Kate Greenaway Tile 1881

Earthenware tile, transfer-printed and hand-coloured. Designed (1881) by Kate Greenaway. Made by T. & R. Boote. Image and text information courtesy V&A. via This is lovely, isn't it?

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2017. All Rights Reserved

4 Stuffed Animal Sewing Patterns to Download

There's still time to make a stuffed toy. Luckily this is a digital download so there's no waiting or leaving home to get all four patterns. Just pay for The Dear Ones and download patterns here.

Cutest Handmade Bear

The hand stitching makes this bear so very lovable and adorable. Some lucky child is going to be thrilled with this huggable stuffed animal. Handmade toys and gifts are the best! via

English Robin on A Snowy Holly Branch

This beautiful photograph is a living Christmas Card. Agreed? via I love the English robins with the upside down hearts on their breasts.

Diane Keaton Designs Rustic Residence for Herself

For the past few decades, Academy Award-winning actress Diane Keaton has spent much of her free time off set on a series of construction sites flipping houses. Who knew?

Inside you'll find distressed brick, chicken wire cabinetry, raw wooden beams, old chicken coops repurposed into pendant lights, shiplap-covered walls, subway tile, black french shower doors, and a plethora of antiques. I chose to feature the kitchen; click here to see the rest of the home she designed for herself with the help of Pinterest. The photos and article appeared in both Country Living and Wine Spectator Magazines.

Dream House In England

Teleport me there, now! via

Tree in Winter

This tree is lovely in the winter landscape. I love the shape of it and the fence fascinates me. It appears to be a "forever" fence with sturdy wooden posts and rails made of connected metal pipes. via

Mountain Village at Night

This snow-covered mountain village at night is absolutely gorgeous, isn't it? via

Anne Hathaway's Cottage

via

The cottage of William Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway.

Winter Garden by Lucy Goldsmith

I love this charming "Winter Garden" illustration by Lucy Grossmith, a Suffolk UK based artist and illustrator. The outdoor activity comes alive when the lights go on inside our cottages. 

December by Walter Crane

The Procession of the Months, collection in the Houghton Library at Harvard. Illustration by Walter Crane. Verse by his daughter Beatrice Crane. See their November calendar page here. See his woodcut engraving called The Angels here. More information on Walter Crane's life and career here.

Christmas Eve in Iceland

Yes. This does sound perfect. via

Farmhouse Style: Christmas Decor

Just gorgeous. An all white farmhouse with wreaths on every window, garlands on the porch railings, and snow. via

Simple Christmas Decor Outdoors

If you are lucky enough to have an ivy-covered house, all you need is green wreaths with red bows for Christmas. A dusting of snow would be nice too. via Happy December. xo

Appley Dappley: Beatrix Potter 18890

Appley Dapply - Beatrix Potter 1890 via

APPLEY DAPPLY, a little brown mouse,

Goes to the cupboard in somebody's house.

IN somebody's cupboard

⁠There's everything nice,

⁠Cake, cheese, jam, biscuits,

⁠—All charming for mice!

Click HERE to read all of APPLEY DAPPLY'S NURSERY RHYMES, all with Beatrix Potter illustrations.

The Ultimate Cotswolds Guide UK

Castle Combe UK

The Ultimate Cotswolds Guide: 8 Picturesque Towns and Villages It's a gloomy day here at the cottage, perfect for armchair travel. xo

Swedish Proverb

How true! via

"Those who wish to sing always find a song."

Swedish Proverb

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.