Thursday, March 28, 2013

Natural Egg Dyeing

image from Martha Stewart
Read the article on how to get these great colors from things like onion skins, blueberries, grape juice, spinach leaves, dill seeds and more.
via two men and a little farm

Bunny Eating Snowdrops


Is this little bunny powering up for the Easter weekend? My snowdrops have been in constant bloom since February thanks to our cold spring weather. I love these sweet harbingers of spring. via

Bathtime for Birdie

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Can You Smell the Lilacs?

Lilacs are my favorite flowering shrub. Can you smell that delightful fragrance in your mind? This is an especially lovely arrangement. via

BIRD'S NEST COOKIES FOR EASTER


Recipe here.
Simple and easy using Chow Mein noodles, butterscotch chips, and Cadbury Mini eggs.

Big Clouds Over My Cottage

Yesterday was the day of big clouds, today there are none. I took this iPhone photo on the way back from Webster's mid-day walk on a beautiful fluffy cloud afternoon. my photo

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Please Close The Gate

And that's an order from this rooster in Wales. via

Great Built-in Desk and Bookshelves

I like this home office very much. The radiator didn't prevent the owners from building around it. It's a clever use of the space, so bright and cozy. via

Whitewashed Brick Cottage


This looks pretty wonderful. A house you can grow old in is a real treasure. via

Beautiful Brickwork


I love to see decorative brickwork, another lost art in this world of rushing to get finished. via

Monday, March 25, 2013

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Day Moon

I took this photo during an afternoon walk one day this week when the moon was out in broad daylight. [my iPhone photo] Goodnight. See you tomorrow. 

Outside Perfection

I love that the grass doesn't look perfect. Makes me think real people live here. The urns with boxwood really "pop" with no shutters on the first floor. via

Bunny in her Easter Bonnet

She looks very pleased with her Easter chapeau, doesn't she. via

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Black and White Kitchen

I like the white marble on the island and the absolute black granite on the rest. It's beautiful and very workable, isn't it? I like the drop in range top and the wall ovens too. via 

Chicken + Cheese Quesadella Pie


This looks like the perfect Saturday night supper or Sunday Brunch to me. Yum. I'm posting early so you can go to the store to buy anything you don't have on hand. 

This is genius -- the crust is one 10" flour tortilla, burrito size.

I would probably use several frozen chicken breasts from Costco, cooked and shredded, of course. I always have a bag in the freezer.

Ingredients

1 (10-inch) flour tortilla (burrito size)
1 rotisserie chicken, skin discarded, meat shredded into bite-sized pieces (about 3 cups)
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
(optional) 1/3 cup drained jarred pickled jalapeños, chopped
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Grease 9-inch pie plate. Press tortilla into prepared pie plate and spray lightly with cooking spray. Toss chicken, cilantro, jalapeños (optional), 1 cup cheese, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in large bowl until combined. Spread filling over tortilla.
Whisk eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt in bowl until smooth. Slowly pour over filling, then sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until surface is golden brown, about 16-20 minutes, and when knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool 5 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve.
via: the girl who ate everything

Calico Monkey Flower - Mimulus pictus


Found only in California in the southernmost Sierra Nevada foothills alongside the Tehachapi Mountains. Seeds found here.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Bunnies

These bunnies are very excited about next weekend. via

Ping Pong with A Cat

Actually, this looks like fun. The cat is really good too. Watch on YouTube here.

Chalkboard Wall in Studio Work Space

I like this wall with a single board held up by brackets as a floating desk. It's interesting, simple and fun as well as functional. via

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Tiffany Cottage House Tour


This double decker porch is my favorite feature of Tiffany Cottage. Luxist has more photos here.

Building The Nest


I got my hair cut today and the Christmas Tree with the colored lights is still up outside the shop's front door. I told them they should take it down before Easter and they said they could not because birds are already building nests in it. I watched while I was in the chair and there was a flurry of activity. I have to go to my garage and put up some of my birdhouses. It seems awfully early, especially since we got another dusting of snow last night. But I guess the birds know best. via

A Lovely German Proverb

I've had this bookmarked for quite some time and today's the day to post it. via Pinecones and Acorns

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

OMG Flowers


These delightful little flowers are plain on the outside and like miniature paintings on the inside. I don't know what they are but I love them! via

Repurposed Tin Tub Sink


This is such a great idea for a laundry room sink, isn't it? The cutout for the backsplash is perfect for this location. I would love to see more of this delightful room. via

Garage Sale Bowl Brings Big Bucks

You simply must read this 'hot off the press' blog post from I'm So Vintage

How much do you think this $3.00 tag sale bowl that was made in China is worth?

Can you believe it? WOW. I have to go look at the garage sale dish my cat is using.

Here is the link from the Sotheby's Catalog showing 3 different views including the bottom.

Workbench Desk


I like this old workbench converted to a desk. You never know when you might need a vice to work things out! This would be a great space for a bookbinder. via

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Sunset on the snow


This is probably a sunrise but I'm calling it a sunset because that's the time of day right now. The sun has started going down and it won't be long now until dusk. I had a busy, busy, busy day and I'm glad day is done. I can almost hear someone playing Taps on a trumpet in the distance. via

Another Snow Day Today


"I thought you said Spring was tomorrow," Webster grumbled. We got about 3 inches of this white stuff topped by some sleet. Our little French bulldog house guest wants no part of putting his paws in it so I'm letting him sleep in. I'm not looking forward to going outside either but I must later. Do you think the groundhog was wrong this year?

Monday, March 18, 2013

Our Taxes are Finally Finished

I worked for 3 hours on Saturday and over 3 hours on Sunday on my taxes and today I mailed them to my accountant. Webster helped and so did Tabitha. Piggie napped in his crate so I could get my work done. I am so happy. I actually set the timer on my iPhone for the 3 hour self-imposed timeouts. They worked too. I was determined to wrap them up and I did. 

Irish Wolfhound Doorstop Displayed

I have more doorstops than I have doors. This one is very heavy and I never got around to putting felt on the bottom so I display it up high where I can enjoy it at eye level. It's on top of an old lingerie chest with clean lines that is covered in sheet music that I got years ago at a tag sale. I love the way this painted dog looks with the lamplight shining on it.