Corn Muffins with Cheddar Cheese

I baked muffins to take to my office meeting this morning. I put strips of good cheddar cheese in each cup after pouring in the batter so I wouldn't have to bring a stick of butter. They were so good. I didn't have enough batter for the two empty cups. This blue enamel cast iron pan always cooks anything to perfection. It looks black in this photo but it's a beautiful blue with white spatters. I had forgotten all about having it until I discovered it this week when I was organizing the pantry. It has been raining since noon and I was able to take a nice nap after lunch. 

Brick Cottage with Stream and Snow

Yes, please! I would love to wake up in such a place, wouldn't you? The architectural details are wonderful. I would sleep in the room under the peak with the decorative brickwork. via

Library with Brown Leather Sofa

This is a very wonderful room. via

Dan Stevens AKA Matthew Crawley -- Why he left.

Those of you still reeling from the season finale of Downton Abbey will want to read this article about why Season 3 ended so tragically. Spoiler Alert...Don't read if you haven't seen the last episode yet.

As you can see this article is dated December 2012. It was his idea to quit the show. It was a bold move on his part and what was Julian Fellowes to do other than write him out? I think he should have stayed until the show was over, don't you? Unfortunately I read this article when it was written and it was a spoiler for me. From now on, I will try not to read anything about Season 4 in advance. It would have been so much better to be as shocked about the ending as most of you were.

Photo: Paul Stuart - Camera Press

Of course this could all backfire and people will hold his quitting against him and decide not to follow his career. Just a thought. I think he's on Broadway in a play right now. Wonder how it's doing?

Recap of the episode from The Wall Street Journal.

The Great Escape

This vintage photo made me laugh. I just watched Maggie Smith being interviewed on 60 Minutes. Now I am getting ready for the Season Finale of Downton Abbey tonight. It's two hours, thank goodness. Can't wait. Enjoy!!!

Old Woman Who Lived in A Shoe's House

Shoe House, Mpumalanga, South Africa via

All in A Day's Work

So sweet. Dogs are such great helpers. Isn't this a great image to wake up to on a Sunday morning? Enjoy. via

Elegant Kitchen

Jackye Lanham Design, Atlanta GA

This is a very elegant kitchen, isn't it? I love all the antique accessories, especially the silver food domes, serving trays, pepper pots and tea caddies in the cubbies at the end of the island. As I mentioned earlier, I spent two whole days this week polishing silver. There is nothing more beautiful than newly polished antique silver. The pewter chargers on the wall are nice too. This is a beautiful cook's kitchen! Click photo to enlarge. Have a great weekend.

Snow and Sun Rays at My Cottage

This is a recent iPhone photo of my balcony and back property earlier in the week. I love photos with sun rays!

Goat Castle

HaHa. These goats must love this! Have a great weekend! This goat tower is located in Portugal. history here

White Aga Cooker

This one doesn't have the pipe connected in the wall. I like the simplicity of it. via

Somewhere in Vermont

We still have snow on the ground in New Jersey and we got much more than they did in Vermont. This is a beautiful country scene with sun, clouds, and new fallen snow. It's very mild here today--almost 50 degrees. Tabitha has been outside eating grass qne Webster is napping on his sheepskin. I'm going to wake him up for a mid-day walk and he will be thrilled! I was out early this morning before 8am for a real estate walk through and he missed his after-breakfast walk. See you later. 

Antique Fraktur Valentine circa 1800

Valentine
Courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia
Love Letter (Liebesbrief)
Decorator: Anonymous
Scrivener: Anonymous
Creation Place:
State/Province: [Pennsylvania]
Note: Based on design characteristics
Creation Date: ca. 1800

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered. This document is a square sheet of paper that is folded into a star. The text and drawings are on both sides of the sheet. The areas that are visible on the folded paper are decorated with text, hearts, flowers and a small cross. One of the hearts is pierced by an arrow. The measurements refer to the unfolded paper.

Transcription:
1 \ My Dearest Dear and blest divine \
I’ve pictured here your heart and mine.
2 \ But Cupid with her Cruel dart \
Has deeply pierced my tender heart
3 \ And has between us set Across \
Which makes me to lament my loss
4 \ But I’m in hopes when that is gone \
That both our hearts will be in one

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

These are some of my favorite posts from previous Day of Hearts. Don't eat too much candy today. xo

Cute Dog Sweater

Cute dog too. He looks very proud to be wearing such a great sweater. Isn't it fun to spoil your pet? via

Books Welcome You.

Isn't this is a great quote about books? via

Playing House

I moved my bargain shelf to a new location in the living room and staged the shelves over the weekend. Much happier now. I polished all of my silver trophies too. Slowly but surely, I'm getting things spiffy again! The black tole lampshade for my candlestick lamp is a new acquisition. I think it's perfect, don't you. I was thrilled to find it for $3.00! [my photo]

Tabitha Says Hello

Her eyes look so much greener when she's stretched out on a apple green cashmere sweater in the bedroom. She has the best taste. 

[my iphone photo]

Log Cabin in the Snow

This looks like the perfect place to be snowed in, doesn't it? via

Beatrix Potter Original Drawing: The Mice Hear Simpkin Outside

click image to enlarge

This delightful ink and watercolor on paper circa 1902 is in the Tate Gallery in London. Simpkin is the Tailer of Gloucester's cat. He rescued these mice from under a teacup where Simpkin had hidden them and out of gratitude they are helping him finish a waistcoat for the mayor's wedding on Christmas Day. Beatrix Potter based her story on a true happening in Gloucester...read more here.
The Tate has 22 of Beatrix Potter's illustrations from her second book which she declared was her favorite. They were presented to the museum in 1946 by the artist's executor .. read more here.
Read the entire book free online compliments of Project Gutenberg eBook

Bird in Bad Weather

It is very sloppy outside today. It is drizzling rain on top of the snow. This photo reminds me that I must pick up some bird seed after my dental appointment this morning. via

The Icicles are Gone.

 

These long icicles quickly melted this morning. At one point the sky was almost navy blue. What a change from yesterday. Mother Nature can be so fickle.

NOTE: Downton Abbey is two hours long tonight. Set your DVR accordingly. Can't wait!

my iphone photo

Chanhassen Cottage -- Office for Two

Traditional Home Office design by Minneapolis Design-build Highmark Builders

Chanhassen Cottage: Click for a complete tour. This office for two is very nice. I'll take the side with the full window so I can daydream instead of working on my taxes.

Sunday Morning Blues

Fooled you, didn't I? There is nothing sad about this delightful scene and it would be the perfect place to spend a nice Sunday morning. I have always loved big blue and white checks in wool. Enjoy your day. via

I Agree.

Tell that to the economists. I love this Bill Hicks quote. via

Aftermath of the Snow at My Cottage

My backyard this morning thru the screen on the bedroom window.

Tabitha's way of dealing with deep snow. I'm still in my pajamas thinking more seriously about getting out in this white stuff soon. Webster is fast asleep in a sunny spot on my bed. We are all lazy together. See you later.

Snow on My Sundial

This is just outside my front door. It is rather protected from the wind here so this is the best representation of the snow we got overnight and all day yesterday. We were in the area that was supposed to get between 6 and 12 inches. I think we got less than a foot. Hooray.

I was awakened at 5am to an unknown noise that might have been a falling tree but it was just my snowplow man scraping my driveway. The worst is over and there are patches of blue in the sky.

People in Connecticut and Long Island got 30+ inches. Mother Nature has been somewhat kind to my area and I am thankful. 

Here is my sundial earlier this year with melted snow on top.

Stay warm and take it easy if you have to shovel snow. xo

Snowy Commute

This looks like a delightful place to shop and wait for the train, doesn't it? Be careful going home today. Bring home everything you could possibly need for a weekend blizzard. via

Just Enough Snow

So far, so good. This beautiful photo shows the perfect amount of snow. Supposedly the worst will happen overnight. I'm ready for whatever Mother Nature brings. via

Baby Hippo and Old Tortoise

This brings tears to my eyes. Everybody needs a friend! via

An English Spring

We are getting ready for the worst snowstorm of the season so far. By ignoring it and posting about spring, maybe I can head it off or at least lessen the severity. Cupboards are stocked, firewood is stacked, all electronics are charged, and I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I'm nervous about the high winds though. As long as we don't lose power I'll be fine. Cross your fingers for me and I'll cross mine for you if you're getting ready for it too. via

Abraham Lincoln Quote about Roses

I choose to rejoice. via