Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Fine Woodworking: Wonderful Hall Closet


This hall closet is stunning. I would love to open the doors and see how the interiors are fitted. The far left door probably has shelves and the double doors have the hanging space and storage above which would probably require a ladder because of the high ceiling. It's interesting that the crown moulding was not extended around the rest of the hallway. I love fine woodworking and it's hard to find a carpenter with these skills. xo

Sunday, January 2, 2022

Mark Edwards: Waiting for The Key


The contemporary paintings of British artist Mark Edwards are so mysterious and I find them quite fascinating and surreal. 
This one is called Waiting for the key.
I found one website that has many articles about this artist.
Another website shows current art for sale and sold works too.
Enjoy the first Sunday of 2022. xo

Saturday, January 1, 2022

A Hare for New Year's Day



His artwork is amazing.
Be sure to visit his website.

H A P P Y ♡ N E W ♡ Y E A R

I found DIY instructions for making your own egg tempra paints in the link below.

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Flourless Muffins and A 1945 Movie


I used my last banana this morning in a smoothie but when I go to the market again I will definitely make these muffins. I need carrots too.


It has been overcast with gray skies for days here. 
Yesterday I decided to look for 
A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN 
movie to watch and found it on YouTube. I have always thought of this as a Christmas Movie but that must be a well-kept secret because you never see it offered anywhere. I streamed it from my laptop to my TV using Chromecast but I would have been just as happy watching it on my computer. 
It was free had had no commercials. 


Here's the link: 
Bookmark it if you want to watch later.
ENJOY!

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Scandinavian Christmas DIY Ideas for Next Year


I love the simplicity of these architectural  gingerbread cookies in a skyline arrangement.



Who wouldn't love a gingerbread house hanging on the rim of a cup filled with hot cocoa?



You wouldn't even need a pattern for this A-Frame gingerbread house! Start looking for a large heart-shaped cookie cutter. You could do the triangles from a paper pattern in the scale of the hearts ending with rounded ones at the entrance. More ideas here.

If you leave your Christmas decorations up until 
12th night, you might still want to keep 
baking and making! xo

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

William Shakespeare's Family

Shakespeare Family

I learned so many things I did not know about Shakespeare's family life. When he married Anne Hathaway in 1582, he was 18 and she was 26! 

Read more about his early life in this article.
Enjoy!

Monday, December 27, 2021

Christmas in The Countty


A winter scene transformed into a Christmas landscape with the addition of a wreath with a red bow on the split rail fence. Image found here.

Sunday, December 26, 2021

Parmesan Crisps Decorated for Christmas


Aren't these savory crispy cheese shortbreads beautiful?
My friend Stacey made them and dropped them off on Christmas Eve along with many more delicious dishes. See the first batch she made and posted on Instagram below. 


These are photographed right out of the oven in her kitchen. Read more about the changes she wanted to make with the next batch on her @staceysnacks Instagram post HERE.

Have a great Sunday! xo

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Merry Christmas from PBS: Downton Abbey Movie


The Downton Abbey Movie that aired in theaters in 2019 is on PBS tonight at 7PM and again on January 2 at 9PM. Check your local listings. You have to watch it live or record because it will not be streamed. In my area it will be repeated on another PBS Channel (WLIW21) on January 3rd at 9PM. ENJOY.

♡ M E R R Y ♡ C H R I S T M A S ♡

xo, Rosemary



This charming Merry Christmas Greeting by Beatrix Potter was found on Tumblr.

Friday, December 24, 2021

Christmas Eve


We had a dusting of snow overnight.
Here it is in black and white.
M E R R Y   C H R I S T M A S
From my cottage to all of my followers.


Thursday, December 23, 2021

Perpetual Christmas Card Project at My Cottage


Remember when I posted this image in early December?
Click here to see the old post.
I said I might do something with it and I did.
I found some of these small frames that were designed
for place names at a wedding dinner. 
I decided to turn them into Perpetual Christmas cards for my neighbors.



I stuffed the mailboxes for the neighbors around me and hand delivered others and mailed one. It was a fun project. I had to trim the image for the small opening but I included the full size print with my Merry Christmas greeting. I found a way to print multiple copies of the same image on one page on my MacBook Air. I am making gift tags from the image too. I kept one "card" for myself and I love it.

Merry Christmas. xo

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Dish Towel Dryer Christmas Tree


It was an afterthought to hang ornaments from my vintage dish towel dryer in the kitchen.



I think it will become a Christmas tradition because I love it.
🎄🎄🎄

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Christmas Decor at My Cottage


The wire carrier that is usually loaded with fruit makes a cute Christmas tree on my coffee table filled with shiny vintage balls and bells. The sun is just rising so the light is dim. I have been on a mad metal polishing marathon and all of my silver trophies and brass candlesticks are shining bright.



I had completely forgotton about this mercury glass tree stored in my attic. It looks perfect with the tall thin Santa that was a gift from friends years back. Little gift box ornaments complete my desk decor. The "tree" looks gold in the early morning light but it's actually silver. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.🎄 xo

Monday, December 20, 2021

Amazing Pen and Ink Masterpiece



Franklin Booth
Illustration for a 1909 poem "Wind of Dreams"
by Rosamund Marriott Watson

American artist of detailed pen-and-ink illustrations with the appearance of wood engravings. He created this style when he was young, self-teaching from illustrated magazine art, not realizing they were engravings. Such talent! I love this.♡

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Jane Carkill -- Wreath


This artwork is lovely, isn't it?
Read an interview with the Irish artist HERE.

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Earliest Known Picture Letter from Beatrix Potter 1892


These picture letters were written from her seaside vacation to Beatrix Potter's 4 year old nephew with pictures and words he could easily understand. Click on the link called "via" below each picture to see it full size and read further in The Morgan Library & Museum's description. It's so interesting to see the actual penmanship written with a dip pen and see the places where the ink was running low.





Enjoy this delightful glimpse into the life of our favorite author and illustrator.


Isn't this green book Christmas Tree the best?
Found on Tumblr.

Friday, December 17, 2021

A Very Elegant Bathroom


No Words!
Simply Spectacular.
Enlarge image here.
Are the walls hand-painted or nautical wallpaper?
The master bedroom looks nice too, doesn't it?
Swoon.

Thursday, December 16, 2021

❤️Coziest of Cozy Kitchens❤️


I love the mismatched seating. The penny tile floor is pretty great too. So are the cafe curtains...with wreaths. via

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Christmas Again by Carl Larsson 1907


 Carl Larsson 'Now is it Christmas Again' 1907 
 “Nu är det jul igen” 
(Now it is Christmas time again) 
This is an old Scandinavian Christmas song. 
It is often sung while dancing around the Christmas tree. 
 The painting shows the interior of Carl Larsson's home in Sweden at Christmas time. 
 The huge oil painted triptych is held at the Helsingborgs Museum.
Among family members in colorful costumes he has placed 
the virgin Mary and baby Jesus in front of the cupboard in the center.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Elegantly Simple Christmas Decor

I'm not exactly sure what this is; a changing room for a pool or a gatehouse? The double wreaths are perfect, aren't they? via



Thank you, auntp for your comment identifying James Farmer as the owner of this delightful structure. It's on the cover of his new book.


Saturday, December 11, 2021

Carl Larsson "Christmas Eve"


Carl Larsson watercolor 1904-1906 in the Nationalmuseum, Sweden. I adore seeing his family gatherings. Isn't this Christmas Eve buffet spectacular?

Friday, December 10, 2021

All I Want For Christmas is:


♡I love this, don't you? Truer words were never written. My wants and needs have all been met and I get more joy from giving things away than for getting anything.♡