Cake Update + 'Upstairs Downstairs' Premier

My coffee cake was good but I had to cook it longer because it didn't have a tube pan. Don't forget tonight is the series premier of UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS on PBS.

Cinnamon Sour-Cream Coffee Cake

It's in the oven right now and the house smells heavenly. I didn't have any pecans but had everything else. I used a round pan with a removable bottom but without the tube in the center so my cake is solid. Cinnamon Sour-Cream Coffee Cake

Celebrities with Big Dogs

Audrey Hepburn Walks Her Dog

Movie Stars and their large dogs ~ photos from vintage Life Magazines. Gallery - LIFE Click to see many more photos.

50 Tips for Baking Better Cakes

I'm taking some eggs and butter out of the refrigerator so I can bake a cake later if I can find a recipe using only ingredients I have in the house at the moment. Yum---cake. 50 Tips for Baking Better Cakes 

Mad Men Goes Netflix

John Slattery aka Roger Sterling

Mad Men's multi-season renewal is still generating buzz from major outlets this week, while an announcement that Netflix will stream the series stirs new buzz.  This is great news for those of you who don't get AMC. Mad Men

The 20 Most Exciting New TV Shows coming to a channel near you. Wonderful Slideshow

Weekend Kitchen Love

Wonderful Kitchen

Dining Area with Floor Cloth

Have a great relaxing weekend and do a little dreaming about the kitchen and eating area shown above. If the Government shuts down over the weekend, we should too. via

Two Daffodils Do Not A Spring Make

Daffodil Number One

Daffodil Number Two

Look closely and you'll see them both.

This is what spring is looking like so far this week at the cottage. Very un-spring like. A little sun would help but I guess that's asking too much and believe me, I've been asking.

It's Pretty Amazing That . . .

Earth Day is in April 22, 2011

When I saw this poster I could't wait that long before sharing it with you. Isn't  it perfect for Earth Day? Prints available.

Two White Owls Say 'Goodnight'

Goodnight. See you tomorrow.

nature

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II, Page 37

More great and useful advice from our favorite father -- H. Jackson Brown, Jr. I found a recipe for the microwave peanut brittle and now I want some. I can't remember the last time I had tapioca pudding. We never had it at my house and I think of it as being rather institutional -- but I found a microwave recipe in case you like it.

Red and White Checks Love

Those of you who know me know I love blue and white checks. My next favorite is red and white checks. Isn't this a great bedroom? ...

How Many Plates Can You Put on A Wall?

I love these white and transferware plates on the gray wall. I don't see any evidence of the usual wire plate holders and wonder how they are staying up? Maybe it's magnetic paint? Now wouldn't that be fun? Glue magnets to the back of the plates and stick them all over until you get a pleasing arrangement. via Crush Cul de Sac

Woodworking Classes for Kids - NYTimes.com

I made these bookends in 4th grade woodshop and my mother kept them. The colonial ladies were cut with a bandsaw and applied to the wooden backs. I cut the lid from a large can of tomatoes in half and nailed them on the bottom to hold the books in place. In another 100 years they will be folk art.

Rose O’Neal, 11, uses a crosscut saw in a miter box to cut rails for a step stool she is building in a class at the Randall Museum in San Francisco. Woodworking Classes for Kids - NYTimes Teaching children construction is gaining momentum across the country as a way to develop imagination and confidence in the very young. Watch a wonderful slideshow with 15 pictures and captions after you read the article. I am very excited about this new trend. Kids today don't learn enough practical skills to carry them through life and the trials and tribulations of homeownership and homemaking.

I think a carpenter is practically the best thing you can be in life. I took home economics starting in the 4th grade too. I know there were several other girls in my woodshop class but I don't remember any boys in home ec. These classes were in public school and I'm so glad they were offered.

Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second in 1954

Beautiful then. Beautiful now.

Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth. This painting is being auctioned in Australia. Don't fail to read the great story about William Dargie’s ‘wattle painting’ of Queen Elizabeth II. The painting, commissioned to commemorate the Queen’s first visit to Australia in 1954, became her official portrait for Australia.
Originally found via lottie tea

Art Supplies As Art

Please do not touch or use or rearrange. We are art [supplies] -- brand new and perfectly arranged. ... - ...

Keep Calm and Spring Will Come

I made this poster myself. Keep Calm-o-matic poster generation. You can make one too. Let me know what yours is about. Have fun.

Cottage Castle

I hope I see something good today after the office meeting. I looked at the list last night and didn't see any cottage castles on the broker open house tour. One can always dream about them though.

Thinking of My Bed Long Before Bedtime

It's not even 5:00 pm and I'm already thinking about how nice my bed is going to feel when I jump in it later tonight. I think a cup of tea is in order to perk me up. Dinner is already made and in the oven so I'm way ahead of myself in that department. The Animal Blog

Are you following this chicken story?

"Inside her own private cup, Pigeon settles down to pecking and nibbling and talking to herself."

Lauren Scheuer is an illustrator, children's book author and chicken mom. She has been sharing the tales of her flock of five which includes one special needs chicken, one mean girl and one who gets tormented daily.  Read today's installment and then click on the link Lauren provides to catch up on what you have missed. Scratch and Peck: EVENING RITUAL

Beautiful Peacock, Flowers, Sculpture and Architecture (Polish Palace)

Peacock showing off in front of the 17th century Łazienki Palace (The Palace on the Water) in Warsaw Poland. Beautiful Peacock, Flowers, Sculpture and Architecture

Charming Thatched Cottage to Love

I know everyone would love to spend the day at this cottage in England with the fabulous thatched roof. I am quite sure I'd never want to leave. The yellow front door works with the garden in front, doesn't it? Enjoy your Sunday; I'm doing an open house today. See you this evening.

Sleeping in Front of the Aga Stove

This looks like a real kitchen in a real home, doesn't it? There's nothing like curling up in your little dog bed in front of the Aga Stove, is there? I've always been told pets love them.  I'm getting ready to curl up in my own bed pretty soon and try to recover from a massive yard cleanup today. It looks so nice and it felt great to get a good workout. via