All Shoveled Out: Snow Begone

It's nice to see my car again. I didn't go anywhere yet today but I might run out and buy more coffee. That's the only essential necessary here at the cottage.

The walk is finally completely exposed. Earlier it was only one shovel wide. I am like that you know. When I start a job it bothers me until it's totally finished. 

Buried in The Snow

Success! I just got in from shoveling the walk to the left of the first big mound and I even dug out my car - see mound behind brick wall. The driveway had been plowed in front of the car and behind it too. I had to uncover it and dig out all around. The snow was over the tires and running board almost up to the trim on the door.  I was 'the little engine that could' digging my way one shovel at a time.

These chairs on the balcony will just have to wait. I can't even get the screen door open yet. Maybe the sun will do most of the work for me. This area is not critical. I just wanted to show you how deep the snow was back there. You can't even see the chair legs at all. 

Beautiful Snowy Morning at The Cottage

I took these pictures when I first got up. The sun was still behind the clouds in the first one and had just broken through in the second one. I still haven't gotten the strength to deal with it. Webster ran out before breakfast and didn't stay a minute. My car is buried but the driveway has been plowed on either side. I'm not going anywhere anyway so it doesn't matter. The piles on either side of my front walk are getting higher and higher. I shoveled it down to the bluestone before I went to bed and it was up to Webster's belly when he dashed out this morning. It's really beautiful. See you later. Stay warm.

A Picture Perfect Room

This would be the perfect room for winter nesting. I like almost everything in it except for the purple. I would love to have two loveseats like the leather sofa to replace my floral ones. Dogs and fabric just aren't a good mix. Webster is getting better every day in case you are wondering. I'll return shortly with pictures of more snow than I've ever seen at the cottage. I think we got at least another foot last night. Yikes.

This Image is Bipolar

This emoticon made me sad and happy. *

A Cottage Window in France

How nice. It must be so much fun to change the window display for the passersby to enjoy. I love the top pedestals with the doves and the little swallow attached to the stonework wall, don't you? Clever people with green thumbs can garden anywhere.

An Elegant Owl

Her feathers are perfectly arranged and she is posing for her portrait, The outfit by Mother Nature rivals anything and everything man made. We can only try to imitate something this lovely.

This Dog Loves Quackers

Don't you just love this adorable dog that looks after these cute little ducklings? It's my feel good photo of the day that is guaranteed to warm your heart and put a smile on your face.

I feel like a broken record because I must report it's snowing again. The morning snow is supposed to quit after 2" or so accumulates and then another storm is coming later with 8" or more. Just reporting but not complaining as long as I have power. Be careful and stay snug and warm.

Custom Architectural Bookplates

I've always loved bookplates and have some nice ones in my collection. Wouldn't it be nice to have a rendering of your home and garden for all of your books on architecture and gardening? via: teaching literacy

The bookplate depicts Kelmscott Manor, the home of William Morris. When you click on the website be sure to click on the HOME tab too for more wonderful images of this English Country Home.

More Snow Today

This isn't the snow at my house but it could be. It has been snowing giant flakes for about two hours and it's probably going to continue for the rest of the day. I swept it off the front walk when Webster and I went out for our morning stroll in the woods. I made some "moon boots" for him out of Glad Press 'n Seal and he seemed pleased be wearing them and he still has them on. I made a new pair for inside the house to keep him from licking his feet until they heal. He is such a good patient and I'm becoming a great nurse. See you later. I have an office meeting this morning. image

Emile Andre, Early Architect from Nancy, France

This house was designed by the architect Emile André (1871-1933) from Nancy, France. Some of his work still visible in Nancy includes the Huot House built in 1903.

I got a lot of comments yesterday when I featured the amazing entrance to this historic building and thought you'd like to know more about the architect.

Emile André

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II, Page 31

 

 

More great advice from a father to a son. I love this little book, don't you? 

Hot Coffee on A Cold Morning

This cold snap will be over by tomorrow thankfully. I didn't stay out very long with the Wonder Dog because I heard on the news frostbite can set in very quickly. I'll keep you posted. He seems fine and has a good appetite. We go back to the vet on Thursday. Thanks for all of your kind notes to Webster. I took this picture of my steaming mug of coffee recently but not today. Later, Rosemary.

Webster Says Goodnight

I finished all of my chores early tonight. I can't wait to jump in my bed and get ready to watch Downton Abbey on PBS. Webster sends his thanks for all of your kind notes wishing him a speedy recovery from his skin infection. He is already tucked in. Lately he's been bunking on the floor beside my  so I can keep an eye on him through the night. I put a barricade at the door so he can't sneak away and sleep on one of the sofas. Just in case he does, there are books on all of the cushions. His big horse pills have relieved the inflammation and he sleeps peacefully through the night. Thank goodness for modern medicine. See you all tomorrow. Goodnight.

The Most Amazing Doors I've Ever Seen

The doors, the transom windows, the design, the color, the carved stonework surround all combined  leave me absolutely speechless. From A Cottage In The Woods

Agnes Obel ~ Riverside

So mysterious and beautiful. From the album 'Philharmonics' by Agnes Obel

Webster is Under the Weather

I'm not trying to humiliate my dear dog Webster but I wanted you to know he has a problem. He had to have a shot on Thursday and he's taking 4 pills a day to help clear up a skin infection on his chin and his paws. I put socks on him last night to keep him from licking his feet and it worked well. He's napping on my bed right now listening to NPR. He feels fine that the medications have kicked in. I just hope it isn't something awful that will require a biopsy when we go back to the new vet next week. We both like Dr. Coleman so very much!

Today is National Handwriting Day

Today is National Handwriting Day 2011

National Handwriting Day was the invention of the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association and was inaugurated to remind us of the importance of Handwriting as a skill and a means of communication and personal identification. Never has this concept been more important than now, when the digital age tricks us into thinking that it would be perfectly fine if handwriting were to become obsolete. Here are the just 5 reasons why it wouldn't:

• Handwriting as an activity involves more of the human brain than any other activity except for speech. "Use it or lose it....."
• For most people, the act of writing is slower than the act of keyboarding. Sometimes it is a good idea to slow things down and consider more carefully what one is communicating.
• Let's not lose the ability to communicate more personally - Computers are great, but let's not put all our communication eggs in that one basket.
• The act of learning to write plays a special part in the development of young brains, and should not be discarded thoughtlessly.
• The skilled handwritten signature is still an excellent method of identifying an individual and a document.

I found the above information here. Are you going to write something today? I think I will fill up my fountain pen that was a high school graduation present and see if I can still write as beautifully as I once could. I still have a bottle of permanent black ink. See one of my previous posts on this subject with some flash cards to download and print.

Another Interior Sliding Door | Just Wonderful

You know I have a thing for interior sliding barn doors. I especially like this one, don't you. I think this is a fad that's here to stay.

All This and A Grass Tennis Court Too

This is almost too much to absorb. A fabulous old stone English country house with a walled garden, lovely sculpted plantings and a grass tennis court too. I'll take it without the tennis court please. Or maybe I'll convert it to croquet; that's more my speed.*

A Geranium + A Set of Antiquarian Books

My day has been very hectic so far with real estate showings and phone calls. I'm just now turning on my computer. I published many comments from my laptop this morning but haven't replied to any yet. Hope you're having a nice weekend. I only have one geranium in bloom right now. Doesn't it look nice against a background of antiquarian books with fine decorative bindings? See you later.

Snow in the French Alps + A Puzzle

When I see a photo like this cabin in the French Alps, I can't complain about my overnight snowfall. It was about 5" of light powder. Nothing I couldn't manage. We've had 4 snowstorms so far in 2011.

INTERESTING PUZZLE: This year we will experience 4 unusual dates: 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, and 11/11/11. Now take the last 2 digits of the year you were born plus the age you will be this year (in 2011). The total will be 111 ~ how is this possible?