Gorgeous Fireplace Garland

This is breathtakingly beautiful. Dried oranges and kumquats brighten a garland of olive boughs. Photo: @sanganphotography; Design: @putnamflowers via

New House Love

It's bigger than it looks in this side view.

Interesting roof line.

Family room is part of the kitchen.

Kitchen view.

All the lights on for a dusk view.

View more photos and an article here.

POLHEMUS SAVERY DASILVA
Architects-Builders East Harwich MA

Wreath on Farmhouse Door

I love this old door decorated with a vine and wildflower wreath. I wonder if the recession behind the wreath opens somehow from the inside to check who's calling? Look closely, there's a lit Christmas tree inside. via

Sweetest Cottage

So charming. I like it! via

Have a great weekend.

Wonderful Bedroom for Two Boys

Another celebrity couple are featured in a July 2017 post in Architectural Digest. This is my favorite room, shared by two young brothers. The caption below the photo in the article (link is fixed) mentions the source of all decorator items except the elephants quilts, which make the room. Sadly, since publication, the couple is no longer together. 

I made a delicious broccoli soup late yesterday garnished with leftovers. I had it for breakfast this morning and it was a delicious way to start my day. xo

Three Safe Turkeys

Three three are celebrating their victory with a walk down the road. via

Happy Thanksgiving to Each of You

I made this long ago from a crest in my Royal Book of Crests and I post it every year.

Perfect cookies for Thanksgiving.

See more of my old Thanksgiving posts here.

Origami Elephant

A little diversion for you. via

Wonderful Slideshow of A Celebrity Couple's Colorado Hideaway

Whose house is this? I'm not telling. I am so impressed with their good taste. View the slideshow with 13 photos here. Click on the + sign to read the captions (the photo will get smaller). Click on the X to enlarge the photo again. Source: Architectural Digest - Read the longer article here.

Plantation Drive, Woodruff SC: Historic Home

Be still my heart. 120 Plantation Drive Woodruff, South Carolina $664,900 Read all about it here and tour the home inside and out. 

Nursery Tales by Katharine Pyle 1918

Frontispiece: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

I love this sweet illustration by Katharine Pyle

1918 Book Cover

Title Page

This entire 1918 book has been uploaded as an ebook that you can read on a computer or mobile device. The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mother's Nursery Tales, by Katharine Pyle. Click HERE to get started reading this delightful book. I adore the illustrations. You're welcome. xo

Butter-Rum Walnut Cake: King Arthur Flour Recipe

Oh, WOW. This looks so delicious. Be sure to read the reviews below the recipe for one lady's changes. The recipe is very versatile. King Arthur Flour Recipe

Best Kitchen Window

A wreath on the window over the kitchen sink is a great idea! via

Newborn Lamb Transport in Italy

Donkey nannies in Italy.

Each year in Italy, grazing animals are moved from high pastures down to the plains. Newborn lambs are unable to make this journey on their own. Instead, they ride in the pouches of a specially made saddle on the back of a donkey or a mule nanny. They are taken down at rest stops and returned to their mothers for a bite to eat and a bit of nuzzling.

Photo: medeamoon

Suffragette on A Scooter 1916

c. 1916 Lady Norman on her scooter.

IMAGE: PAUL THOMPSON/FPG/ARCHIVE PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES click here for more photos of early scooters of all kinds.

Yes, she is a suffragette, and yes, that is her scooter. English socialite and activist Florence Priscilla, Lady Norman, CBE was given this Autoped as a birthday present by her husband, Sir Henry Norman. She used it to travel to her office in central London. Florence was following in her mother's footsteps in her active support for women's suffrage. Her CBE (Commander of the British Empire) came when she ran a hospital in France during World War I.

Snow Bunny

A Nor'easter is coming tomorrow around lunch time with snow and sleet and then rain on Friday. I am not at all excited, but seeing a cute snow bunny like this would soften the blow. via

Barn Owl, Beautifully Photographed

I love this Barn Owl sitting on this old painted wood. It's just perfect! via 

Goat in An Old Truck

Your Uber is here!

Not my photo but I love it, and the caption made me laugh. via

A View Like A Living Painting

The view is stunningly beautiful, isn't it? And this window frames it perfectly. I can't seem to look away. via

Woodpile: Neatness Counts

This is lovely. There must be a really large fireplace somewhere to use these unsplit logs. via

Blue Footed Booby

It's almost too much isn't it? To have blue feet and be called a booby. I think they are adorable.

This made me laugh. Both photos found on Google Images. National Geographic has more information and photos on their website.

Cats Keeping Watch

This looks like a very lofty building requiring cat watchmen. via

'The Angels' by Walter Crane

I am somewhat obsessed with the artwork of Walter Crane. He was friends with William Morris and I love the Pre-Raphaelites of the Arts and Crafts Movement. I found this image on Pinterest.

I voted today in the midterm election but it's way too early to get a feel for who won. The polls don't close in NJ until 8PM. I went this morning in the pouring rain.

November: Poem and Image 1889

Harvard's Houghton Library

Please click on the link and view this lovely poem by Beatrice Crane and the illustration by Walter Crane 1889. Have you ever read a more perfect description of the month of November? I have not! This is another image I want to print and keep forever.

Perfect Cabin Bedroom

Bring on the red woolen blankets! via I redid my bedding yesterday for winter and I slept like a log last night. I found a red and white toile duvet cover in my linen closet that I had forgotten all about and had never used. I put on clean white percale sheets (top sheet was ironed) and then I put on the down comforter layer. I put the reversible duvet cover on as a bedspread and it looks so nice. It was larger than my comforter and makes the perfect spread. My bed was so easy to make up this morning and I can't wait to jump in it again tonight. Is it wrong to wake up already planning going back to bed again? I think now. It's all about getting accustomed to daylight time minus the "savings". They say it takes a week for your body to get in the new rhythm. xo

Sweetest Cottage

Low Country Cotage with Twin Porch Swings! Perfection. via

Caterpillar Feasting on A Poppy Pod

Caterpillar Absolem feasting on Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). This stunning photo is straight out of Alice in Wonderland, isn't it? I want to save it forever, I love it so. Mother Nature really outdid herself when designing this caterpillar's body and colorful markings. via

Papaver somniferum "Midnight"

Inga Moore Illustration for Wind in the Willows

Toad and his friends can now relax and enjoy a meal together.

A group of weasels had invaded toad's house and were having a party.

For many more Inga Moore illustrations of the 1908 classic story, Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame -- click here (each illustration can be enlarged by clicking on it). You have enough time to order this large story book as holiday gifts for your favorite children. You could keep a copy at your house so you can enjoy it too. xo

Cozy Living Room

I like this furniture arrangement. The antique portrait looks nice in this modern setting. via

Happy November! The rush is on to complete all the outdoor chores before it gets too cold. I just looked at the weather for the next six days and four of them show rain. Oh, dear. See you later. xo

Halloween Love Story, Illustrated

I love this charming story and the illustrations are wonderful.

Original artwork by Bree Paulsen. View them full-size here.

Halloween Pot Luck Lunch at My Office

We had our office meeting today and most of the agents dressed up for Halloween. I went dressed for a Safari Hunt with a pith helmet, binoculars around my neck, khaki pants, hunting jacket and white turtle neck. I bought the white pith helmet at the fireman's rummage sale the end of September and I have worn it several times outside when I do yard work. Our manager made turkey chili and we all brought something for a pot luck lunch after the meeting. Pictured above is the best Halloween party food that one of our agents found on Pinterest and copied. Isn't it great? People dived right in and the guacamole was gone in a flash. Happy Halloween. Don't eat too much candy. xo

Vintage Halloween Costume Photos

I love looking at vintage photos from days gone by when Halloween costumes were homemade. See more here and find your favorite. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!