Blooming Hellebore in My Garden

I worked outside yesterday from dawn until dark. The Hellebore I planted last spring is spectacular and such a welcome spring flower that survived beautifully after being buried under two feet of snow for so long. I neglected to write down the name of this Lenten Rose but I think it must be Spring Party. I searched online and found a photo.

The mature foliage on my hellebore looks exactly like this. The leaves are large and leathery. I am very happy to have this old fashioned plant in a corner of my front walled garden. Photo found here.

I clipped off all the giant mature leathery leaves that looked like the photo above because they were just lying on the ground and didn't look tidy after my spring cleanup.

Prince Philip's Secret Pet Name for Queen Elizabeth

Here's a hint.
photo credit

Yes, he called her "Cabbage". It might have originated with the French phrases "mon petit chou" which means "my little cabbage" as well as "my little pastry puff". Isn't this endearing? Read article in Town & Country with more Royal Family links.

The Washington Post has an excellent photo diary of the wonderful Life of Prince Philip with snapshots I've never seen.

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Prince Philip's LIfe in Pictures

2017 Prince Philip tips his hat to a lifetime of public service at his final solo royal engagement before retirement. Town & Country has a wonderful slideshow of his life 1921-2021. ©Getty images

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Geraniums in Old Clay Pots

I took my geraniums outside today and worked on them after a long winter in the basement. I trimmed all the dead wood, watered them, and they enjoyed a nice day in the sun. I put plastic over them for the night just in case it gets too nippy tonight. Photo found on Google Images.

Open Porch w/ Brick Floor, More Views

I found another view of the brick-floored in yesterday's post. It goes on forever in this house overlooking the Navesink River in Rumson, NJ ~ See link below.

Sitting room with a river view. This new house is simply stunning, designed by Gil Schafer Architect. You will enjoy seeing the entire house, inside and out.

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Stunning Bathroom with Gallery Wall

There are no words to describe my love for this bathroom designed by Christopher Peacock. I have seen many of this firm's bespoke kitchens at realtor open houses and they have all been works of art.

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Covered Open Porch with Brick Floor

 

It will soon be time to throw open the front door and welcome in some fresh air and put the houseplants you have been overwintering outside! via

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Ephrata Cloister: Ephrata, PA

The Ephrata Cloister preserves the remains of a religious communal society founded in 1732 by German immigrant Conrad Beissel. The monastic society of brothers and sisters lived an austere life of work, study, and prayer. They ate one meal a day of grains, fruits, and vegetables, and encouraged celibacy. They even slept on wooden benches with wooden "pillows." Known for its a cappella singing and publishing, the society lived and worked in a cluster of striking buildings with steep-roofed medieval-style architecture. The last sister died in 1813.

Pushing William Penn's "Holy Experiment" to its Limits: Ephrata Cloister

I have never heard of this historic site in Lancaster County. The above link is from the Pennsylvania Heritage website and has more photos including some of the interior with furnishings. I haven't finished reading it yet but have it bookmarked. It is absolutely fascinating! Enjoy. xo

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Easter Bunny Bonnet

Isn't she lovely. This photo is an old repost from long ago. I'm glad to see it again and I hope you are too. Have a Blessed Easter. via

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Tasha Tudor Hanging Laundry (1940)

That's an awfully small basket. It must be for the clothes pins. Maybe she came out to take the laundry down. I adore hanging clothes out in the sun to dry. Have a wonderful Easter weekend. xo

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Spring Lambs for Good Friday

SPRING LAMBS IN IRELAND

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I got my second Covid shot yesterday and, so far, I have no adverse reaction. It was easy in and easy out at a CVS 40 minutes away with good weather for driving. I moved my bird feeder from my balcony to the back yard last week and have started cleaning the flooring before it's time to put the furniture back. The grass gets a little bit greener every day even though it's cold again. This morning it was in the low 20s when I went out with the birdseed. Have a wonderful Easter weekend. xo 🐰🐑🐑🐥

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Small 6" Cakes for Two with Recipes

I have been meaning to tell you about this site with wonderful recipes for small cakes for two people. I made a very plain one a while back and used my heart shaped cake pan and it was so good. I dusted with powdered sugar rather than making icing. Happy baking. Recipes here 🍰Happy April Fool's Day❤️

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Goodbye March Winds

Animated illustration by Oamul Lu 

Are you sorry to say Goodbye to March? 

It's hard to belive tomorrow is April. 

I love this gif. xo

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Easter Table Extraordinare 🐰🌷

I adore this photo posted on Instagram by a fellow realtor and designer with exquisite taste and a great collection of Herend bunnies. They are handmade and hand painted with 24K gold accents. The tulipware in the background couldn't be more perfect for her Easter table. I'm sure this collection wasn't built in a day but over many, many  years and isn't it lovely?

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Lovely Entryway with Wide Wallpaper Border

I love everything in this photo from Martha Stewart. Almost all the woodwork in my cottage is painted the color of the wide horizontal paneled wall with pegs. Don't you adore the wide wallpaper border? Leave it to Martha to have a tray for gardening and dog-walking shoes under the bench.  

Photo found here.

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William Shakespeare Stamp and Quote

Another of my creations from long ago.

Gallery Wall Over A Low Bookcase

I love the black wall for all the artwork and the low bookcases in white paint and topped with interesting things. via

Fence with Horizontal Slats

I like this fence.

The Adirondack chairs too.

Fencing is on my mind since the picket fence around my air conditioning unit is in need of repair. It's on the north side of my cottage and never gets any sun and the pine boards are rotting. I have replaced numerous pickets over the years and this year I am planning on having my house painted and the fence repaired. Article and more fence pics here.

Easter Chicks🐤🐤🐤🐤🐤🐤

So sweet!

They are so tiny.

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A Castle in The Cloud

I made this illustrated quote with a photograph of a beautiful sky over my cottage and added the text using one of my photo editing apps. This was posted on my blog long ago (2010) but it deserves to be seen again. I am thoroughly enjoying a cool, lazy, Sunday morning with rain. xo

 

Vintage Kitchenware Collection

This is the way I like to see a kitchen decorated.

Interesting article from House & Garden UK here.

Books and Bookshelves Quote

I made this graphic years ago and it remains a favorite.

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Delightful Easter Textile Art 🐰

❤️ Karen Pleass ❤️
Contemporary Irish☘️ textile artist🐰

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Beautiful Bathroom in Every Way

Here we go again with beautiful wallpaper in a fabulous bathroom. I love it all from the cafe curtains to the large mirrored wall. I wish I could see the rest of the room to see the storage area for all the things we usually hide in under-sink cabinetry. Who knew plumbing could be lovely? I love all the polished nickel silver fixtures. via

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CAIRDE: ☘️Seven Irish Dancing Lads☘️

I can't get enough and you won't either once you watch their dancing and hear their backstory. Here's the link. They have an Instagram too @_cairde ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

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