First Fire on the First Snow Day

Trees and branches down everywhere. We got at least 8 inches of snow and it still hasn't stopped. Lost power too for several hours. I had my first fire and it's still going strong. I'm glad I have a nice fireplace in my living room and lots of dry firewood for emergencies like this. Poor Webster was on his own today. It was really too dangerous to go outside with all the tree limbs snapping like firecrackers. Nothing major though. The roads are constantly being plowed and it's supposed to be nice tomorrow with temps in the mid 40s and lots of melting. I'll dig out my snow shovels then. Stay warm and cozy and be safe. 

I'm Loving Tartan Plaids for Some Reason

 

 

 

 

 

For some reason I am drawn to red plaid in all forms lately. It just seems to be so perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Agreed? Which one is your favorite? I honestly want them all. via The link sends you to my boards on Pinterest. I've pinned each of these recently. My lights keep flickering with this blizzard....yes I said blizzard because that is what it has become. I'm nervously charging up my iPhone just in case the power goes out with fingers crossed that it doesn't. Webster went back to bed like a smart dog.

First Snow 2007 | Video Slideshow at My Cottage

I hope the first snow 5 years later isn't this bad. There are a lot more leaves on the trees this time around and the maple tree at the end of my driveway out back near my red barn garage has green leaves that haven't even begun to turn colors, much less turn loose.

Do I Really Care If This Happens?

Not really...but I would prefer that all snowflakes hold off for at least a month or so. And you? via

It has actually started here even though it's 39 degrees. The tiny wet flakes are falling fast and furiously but aren't sticking...yet. Boo Hoo.

PS: A yellow county dump truck with a snowplow on the front and the back piled high with salt just drove past my cottage.  :(

Embrace Your Inner Child This Weekend

I have groceries and I don't need to go anywhere this weekend so I'm going to pretend I'm a kid again and do fun things inside this weekend if it snows. I spent every Saturday morning of my entire childhood watching TV with my brother and loving every minute of it. via

Boo

I have a black metal cat head with marble eyes in my front door window. This is an extreme closeup taken w/ my iPhone. I wasn't really this close...I just cropped it this closely. I love how the images are inverted in the clear glass marble eyes.

Pinch Me, I'm In Love

I absolutely love everything I see in this room by m. elle design, especially the door with the hinged window. It's brilliant!

Lisa Hannigan | I Don't Know

This is wonderful. Make sure you watch it all to see what becomes of all of those scissor cuttings at the end. Found over at Crush Party.

Jethro Coffin House | Nantucket Massachusetts

The 1686 Jethro Coffin House on Nantucket defines the features of the New England saltbox with its small, medieval windows and long sloping rear roof. The house also features an inverted horse-shoe chimney decoration which, some say, was intended to keep witches from flying down the flue. I guess this historic home is all set for Halloween.

I photographed this page from the same book as my previous post and once again I praise the lack of foundation plantings. 

The Hoxie House in Sandwich Massachusetts

The circa 1675 Hoxie House in Sandwich is believed to be the oldest surviving house on Cape Cod. It is in many ways representative of the early New England colonial style with its simple, sturdy construction and steeply pitched roof.

I photographed this page from one of my favorite books:
American Colonial Homes
A Pictorial History

by John Burdick

I love the simplicity of this house and the lack of foundation plantings in keeping with the original landscape style of the day.

Silence is A True Friend

Please tell me when you are sick of my iPhone photos and I'll stop.

Today is a perfect day to curl up with a book. It's foggy and rainy and will be that way all day long. We had some late afternoon sun when I walked the wonder dog around 4pm yesterday. He just came in from a bathroom break outside and decided to go back to bed. I'm thinking that's a pretty good idea myself -- maybe it's a pajama day. I'll let you know later.

Webster Would Love A Job Like This

 

Good job. I often see people training these border collies in a big open field nearby. They bring real sheep too. People with ponds and lakes use this breed to chase away the geese. via

Geraniums in Bloom

I brought all of my geraniums in on time this year before the frost got them. Last year I almost lost everything due to laziness in bringing them indoors to winter over. I've heard having house plants improves the air quality of a home and I know they improve the quality of one's spirit.

Royal Dogs in France

Royal or not we have always valued our dogs, haven't we?

Japanese Proverb

This acorn is ancient and is a reminder for me to gather more soon while they are in season.

Thomas Nast House in Morristown NJ

I had a dentist appointment today in Morristown and stopped to photograph the historic Thomas Nast House on a lovely fall day. I love always having a camera in my pocket. I have to admit that when my iPhone rings it always scares me. I finally have a phone I can hear and I love talking on speaker. It rang when I was in a thrift store around the corner and you will be pleased to know I try to keep the conversation short when I'm in a public place. I don't want to become one of "those" people. 

Thomas Nast is probably most famous for his Santa Claus illustration in the late 19th century. This page from an old Harpers Weekly was in my collection long ago.

Watch this interesting video filmed at Macculloch Hall Museum across the street from the Nast House.

Something to Crow About - Tuesday iPhone Fotos

Who cares about looking at a house when there are barns and chickens? The rooster followed me from his coop into the barn and posed so nicely for me. I'm thrilled to have a new feathered friend.

Charming Cottage Bath

It's very sweet, isn't it? via

Webster Says Goodnight

Sleep tight. See you in the morning. I took this photo last night while trying to figure out how I could get in bed without disturbing Webster.

Acorns -- iPhone Photo from A Book

Oh Boy! This was so much easier than scanning. I took this photo of a tiny engraved image (less than one inch square) from my Royal Book of Crests getting pretty close. There were 15 crests on the page. Then I uploaded it to Photoshop Elements, cropped it, and cloned out the imperfections on the paper and added the type. After adding a border I resized it to 500 pixels to fit perfectly in the blog post. I am so pleased with my new 4S camera that can also make phone calls. This was all done very quickly in bad natural light. Imagine how nice it would be if I actually put in some effort!

Love this Kitchen with its Tiny Stove

This made me smile. I have never seen a cuter tiny stove. I guess cooking isn't a priority here because it's probably a city apartment, right? via

Lovely Reflection in A Foggy Mist

Beautiful Tree in The Mist and Fog via Flickr

Off the Beaten Path w/ My iPhone

Nothing monumental...just some fall foliage. Webster wouldn't go with me on this little trail because he knows I don't like for him to get his feet wet. He seem surprised when I popped up out of nowhere when he lost sight of me. He had turned around and was already half way home when I surfaced in the way back.

My New Blog Header

Do you like my new header? Only a few people have noticed it. I'm very happy that I finally took the time to work on it to make it smaller and cleaner. I also finally learned how to center it perfectly. The final step only took me three years+ (haha). 

Cutest Interspecies Relationship Ever!

I can't possibly express how much I love this picture series of a cat and bird sleeping together. via Have a great Sunday. It looks as if it's going to be another beautiful Autumn day.

Driving around with my iPhone

This tree-lined drive is reflected on the hood of my car.

I love this ancient red barn. The house that goes with it is a 'hard' contemporary.

I always stop to admire the carpenter gothic details on this early farmhouse.

Here are those cattle again. Let me know when you are tired of seeing my iPhone photos. I am still having so much fun with my newest toy. Have a great weekend.

Paris Map Sun Dress

I think this dress made from a paper guide to Paris is so beautiful. It's perfect for the map-loving Parisian fashionista. via 

Tour Barefoot Contessa's Barn Home

Come inside. There is so much to see.

The kitchen counter is 18 feet long!!!

An Inside Look at the Barefoot Contessa's New Barn
Ina Garten takes us on a tour of her new East Hampton getaway.
It's earthy, elegant, simple, and so Ina.
Read more and view a 21-photo slideshow via House Beautiful . . .

Union Jack Fruit Pizza Recipe

Crust

1 pouch (17.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 egg

Filling

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Topping

4 cups sliced fresh strawberries

3 cups fresh blueberries

1 cup fresh raspberries

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 15x10x1-inch or 13x9-inch pan with foil. Spray bottom only of foil with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Press evenly in bottom of pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

2. In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Spread mixture over cooled crust.

3. Arrange fruit over cream cheese. Refrigerate at least 1 hour until chilled. To serve, cut into 5 rows by 4 rows. Cover and refrigerate any remaining fruit pizza.

via Flickr

Grazing Cattle in My Area

There were brown and white twin calves that were too far away for me to photograph so these will have to do. I have been looking for sheep but they have all but disappeared from the two properties near me that have them. I am missing them somehow. Guess they are in the barn when I am out and about.

Actually you can see the two calves on the right side of the fence in this photo.

I got my flu shot today offered to town residents. It didn't seem as crowded as in previous years. I think many people get them at the doctor's office and the various pharmacies earlier than they are offered at the free clinic. Not me...I always wait because free is good (smile). Have a great weekend.

Nice Colors and Arrangement

I love it all on the gray wall, don't you? So very interesting too. via

Bonnie Prince Charles

I love looking at the old photos of our favorite royals. via