Double Mailboxes - Do Want

Here is your smile for the day! This is so clever, isn't it? Love it. Today's News: US Postal Service plans to end Saturday mail delivery by August 2013. Article here.

photo via

Rustic Cabin with Fireplace

This looks so enticing, doesn't it? I love the red leather club chairs and the stone raised hearth fireplace. I think that's a big desk on the left. Isn't this the best study ever? via pinterest

Coffee First

Rise Up and Attack the Day with COFFEE and enthusiasm is more like it here at the cottage. via

Shingle Style Home with Porches

Love the recessed porch upstairs. I would pick that room to be my own, wouldn't you? via

Snow on the Rooftops

Snow on a mansion.

Snow in a village.

We still have snow on the ground and today is supposed to feel very cold because of the wind chill factor. My house is cozy and the coffee is hot. Life is good! via

Downton Abbey or Super Bowl Tonight?

You know what I'll be watching, don't you?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading an interview with 63 year old Julian Fellowes, the creator and writer of "Downton Abbey" in the WSJ. The interview is entitled: The Anti-Snobbery of 'Downton Abbey'

drawing by Ken Falin via The Wall Street Journal

His full title in real life is: Baron Fellowes of West Stafford, Lord of the Manor of Tattershall, Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset. He is properly addressed as Lord Fellowes.

Thank you, Lord Fellowes. I'm a huge fan of your creation!

Winter Snowscape

I woke up to an inch or so of snow this morning. Tabitha didn't want to put her paws in it so I had to literally throw her out. Webster always wants to go out no matter what the weather. He woke me this morning with loud barking. When I looked out the window I saw the fox in the way back hunting for food. Everybody's back inside and we are looking forward to a lazy Sunday morning after a very busy Saturday. Enjoy yours too. xo

photo source

Wonderful Country Bathroom

For those with no modesty. Look if you dare, I don't care! via

Cat Pets Sheep

Good morning Mr. Sheep. Isn't this the perfect image to greet the weekend? Have a good one. via

Carpenter Gothic Cottage - Artist's Studio

This small 19th-century white clapboard house in Bangall, NY doesn’t look like a workplace, but the jewelry designer Gabriella Kiss’s studio is located inside. You are in for a real treat. There is a wonderful slideshow of the inside compliments of The New York Times. via

More Please

Webster always carries his bowl around with him if he has just finished eating a particularly delicious breakfast or supper and wants more. This photo was taken after breakfast yesterday. He had leftover vegetable soup on top of his kibble.

Fermo Italy Public Library Globe Room

Have you ever seen a better globe in a better setting? You could get lost in this room. via

Portland Bungalow

Portland home by architect Brian Hanlen -- house plan details here.

Elephant in Golden Light

Golden Pachyderm by Morkel Erasmus Click image to enlarge. Gorgeous photo of a gorgeous animal.

Wonderful Oscar-Nominated Animated Romantic Video

This is the most charming thing I've seen in ages.

PAPERMAN is a full length short film from Disney Studios. I promise you will love it. Chick here if you can't see it on my blog. This will be the best six minutes of your day. Read more about this Oscar Nominated film here.

Boat House

Love the oar handles on the doors. via

Spruce Bough in Fog

I took this photo this morning after a walk in the fog and mist. Webster and Tabitha went with me as usual. We are pretty worried about the coming storm bringing hard rain and wind overnight. We got a bulletin from the town in our email saying they are going to be in emergency mode along with the power company. They want people to secure things that might blow away like garbage can lids and snow shovels. I hope we don't lose power again. See you tomorrow. 

Tip #3 from Tabitha the Cottage Cat

Never admit your guilt. Always feign innocence.

Potted Plants Inside

I love the rustic table just inside this conservatory. There are no saucers underneath any of the pots so maybe it's faux bois. It looks like real wood to me though. Photo from a slideshow at House to Home in an article about 10 decorating ideas to energize your home.

Toasty Toes

My toes were very toasty on Sunday night. I lit a fire late in the afternoon and tended it until it was time to jump in bed and watch Downton Abbey on the flatscreen in the bedroom. The last glowing embers had just slipped beneath the grate when I put the fire screen back in place before closing down the living room. I'll be tucking in early tonight as soon as I clean up the dirty dishes. I've already walked Webster. It was raining very hard at the end of our walk. Tabitha was with us too and the animals were both soaked. Luckily I had my umbrella. See you tomorrow. xo

my photo, my feet

DIY Origami Heart Page Markers

I love these origami hearts to mark your place in a book. Tuck a few inside any Valentine's Day cards you give or mail. Especially great for avid readers.

Here's the finished product marking a page corner. Full tutorial from How About Orange.

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!

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.

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.

Seed Saving Envelope to Print

My original post featuring this envelope can be viewed here.

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

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