Webster is ready to call it a day and so am I. We had the plumber here today and all went well. He will be back when the part he had to order comes in. It's so nice to have all my faucets working nicely without dripping. I had most of them turned off entirely. The furnace has been checked and serviced and it was fine. Webster and I are taking care of Henry, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel and he went to bed long ago. We have worn him out completely. The house is being power washed tomorrow so I guess the painting will start next week. This week I've had electricians, a plumber and a gutter repair person who knows what must be done but hasn't started yet. My punch list is slowly shrinking. Yay. Good night. We'll see you tomorrow.
Friday, September 20, 2013
The Leaves Are Falling All Around
The autumn leaves are falling
Yellow, Brown and Red
They patter softly like the rain
One landed on my head.
But when the sleep of winter comes
They settle down to rest
And Mother Nature tucks them in
with snow
As she thinks best.
That was the first poem my brother had to memorize in first grade and I helped him learn it. For some reason, I've always remembered it. My mother remembered it too and we would recite it together every fall. image source
Classic Deep Dish Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Fall and Pumpkin Pie are perfect together. I love the oak leaf and acorn cutouts made from piecrust scraps on this one.
1 Tbs. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
2 cups pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup milk
Pre-baked and cooled deep-dish piecrust (Click here for recipe.)
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 375ºF.
Photo and Recipe from Williams Sonoma
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar1 Tbs. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
2 cups pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup milk
Pre-baked and cooled deep-dish piecrust (Click here for recipe.)
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 375ºF.
In a bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Add the pumpkin, eggs, cream and milk and whisk to combine.
Pour the filling into the pre-baked piecrust and bake until the center is set, 60 to 65 minutes, covering the edges of the crust with aluminum foil after 30 minutes if they brown too quickly.
Transfer the pie to a wire rack and let cool completely, at least 2 hours, before serving. Serves 10.
Williams-Sonoma Recipe Kitchen.
To add a fanciful finish to this pumpkin pie, use decorative cutters to create autumnal shapes from rolled-out pie dough. If desired, use the tip of a paring knife to create details on the cutouts, such as veins on the leaves. Then bake the cutouts and place them on the baked and cooled pie. When preparing this pie, be sure to use a deep-dish pie dish.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Perfect Porch with Fireplace
WOW, some of my favorite things all in one place. Woolen blankets, a covered porch, and an open fire in a proper raised-hearth fireplace instead of a pit. What a great spot to rock and read and enjoy the outdoors while warming yourself. YES. via
Chestnuts
My driveway is full of chestnuts. I've always wondered why they grow in such a dangerous and painfully prickly package. Anytime I see Webster limping this time of year, I know he must have stepped on one. He usually avoids this side of the house entirely until they have all fallen and been raked in a big pile. I've been picking up the loose ones for roasting later. When I have on thick leather gloves, I'll pick up the ones still in the pods. They are very messy trees to have as close to your house as mine is. Earlier in the year it dropped tassels on my roof and filled up the gutters. Grumble, grumble.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Webster's Sofa Bed
He sleeps here every night. He thinks I don't know.
I hear his feet hit the floor just after mine do in the other room.
Tonight I put a blanket there for him. He was surprised, but thrilled. Good Night, Everyone. I'm getting ready to tuck in too. I hope I can stay awake for tonight's episode of Broadchurch on BBC America.
An Amazing Lake House
Is this a dream? Have you ever seen anything more beautiful? Some people are beach people, preferring the ocean, and some people are mountain people, loving a lake. I honestly haven't had that much beach experience in my life. I didn't even see the ocean until I was in the 4th grade. We always went to the mountains. I have fond memories of cabins and waterfalls and I think this scene looks absolutely heavenly. via
A Great Place to Sit and Enjoy Fall
I have never turned on my heat in September but I was tempted to break my rule this morning. Wouldn't this be a great place to sit and enjoy watching the fall colors come and go? via
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Newborn Animal Friends
A kitten and a puppy named Noland snuggle up together. A mother cat, already caring for four newborn kittens, is now nursing this orphaned week-old pit bull puppy. (AP Photo/Cleveland Animal Protective League) More sweet animal photos here.
photo source
A woman surveys a treacherous mountain pass in the Pyrenees of France, 1956 - Photograph by Justin Locke, National Geographic. Doesn't this take your breath away? I think we are so fortunate these days to have better equipment to take care of the snow. I'm so lucky to live on a county road that is plowed around the clock. I'm having my furnace serviced for the winter on Friday. I still have visions in my head of getting stuck in the snow on a pretty regular basis when I was young and we lived in Pennsylvania. Do people even use chains on their tires these days? What are you doing to get ready for winter?
Monday, September 16, 2013
Cheerful Kitchen Behind Pocket Doors
It's nice to see pocket doors again instead of sliding barn doors, isn't it? I love this cheerful small pantry kitchen with open shelves and checkerboard floor. via
My exterior painting hasn't started yet but I've been busy with trades people working inside. All of my electrical problems have been solved inside and out. Plumber is coming on Friday. Progress is being made.
It's Easy Being Green
What a lovely small dining room! The shades of moss and sage green are very pleasing and soothing, aren't they? via
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Grand Old Brass Plumbing Fixtures
Yes, yes, yes, I love these. I wish I could see the whole tub so I could understand the recessed area. via
One Color to Pop
This is a very pleasing accent color in an otherwise all white interior. I like the brown leather tuxedo sofa in the other room too. Larger version of this cottage farmhouse entry here.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
The Wonder Dog Sleeps
Friday, September 13, 2013
Blaise Hamlet Cottages, Bristol England
This must be Rose Cottage.
I've never even heard of this hamlet but now I must go. Blaise Hamlet is a hamlet in north-west Bristol England, composed of a complex of small cottages around a green. They were built around 1811 for retired employees of Quaker banker and philanthropist John Scandrett Harford, who owned Blaise Castle House. The hamlet was designed by John Nash, master of the Picturesque style. He had worked for Harford on other buildings. The cottages are now owned by the National Trust. They are still occupied and not open to the public, but the ensemble may be viewed from the outside. All the cottages, and the sundial on the green (which is accessible to the public), are Grade I listed buildings. Rose Cottage is now rented out by the National Trust as a holiday cottage. image source
There is a composit of all the cottages HERE on Flickr.
What a wonderful man John Harford must have been. The whole concept gives me goose bumps, and knowing he carried it out is simply wonderful. This must be one of the most charming places in all of England. Have a great weekend.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Nicely Appointed Kitchen Shelves
Very nice. Wish I could see the rest. via
Update: More photos of this kitchen from
A Country Farmhouse
Thanks, everyone!
Double Decker Sun Porches
What a great setting. The landscaping is beautiful and there's so little grass to mow. I love the stacked sun porches too. Two thumbs up! via
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Downton Abbey Season 4 Preview
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