Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Einstein Quote about PLAY

"Play is the highest form of research."
Albert Einstein via
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Sunday, February 3, 2019

Dancing Cat and Duck

I wish I could have been around to see this animated gif being made. What a pair! Enjoy what's left of your Sunday. It was rather balmy here at the cottage with a nice day to be outside. My front walk has finally melted completely and it's finally not dangerous to walk on. xo

Saturday, February 2, 2019

A Lamb Princess

I do believe this little lamb would look very regal even without her jeweled tiara. via

Groundhog Day 2019

Well, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this morning, predicting an early spring. His success rate is only 40% so I don't believe a word of that forecast. We have gotten our coldest weather in the past few years in March, with blizzards, and that's a bitter pill to swallow when the snowdrops that are in bloom get buried and we are completely sick of winter. I am fine with the cold but not with deep snow. Fingers crossed that Phil is right this year. Read more about groundhogs here. Have a great weekend. xo

Friday, February 1, 2019

Hello February

Another month has come and gone, hasn't it? February will go even more quickly since it's the shortest month of the year. I hope the fair maiden in this drawing by Walter Crane sees the Polar Vortex on its way out. I am looking forward to seeing my snowdrops as they always emerge in February. xo

Thursday, January 31, 2019

DIY Industrial faucet

COLD doesn't come close to describing the weather. I woke up to 0° this morning but my car is clean and my cottage feels like any other morning. I'm sure my gas bill will reflect that next month. My furnace rarely turns on in the night but my radiators were hot when I got out of my cozy bed. 
My kitchen faucet is leaking from the base and I dread calling a plumber. I shall wait until spring since I know I need two new outside spigots that were not used last summer due to dripping. I hope my third one doesn't need replacing as well, due to this deep freeze.
Anyway, I like the looks of this faucet made from plumbing parts. It would be nice in a laundry room or a sink in a potting shed or an outside kitchen near the grill. via

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Watching PLUTO TV on my iPhone

This still photo above is actually a video I posted on Instagram. It shows my iPhone tuned in to a news channel on Pluto TV. It's a free app and I love it for watching live TV in rooms where I don't have a television set. This scene is in my home office in the pantry. You can also watch live movies or movies on demand. There are 24 Movie channels. 14 News channels, 13 Sports channels, and so much more. There are 100 channels in all. 
You can watch my video on Instagram here. You can download Pluto TV from the Apple App Store for iPhone or iPad or Google Play for an android device. Enjoy! You're welcome.
You don't need an app to watch it on your laptop or desktop computer. Here's the link. https://pluto.tv/ Click on the On Demand bar in the center to see the movies you can watch.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Lennart Helje Art w/ Elf, Cat, Bird

Lennart Helje is a painter and illustrator who born in 1940 in Lima, Sweden. He paints gnomes wearing red hats and animals in snowy landscapes. He has also illustrated books, stamps, and postal Christmas seals, with Nordic, nature, and plant motifs. The photo above was found on Google Images. Isn't his artwork delightful? I also found an article about him on a blog with a slideshow of some of his wonderful paintings. Read more here. You're welcome. xo

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Darling Doggie Door w/ Brick Exterior and Awning

It took a while and lots of searching on Google Images but I finally found a darling doggie door with a beautiful exterior. All it needs is a canine door man. This little dog must surely live on 5th Avenue.

Saturday, January 26, 2019

American Robin in the Snow

I saw some winter Bluebirds flying around on a bitter cold and windy day last week. Guess this robin is doing some winter house hunting. via

Friday, January 25, 2019

Blue and White Bathroom to Love

I especially love the charming ticking slipcover on the chair holding the towels. I love the short pleated skirt. Everything else is pretty nice too, especially the beautiful tub. via

I post each of my daily posts on Pinterest.

My most popular pins from my blog are re-pinned by others here.

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Tour John Derian's Manhattan Home

An antique hatbox sits atop an 18th-century Italian armoire in the bedroom. The slipper chair is covered in an antique rug. On floor, 19th-century French runner.

The bedroom features a 19th-century canopy bed with a linen cover by Charvet Editions. On walls, Farrow & Ball's mouse's back; lamps by Robert Ogden; c. 1930 Caucasian rug.

There are many more photos and an accompanying article in Architectural Digest: Explore the Layered Wonderland of John Derian's Home.

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Floor to Ceiling Double Hung Window

This could be a window at Monticello in Virginia, but I'm not sure. There was a time when doors were taxed and windows were not. This type of window was a work around. Love the long shadows!

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Einstein Quote with Bicycle

I added the text to this bicycle graphic and posted it on my blog in 2009. Albert Einstein was quite famous for riding his bicycle around Princeton.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Virtual Woodburning Fire to Warm You

My own fireplace is all set for a fire but it's terribly windy outside right now so I'd better not light it. This virtual fire will have to do. It is supposed to get down to 7° tonight but will feel colder because of the wind. I thank my lucky stars every night for my eider down comforter that keeps me so warm and toasty. 
My overnight snow had turned to rain when I got up this morning. I dealt with it and cleared everything before noon after two hours of working outside. I had some homemade soup when I came inside at noon. Be safe and warm as we ride out the winter. Thankfully, tomorrow is a holiday and many people won't have to go to work.
xo

Friday, January 18, 2019

Snowy Friday: A Dusting at My Cottage

I woke up to a dusting of snow and it has already stopped. So happy. A dusting is my favorite. No shovel required. I can just sweep my front walk. xo

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Acorns and Oak Leaves

“The boughs of the oak are roaring inside the acorn shell.” ~Charles Tomlinson via
I love this photo and the quote too! xo

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Hallway Bookshelves, Nice!


I designed this quote long ago. I think Anna Quindlen would be most pleased if her children had bookshelves like the photo above.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Snow Art

Snow Angel in Empty Swimming Pool

Punk Snowman with Mohawk Haircut via

Monday, January 14, 2019

Beautiful Snow Scene

This unspoiled snow scene lis lovely but I am happy that it isn't my cottage. Once again, my area was spared the snow that is blanketing Virginia and points south. Is the weather shifting? I think it is. I got just a dusting on Sunday morning that melted when the clouds parted and the sun came up. More snow is predicted for this weekend. Fingers crossed. via

Sunday, January 13, 2019

VICTORIA, Season 3 Premier TONIGHT

Set your DVR or prepare to watch Season 3, Episode 1 tonight on PBS. I am thrilled my favorite series is back, finally! 

Mark your calendars: Season 3 will begin on Sunday, January 13.

Stars Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes will reprise their roles as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Season 3 will begin in 1848 as the royal couple faces the challenges of their growing family and worries that the riots and revolutions breaking out across Europe will make their way to England’s shores.

“It’s a time when the whole of Europe is falling apart,” creator Daisy Goodwin said during PBS's session at the biannual Television Critics Association Press Tour. “French kings were getting thrown off the throne, there were riots in Berlin. It’s all going pear-shaped.”

How much of Victoria’s multi-decade reign will Season 3 cover? We’re not sure. But what we do know is that it won’t get to 1861. Goodwin has promised that Albert will be part of the full season, meaning we won’t have to face his death just yet. Article found here.

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Vintage Attic Storage Idea

I love this attic print storage and art room. I have something similar in the attic of my cottage and am always looking for new ideas. via

Friday, January 11, 2019

Cutest Doggie Door Ever

How Darling.
If the door to the house is closed, it appears there is a holding area on the porch where the dog can have shelter and dry off. Photo found here.
xo, Rosemary @ Content in a Cottage

Thursday, January 10, 2019

New House with Classic Elements

I adore linen presses in hallways of old homes and so appreciate seeing them in new construction. High ceilings and transoms over the doors are another feature I like and these floorboards are wonderful. xo

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Distressed Cat Face


Look at that cat's face in the last photo. I don't blame her for being distressed about having to share her food with a possum. So adorable! Photo found here.

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Topiary Perfection

Could anything be more lovely? I think not. The house. The walk. The clipped topiaries. Perfection. via