Keep Calm and Drink Tea

Watch the weather and drink tea, isn't that what you're doing? It started snowing a little over an hour ago and it's too dark to see it coming down without the spotlights on. So I'll just have a cup of tea, go to bed and cover my head, and hope for the best in the morning. via

Countdown to Downton Abbey

Only 3 more days.

Anna fishes for a toy duck as little Sybbie and daddy Tom Branson look on. I have already set my DVR for Sunday's 2-hour premier of Season 4. Can't wait! I just looked at the countdown clock and it's 3 days, 7 hours, 47 minutes exactly. moving image found here

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 57

I'm glad I started these Instruction Book pages up again, especially in the morning when I'm still half asleep. The winter storm watch is on in my area. Today isn't supposed to be too bad but the hours between sundown and sunup are supposed to be pretty bad. I hope my snow plow man won't come until it's all finished in the daylight hours. Be safe wherever you are today and tomorrow.

A Vintage New Year's Greeting

The sentiment on this vintage card still works. Wishing you all good things.

 via

January 1, 2014

Happy New Year everyone from my cottage to yours. Mine is off to a good start with everything neat and tidy hoping to be able to maintain this all year long. It seems to take every fiber of my being to "keep house" as it is not my strong suit. It's really not that hard if you put things away as you use them but I have a tendency towards messiness. They say it takes 28 days to start a habit so we'll see how January goes. I already have one new habit that is a healthy one. I started eating a raw green salad everyday back in November and have successfully carried it through December. Sometimes I wilt the greens and eat them hot. I am also eating grated raw beets and loving them. After all, your health is your wealth. Those are my New Year's resolutions -- be neater and eat healthy. Good luck with yours. I liked the two vintage postcards shown above found on Google Images. xo

Happy New Year 2014

I love a good fireworks display, don't you? I posted this exploding ball on July 4th and it's perfect for New Year's Eve too. Have a lovely last night of 2013.

The Morning of New Year's Eve

I went food shopping yesterday after I cleaned out my refrigerator and forgot to buy black-eyed peas to eat on New Year's Day with cornbread and greens. Do you have a tradition of eating anything special on the first day of the year? My meal is very Southern - history here.

An Irish Blessing

I had a pretty busy day and am getting ready to climb into bed for some TV viewing. I thought this Irish Blessing was perfect day's end. See you tomorrow. 

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 56

More fatherly advice.

Melting Evergreen

Almost all of the snow has melted around here except for a little bit here and there that's waiting for more later in the week. I want to clean out my refrigerator and get all new food for the new year. Doesn't that sound like a good idea? Webster is almost out of kibble so he will get a new bag for 2014. Wow, that's the first time I have typed next year's date and it's right around the corner too. I don't have snow on my spruce trees today -- I took this photo a while back. See you later.

Karin Blake: Her Malibu California Home is On The Market

Interior designer Karin Blake's Malibu, CA residence is for sale. Her two bedroom / two bath cottage with a pool is located across the street from the ocean. $3,795,000.

All images from Architectural Digest.

Rainy Day

It just started raining and I haven't walked Webster yet so I guess I'll have to go out in it. Why didn't I do it earlier so I wouldn't have to put on rain gear? Too busy being lazy, I guess. Hope you are having a lazy Sunday too. 

Lovely Christmas Tree and Wreath

I love the tree and wreath in green and red against the paneled door. via

I just saw an ad for one of my favorite programs on PBS. Call The Midwife is having a Holiday Special tomorrow night from 7:30 - 9:00. Details and short video here.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Pages 54 and 55

I told you I would post more!

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 53

More sage advice from a father to a son. It's been too long since I posted from this book -- over a year. I will post weekly until this volume is finished. I'm working hard on #695 trying to get my upstairs office in order. It has been too long since I gave this space my attention. My big PC is up here and it contains all my files for posts like this and my Photoshop editing software. I've been working downstairs from my laptop and neglecting my desktop. I know everyone will be happy to see Life's Instruction Book once again. I'm getting a jump on my New Year's Resolutions. 

Astronaut Chris Hadfield sings - Space Oddity

A revised version of David Bowie's Space Oddity, recorded by Commander Chris Hadfield on board the International Space Station. Click here if you can't see the video below. He has got to be the coolest astronaut ever.

I was listening to Chris being interviewed on NPR today promoting his new book, "An Astronaut's View of Life on Earth". I have only heard clips of his now famous performance of the David Bowie classic - Space Oddity. Over 19 million people have viewed it so far and now we have too.

Watch the original 1969 video by David Bowie below.

A Tall Drink of Water

Tabitha will only drink water from Webster's dish. I think she likes it because it's nice and tall and she doesn't have to bend over to drink from it. If the water level gets too low, she lets me know. If it gets empty, Webster brings it to me for a refill. 

I worked upstairs for a long time yesterday trying to make sense of the attic again and I can see light at the end of the tunnel already. Today I must shred papers for tomorrow's recycling. I will set the timer on my iPhone and spend another hour up there this morning. See you later.

My Paperwhites

My paperwhites are beautiful and I'm loving the way they act as a natural room freshener. Some people think their scent is overpowering but I like them. 

Ice Skating and An Open Fire

via What could be better than ice skating in the snow with your friends

via and then warming up before an open fire?

Lazy Day after Christmas

Here's hoping you don't have to work today and were able to sleep a little later than usual, as I did.

Webster doesn't like having a late breakfast. He's always famished and likes to eat early.

They have both eaten and gone outside and have now gone back to bed.

Are you enjoying the day after Christmas too? I have always loved this day and I'm looking forward to spending it indoors puttering around the cottage. 

Today is "Boxing Day" in England and Canada. I always pictured men in boxing gloves and never understood this holiday until today. It seems that the servants who had to work on Christmas had the day after Christmas as their day off and their employers presented them with boxes of presents when they departed. Thus, it became known as Boxing Day. How nice! I wonder if we will see this played out on Downton Abbey?