Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Laundry Day in the Country
Is she doing laundry or dyeing fabric? I can't tell and I want to know more. I love the house and the setting. I'm sure this rustic scene is in England, right? Andrew Montgomery photo. via
UPDATE: The lady is Polly Lyster and her firm is Dyeworks. I have the best researchers working for my blog. Thank you!
UPDATE: The lady is Polly Lyster and her firm is Dyeworks. I have the best researchers working for my blog. Thank you!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Use your strength wisely.
I absolutely love the artwork of Douglas B. Jones. I've been displaying two of his creations on my sidebar ever since I started my blog 4-1/2 years ago.
Jane Austen's 'Pride And Prejudice' At 200
Today is the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I learned this by listening to Fresh Air on NPR.
You can read the article and/or listen to the six-minute podcast here. I would choose listen if I were you. It's a very interesting book review of The Real Jane Austen A life in Small Things by Paula Byrne. I love having articles read to me. You can listen while doing other things. I'm listening again as I write this blog post. You can also read an excerpt of the above-pictured book.
Didn't you love the part about the 200 pound orangutan at a zoo in Poland who refuses to go to sleep at night unless his keeper reads aloud 50 pages of Pride and Prejudice?!!!
Happy 200th Book Birthday P and P.
Paul and Linda McCartney - Heart of the Country
Here is another delightful music video with footage of Paul and Linda McCartney doing what they did best.
Heart of the Country. Click here if you can't see the video.
Sign of The Day
I would definitely have to go inside for another cup of coffee, wouldn't you? Sometimes you need a pat on the back for just getting out of bed and coffee is the ultimate reward.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Babington House - Somerset UK
Two and one-hours outside of London is a place for those who want to enjoy the countryside but don't want to give up any urban luxuries. I've never been to a spa because I'm not the type who likes to be pampered. I would however like wandering around the 18-acre estate at Babington House. Website here in case you want to book a room or become a member. More large photos here. I'll see you in a couple of hours at Downton Abbey.
An Amazing Image of Sand and Sun
This beautiful photograph is almost surreal. I thought the image was perfect for a quiet Sunday morning. via
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Tabitha's Design Tip #2
Make sure there is always polar fleece on my pillow in cold weather. Preferably in a color that becomes me. Click here if you can't see this short video.
YES to Boxwood in Pots Flanking Stairs
This looks amazing. I've never had luck with boxwood in cement pots. My zone must be too cold. These terra cotta pots wouldn't stand a chance either. They would blow up immediately. I still love the way this looks. The staff here can simply put them away to winter over in the greenhouse if this estate is in an unprotected cold zone. Sigh. via
Knock, Knock.
I love finding unusual door knockers to show you. Tabitha wants this one on our front door but I would be afraid of looking at a mouse in any form every time I came inside. We got a dusting of snow overnight and it's still cold. It was 7 degrees when I first woke up so I put the covers over my head and slept until it got in the double digits. It's 14 now and partly sunny. Stay warm and have a good Saturday. via
Friday, January 25, 2013
Interior Design by and for A Cat
Tabitha's Interior Design Tip #1:
All loose pillow back sofa cushions should be poofed like this for emergency cat naps all over the house.
All loose pillow back sofa cushions should be poofed like this for emergency cat naps all over the house.
[my photo]
California Giant Redwood Trees - 1915
Each morning since Hurricane Sandy I wake up to the sound of chain saws and wood chippers. The trees in my area were hit hard and the cleanup continues. I never fail to be impressed by photos of lumberjacks working by hand a century ago.
The photos are part of the Ericson Collection, a series of pictures from northwest California from the 1880s through the 1920s by Swedish photographer A. W. Ericson. Read more about this exhibition here.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Amazing Elephant Portrait
What a beautiful animal. I never tire of looking at elephants, and this photograph is my favorite. via
Gorgeous Bedroom
I think it's perfect in every respect, don't you? The headboard is beautiful and the chosen linens are wonderful on this bed. I'm quite sure the rest of the room is amazing too, just by looking at the windows. via
More Sliding Barn Doors
I love the lemon yellow sliding barn doors on this pavilion/breezeway. This area is perfect in any kind of weather. It's fun to be inside and outside at the same time, isn't it? via
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Nothing Warms Like an Open Fire
Click Photo to Enlarge
I haven't been able to get really warm all day. About an hour ago I lit a fire and now I'm toasty. Why did I wait so long? Webster has been fed and walked in the 18 degree temperature and my soup is warming on the stove. All's right with our world. Tabitha has one of the sofa cushions properly squished and she's fast asleep in her nest. We are watching a repeat of last night's edition of Charlie Rose. It comes on at 5pm on PBS and that's what I usually watch until the nightly news.
Budget DIY Sliding Barn Doors
Do you love inside sliding barn doors but hate the cost of the hardware? This clever young lady in North Carolina substituted plumbing pipes overhead and put rolling casters on the bottoms of this pair of recycled doors. Total cost including the doors was $78.00. Genius. Slideshow from Country Living.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Sundial at My Cottage
I took this photo of the sundial near my front door recently. The snow had melted into a puddle on the top and I liked the reflections. I was in and out all day in this frigid weather and don't look forward to going out twice more with the wonder dog. He's looking at me right now sending me messages that he wants his dinner. So off to the kitchen I must go.
It's Cold Outside
Brrrr! It is really cold for the first time in over 2 years according to the weather people. I know they must be right because the animals don't stay out very long. It's cozy inside the cottage, so that's where we will stay! via
Monday, January 21, 2013
L'Odyssée de Cartier
This is the most amazing commercial I've ever seen.
Click here if you can't see it. I promise you will be blown away!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Fabulous Architecture in Connecticut
This new construction in Connecticut is fabulous. I love this small outbuilding with the wonderful entrance. Robert Courturier photography
Enjoy watching Downton Abbey tonight. I can't wait!
Webster Loves Sunday Mornings
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Tabitha has really settled into being my cat. She's really more like a dog in many respects. She knows exactly how to tell me what she wants and her wish is my command. She was relaxing on top of a loose sofa cushion this morning when I snapped this photo. Darkness has descended on the cottage and she just led me to the door to let her out for a before-dinner walk. Webster just finished dinner and I'll be walking him in a few. Have a good weekend. See you tomorrow.
Paul and Linda McCartney
This is a delight - a photo shoot with Linda photographing Paul singing. She harmonizes a little too. It's a very intimate glimpse into what they had together as a couple.
Click here if you are unable to see this charming video or if you want a larger view. She was so beautiful. Have a great weekend.
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