it now. See you tomorrow.
I found the full episode of Doc Martin, Season 1, Episode 1 on YouTube here.
I found the full episode of Doc Martin, Season 1, Episode 1 on YouTube here.
More Snowdrops At The Cottage
I was delighted to see the snowdrops coming up at the base of my faux bois birdbath. I think it will be a while before I have blooming flowers but they are well on their way. Yea. The snow has melted from almost everywhere except where it was piled up by the snow plow and hand shoveling. The snow you see in my photo is from the front walk. That area was quite deep and it's interesting to see how different areas have melted and others have not. Must be a geothermal thing.
Putty Colored Home Office
All of the woodwork in my cottage is painted this color except for my kitchen. It's Bennington Gray by Benjamin Moore . . . at least mine is called that. My walls are Lancaster Whitewash. I guess that's one of the reasons I like this home office so much.
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