George Inness: Home at Montclair 1892

George Inness, American, 1825–1894

Inness painted the landscape around his property in Montclair, New Jersey, in many of his late works. In this winter scene, he captured the stillness of twilight in layers of thinly applied paint, evoking an atmosphere rather than recording topographical details. The artist’s son wrote of the painting: “There is nothing startling in this great work of art, and yet you are filled with a sense of bigness, grandeur, and the very conviction of truth and nature.”
The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown MA

Not Tonight, I Hope.

I hope this doesn't keep me awake tonight. Smile. Fingers crossed. xo via

Museum Portraits Taking Selfies

Fun at the art museum. via and via

Aren't these clever? Are you smiling yet? 

Two Workspaces I Like.

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I like to display favorite things to delight my eyes in my workspaces too.

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This whole room is nothing short of amazing. Love the window and the desk.
Happy Presidents' Day: be careful if you go out.. Bright sun is shining on the cottage and it's very calm outside this morning. I need some things but I won't be shopping today. I'll wait until tomorrow when I can combine a trip to the supermarket with my office meeting, mailing a package at the post office, and a routine dentist appointment. See you later. xo

Another Bathroom with almost No Grout

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The only grout here is around the floor tiles. I like it except I wouldn't enjoy those bare light bulbs shining in my eyes. I have decided that my own bathroom is pretty much devoted to tub baths now and that is working out quite well. My hair likes this system too. When I shower I never wear a shower cap and my head always gets soaked even if I'm not washing my hair. With a tub bath, my hair just gets the humidity and my little bit of natural wave and slight curl is responding quite nicely. When I shampoo, I go downstairs and use the stall shower. My bathroom is looking neater too so it's a win/win. I decided to let the new grout cure as long as possible before it gets wet. Three hours until Downton Abbey and four hours until Grantchester on PBS. Can't wait. Enjoy your evening too. xo

Perfect Cottage Patio

This is all happening under the snow wherever this delightful garden cottage is located. via

Microwave Peanut Brittle

I love peanut brittle.

I honestly wish I hadn't seen this. It looks so delicious and so easy. I would make some but I don't have any peanuts or corn syrup. It's probably better than anything you can buy. Picture tutorial and recipe here. You're welcome. xo

Letterpress Valentine Cookies

These are too beautiful to eat, aren't they? via

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's hoping you have a secret admirer. via

This cover by Charles Addams never fails to make me smile on Valentine's Day. Don't eat too much candy!

Colonial Silver Valentine

Wonderful Early American Love Token via

Samuel R. C. Moffat

of Portsmouth New Hampshire

New England

in North America

Perfect for Valentine's Day

DIY Kitchen Remodel Costing < $3,000.

Bravo. It's wonderful!

Before photo. I wish I could see more in the after photos to see where they put the refrigerator, wall oven and microwave. By reading the article, I learned they kept the tile floor but covered it with rag rugs. I adore the new kitchen sink! The entire project took 6 days and cost less than $3,000. Read the story and see more photos here.

Happy Cat Family

I do love tabby cats and these three are beautiful. Enjoy your evening and get ready for the cold weather that's on the way. xo

Really Cute Bear Hug Cookies

You could probably improvise and figure out a way to have these little bears hugging a red heart for Valentine's Day presents. Complete tutorial here. I would just use a shortbread recipe.

Sweaters for Injured Penguins

These imaginative sweaters were knitted by Australia's oldest man who is 109 years old. Don't you love them? And him? He's been knitting since he was 30! Read story here.

How long does it take to master a craft? How about 80 years? Because 109-year-old Australian Alfred Date has been knitting since the 1930s and his latest/most famous endeavor was making mini sweaters… for endangered penguins!

Back in 2013, Victoria’s Phillip Island Penguin Foundation asked for volunteers to make sweaters for the rare “little penguins.” Alfie, who has yet to learn to say no, pitched in. Knitted penguin jumpers play an important role in saving little penguins affected by oil pollution.

Father to 7, grandparent to 20, he’s not only been an active knitter, but also a sportsman, having played golf till his 90’s.

His secret for longevity? “Waking up every morning”. See, he’s a joker, too!

Text copied from boredpanda.com -- scroll down, the story is still very near the top of the list.

Charming Cottage Entrance

Very nice indeed. Found on Pinterest

Cannot Imagine This

It looks very cozy inside and I love the light from the windows. Have you ever seen so many stars? I want to know more about this amazing photograph. I won't complain about the snow ever again. See you in the morning. Sleep tight. xo

Such a Beautiful Cake

I love this cake decorated with a squirrel and his hazelnuts.

I wonder what the cutout is made of that it can be eaten raw. Caramel? I want that cookie cutter! via

Yum. Devil's food cake with white icing. My favorite!

Gorgeous Architecture

The inside of this historical house in upstate New York is wonderful too.

10-photo House Tour w/ Charm to Spare via Elle Decor

Great Family Room for Reading and Watching

I really like this small and cozy room for watching TV and reading, don't you? via

It was very warm today and a lot of my snow melted. I have about as much as the photo above. It was nice to be able to take a long walk with Webster in slushy snow without the layer of ice on top. The weather people say more is coming but I'm not worried. Enjoy Downton Abbey and Grantchester tonight on PBS. I'll be watching too. xo via

Reasons for Staying at Home

I adore these excuses. via

It's here. The giant floating head head is looming over my cottage today, right on schedule.

Tom Gauld (Scottish, b. 1976) - The Reason I Stayed In The House All Day Drawings (All perfectly valid reasons) His website is fabulous.

I adore staying in the house all day and I do it all the time because it's my favorite place to be. Have a great Sunday. xo

Great Painting

This has been my life lately.

Preparing the Bath

Ramon Casas y Carbó
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Veblen House in Minnesota

Such a nice restoration! via

Happy Caturday

How will you spend your Saturday? Tabitha has hers well under way with her new friend, the bunny. I got this needlepoint pillow at the church rummage sale around the corner this week and she thinks it's hers. See you later. xo

Snowdrops in England

My snowdrops were very late last year. I wonder if I will see them in February this year? They are so very prolific in England and so very lovely too.

Norman Castle, Hertfordshire, England via

I like this Small Kitchen.

So many windows! This would be a fun kitchen to work in, wouldn't it? Now I must go to mine and whip up some breakfast. See you later. xo via

White Out

I love a house with the lights on in every room. This one is especially nice, isn't it? We only got a few flakes in my town but my driveway is solid ice and it's super cold! via

Great Bathroom w/ No Caulk or Grout

This bathroom in an old house is fabulous, isn't it? No tile. No grout. Freestanding tub with no caulk. Yes, please! via