More about Dan Stevens a.k.a. Matthew Crawley

"Downton Abbey" star and British heartthrob Dan Stevens is also the editor-at-large of Junket, a literary quarterly he co-founded.

WSJ image by Fred Harper

Okay, I think I forgive him now and wish him well after reading this rather in-depth article in the WSJ. I did not know he was a scholar and strives to feed his heart and head equally. I did not know he and his wife have two young sons. I did not know he was the elder of two boys adopted by a pair of teachers or that he attended the prestigious Tonbridge School on scholarship. One of his sideline gigs provided Mr. Stevens with the credentials to be chosen as one of five judges for the 2012 Man Booker Prize, the much-vaunted award given annually to the best novel written in English by a citizen of the British Commonwealth and Ireland. Read more A Dan For All Seasons . . . 

Dream Bifold Windows over Kitchen Sink

Have.You.Ever? These are definitely my dream windows in a world without bugs. Actually I don't have much of a bug problem so maybe this would be fine without a screen. I never see flies. Just an occasional wasp or bee and sometimes mosquitoes get in the house and buzz around my head at night. Tabitha would want more of a windowsill so she could sit and look out and sun herself. Photo found here.

Shadows on My Antiquarian Books

The mid-afternoon sun was shining so nicely through the living room window on my bookcase. I love all of my fine leather bindings. The bookcase is pictured on my sidebar. [my photo]

I can't get enough.

Jess the Springer Spaniel feeds an orphaned lamb. Now we know this amazing dog's name. via

Feeding the Lamb in Action

Awwww.               via

Pictorial Recipe for Corn Muffins w/ Cheddar Cheese

Recipe requested by JudyMac.

 

 

 

 

A real southerner would NEVER put sugar in cornbread! I used soymilk. Each muffin had 1/4 slice cheese pieces broken up and inserted randomly. I buy these wonderful thick slices at Costco. Nothing is easier to make from scratch than cornbread but I always use this Indian Head mix (family owned and operated since 1913). It is very inexpensive, something like $1.29 for a whole bag. I used olive oil--added to the batter. I sprayed the muffin cups with grapeseed spray oil because it is tasteless and can stand high heat. You can make a pan of cornbread and use 2 slices of cheese.

Round Brick Cottage

I have been attracted lately to brick cottages and this is the BEST one yet!!!!!!  Don't you love the windows that go all the way to the ground, the pointed roof and four dormers? I would buy this without even seeing the inside or knowing the location. DO WANT! Please call me if it's for sale. via

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