Yesterday's snow looked exactly like rock salt.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Prince Charles Quietly Takes Charge
HRH Prince Charles in Birkhall, the private residence of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall in Scotland. photographs by Nadav Kander for TIME
Read short article here. I must look for this magazine at the library. I love Prince Charles.
An Apple A Day
This looks like a good one, doesn't it? It's ripening on the tree in England. via
We had a dusting of snow this morning and it's a very gray day.
Guess who doesn't care?
Monday, November 11, 2013
Delightful Cottage on the Water
Lovely setting, beautifully landscaped. Don't you wish we could go inside?
Steven Gambrel, designer.Today is Veterans' Day
Click here if you can't see the video below.
Roger Waters and the Wounded Warrior Band featuring LCpl Tim Donley. Roger Waters lost both his father and grandfather to war. This heroic performance is so very moving. Really, there are no words. Wounded, but not broken. Watch another video about the history behind this band here.
Sleeping with a Spotted Cow
Webster was so happy last night when I brought his spotted cow down from the third floor. It makes a perfect pillow for the wonder dog who is an expert at getting comfortable.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Rosemary Potato Kale Tart
Rosemary Potato Kale Tart with Ricotta and Parm
Click here for the recipe that makes one 9" tart.
YUM. This looks like a great chilly November Sunday night supper, doesn't it?
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Sherlock on PBS
As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm very excited that Sherlock will be following Downton Abbey in January. I've watched Season I and will watch the final episode of Season II tonight.
Have you seen it? It's a wonderful series. I don't know why I didn't watch it the first time around but I can't wait for Season III.
I'm posting the free links I used to watch the series below the photo in case you want to catch up too. I tried watching on my laptop but the annoying ads kept playing out loud while the program was running several times. SO, I emailed the links to myself and watched on my iPad. Problem solved. Full screen viewing is recommended. I LOVE this series!!!
Have you seen it? It's a wonderful series. I don't know why I didn't watch it the first time around but I can't wait for Season III.
I'm posting the free links I used to watch the series below the photo in case you want to catch up too. I tried watching on my laptop but the annoying ads kept playing out loud while the program was running several times. SO, I emailed the links to myself and watched on my iPad. Problem solved. Full screen viewing is recommended. I LOVE this series!!!
Sherlock, Season One, Episode 1 - A Study in Pink
Sherlock, Season One, Episode 2 - The Blind Banker
Sherlock, Season One, Episode 3 - The Great Game
Sherlock, Season Two, Episode 1 - A Scandal in Belgravia
Sherlock, Season Two, Episode 2 - The Hounds of Baskerville
Sherlock, Season Two, Episode 3 - The Reichenbach Fall
Antique Farmhouse with Metal Roof
An historic dutch colonial house in Ghent, New York, has an antique standing seam metal roof in black. James Dixon Architect matched the roofing material on the addition they designed
I've always loved standing seam metal roofs. This addition is very seamless, isn't it? I was very interested in the architect's statement about metal roofs: "Because of its durability, metal roofs make a great 'green' choice. Shake roofs are lovely, but the material available today only lasts about ten years or so, compared to thirty-plus for metal." I know his statement about shake roofs is right because I have two friends with hand-cut cedar shake roofs that have been replaced or need to be replaced in fewer than 10 years. I find this quite shocking, especially since these wooden roofs are so expensive.
Here is the link for a great article on standing seam metal roofs. The house above is the third one down. If I ever have to replace my roof, I'll certainly consider a metal one.
The Anatomy of Apple Pies
Click here to see the large version of this photo by Michael Graydon. Apples are just about my favorite things about fall and this year they are especially delicious. My crisper drawer is full of honey crisps at the moment. Have a great weekend.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Leaves, Leaves, Everywhere
But not so much when they completely cover my lower driveway. I had to grab my down jacket this morning because it's very chilly. The dog and cat have both gone back to bed for a morning nap and I wish I could too. Actually, I could but will save mine until later. I can hear my rake calling me but I'm ignoring the voice in my head for now. I think I'll clean out my fireplace instead.
Breakfast is On the Way
I always put my eggs in cold water and bring them to a boil. Then I put on the lid and turn off the burner. In ten minutes they are perfect. Webster thinks that's too long to wait. I think I'll have mine sliced on top of a piece of buttered toast. Yum. I have no idea why I'm up so early but it's nice. See you later.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
A Few Minutes Between Photos
Webster was enjoying an after-breakfast survey of his domain on the balcony checking out the flocks of blackbirds that were flying around everywhere. As you can see, I mowed yesterday afternoon and did a double duty job of cutting grass and crunching/blowing the leaves. My driveway is still covered though and will require hand raking.
Moments after we came inside, it started to rain. I've always found wet leaves are much easier to rake than dry ones so tomorrow I shall do the driveway. Today is a good day for never-ending inside chores and maybe a movie. I have several TV shows to catch up on too. I searched around the internet and have successfully watched season one of Sherlock and enjoyed it very much. I hope I can find season two as well (free) because I just learned that the series starring Benedict Cumberbatch will be following Downton Abbey in January.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Perhaps the World's Largest Cabbage
It's so perfect and beautiful, isn't it?
A little boy is dwarfed by a supersized cabbage in Matanuska Valley, Alaska, July 1959. Photo by THOMAS J. ABERCROMBIE for NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC. Click here to see the full-sized photo for maximum impact!
Lovely Woodland Fabrics
I love this fabric with original designs from nature. See more examples in Golly Bard's photostream on Flickr. I would love to have some draperies using any and all of these designs, wouldn't you?
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Nice Family Entrance
I can't see the door but it's probably solid so I like the full side light. There is probably another one on the other side for symmetry, right? I forgot to tell you I took Webster to an open house I was hosting on Sunday and he was absolutely miserable. The house had no place for him to sit and look outside. Here at the cottage, he has 2 French doors and 2 very low windows in the living room. One of the windows is over his bed. In the attic he has a bed in front of one of the eyebrow windows that is almost at floor level. When he goes downstairs with me to do laundry, he can sit in front of a sliding glass door so he is covered on all levels. He couldn't understand how anyone could live otherwise. When he finally got home he ran to his bed and just collapsed. He usually loves going to other people's houses with me but the one on Sunday did NOT get his seal of approval. via
A Long Blade of Grass in Bright Sun
How boring, you say? I was pretty excited that my new iPhone was able to capture this back-lit reed of tall grass in the wetlands. I'm so glad I got the space gray one with the black screen on front and black around the camera lens to prevent light leaks just as I hoped it would. My old white one had that problem. It's pretty chilly outside today as I discovered when I went out on my balcony to check on a blanket I washed late yesterday. I threw it over the railing to dry and this morning it was frozen as stiff as a board. I must look for my mittens before I take my walk after breakfast.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Some of my Favorite Things
A brass trivet with a Tudor Rose in the center, antique scissors in a brass art nouveau case, a Union Jack note pad (Christmas Gift from Victoria) and a mechanical pencil for notes.
They live atop a couple of nesting mid-century modern tables in front of my sofa. Notice Webster's leg sticking out near the tabletop dog. This is my command center. My Macbook is on another table on my right, along side the TV remote and the remote for my Bose radio. I should have rearranged the items in the second photo. I squished them close together for the first picture.
A Peek into a Wonderful Room
The trim color in the hall looks very much like my Bennington Grey here at the cottage. I love this peek into a wonderful living room. I really want a pair of leather tuxedo love seats like this one but haven't been able to find them yet. So many of my friends who live in old houses have gotten weary of repairing the peeling plaster on their ceilings and have covered them with wooden planks like the ceiling in this room. It's the perfect solution, isn't it? Happy Monday. via
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Keep Telling Yourself This
As we adjust to the new time and darkness descends so much earlier than we would like, try to remember this quote. It's only a little after five o'clock and it's already nearly dark. I must hurry and feed the wonder dog so we can walk without turning on the spot lights out back. via
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