So Many Bird Feeders

Snow Update

UP WITH THE BIRDS

I was actually up before the birds this morning. We got another foot of snow yesterday and I started my shoveling at 3:00 in the afternoon when it started to diminish. My car was already melting and that cleanup was relatively easy. The undisturbed snow was like powdered sugar and not at all heavy except at the road where the snowplows dumped the ugly wet stuff. I was almost up to that point when an angel appeared! My newest neighbor across the street walked from his driveway to mine with his snowblower and cleared the stuff I was dreading in a flash including digging out my mailbox. You can't imagine how much time this saved me. I was back in my cottage at 5:00; without his help it probably would have taken me another hour or or two to dig myself out. I am going to ask him to help me pick out a snowblower for myself for next year. I went to bed extra early and woke up refreshed just in time to attend to my feathered friends with my outside thermometer reading single digits. xo

Red-Winged Blackbird Portrait

Bye, Bye, Blackbird!

He just stopped by for a short visit and I'm glad I had my camera handy. I have always admired the colorful epaulets on the wings of red-winged blackbirds. That color disappears when the wings are tightly closed but I managed a good photo today because he had loosened his wings ❤

Sunday Snow with Birds

My snow just started (Sunday 8:30am) and it is scheduled to quit around 3:00 this afternoon. I filled the birds' feeding tube so I'm all set to stay inside and enjoy cottage life. Stay cozy and watch the Super Bowl if you are a football fan. xo

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

"Let Sleeping Dogs Lie"

Does this one count as an illustrated quote? I have four of these books with various dogs on them and a lamp as well and I always wondered how anyone could part with them. Have a great rest of the weekend and prepare for some snow if its coming your way. xo

LAW & ORDER | UK on Acorn TV

I am currently watching this new series on Acorn TV and I highly recommend it. I never watched Law & Order for some reason and I know it was a popular show here. I adore British Legal dramas, especially the court scenes with the barristers wearing robes and wigs. The acting is superb and I really like all six of the actors shown above. It is a new series that just started on February 1, 2021. Put it on your "must watch" list and you won't be sorry. xo 

UPDATE: I just did some research and found this series is also on Amazon Prime, Britbox, and AMC+

Nice Winter Sky at My Cottage

NICE WINTER SKY

This snow scene from my balcony could also be called The Calm Before The Storm! I don't think it will dump more than 7 inches and I can handle that easily. Anyway, it's nice to see a blue sky with white clouds today. xo

Evergreen Decorated by Mother Nature

Snow on the pine's long needles is so lovely. The out of focus red barn in the background just makes this photo, doesn't it? via

My Bootprints in the Snow

The snow that was predicted for today turned out to be very light and not at all problematic. Thankfully. xo

An Architect's Bathroom with Antiques

How much do I love this? Architect Jim Joseph’s Hudson Valley home, NY. Architectural Digest. via

My Cottage after Plowing

AFTER THE PLOWING

My entrance looks like a super market parking lot. I wonder how long it will take that snow mountain to melt? My driveway that goes down to my red barn/garage was plowed too for the first time ever and now my car is parked up front in anticipation of more snow on Friday, my phone says a 90% chance.😱

My Hero: Captain Sir Tom Moore

Captain Sir Tom Moore RIP Sir Captain Tom Moore. British World War II veteran Captain Tom Moore who raised 39 million pounds for health service workers on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19. Sleep with the angels Thank you. via

Click the photo to enlarge the portrait of this beautiful 100 year old man💋

Snow Scenes Around My Cottage

Late afternoon looking toward the way back.

These Adirondack chairs are under my balcony. See all the bird tracks? 

The first two snow pyramids were formed over round planters. The third one with the melted top is over a light fixture.

Snow mounds over various planters and snow piled high on my brick wall.

Just outside my vestibule door this morning after I shoveled a path one shovel wide.

A Blue Jay Portrait

I have been trying to get a good photograph of a blue jay ever since I started feeding the birds last fall. Today was the day he stopped right outside my door to the balcony and I got a great shot. A good friend nearby sent me the name of a plow person and I have hired him for tomorrow. Today I will work on digging out my car and my generator. We might get another three inches of snow today so tomorrow is the perfect day. xo

Snowed In

I took this photo this morning late and it's still snowing at 7:30 pm. We have over 2 feet of snow it is not going to quit until Tuesday evening. The roads are plowed but I am not and don't know when I will be dug out since I always do it myself and don't have a regular plow person. Oh well, I should be out by spring. I did dig a path to the bird feeder to fill it up so the birds will have a full tube in the morning.

Scalamandré’s Leaping Zebra Wallpaper

Zebras was originally designed for Gino of Capri, a New York City restaurant that opened in 1945. Read more about the history of this iconic wallpaper design in Architectural Digest.

DIY: Cat Window Perch by Martha Stewart

This is the greatest cat window perch I've ever seen. It's not surprising that Martha Stewart designed it and provided DIY instructions here, is it? Let me know if you decide to make one. It actually looks pretty simple after you get the wood sized to fit your cat's favorite window.  You could also start your flower and vegetable seeds on a "greenhouse" shelf like this! xo

The Flame Trees of Thika on Acorn TV

My current obsession. The Flame Trees of Thika miniseries on Acorn TV is absolutely wonderful. It was filmed on location in 1981 in untamed Africa. If you liked "Out of Africa" you will love it. The movie is based on a Memoir by Elsbeth Huxley so it's also a true story. Enjoy the YouTube preview and be convinced.

Photos Around My Cottage

I walked around outside yesterday and this was the only "color" I could find.

I photographed a lovely female cardinal this morning on my balcony railing.

This is a little glimpse of my upstairs attic office. Right now I have papers and files everywhere as I have just started working on my taxes.

Night-Time Reading: Moley in the Library

"It’s not the sort of night for bed, anyhow.“  

Kenneth Grahame 

Night-Time Reading: Moley in the Library, inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s ‘The Wind In The Willows" illustration by Chris Dunn. via

Painterly Landscape Photograph

It's lovely, isn't it? I love the golden glow in the sky and the snow on the water. via

Blue and White Tile Mural

A Baroque Interior with Azulejo Tilework 

a·zu·le·jo A kind of glazed colored tile traditionally used in Spanish and Portuguese buildings. via

Lovely Cat Portrait

Do Animals Pose for Their Portraits?

Yes, they do!

Isn't this cat beautiful?

via

Wonderful Entrance

Old Door. Old Stone Floor. Just Wonderful!

It doesn't get much better than this, does it?

Crocheted Bernie Sanders

It doesn't take the crafters long, does it? I love this crocheted meme of Bernie Sanders with his mittens, don't you? via

These photos and more appear on Instagram if you search @tobeytimecrochet A woman named Tobey Perales King is the one behind this adorable needlework.

UPDATE: THE ARTIST PUT THIS BERNIE DOLL ON EBAY AND PROMISED TO DONATE 100% OF THE PROCEEDS TO MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA.

HE BROUGHT $20,300 FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR!

Photos and comments removed at the request of the artist. 12/07/2021

All Ears

Tell me again, I'm all ears now!

via

Reading Room with A View and An Ottoman

I don't see many books but this room has everything else needed to be the perfect reading room. The view is fantastic and at last, I find a chair with an ottoman!❤