My Cottage after Plowing

AFTER THE PLOWING

My entrance looks like a super market parking lot. I wonder how long it will take that snow mountain to melt? My driveway that goes down to my red barn/garage was plowed too for the first time ever and now my car is parked up front in anticipation of more snow on Friday, my phone says a 90% chance.😱

My Hero: Captain Sir Tom Moore

Captain Sir Tom Moore RIP Sir Captain Tom Moore. British World War II veteran Captain Tom Moore who raised 39 million pounds for health service workers on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19. Sleep with the angels Thank you. via

Click the photo to enlarge the portrait of this beautiful 100 year old man💋

Snow Scenes Around My Cottage

Late afternoon looking toward the way back.

These Adirondack chairs are under my balcony. See all the bird tracks? 

The first two snow pyramids were formed over round planters. The third one with the melted top is over a light fixture.

Snow mounds over various planters and snow piled high on my brick wall.

Just outside my vestibule door this morning after I shoveled a path one shovel wide.

A Blue Jay Portrait

I have been trying to get a good photograph of a blue jay ever since I started feeding the birds last fall. Today was the day he stopped right outside my door to the balcony and I got a great shot. A good friend nearby sent me the name of a plow person and I have hired him for tomorrow. Today I will work on digging out my car and my generator. We might get another three inches of snow today so tomorrow is the perfect day. xo

Snowed In

I took this photo this morning late and it's still snowing at 7:30 pm. We have over 2 feet of snow it is not going to quit until Tuesday evening. The roads are plowed but I am not and don't know when I will be dug out since I always do it myself and don't have a regular plow person. Oh well, I should be out by spring. I did dig a path to the bird feeder to fill it up so the birds will have a full tube in the morning.

Scalamandré’s Leaping Zebra Wallpaper

Zebras was originally designed for Gino of Capri, a New York City restaurant that opened in 1945. Read more about the history of this iconic wallpaper design in Architectural Digest.

DIY: Cat Window Perch by Martha Stewart

This is the greatest cat window perch I've ever seen. It's not surprising that Martha Stewart designed it and provided DIY instructions here, is it? Let me know if you decide to make one. It actually looks pretty simple after you get the wood sized to fit your cat's favorite window.  You could also start your flower and vegetable seeds on a "greenhouse" shelf like this! xo

The Flame Trees of Thika on Acorn TV

My current obsession. The Flame Trees of Thika miniseries on Acorn TV is absolutely wonderful. It was filmed on location in 1981 in untamed Africa. If you liked "Out of Africa" you will love it. The movie is based on a Memoir by Elsbeth Huxley so it's also a true story. Enjoy the YouTube preview and be convinced.

Photos Around My Cottage

I walked around outside yesterday and this was the only "color" I could find.

I photographed a lovely female cardinal this morning on my balcony railing.

This is a little glimpse of my upstairs attic office. Right now I have papers and files everywhere as I have just started working on my taxes.

Night-Time Reading: Moley in the Library

"It’s not the sort of night for bed, anyhow.“  

Kenneth Grahame 

Night-Time Reading: Moley in the Library, inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s ‘The Wind In The Willows" illustration by Chris Dunn. via

Painterly Landscape Photograph

It's lovely, isn't it? I love the golden glow in the sky and the snow on the water. via

Blue and White Tile Mural

A Baroque Interior with Azulejo Tilework 

a·zu·le·jo A kind of glazed colored tile traditionally used in Spanish and Portuguese buildings. via

Lovely Cat Portrait

Do Animals Pose for Their Portraits?

Yes, they do!

Isn't this cat beautiful?

via

Wonderful Entrance

Old Door. Old Stone Floor. Just Wonderful!

It doesn't get much better than this, does it?

Crocheted Bernie Sanders

It doesn't take the crafters long, does it? I love this crocheted meme of Bernie Sanders with his mittens, don't you? via

These photos and more appear on Instagram if you search @tobeytimecrochet A woman named Tobey Perales King is the one behind this adorable needlework.

UPDATE: THE ARTIST PUT THIS BERNIE DOLL ON EBAY AND PROMISED TO DONATE 100% OF THE PROCEEDS TO MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA.

HE BROUGHT $20,300 FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR!

Photos and comments removed at the request of the artist. 12/07/2021

All Ears

Tell me again, I'm all ears now!

via

Reading Room with A View and An Ottoman

I don't see many books but this room has everything else needed to be the perfect reading room. The view is fantastic and at last, I find a chair with an ottoman!❤

Lady Liberty Gilded Antique Weather Vane

Lady Liberty still prevails!

A Winter Garden in Sweden

Winters are long in Sweden so why not design your garden to be beautiful in the snow?

Read the article about how Maria Dremo Sundström achieved this look with hers.

I wonder if she was inspired by Dutch Landscape Designer. Piet Oudolf? See a video about his Dutch gardens and a film documentary below:

Cozy Corner for Reading

COZY READING CORNER

Isn't this delightful? I am mentally picturing a matching ottoman that is opposite the easy chair upholstered in stripped ticking. That would make this cozy corner perfect.❤

Ancient Egyptian Pillars

Temple of Esna, Egypt

Interior of the Hypostyle Hall at the Temple of Khnum, Esna. Photo: Wolfgang Kaehler

Hypostyle hall, in architecture, interior space whose roof rests on pillars or columns. The word means literally “under pillars,” and the design allows for the construction of large spaces—as in temples, palaces, or public buildings—without the need for arches. This particular temple was built of red sandstone, and its portico consisted of six rows of four columns each, with lotus-leaf capitals, all of which however differ from each other. The temple contains very late hieroglyphic inscription, dating from the reign of Decius (249–251 AD).

Robin's Egg Blue Paint

Old Wide-Board Floor in Blue Paint

Wouldn't you love to wake up in this bedroom? I certainly would. I wish I could see more of the upholstered headboard to study the fabric. The room has the look of "just moved in but haven't unpacked yet" but it's probably finished and owned by a minimalist. Sigh!

Words to live by. via

Low Bookcase: Art Display Wall Above

Low Bookcase with Art Gallery Above

I absolutely love this wall decor. The low bookcase, filled with coffee table books, acts as a wonderful display ledge too. The beautiful artwork above and beside just makes this room. I love it❤

View from My Window

Overcast Saturday Morning

View from My Pantry Window

It rained like cats and dogs all night long and thankfully my gutters were cleaned recently and I could hear the water rushing through the downspouts very clearly. When I woke up the rain had stopped and my balcony was as clean as can be so I didn't have to sweep the area below the bird feeder. I have to go food shopping today and that's one of my least favorite things to do. I always try to talk myself out of it until there isn't anything in the house to eat and that's nearly where I am today. I'm going to clean my refrigerator first though, another task I dislike, but it makes me feel good when I finish. Enjoy your weekend. xo

Tall Case Clock in My Kitchen

New Jersey Tall Case Clock circa 1820

I found this old photo with the sundial that is now in my garden next to the tall case clock in my kitchen. There was an area of my attic over the kitchen that was too low for me to stand upright so I incorporated it into my kitchen during the renovation. That was fortunate because the kitchen ended up being the only room where my clock could stand after I moved in. My former house had eight-foot ceilings and I never measured the room heights in my cottage but they are only seven feet, eight inches.  My clock needs a minimum of eight feet to stand up with the finials in place, so in the kitchen it went and I have absolutely loved it there ever since. It fits perfectly between my cabinetry and the pantry even though this space wasn't designed to house the clock. It couldn't be any better if I had planned it this way! xo

Rabbit Wallpaper

RABBIT  WALLPAPER

This bathroom is in the house I visited last Saturday for the Estate Sale. Isn't it fabulous? The rabbit wallpaper is really the WOW factor needed to transform an otherwise unexciting room into a spectacular one. Dare to be daring! I love it.❤

My Cow Creamer has A Calf Creamer

I went to an estate sale on Saturday and found this little calf creamer to keep company with the mama cow creamer I already had. Aren't they a delightful pair? I feel as if I have reunited a family.

Breathtakingly Beautiful

I tried to find more information on this grand interior but couldn't. The walls are beautiful as are the pair of chairs flanking the tree mural. via

Chicken Pot Pie Cornbread Muffins

I have been saving this recipe ever since it appeared in my inbox. I love cornbread and chicken pot pie and muffins too so I had to look at the recipe. It is a winner. It pops up immediately under the photo when you click on the link so you can decide for yourself. I have everything on hand except buttermilk so I might substitute my homemade yogurt. You can google buttermilk substitute to find other suggestions. I just did that and think I will wait and pick up some buttermilk when I go grocery shopping this week because it has a flavor none of the substitutes have and I happen to like it too. Enjoy if you make these pie/muffins that just might turn into your favorite comfort food. xo

Bookshelves Everywhere

When in doubt, put in more bookshelves. via

COOKBOOKS ON MY COUNTER

This is the only way I can figure out to share my thoughts using my favorite font. My friend @staceysnacks, the food blogger/antique collector, gave me a wonderful new vegetable cookbook and an antique French wooden bookmark with beautiful calligraphy in addition to a few other things for Christmas. xo