Will Scotland Secede from the UK?

I took this photo today with my iPhone. I was working on an ebay listing of an apron from Scotland for holding clothes pins or pegs as they say across the pond. I found a thistle in bloom to put in the tiny embroidered pocket.

Will Scotland go Independent? The vote is coming up on September 18th so we don't have long to wait and find out. I am obsessed with Scotland since I started watching Outlander on Starz. The costumes and sets are wonderful. I haven't read the book but I'm enjoying the series.

There is an article from NPR and a podcast too in case you want to know more about why Scotland would want to break away from the United Kingdom and become an independent country. I got the cupcakes photo there too. Click here to read and or listen.

I hope you had a nice Labor Day. xo

Masterpiece Mystery -- Breathless

photo source

It's time for me to climb into my bed for Part 2 of Breathless on Masterpiece Mystery. Are you watching it too? xo

Here is a synopsis of Episode 1 for those of you who have already watched it. Yes, it's complicated.

Potato Pancakes Cooked in Waffle Iron

Don't have a waffle iron? If you have one, use your panini press and that will work just as well. I know because I make dog treats for Webster in my press all the time.

Recipe Source
Yield: 6-8 Servings
Ingredients:
4 cups cold mashed potatoes
3 tablespoons chopped green onions
3 tablespoons diced red peppers
1/3 cup cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons canola oil
1 egg, lightly beaten

Instructions:

Preparation: Heat waffle iron and cover with oil. I will just spray mine with Pam. Place four tablespoons of flour onto a pie pan or a shallow plate. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Use an ice cream scooper to dump potato pancake onto plate with flour. Flatten scoop into a round disc. Place potato pancake into a waffle iron and cook until golden brown.

Don't they look and sound good? Yum.

Sit and Say Goodbye to August

This looks like the perfect place to sit and discuss what happened to summer this year. Was it because there wasn't that much really hot weather or because we were too busy to notice it whizzing by? For me, it was a combination of the two. I had a real estate listing that went on the MLS on June 3rd and it closed on Thursday, 8/28. That's how I spent my summer vacation. It was a challenge, but it all worked out in the end and I'm so relieved. Enjoy the long Labor Day Weekend and be safe. xo via

Last Flowers of Summer

Enjoy the last flowers of the summer. Don't you love this lone hollyhock? I think we are going to have an early fall. I had a very busy day and it's time for me to tuck myself in bed and look for a movie to watch. xo via

Have A Happy Weekend

Isn't this the happiest dog face ever?

I wonder what Webster would do at this pool party? I named him because of his webbed feet and I thought he would be a water dog, but he isn't. Doesn't this look like a fun pool party for these water lovers? via

Enjoy the long weekend. xo

A Good Laugh is Good Medicine

I couldn't agree more. via

Noble War Hero Dog named Buster

Air Dog Buster, an English springer spaniel, recently retired from military duty with the RAF after serving in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Buster was a sniffer dog used to locate bombs, booby traps and other explosives planted for American and British troops. He now lives with his handler and is transitioning into civilian life. His biggest challenges? Learning to play with other dogs and sharing his toys. via

Dahlia Explosion

Isn't this a wonderful time-lapse video? I love dahlias, don't you? via

The Antiques Collection of Professor Sir Albert Richardson, P.R.A. with Video

The great eccentric architect Sir Albert Richardson filled his house with treasures. I have been fascinated by the story I posted a couple of days ago with a photo of a hallway full of antiques untouched since 1964.

Richardson’s passion for 18th-century artifacts became all-consuming. Now (September 2013) his grandson is reluctantly selling the collection (Christopher Simon Sykes/World of Interiors/Condé Nast) Be sure to read the article that goes with the above photo. You won't be able to see the other photos in the slideshow unless you subscribe to The London Sunday Times. You can read the article however HERE.

I also found the press release from Christie's in London with a video tour of Avenue House, Richardson's residence. It's amazing. The contents of Avenue House in Ampthill – the collection assembled by Sir Albert Richardson (1880–1964), architect, historian, writer, artist, teacher and sometime President of the Royal Academy – is now being sold by Christie’s in London.
“My house is my yardstick!” Richardson declared. “It is my measuring scale by which I contemplate the past and assess the future.”

Watch the VIDEO of the collections in his home HERE.

We could have been fast friends. He was definitely a kindred spirit. Enjoy reading about this wonderful man. Read one more article HERE and the sadness that was felt when his treasures left Avenue House. Sorry about so many links but I can't get enough. Enjoy. xo

Apple Varieties and Their History

I love this ink and watercolor apple chart from Etsy with the place and date of origin. Gail's favorite Gravenstein and Red Gravenstein originated in Denmark in the 1600s. Who knew?

English Manor Decor

I love this photo and the caption that came with it.

Upstairs hall, untouched since 1964 in leading British architect Sir Albert Richardson’s (1880-1964) perfect country home in Bedfordshire, England. Via Christies - London, September 2013, image by Simon Upton.
"If you don’t think this is wonderful, then you need to go to your room and think about ways to become a better person." via

via

This is so true. When you feel that ache, it's the true pain of nostalgia.

An Amazing Balcony

"In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between, there are doors.” ― William Blake via

Southern Gothic 19th Century Southern Cottage - Furlow Gatewood

Save this post to read on Sunday Morning. That's what I'm going to do, indepth. I'm rushing to watch the new season of Doctor Who that's recording right now.

LABOR OF LOVE 

-- article from Veranda

While it doesn't look it now, this splendid mid-nineteenth-century gothic house was sawn in half and trucked sixty-five miles through Georgia.

"Anywhere I travel, I'm always looking at houses," says Furlow Gatewood. "This one was going to be torn down."

When the structure arrived at his property in Americus, a passerby was heard to say: "There goes the neighborhood." Well, talk about premature judgments!

Sounds good, doesn't it?
View the 12-photo slide show here.
Enjoy. xo

DIY Watercolor Set in Altoids Mint Tin

This is such a cool idea. I read about it on Cool Tools. Random people submit ideas and recommendations for their favorite tools. A lady who was traveling wrote this review.

Watercolor Tin DIY (prices vary) 

(Use Fimo air-dry clay [$5] for paint reservoirs)

“People have started taking old Altoids mint tins and squirting tubes of watercolor in them and they sell these little paintbrushes at the art store. I was in London a few weeks ago and I was staying in a nice hotel with nice stationery. I pulled out my little tin and I painted a picture of The Ritz hotel while sitting having a coffee and popped a flower I had pressed in there and mailed it to my daughter who was back home.”

Isn't this a darling idea? If you are artistic, wouldn't it be nice to have a tiny watercolor set in your purse to pop out when you see something you want to capture. It's pretty easy to find the water. It would be fun making the paint reservoirs too. What a unique gift! I don't know about you, but I always save my tins. xo

Inspector Lewis is back on PBS

I am absolutely heartbroken that I just discovered these two are back investigating murders in Oxford and I didn't know about it until last night. I missed the first two episodes of Masterpiece Mystery - boo hoo. I watched episode 3 last night and enjoyed it so much. I have searched and searched and cannot find full episodes online for what they are calling Season 3. Last night's episode 3 was entitled "Dark Matter" . It's very confusing because the old series was very long running and there might be an old season 3. Let me know if you find a place I can watch the first two episodes of this brand new season for 2014. I'll let you know if I find them too. The episode I watched last night is being repeated Saturday night in case you missed it. I subscribe to emails from PBS but they failed to alert me about this favorite series of mine. Anyway, I'm glad I'm glad Lewis and Hathaway are back! xo

An Amazing House with An Amazing Tree

This tree is perfectly places. What foresight the person that planted had! It is magnificent and not too close to the beautiful home. What a place. via

I accomplished everything on my list today. I was very busy and my three appointments, closely spaced, all worked perfectly. Success! I can hear thunder rumbling in the distance so I'd better close most of the windows. See you tomorrow. xo

Wonderful Kitchen Island w/ Big Farm Sink

I really like the double farm sink, the island, and the cabinetry. Everything except the window treatment and perhaps the floor.

I would put a colorful runner in front of this busy work area and that would help the coldness of the floor. The whole room needs to be accessorized to make it warmer. I have a really busy day ahead of me and I'm trying to keep my head on straight to get everything done in an orderly fashion. See you later. xo

Cotswold Cottage with Thatched Roof

There are no words, are there? It's just wonderful. via

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 81

A few more suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

This is a great page. I agree with all three points. The last one might be hard to do for a while. Here's what I'm picturing in my mind. Parent: "Okay?" Child: "No problem!"

Adorable Cottage

Don't you love the brick exterior and wood shingle roof? It's tiny but it appears to have a fireplace. Let's peek in the window. via

Such a Smart Cat.

Are you impressed? I certainly am. Never underestimate the intelligence of a cat. Mine never ceases to amaze me but she would rather sit outside my window and meow her head off until I open the front door for her. The hole in this fence was put there so the owner could reach through and unlock the fence. I wonder how long it took this kitty to figure it out as well? via

We are still having cool weather and my fleece feels good this morning. See you later.

Simple, Understated, Gorgeous House

This house is an exercise in Puritan simplicity. I wish I could see the rest. via Big pumpkins on either side of the front door would look nice here in the fall. Right now, it's a blank canvas.