I always knew crows were smart but I have to say this video really surprised and delighted me. A family with a good view of this steep rooftop recorded a crow repeatedly using a round plastic lid as a snowboard. I guess birds like to have fun too! Click here if you can't see the show below.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Staffordshire Spaniel with Paperwhites
My living room mantel rounds the corner on one side to meet the back wall. A large Staffordshire spaniel is posing there alongside a bulb forcing vase with blooming paperwhites. They are reaching for the ceiling but are still very nice and upright because of my cool (as in temperature) house.
Linking to: Small But Charming: Flowers in the Wintery House
Linking to: Small But Charming: Flowers in the Wintery House
Snow on My Balcony
It is still really cold but we have bright sun this morning. I took this iPhone photo through my French door and screen door. Nothing has melted yet and I doubt any will today. Webster and I took a walk to the rear of the property last night in the dark and it was very easy because the snow is like powdered sugar. Stay warm and enjoy your Sunday.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Anxiously Awaiting Bedtime
It's been a busy day since my feet hit the floor this morning. I am looking forward to having my head hit these pillows very soon. I need a good movie too. See you tomorrow. Goodnight.
Cats on Tiptoes
I can't imagine what these three cats are looking at, can you? Found on a site devoted to humorous cat photos guaranteed to make you smile.
Have a Great Country Weekend, Snow is Optional
Many of the homes around me have these cattle grates across the driveways to keep the deer out with extensions on the fence posts to make them higher. It is almost easier to plant the things they don't like in my opinion. Rumor has it there are more white-tailed deer in this country now than when the Pilgrims landed. I don't care what they eat at my house but wish they would keep the deer ticks to themselves. I've had Lyme disease several times and it was awful.
I scanned this image from an old magazine and just discovered it on my computer. It's a very pretty farm, isn't it? We did get snow overnight..about 5 inches of powder. I am shoveled out, plowed out and my car has been cleaned off with my trusty rubber broom so I'm all set. Have a great weekend with or without snow.
I scanned this image from an old magazine and just discovered it on my computer. It's a very pretty farm, isn't it? We did get snow overnight..about 5 inches of powder. I am shoveled out, plowed out and my car has been cleaned off with my trusty rubber broom so I'm all set. Have a great weekend with or without snow.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Four-and-Twenty Blackbirds
A Dusting of Snow in Scotland
I fully expected to wake up to a dusting of snow this morning but the weather report turned out to be much ado about nothing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining one bit. This probably isn't snow in Scotland either, but a heavy frost. See you later. via
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Sleeping Under the Stars
Wouldn't it be fun to sleep under the stars in this delightful bedroom? The stars have been amazing here at the cottage the last few nights and I could see the constellations quite clearly starting with Orion's belt. I haven't taken the wonder dog out for his last walk yet and I think it will be cloudy. A dusting of snow is predicted tonight. Sleep tight. See you tomorrow. via
Cottage Bungalow Circa 1923
I love this tiny cottage with a front porch and an upstairs sleeping porch. I want the plan book too!
This house and plan were shown in the 1923 plan book, The Books of a Thousand Homes. It featured 500 small house plans. Most of them really were small by today's standards. This one reflects the post WWI movement away from the horizontally oriented Craftsman-style to the more modern and very romantic aesthetic of the 1920s. This particular plan was by Olsen & Urbain, Architects.
The Books of a Thousand Homes: 500 Small House Plans edited by Henry Atterbury Smith.
via ©American Vintage Home on Flickr
via ©American Vintage Home on Flickr
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Fabulous salvaged farm sink.
Repurposed, salvaged sink in a renovated Vermont kitchen. Smith and Vansant Architects. I love everything I see in this photo. via
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Antique Tartanware from Scotland
I have only owned a few pieces of Tartanware in my lifetime of collecting. I would love to have a grouping like this one to decorate my slant-front desk, wouldn't you. via
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Rare Horn Bottle Opener -- Reindeer Form
This cool bar tool with an antler handle resides on my kitchen counter and I can't remember the last time I needed his assistance in opening a bottle. I've never seen another so I think this form must be rare. Purchased years ago from the owner of an old log cabin. Finding unusual things is such a thrill, isn't it?
Friday, January 13, 2012
Patiently Waiting for Pizza
I popped a couple of Totino's frozen Party Pizzas in the oven for lunch. My mom and I love them. We always get triple cheese and add some toppings. Today I added feta cheese, green olives and the pimentos from the salad olives. The oven was preheated to 450 and I cooked them directly on the second from the bottom oven rack for 13 minutes. I used the wooden rack puller/pusher twice.
This was a perfect cold weather Friday lunch without leaving the house. Webster enjoyed a crusty bite from each of us.
This was a perfect cold weather Friday lunch without leaving the house. Webster enjoyed a crusty bite from each of us.
Two indispensible kitchen items at my cottage.
I use both of these wooden kitchen items on a daily basis. The top one is homemade and is used to pull out a hot oven rack and push it in again without burning your hand. You could easily make one yourself by carving up one of those sturdy paint stirrers, available free at The Home Depot. I got mine at a garage sale. The total length is 14 inches but it could be longer if desired.
The other item I couldn't live without is my trusty wooden toast tongs. They are great for fishing out English muffins without using a metal fork. No more danger of electrocution or burned fingers here at the cottage.
A Very Young Prince Charles and The Queen Mother
The young Prince Charles adored and was adored by his grandmother Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. We haven't had a dose of British Royalty lately and I know everyone will love this delightful vintage photo. via
Thursday, January 12, 2012
After Dinner Drinks at Mousey Hall
After a pleasant dinner with Miss Mousey, Froggy and Mr. Rat enjoy drinks and pleasant conversation. Froggy appears to be doing a little courting too. Don't you love the wonderful fireplace wall? Randolph Caldecott's illustrations always gave the animals small mansions with fine antiques and he dressed them in the finery of the day.
Webster Says
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