Perfect Home for Christmas

Even though this luxury mountain home in Ketchum, Idaho is only three years old, it looks as if it's been there forever. "I wanted a house that looked like we had rescued it, like we brought it back to life" said the interior designer/owner. Custom-made steel bookcases line the walls of the dining room.

Read the complete article in Elle Decor. Don't miss the gallery link at the end of page 2 with an 11-photo slideshow.

The family room looks very inviting too. I think you'd always be torn between staying inside or playing outside if you lived here. The owners obviously have deep pockets but they also have good taste. Just wrap me up in that Hermès Avalon blanket and wake me on Christmas morning. So nice!



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End of Summer at The Cottage

This scene in my backyard seems like a faint memory but it was only a couple of months ago. The rain has stopped. Webster and I just got back from a walk and I picked up all of the sticks that came down in the wind. I'm that way you know, getting the sticks as soon as they fall so it doesn't seem so much like work.

My gutters are nice and clean and I just had copper baskets put in all of my downspouts. I'll let you know later whether or not this was a wise decision. The men who clean my gutters tell me that sometimes they present a problem. We'll see. Too late now, the deed has been done.

A Cute Dog with A New Trick

Don't you love the acrobatic trick performed by this English Bull Terrier? I'd love to see what happens next.



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MY DOG TULIP | Free Movie Screening | RSVP

As the year-end awards season approaches, New Yorker Films would like to invite you and a guest to a special screening of MY DOG TULIP brought to you by Stella & Chewy's. Featuring the voices of Christopher Plummer, Lynn Redgrave and Isabella Rossellini, MY DOG TULIP is the beautifully animated feature from acclaimed filmmakers Paul and Sandra Fierlinger that is currently playing in theaters nationwide.

The by-invitation-only screening will be

• Tuesday, December 14th at 6:30 pm
• The Dolby Screening Room
• 1350 Avenue of the Americas
• New York, NY 10019

RSVP to Julie Sisson
[ NTProdsassistant@gmail.com ] or 212-397-6605

Seats will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Call or email right away if you (and a human guest) want to attend.

I'm very pleased to have been chosen to present this free giveaway.

Read the great article from the Los Angeles Times about 'My Dog Tulip' Oscar Screenings. I hope they will be serving dog biscuits as a take-away treat for all the dogs waiting for their owners to come home from the screening.

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How Do You Gift Wrap an Elephant?

Just tie a big bow around it! What could be easier?
image

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Rain, Rain Go Away

The weather out is frightful as you can see from my photo. I have to go outside in it too in about 30 minutes so I'll see you later.

Happy First Day of December.



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Blue Spruce At The Cottage

I hope I never have to cut down any of the blue spruce trees that I grew from seedlings. They are my favorite evergreens and I have a whole grove in front of my cottage. Today this tall tree is covered with rain drops; it's a very gloomy day indeed. At my office meeting today I noticed that the people in the house across the street already have their Christmas tree up, lights and all. It's way too early in my opinion but I guess people with little children get the Christmas spirit long before I do. 

Big Table Covered with Big Books

Big tables were meant for big books. I'd love to sit here all day and scoot my chair around reading them, wouldn't you?



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Cottage in A Maze | Must See!

This must be the gardener's cottage. He works on his own land after long hours at the manor house. I'm just making this up because I am still trying to comprehend what my eyes are seeing. I want to know more, don't you?

I have a busy day ahead so I won't see you until much later.



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Topiary of My Dreams

Only in England. Sigh. I want the topiaries and the gardener. Manor house optional.

via Crush Cul de Sac



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Rudolph in Waiting

Here is another great opportunity to change a white deer head into Rudolph with the addition of a red nose. via tumblr.com

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You Can Never Have Too Many Boxwoods

Alexa Hampton redecorated a spec house in the Hamptons for an urban couple. They were looking for a place that would look and feel like a summer house but could be used all year round. The mandate was almost no color, easy and comfortable, yet not without flair Alexa Hampton says of the weekend retreat she designed in Bridgehampton, New York. Michael Donnellan, of Summerhill Landscapes, planted boxwood at the entrance.

Click here to read the article and view the fabulous 6-photo slideshow.



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Barn Owl in Flight

BARN OWL

Taken at The International Centre for Birds of Prey Newent, Gloucestershire, England by ©Tony Llewellyn - Flickr



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Hedgehog Tunnel Vision

Poor little guy. I hope the photographer pulled the toilet paper roll off this little hedgehog's head. Animals can be ever so helpless at times. via The Animal Blog



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Humane Taxidermy | Cable Knit Deer Head

The person who made this fabulous knitted deer head should immediately make a small red pom pom and pin it on his nose. Then he would be Rudolph. It would be great with a big wreath around its neck too. The source was etsy.com but when I clicked on the link it said the page no longer existed.



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Audrey Hepburn Classic Photos + A Quote

Audrey Hepburn

"Pick the day. Enjoy it to the hilt. The day as it comes and people as they come. The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future."

Great advice from our favorite icon. Enjoy this day per her advice.



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Goodnight, Sleep Tight

I am hitting the hay early to watch some quality TV [hopefully]. My DVR is getting rather full of programs I haven't had time to watch. See you tomorrow.

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A Beautiful Country Morning

Here's hoping you have a wonderful weekend with friends and family. I have three real estate showings this morning . . . wish me luck. See you later.